Doctors to decide on Humayun Ahmed soon

  Doctors have said that they will decide on the next course of action after the fifth, or perhaps the sixth chemo on Humayun Ahmed.

Diagnosed with colon cancer, the eminent writer's doctors in New York had previously said that they would be able to decide on the next course of treatment after the fourth chemotherapy session, scheduled for Nov 8. But it now appears that there won't be a decision till late November.

Currently undergoing treatment at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, Humayun Ahmed has been responding positively to his chemo sessions and reportedly feels quite well. "In fact he would rather fly back home after the fourth cycle," said his publisher Mazharul Islam who has been living with Humayun in a three-bedroom apartment in Jamaica, New York.

The Anyaprokash chief executive, who has been attending to the writer since he arrived there on Sep 13, told bdnews24.com on Monday that Humayun's writing had also picked up.

"I received even another write-up this morning," said Mazhar who arrived in Dhaka two days ago and is set to fly off to New York around mid-November. "I will be here till after the book fair, marking Humayun's birthday on Nov 13, and will perhaps leave after that."

Mazhar said that Humayun had also developed two plays for two television stations ? one for Channel i and the other for ATN Bangla.

Humayun Ahmed's white blood cells had taken a dip, which, according to Mazhar, was apparently a side effect of chemo treatment. Ahmed had been given an injection to lift up the lymphocyte count. "He had been in a bit of a pain till yesterday because of that. But not anymore. He is doing quite well now."

The contemporary writer has already begun writing about his experiences in New York for newspapers, which Mazharul Islam said would be published as a collection in future under the title ? "New York-er Neel Akashe Jhokjhoke Rodh"? which translates 'Bright sun under New York's blue sky.' The next instalment, 'No free lunch' is forthcoming in a couple of days, where the writer presumably dwells upon his brush with the typically American saying.

Mazhar estimated off the top of his head that Humayun Ahmed's treatment with the six chemo sessions has cost about $100,000 together with the doctor's fees and other charges.

bdnews24.com/ta/tk/1208h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Sony mulling pulling out of LCD JV with Samsung: sources

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
TOKYO, Oct 30 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Sony Corp, struggling with a loss-making television business, is considering dissolving its LCD joint venture with South Korea's Samsung Electronics in a bid to cut costs, sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

The Nikkei business daily, which reported the news earlier, said the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant was aiming to reach an agreement by the end of this year to sell its nearly 50 percent stake in liquid-crystal display joint venture S-LCD to Samsung.

Sony needs to step up outsourcing to reduce procurement costs and cope with rapidly declining prices of LCD panels due to a global oversupply.

Industry sources told Reuters in Tokyo that Sony hoped to dissolve the joint venture quickly, but that it had yet to agree terms or timing with Samsung.

Spokesmen for both Sony and Samsung Electronics declined to comment.

South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo had a similar report on the joint venture breakup in July, which Sony denied.

A well-informed industry source told Reuters in Seoul that such reports seem to be "distorted" because Sony has been negotiating with Samsung over its return on investment in the joint venture, rather than shareholdings.

"Under the contract on the LCD joint venture, the two parties are allowed to discuss such matters, which outsiders could misunderstand as a step for Sony to withdraw from the joint venture," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In April, the two companies cut capital in the joint venture by $555 million as Sony sought to slash its TV losses and Samsung pushed ahead with next generation displays.

Sony is under pressure to show it can reduce its exposure to the loss-making TV unit and concentrate on developing its strategy for smartphones.

Last week, it announced it will take control of its mobile phone joint venture with Ericsson as it seeks to exploit its music and video applications to help it catch smartphone leaders such as Apple Inc.

Sony reports July-September results on Wednesday. Analysts are forecasting Sony will fall short of its operating profit outlook of 200 billion yen ($2.63 billion) for the year to March 2012, with consumer confidence wobbling in Europe and the United States and as the strong yen bites into profits.

The electronics giant, which competes with Samsung and LG Electronics in televisions, needs to slash costs as it heads for its eighth straight annual loss in its TV business.

Sony has already sold off TV factories in Spain, Slovakia and Mexico in the past few years and outsources more than half of production to companies including Hon Hai Precision Industry. It retains four TV plants of its own in Japan, Brazil, China and Malaysia.

bdnews24.com/rn/1140h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

DSE fluctuating

  Trading at the country's premier bourse on the week's second day has started amidst fluctuations with the general index gaining only 16 points in the first one and half hour of trade.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange general index stood at 5093.14 gaining 0.32 percent at 12.30am on Monday. Shares worth Tk 1.16 billion have changed hands with prices of 112 issues rising, 97 declining and eight remaining unchanged.

Traffic at Motijheel came to a halt again after retail investors staged a street demonstration protesting the steep fall in share prices on Sunday. The benchmark index lost 231.65 points or 4.36 percent to stand at 5077.12 points.

Last week, the index shed 237 points to stand at 5308.79 points at close on Thursday.

bdnews24.com/rn/tk/1235h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Keep close watch on remittance process: Wahiduddin Mahmud

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Dhaka, Oct 26 (bdnews24.com) ? Former advisor to the caretaker government Wahiduddin Mahmud has urged the government to keep a close watch over the remittance process so that wage earners do not face any trouble when sending money home.

"Remittance constitutes ten percent of Bangladesh's total foreign currency earnings, which is also five times more than foreign assistance. In last year, a total of $ 11.4 billion came from the expatriates. So the government and Bangladesh Bank should keep a close watch on the remittance sending process," he said at a 'remittance fair' at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Wednesday.

He also proposed to announce 2012 as the 'Year of expatriates'.

The day-long fair was organised by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).

Wahiduddin Mahmud also said that the government does not take any initiatives for the benefit of non-resident Bangladeshis, even though they have a huge contribution in the development of the country.

Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Ziaul Hassan Siddiqui said steps to solve different problems related to expatriates would be taken after a discussion meeting with representatives from different banks on Oct 30.

"Steps should be taken so that the banks process remittance related issues in the shortest possible time," he added.

bdnews24.com/aha/mrh/tk/1339h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

NCC election will not be free and fair: Noman

 BNP has expressed its fear that the Narayanganj City Corporation election will not be free and fair.

"The present election commission is biased. No election can be free and fair under its management," said BNP vice-president Abdullah Al Noman at a press briefing on Tuesday.

A total of six aspirants are contesting for the mayoral post on the vote, scheduled to be held on Oct 30.

The six candidates are ruling Awami League members, Shamim Osman and Selina Hayat Ivy, with 'wall clock' and 'pen-inkpot' symbols, respectively, BNP's Taimur Alam Khandokar with 'pineapple', Islami Andolan leader Atikur Rahman Nannu Munsi with 'bullock cart', and independent candidates Sharif Mohammad with 'duck' and Atikul Islam Jibon with 'padlock'.

On Tuesday, BNP held a meeting at its New Paltan office with Abdullah Al Noman in the chair. He briefed journalists just after the meeting.

While expressing his fear about the free and fair election, he told the journalists, "It's a local government election. We have a nominated candidate who is contesting there and central committee leaders of the party are working there for him for last few days."

Asked about the electronic voting system (EVM), Noman said, "Whatever the election commission says, we have tested that election result using the EVM can be changed. Huge forgery is possible using these machines. So, we asked the election commission not to use EVM in the national election."

Commenting on the price fall in the stock market, he said, "The government could not protect the fall in the stock market though the Bangladesh Bankers Association (BAB) promised to inject Tk 50 billion. A special class is trying to profit by raising prices. So, we think these additional funds will not be able to protect the continuous fall."

"Steps should be taken against these circles. But the government can't take any steps. So, general people and businessmen have no confidence in this government," he added.

City BNP member secretary Abdus Salam and a freedom fighter also briefed the journalists. He said, "I was called by the war crime tribunal for some information. They asked me about my activities during the liberation war, when I attended the war, in which place and whether I knew Nizami, Muzahid or not. I did not give any statement about anybody. Just answered some questions asked by tribunal officers."

After discussion with the party chief and lawyers, Salam went to the tribunal court along with two of his lawyers on Oct 17, he added.

bdnews24.com/sm/mrh/tk/1438h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Energy protection committee to set out on 3-day march

  Dhaka, Oct 25 (bdnews24.com) -- The National Committee on Protection of Oil and Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has initiated a three-day long march, from Dhaka to Sunetra from Oct 28 to Oct 31, demanding implementation of its 7-point charter of demands.

Member secretary of the committee, Anu Mohammad officially announced the program from a press meeting at Mukti Bhaban in the Purana Palan area on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX), a subsidiary of Petrobangla struck another gas reserve worth 1 trillion cubic feet (TCF) in Rashidpur Gas Field, using 3D seismic survey for the first time.

BAPEX will carry 3D seismic survey in Sunetra gas field at Shunamganj of Netrokona district in November-December.

Anu Mohammad said, "Foreign companies and their commission agents have predominance over the energy sector of the country. So, it has became harder to solve problems related to this sector.

"So, to protect national rights and for the development of this sector, we would request everybody to attend long-march towards Sunetra, urging for the lifting of gas through local companies," he added.

LONG MARCH SCHEDULE

The long march will commence from the national press club on Oct 28 and on the same day a rally will be held at Gazipur town.

On Oct 29, the long-march will move forward to Mymensingh from Gazipur and a rally will be held at Mymensingh town.

On Oct 30, leaving Mymensingh, the long-march will reach Netrokona and a rally will also be held in the town.

On Oct 31, the long-march will start for Sunetra and it come to an end after a rally.

Anu Mohammad said that there will be songs, dramas and processions during the progression of the road march to keep participants' spirits up.

The 7-point demands include, passing a news law 'banning export of natural resources' in parliament, a stop to further agreements with any foreign company, use of safe techniques in lifting coal, dismissing all agreement with ConocoPhillips, implementing the Phulbari agreement, and handing over compensation to the affected farmers of Barapukuria coal mine.

bdnews24.com/arr/mrh/tk/1354h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Week-long school de-worming campaign starts

 A weeklong school de-worming campaign has been launched in the capital with a new 'little doctors' strategy to check for existence of the illness among the students after taking the pill.

Minister for primary and mass education Afsarul Ameen opened the nationwide campaign by administrating a tablet to a child and urged the schoolteachers and guardians to help in making the campaign successful.

At least 20 million school going children between the ages of 5 to 12 will be administered with the de-worming tablet free of cost.

The government has started the campaign, held twice a year, in Nov 2008 after a survey indicated that 80 percent of school going children suffer worm infections, triggering malnutrition.

"De-worming tablets are safe to consume and the campaign is important to keep all children worm-free," Be-Nazir Ahmed, director (disease control) of the Directorate General of Health Services said.

"But reports of falling ill after taking the tablet hampers the campaign," he said, adding they would introduce 'little doctors' in schools this time.

"Some 15 students of class five will be picked up to motivate their classmates before the campaign," he explained and that 'if they (the students) knew earlier about the tablet and its need, they would not feel any discomfort.'

"They feel discomfort in taking the tablet particularly in an empty stomach. Someone might feel immediate pain in empty stomach. And a single incident can trigger mass-illness in schools."

The director urged all not to panic as de-worming was very important for students to remain healthy.

"Worms can cause severe malnutrition in children."

However, the primary and mass education minister urged the health authorities to be a part of the mothers' gatherings at schools in a bid to create health and hygiene awareness.

Director general for health Khondaker Md Shefayet Ullah said they would take steps in this regard.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

NNC election will not be free and fair: Noman

  Dhaka, Oct 25 (bdnews24.com) ? BNP has expressed its fear that the Narayanganj City Corporation election will not be free and fair.

"The present election commission is biased. No election can be free and fair under its management," said BNP vice-president Abdullah Al Noman at a press briefing on Tuesday.

A total of six aspirants are contesting for the mayoral post on the vote, scheduled to be held on Oct 30.

The six candidates are ruling Awami League members, Shamim Osman and Selina Hayat Ivy, with 'wall clock' and 'pen-inkpot' symbols, respectively, BNP's Taimur Alam Khandokar with 'pineapple', Islami Andolan leader Atikur Rahman Nannu Munsi with 'bullock cart', and independent candidates Sharif Mohammad with 'duck' and Atikul Islam Jibon with 'padlock'.

On Tuesday, BNP held a meeting at its New Paltan office with Abdullah Al Noman in the chair. He briefed journalists just after the meeting.

While expressing his fear about the free and fair election, he told the journalists, "It's a local government election. We have a nominated candidate who is contesting there and central committee leaders of the party are working there for him for last few days."

Asked about the electronic voting system (EVM), Noman said, "Whatever the election commission says, we have tested that election result using the EVM can be changed. Huge forgery is possible using these machines. So, we asked the election commission not to use EVM in the national election."

Commenting on the price fall in the stock market, he said, "The government could not protect the fall in the stock market though the Bangladesh Bankers Association (BAB) promised to inject Tk 50 billion. A special class is trying to profit by raising prices. So, we think these additional funds will not be able to protect the continuous fall."

"Steps should be taken against these circles. But the government can't take any steps. So, general people and businessmen have no confidence in this government," he added.

City BNP member secretary Abdus Salam and a freedom fighter also briefed the journalists. He said, "I was called by the war crime tribunal for some information. They asked me about my activities during the liberation war, when I attended the war, in which place and whether I knew Nizami, Muzahid or not. I did not give any statement about anybody. Just answered some questions asked by tribunal officers."

After discussion with the party chief and lawyers, Salam went to the tribunal court along with two of his lawyers on Oct 17, he added.

bdnews24.com/sm/mrh/tk/1438h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Seething anger at DMCH Burns unit

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Kamal Hossain Talukder
bdnews24.com Correspondent

Dhaka, Oct 24 (bdnews24.com)?Patients at Dhaka Medical College Hospital's Burns unit are put through agonising wait and spending for delays in releasing project funds.

They are then forced to buy from a simple gauze bandage to costly drugs, a bdnews24.com investigation suggests.

Doctors say they have not been able to supply necessary drugs and accessories to the patients since June this year when the 50-bed project, begun in 2003, ended and the government slipped it into a new five-year project.

"But the money is yet to be released," Dr Samanta Lal Sen, project director of the Burn unit, said acknowledging the distress of the patients there.

"At least 10 doctors and 14 staff are not getting their salaries for the same reason," he added.

Director (hospital) of the Directorate General for Health Mamtaj Uddin Bhuiyan blamed donors' tardy process of releasing funds and said the problem would be 'resolved soon'.

"It was inserted into a new project. It takes time to get donors' funds," he said "The World Bank and other donors are delaying (the release of) their funding."
"It (Burns unit) was supposed to go under revenue budget, but did not," he added.

At least 300 patients, mainly poor, have been found spending worrying moments at the unit, only of its kind in Bangladesh, on Sunday during a visit to Bangladesh's largest public hospital.

Doli Akhter with no-one but the crippled husband with her said she had bought everything in the last one month.

The 42-year old housewife suffered severe burns while cooking.
A builder, Abdul Khalil, said he had spent nearly Tk 60,000 in the last one month after being electrocuted.

"How I can afford such huge costs being a simple builder?" he asked.

Elachi Begum, mother of a 24-year old patient, wondered whether it was a government hospital.

"I knew it's a government hospital. But now I have to buy everything," she said while narrating her last one month's experience in the hospital with her daughter battling for life.

Professor of plastic surgery Sazzad Khondaker said patients' woes would have increased further if the unit were not a part of their department.

"Our department (plastic surgery) is with the hospital, that's why we can provide at least some cottons and gauze bandages for a few patients from the hospital (DMCH) supply," he said.

Doctors say a burn patient needs at least seven to ten times more cottons and bandages than a normal surgical patient. A patient with severe burn needs nearly Tk 5,000 worth of drugs and accessories like cotton and bandages a day.

Prof Khondaker said the crisis would be resolved once funds got released.

A doctor of the Burn unit, Samiul Alam Sohan, who is not getting salary for the same reason, told bdnews24.com that he was feeling the pinch of daily life.

"It's tough," he said, "When people are struggling to meet both ends meet with their regular salary in this (high priced) market, how can I manage?"

bdnews24.com/kt/nih/bd/0942h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Bangladesh lose Mushfiq, Nafees

  Dhaka, Oct 24 (bdnews24.com) ? Bangladesh have lost four wickets after resuming the fourth day's game of the first test against West Indies at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Bangladesh were 332/8 in 120 overs on Monday.

The hosts resumed the innings on 255-4 with captain Mushfiqur Rahim (68) and Naeem Islam at the crease.

But, on the first ball of the day, Mushfiqur was out, caught by Devendra Bishoo off FH Edwards.

On Monday, Bangladesh faced 30 overs and added 77 runs before lunch amid tight bowling by the visitors.

Nafees, who was retired hurt on Friday, returned to the game on his 21, but failed to add any big score as he was out for 32, caught by the wicketkeeper off an Edwards delivery.

Bishoo claimed Nasir Hossain for 34 and Elias Sunny for a duck.
Naeem Islam on 28 will resume the second session along with Shahadat Hossain on 4.

On Friday, Tamim Iqbal scored 52 while Raqibul Hassan made 41 and Shakib Al Hasan added 40.

The game was abandoned on the second and third day for wet outfield.

bdnews24.com/mrh/jr/1236h.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Construction site supervisor shot

  Dhaka, Oct 24 (bdnews24.com)--Unidentified miscreants have shot a construction site supervisor in the capital's Kafrul area.

Didarul Alam, 25, who works for RSB Developer Company, said a gang shot him on the lower part of his right leg around 6.45am when he was asleep at a site in East Kafrul on Monday.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp sub-inspector Mojammel Haque said that co-workers of Alam, who is from Mymensingh's Gaforgaon, brought him to the hospital around 8.30am.

bdnews24.com/kt/zk/rn/jr/1154h.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

JnU students injured in accident

Dhaka, Oct 24 (bdnews24.com)?At least 12 students of Jagannath University have been injured after a bus, requisitioned by the police, rammed a double-decker student transport of the university in the capital's Mouchak area.

The injured have been admitted to various hospitals, including the Dhaka Sumona Clinic, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Suhrawardi Hospital.

Jahid Hassan Shuvo, one of the injured, under treatment at Sumona clinic, told bdnews24.com, "A bus rammed our double-decker bus, Ulka-1, from behind while we were on our way to the campus from Uttara, crushing the rear side."

Deputy police commissioner of Motijheel zone Anwar Hossain told bdnews24.com , "There were no police personnel on the bus. Jagannath University students beat the driver and took him with them to campus. He was later handed over to Kotwali police."

He added that the incident was being probed.

Police informed that two more students, in addition to Shuvo - Meshtakul Alam and Md. Momen- have been admitted to Sumona Hospital. The other injured students have been taken to various hospitals including Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

bdnews24.com/corr/zk/tk/1210h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

'More funds from banks to allay fears'

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Dhaka, Oct 23 (bdnews24.com) ? The Bangladesh Association of Banks chief has assured investors that there is no scope of the market 'plummeting' after revealing the association's move to increase bank investments in the market.

BAB chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder gave the assurance after declaring the formation of a 'Market Stabilisation Fund' in a press briefing following a meet at the associations Gulshan headquarters on Sunday.

The investors have been demonstrating over the past few weeks and calling for stimulation measures after indices plunged to lows continuously since last month.

The announcement came after weeks of discussions on the issue as ministers, regulators and stock brokers sought to end the protests. The central bank urged commercial banks to increase their investments.

Nazrul said, "Banks can invest up to 10 percent of their liabilities in the capital market. The central bank governor has assured us about investing. Many have started investing. There is no scope of the market falling now."

Despite the 10 percent ceiling, the average investments by the banks until September stood at around three percent.

Also the chairman of Exim Bank, Nazrul said, "We can invest up to Tk 450 to 500 billion if we invest 10 percent completely."

He added that the limit of the MSF was not Tk 50 billion and it could be increased if needed. The fund will initially start off with Tk 10 billion.

"We have decided in principle to make the investments as soon as possible after receiving approval from the central bank and the share market regulator."

"We hope the fund, which we call Market Stabilisation Fund, will make a huge positive impact on the market," said Mazumder.

The bank-owners' platform chief also said 20 banks will contribute Tk 200 million each to this fund. Besides them, insurance association and listed companies will subscribe to the fund to participate.

The announcement comes only two days after a platform of top bank executives, Association of Bankers, Bangladesh, said they will start investing in the capital market from Sunday to bolster the sagging market.

The BAB chief said, "This fund is different from that step. The banks will invest in line with their agenda. This fund will run on a separate track."

Responding to queries about whether this fund will come under the 10 percent limit imposed by the central bank, Nazrul said that they will hold talks with the governor over the matter and will urge hiking the ceiling to 15 percent.

"We are seeing that the stock market has become a burden for the country. It has to be fixed. This fund aims at stabilising the market," he added.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) declared forming this fund on Sep 29.

"It is the same fund. Only the banks are playing a key role," Nazrul pointed out.

FBCCI also said that the fund will buy up the credit from margin loan debtors who are unable to sell their shares, giving a certificate in return which will be tradable in the stock market. The portfolio against margin loan will be transferred to the fund with the consent of the debtor and the creditor. The creditor will be issued with a certificate equivalent to the fund's units plus an added premium. These units will be tradable in the stock market.

When asked whether the FBCCI declaration will be implemented, Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC) president Salman F Rahman said, "There is a scheme like that. Let's wait until the fund starts working."

bdnews24.com/rb/mi/rn/1731h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Rains wipe out 2nd day

  Dhaka, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com) ? Umpires have called off the second day's game of the first test between Bangladesh and West Indies because of soggy outfield stemmed from overnight downpour at Chittagong's Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The start of the game was initially delayed in the morning and after a final inspection at 11 am, umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Nigel Llong said the play was impossible as the ground was saturated, with puddles in the outfield.

Bangladesh will go into day three on 255 for four in their first innings, with captain Mushfiqur Rahim unbeaten on 68.

On Sunday, the match is scheduled to resume at 9.00 am.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

EC for more time to make NIDs binding

 

Dhaka, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com)?Regulatory bodies have urged the Election Commission to make display of the National Identification Card compulsory for opening bank accounts, Beneficiary Owners (BO) accounts and taking bank loans.

In a meeting with the commission on Thursday, central bank governor Atiur Rahman, finance ministy's banking division chief Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman Patwari and Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) chief Khairul Hossain gave their views in support of the move.

However, the commission said that the move should wait until online verification of the information on the National IDs is possible.

"We have suggested making compulsory the show of National IDs for opening accounts and taking loans. We have placed details of our recommendation. Now it's up to the commission to make its decision," SEC chief Khairul Hossain told bdnews24.com.

Election commissioner Mohammad Sohul Hossain explained the commission's position.

"We are preparing to allow online verification of National IDs. But, until then it will not be fair to impose the decision," he said.

A policy is being drafted on the usage of personal information submitted and stored to the commission for National IDs. The commission has plans of launching the online verification soon in line with the policy after providing all citizens with error-free National IDs.

"Online verification will help bar individuals from opening several bank and BO accounts and taking fake loans under different names. It would also reduce other but similar crimes," the commissioner added.

The National Identity Registration Act 2010 allows service-providers to ask for display or submission of copies of the National IDs to verify identities of individuals seeking service or citizens' benefits.

It also says that the commission will be responsible to carry out related activities including carrying out registration drives, manufacturing, distributing and maintaining the IDs.

FAKE ID

Until now, more than 850 million voters have been given National IDs. However, a mentionable chunk of the IDs given in the first session have spelling and information errors, EC officials said.

Also, at least 1.5 million citizens have not yet been given the IDs as the voter list has not been updated. The updating will start at the end of this year.

"The imposition by organisations like some banks, which made national IDs compulsory before adequate measures were taken, has barred reaching the intended goal. Since there is no way to verify the IDs, there has been huge rush to create fake IDs," additional commission secretary Sirajul Islam said.

"The companies will have to start a verification process to stop such illegal activities and the EC is now ready to give this scope."

Fake IDs can be easily distinguished barring offenders from taking bank loans under false names or opening multiple bank and BO accounts.

The national registration act has provisions for maximum seven-year prison terms and Tk 0.1 million fines for counterfeiting IDs.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

CMCH ordered shut after student's death

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Chittagong, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com)?The authorities of the Chittagong Medical College have shut down the college and suspended all political activities following the death of a student injured in an alleged attack by Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling Awami League.

"The decisions were taken in an emergency meeting of the academic council early Saturday," the college's principal, Selim Mohammad Jahangir, told bdnews24.com.

He said that the decision was taken from the fear that the death could trigger violence.

The students have been asked to leave the dormitories by 7am on Saturday.
"They have started vacating the dormitories," he said.

A third-year student of the dental surgery department, Mohammad Abidur Rahman, was injured in an attack reportedly carried out by Chhatra League activists. He died on Friday night.

The academic council sat in the meeting after the death created tension in the campus.

bdnews24.com/mc/jk/rn/jr/1210h.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

PM leaves for Berlin

Dhaka, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com) -- Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has left for Berlin on a five-day official visit to Germany to attend the World Health Summit-2011.

A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying Hasina took off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5.30 am on Saturday, said foreign ministry officials.

Foreign minister Dipu Moni, health minister A F M Ruhul Haque, ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin accompanied her.

She would address the World Health Summit in Berlin on Sunday as the keynote speaker.

During the Oct 22-26 visit, she will also meet German chancellor Angela Markel on Oct 25 and address a joint news conference.

The bilateral relations are likely to be reviewed during the meeting.

The visit will bear special significance for Bangladesh-Germany relations as the largest economy in Europe is also one of the largest trading partners and an important development partner of Bangladesh.

Germany is a leading economic and political power in Europe and an influential member of the European Union and G8, the grouping of eight major economies.

Two joint declarations of intent -- one on adaptation and mitigation on climate change and the other on cooperation in the field of health, as proposed by the German side -- are likely to be signed during the visit.

Hasina will also have a meeting with the president of German Parliament.

On Oct 24, she will attend a seminar titled `Emerging Market-Bangladesh' at Hotel Adlon in Berlin, to be organised by the German-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and participated by leading German business leaders and potential investors.

German-South Asian Parliamentary Group will host a dinner in her honour later that day.

The German minister for economic development and cooperation Dirk Niebel, the minister for environment Norbert Rottgen and foreign minister Guido Westerwelle will call on the prime minister on Oct 25.

The German Federal president is scheduled to visit Bangladesh next month.

Hasina is expected to return home on Oct 26.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Overnight rain delays start

Dhaka, Oct 22 (bdnews24.com) ? Dampened outfield due to rain all over night has delayed the start of second day play of the first Test between Bangladesh and West Indies at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Saturday.

Half-centuries from opener Tamim Iqbal and captain Mushfiqur Rahim took Bangladesh to a commanding 255 for four at the close of day one of the first Test on Friday.

Captain Rahim (68) and Naeem Islam (8) were at the crease when stumps were drawn.

Marlon Samuels picked up two wickets, while Ravi Rampaul and Darren Sammy took a wicket each for the Caribbeans.

West Indies (from): Darren Sammy (capt), Carlton Baugh, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Keiran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Lendl Simmons.

Bangladesh (from): Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shuvagata Hom, Elias Sunny.

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

HC questions legality of mobile courts

  Dhaka, Oct 19 (bdnews24.com) ? The High Court has issued a rule on the government asking why executive magistrates-headed mobile courts should not be declared illegal.

The law and home secretaries, capital's developer RAJUK's chairman, executive magistrate Mohammad Shahidul Islam and its officer-in-charge, Dhaka District Magistrate and Mohammadpur police chief have been made respondents of the rule issued on Wednesday.

The bench of justices Mirza Hussain Haider and Anwarul Haque ordered them to come up with their responses within four weeks.

The rule was issued following a writ petition filed by a managing director of a real estate developer.

Aesthetic Properties MD Kamruzzaman Khan, who had been sentenced to one month in jail on Sep 14 for violating building code, filed the petition on Sep 19, two days after he was released on bail.

bdnews24.com/sn/ost/nir/1325h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Hitches in Teesta deal, enclaves to go soon: PM

Lalmonirhat, Oct 19 (bdnews24.com) ? Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said the difficulties over signing of Teesta deal and swapping enclaves with India will be overcome soon.

On a visit to Lalmonirhat on Wednesday to declare Tin Bigha corridor open round the clock, Hasina said, "India is a friendly country. We have good relations with them. I hope the Teesta deal will be signed soon."

The corridor connects Dahagram-Angorpota enclaves along the border.

Asked about enclaves, she said, "We are hopeful about this, too. I hope it (enclave swap) will start soon."

She arrived at the corridor around 12:45pm. Indian health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and state minister for home affairs Jitin Prasada welcomed her there.

Earlier, she inaugurated Dahagram-Angorpota power distribution line at Dahagram School ground.

After the inauguration, she assured residents of Dahagram-Angorpota enclaves that the government would provide all help to improve their living standard.

"Everything will be done to ensure your education, health, shelter and food. Those having no house will get houses for free," she said.

She emphasised on education to diminish poverty. "There is no alternative to education. So, a college and a madrasa will be built here."

"You have lived lives of prisoners for long. Your imprisonment has ended with the opening of the corridor 24 hours a day," she said.

Awami League's Dahagram unit president Mohammad Kamal Hossain presided over the inaugural function. Health minister A F M Ruhal Haque and state minister for power Enamul Huq accompanied the prime minister.

THE CORRIDOR

The corridor gate, which had always been shut after 6pm despite the 1974 treaty between India and Bangladesh, was thrown open at 6pm on Sep 8 following signing of a protocol during Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka.

The protocol to the 'Agreement Concerning the Demarcation between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters', signed on Sep 6, seeks to address all outstanding land boundary disputes for a final solution.

The corridor had so far been kept open from morning until evening to visit or come out of the enclaves falling under Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat. Now, it will be under the vigil of Indian security men.

Bangladesh was granted the route through the Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Mujibur Rahman treaty of 1974. But the authority remained with India, though Bangladesh in exchange for the enclaves had given South Berubari area.

bdnews24.com/si/jk/ost/nir/1521h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Pakistan openers menacing in chasing lead

Abu Dhabi, (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar remained unbeaten at lunch as Pakistan edged closer to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 197 in the first Test on Wednesday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 27 for no loss, right-hander Hafeez (73 not out) and left-hander Umar (35 not out) batted through the morning session and took Pakistan to 115 for no loss at lunch, to trail by 82 runs.

Hafeez was the more aggressive of the duo and hit eight boundaries and a six, while Umar was more content in defending and hit a single four during his 107-ball stay at the crease.

The three Lankan pacemen failed to extract much zip and bounce off the slow track at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was the only bowler who managed to trouble the openers on a few occasions.

Pakistan are forced to play all their home Tests in the Emirates because of security fears in their own country.

bdnews24.com/lg/1546h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

HC gets 4 additional judges

  Dhaka, Oct 19 (bdnews24.com) ? The president has appointed four additional judges to the High Court.

According to a law ministry press release issued on Wednesday, the four new judges are Supreme Court lawyers A K M Shahidul Haque and Abu Taher Mohammad Saifur Rahman, Law and Justice Division acting secretary Shahidul Karim and district judge Mohammad Jahangir Hossain.

The judges have been appointed for two years, from the day of oath taking.

With the fresh additions, the number of High Court judges stands at 98. On Oct 4, six additional judges were appointed.

bdnews24.com/pc/ost/tk/1458h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

BB eases margin loan terms

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Dhaka, Oct 19 (bdnews24.com) - In its desperate bid to infuse liquidity into stock market, the central bank has relaxed terms of reschedule for margin loan defaults.

The Bangladesh Bank, in a circular issued on Wednesday, said by following the guidelines, the banks can reschedule margin loans themselves.

The circular also said they would take a positive view of the request to relax down-payment norms.

bdnews24.com/arh/ost/nir/1350h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

WI 47-7 after 16 overs

  Chittagong, Oct 18 (bdnews24.com) ? West Indies were struggling at 52-8 after 19 overs in the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Andre Russell was removed by Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan grabbed his second wicket in successive overs bowling Denesh Ramdin. In his previous over Shakib compounded the tourists' woes trapping West Indies skipper Darren Sammy lbw.

The tourists suffered a min-collapse after a dream spell saw Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (0), Kieran Powell (25) and dangerman Marlon Samuels (5) back in the dressing room.

Shafiul Islam and Nazmul Hossain grabbed two wickets each.

Nazmul made the breakthrough in the sixth over removing Danza Hyatt.

Mushfiqur Rahim continued his exceptional form at the toss - winning his fourth of the tour - and chose to bowl on a damp day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Heavy rain on the eve of the match and a light drizzle in the morning delayed the toss and the start by half an hour.

The covers were only taken off at 12:30pm (Bangladesh time) but the forecast was not great, with thunderstorms predicted for later in the day.

With the series already won 2-0, West Indies made three changes to their XI. Lendl Simmons had a back problem and was replaced by Kieran Powell, Ravi Rampaul was replaced by Carlos Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo by Anthony Martin. Adrian Barath had not recovered from his hamstring problem so West Indies were opening with Danza Hyatt and Powell.

Bangladesh also used the dead rubber to test their bench strength and made four changes to their team. They left out Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain and replaced them with Shuvagata Hom, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shahriar Nafees and Nazmul Hossain.

bdnews24.com/lg/1530h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

'AL men obstructing BNP supporters'

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Sirajganj, Oct 18 (bdnews24.com) ? BNP has alleged that Awami League supporters have attacked activists of their Belkuchi, Daulatpur and Enayetpur units, who were headed to a wayside rally scheduled to be addressed by the party chief during her road march to Chapainababganj.

Chief of the Belkuchi unit of the party's labour wing, Sramik Dal, Keramat Ali told bdnews24.com on Tuesday, "BNP activists of Belkuchi, Daulatpur and Enayetpur set out for Sirajganj Sadar on human haulers and buses around 10.30am."

Pro-Awami League henchmen led by livestock minister's son Mithu Biswas and Jubo League leader Milon attacked their convoy at Kandapara intersection, college intersection, Mukundagati Bazaar and Chala intersection, he alleged.

They stopped the BNP activists from going further and manhandled them. Belkuchi Sramik Dal organising secretary Abdul Alim, BNP's Daulatpur union vice president Abul Hossain Akalia and a number of others were injured in the scuffle, the BNP leader added.

However, Belkuchi police chief Mostafiz Rahman said he had only heard about a chaos at Chala intersection and sent a team there.

Fazlur Rahman, general secretary of Belkuchi upazila Awami League, claimed, "These are isolated incidents and no Awami League activist was involved."

bdnews24.com/corr/rn/nir/1414h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

AL to get 5 new seats reserved for women

Moinul Haque Chowdhury
bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent

Dhaka, Oct 17 (bdnews24.com) -- Ruling Awami League will get all of the newly created five reserved seats for women in parliament as per the 15th Amendment to the constitution.

Parliament on June 30 passed the Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Act, thus increasing the number of reserved seats for women in parliament to 50, from the existing 45.

Election Commission (EC) officials clarified that though Awami League will get four seats in the proportional representation (PR) system in parliament, it will also get the fifth seat for its majority, in terms of reserved women seats.

None from the Jatiya Party or BNP will get any of the seats. The four-party alliance, led by BNP, would have received one seat if Jamaat-e-Islami had been in the alliance.

The five new seats have been distributed in favour of the political parties and alliances as per the Jatiya Sangsad (Reserved Women's Seat) Election Act, 2004.

The EC sent the seat distribution information to the secretary of the parliament Secretariat on Monday.

The parliament Secretariat in a letter on Aug 10 requested the EC to hold polls for the five new reserved seats for women.

Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain told bdnews24.com on Monday that the Parliament Secretariat was informed of the distribution of the five seats. "It will be possible to take proper steps to fill the seats next month after publishing the voter list for the 300 parliamentary seats."

Deputy secretary (election) Mihir Sarwar Morshed of the EC Secretariat told bdnews24.com that the 50 reserved women seats were divided, in favour of the political parties or alliances, against the 300 general seats.

In the proportional representation (PR) system, the proportion of reserved seats for women in parliament against the general seats stands at 0.17.

The official said that the reserved women seat allotment for Awami League and the Grand Alliance, led by it, against their 239 seats (206 seats of Awami League, three of JASAD, two of Workers Party and three independent seats under 'boat' symbol) is 39.83 - near about 40.

"As an ally of the Grand Alliance, the Jatiya Party will not receive any other women seats as all are independent in distribution of women seats. The party gets 4.17 seats in the proportional representation (PR) system in parliament. Currently it has four women seats."

Under the same system, opposition BNP and its alliance get 5.33 women seats against their general 32 seats. However, it will not receive any new seat allotment as the five seats have already been allotted.

Sarwar Morshed said that Jatiya Party and Jamaat took their positions out of their alliances in distribution of women seats, following the gazette publication of the results of the ninth parliament.

"Had Jamaat remained with the BNP alliance, Awami League probably would have got 40 seats out of the 50 seats, Jatiya Party four, BNP five and the remaining one would have been in favour of the BNP alliance."

Jamaat bagged two parliamentary seats in the ninth parliamentary election and their allotment for women seats in the proportional representation (PR) system is 0.33.

Under the PR system, Awami League would be allotted 40 seats; currently it has 36. A result of which it also gets four out of the five newly created women seats.

In this circumstance, the additional women seat will go in favour of the party or alliance which has the highest number of women seats.

For this reason, the EC official said, that with the additional seat, the number of women seats allotted to Awami League stands at five, taking the party's total to 41.

bdnews24.com/mhc/skb/tk/1310h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Downs outpace ups at DSE

  Dhaka, Oct 18 (bdnews24.com) ? Amid a seesaw-like movement, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) general index heads downward again.

After nearly three hours of trading on Tuesday, the index lost 48.21 points or 0.88 percent to stand at 5375.70 points.

Shares worth Tk 1.13 billion had changed hands by then, with 53 issues advancing, 182 declining and 10 remaining unchanged.

The DSE general index hit a high of 5462 points within 10 minutes of trading.

But only 15 minutes later, the index dropped to 5415.7 points.

At 11.35 am, the market peaked again with the general index crossing the 5445 mark. However, nine minutes later, the total gain in the index stood at 6.03 points, with the index slipping to 5430 points.

The index gained 36.87 points or 0.68 percent to close at 5423.91 points amid protests and steps taken to stabilise the drooping capital market on Monday.

Monday's turnover was Tk 2.27 billion, the lowest in the past nine months. On Jan 25, the DSE turnover was Tk 2.06 billion.

bdnews24.com/rn/ost/tk/nir/1358h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

'No polls without BNP, caretakers'

  Gazipur, Oct 18 (bdnews24.com) ? Awami League's dream to take part in the next general election with Hussein Muhammad Ershad's Jatiya Party as its ally will not come true, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has said.

"No party, apart from Awami League and Jatiya Party, is ready to go polls under a political government. So, I'll tell the government that their dream to take part in the election with Ershad as an ally will not come true," Khaleda told a street rally in Gazipur on Tuesday.

"The next general election will be, will be held under non-partisan caretaker government. Awami League will have to take part in the election," she added.

Khaleda was addressing the rally at Kaliakair, a stopover in her second road march to gather people's support for reinstatement of the caretaker government system.

Her convoy, consisting of more than 2,000 vehicles, set out from House Building intersection of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Uttara around 10.45am.

A large number of supporters and activists of the party greeted her on her way through Uttara, Abdullahpur and Tongi. She started for Uttara from her Gulshan residence around 10.15am.

The opposition leader is set to address four street rallies at Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj and Naogaon on her way to Chapainababganj during the two-day march.

The road march was called demanding reinstatement of the caretaker government system and mid-term elections.

Following a Supreme Court verdict asking for scrapping the 13th constitutional amendment that introduced the caretaker government provision, the government set aside the system through the 15th amendment to the constitution.

BNP acting secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday briefed journalists on the second road march to Chapainawabganj at the party's Naya Paltan headquarters.

Earlier, Khaleda announced the road marches at a Sep 27 rally in front of the party's headquarters. The Oct 10 road march to Sylhet went as planned. However, the party declared a route change in case of the Rajshahi march later, and said that it would instead head to Chapainawabganj.

bdnews24.com/sm/rn/ost/nir/1445h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

'I'll send my documentary to Messi'

 Rio de Janeiro, Oct 18 (bdnews24.com) - Retired Brazil and Santos striker Pele has vowed to send Lionel Messi a 2004 documentary of his career.

Recently, the Barcelona forward admitted he had never seen Pele play. While visiting the victims of the March earthquakes in Japan, the Brazil legend took time to comment on sporting matters and said that he would show Messi an account of his career.

"It is a normal thing when a player is compared [to a player from another time period], sometimes he is not interested in the comparison," Pele told sports website Globoesporte, reports goal.com.

"If he really did not see me, I'll do what I once did with [Diego] Maradona: I'll send him the video 'Pele Eterno' and then he will."

Pele also praised his native Brazil for having depth in talent.

"Brazil have great players, it just takes time to bring the team together because we can make five world class teams."

Mano Menezes' Brazil recently beat Mexico in a friendly match and have won four of their last five fixtures.

bdnews24.com/lg/1423h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Noakhali News

Paoli Dham Scandal | download Paoli Dham scandal

Paoli Dham is very well known for her film "Moner Manush". She got
very good response after acting in this film. Now, she gave a nude
shot in front of camera in a Sri Lankan English Film named "Mushroom".
She acted in a bed scene without having any dress. She has shown some
logics to act in this sort of scene.

This shot has made a very bad response in the Taligonj film industry.
Her male counterpart in that scene is Anubrata. Paoli is scene to have
4 minutes long sex with Anubrata. Paoli said, there is no dummy in
this scene. I really acted in this scene.

For Details: http://www.celebritynews24.com/paoli-dham-in-nude-scene.html

Download Porshi Scandal

Celebrity scandal video is being continued in a good speed. One more
scandal video has been published in different websites. A lot of
discussion has been raised, when the celebrity scandal disclosed in
the freely through online. In this tradition the first scandal involve
Bangaldeshi TV actress and interpreter Prova, Nadira Nasim Chaity and
some others.

We have found a video where a girl is seen in nude body who looks like
Bangladeshi Teen age singer Porshi. All the celebrity are adult but
now Bangladeshi media see the scandal of teenager singer Porshi. In
the previous scandal tape the video quality was rough and in some case
their face was not clearly visible but in case of Porshi this type of
problem is almost absent. In the video she is free and willingly
expose her body. Not only that she is also free with her male mate in
the video. Such type of tape really provide a bad signal in the
Bangladeshi media.
See Details in:
http://www.lifestylenews24.com/celebrity-talk/porshi-scandal-download-porshi-scandal.html