Santa tracker launches again with smart phone app, volunteers ready
From The Christian Science Monitor
The volunteer Santa trackers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command are bracing for tens of thousands of calls and emails when their operations center goes live on Christmas Eve.
The military base has been telling anxious children about Santa's whereabouts every year since 1955. That was the year a Colorado Springs newspaper ad invited kids to call Santa on a hotline, but the number had a mistake, and dozens of kids wound up talking to the Continental Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor.
The officers on duty played along and began sharing reports on Santa's progress. It's now a deep-rooted tradition at NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canada command that monitors the North American skies and seas…(full story)
Ohio State brings home Urban Meyer to rebuild program
From USA Today
Urban Meyer says he was convinced a year ago he was through with coaching. He didn't like the sordid state of college football. He wanted to spend more time with his family, watch his three kids play sports and get a handle on his health issues.
A year after resigning from Florida, after promising his children he would find balance between football and family, after saying his health was fantastic and resolving not to try to solve all of college football ills, Meyer says he's back where he belongs.
Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith welcomed Meyer home when he introduced the Ohio native as the Buckeyes' new coach Monday. But the program Meyer comes home to is one that has come to symbolize what's wrong with big-time college sports…(full story)
Barney Frank, a Top Liberal, Won't Seek Re-election
From New York Times
Simply put, Barney Frank has had enough.
Speaking from his district office here on Monday after announcing his plan to retire from the House of Representatives, Mr. Frank said he was tired of the scorching partisan battles that did not exist when he first won office three decades ago, tired of campaigning, which he detests, and, at 71, just plain tired.
“By the end of next year, I will have been doing this for 45 years with one six-month sabbatical,” Mr. Frank said in an interview, referring to his career in politics, which started as an aide to former Mayor Kevin White of Boston. “It’s been a privilege to fight for the quality of people’s lives, but I’m ready to put a little more quality into my own life.”
Earlier in the day, Mr. Frank announced at a news conference that he had decided to retire at the end of next year after his Massachusetts district was recently redrawn and it became clear that he would have to fight harder than he wanted for re-election.
Mr. Frank said he had intended to serve one more term but that after seeing his redrawn district, which would give him more than 300,000 new constituents and would not include blue-collar New Bedford, one of his strongholds, he changed his mind.
In the interview at his office, the wry and often cantankerous Mr. Frank — who has been among the nation’s most prominent gay elected officials, as well as a frequent target for conservatives in Congress — was relaxed and full of one-liners as he discussed the mood on Capitol Hill and his reasons for leaving. When he arrived in the House in 1981, he said, “you had Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan talking about how they were friends after 5 o’clock — although if you knew Reagan’s work habits it was really, like, after about 2:30.”
Now, Mr. Frank said, the notion that wrangling between Democrats and Republicans is “a competition between people of good will with different views on public policy” has vanished. For that, he blames Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker and current Republican presidential candidate with whom he has a tense history...(full story)
Kyle Orton Not Suiting Up And Ricky Stanzi's Injured Ankle Spells Trouble For
From SB Nation
As if the Kansas City Chiefs weren't already facing heavy odds against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday evening, according to a tweet from Nick Wright not only will newly acquired quarterback Kyle Orton not be suiting up for the Chiefs, but it appears now that second string quarterback Ricky Stanzi injured his ankle during practice this week.
That leave the burden squarely on Tyler Palko's shoulders against the Steelers. The 28-year old former U of Pittsburgh alum was 25-of-38 for 236 yards and threw three interceptions in his starting debut last Monday night on the road against the New England Patriots.
It now appears should something happen to Palko during the game, there is a possibility that Jerheme Urban would be pushed into duty at quarterback. A seven year veteran out of Trinity College in Texas, Urban is the emergency quarterback for the Chiefs…(full story)
New 2011 SanDisk Cyber Monday deals
From Gadget 411 News
This year’s Cyber Monday sales are some of the best we have ever before witnessed. Practically each retailer is handing out large discounts on the year’s very best client electronics. Suppliers across the USA are opening their doorways as early as doable in an work to pull in the most bucks.
Gadget411news searched the world wide web for the most current SanDisk information out there so you did not want to.
Newest SanDisk News
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SanDisk (SNDK) Exhibiting Bullish Technicals But Could Break Via .79 … SanDisk 2011
SanDisk Corp (NASDAQ: SNDK) closed Tuesday's trading session at $ 47.81. In the past calendar year, the stock has strike a 52-week very low of $ 32.24 and 52-week higher of $ 53.sixty. SanDisk (SNDK) stock has been demonstrating help all around $ 46.71 and resistance in the $ 48.79 …(full story)
Cyber Monday Deals 2011 Fellowes 55-Piece Computer Toolkit, Black
From Gadget 411 News
And there is definitely entirely no way better new day compared with what Cyber Monday ~ the certain Saturday most men and women rouse inside of the Thanksgiving gluttony then comprehend An anniversary is regarded to be only a thirty day period of time...(full story)
And there is definitely entirely no way better new day compared with what Cyber Monday ~ the certain Saturday most men and women rouse inside of the Thanksgiving gluttony then comprehend An anniversary is regarded to be only a thirty day period of time...(full story)
Cyber Monday deals 2011: six tips to nab them
From Christian Science Monitor
Retailers pulled out all the stops to lure foot traffic on Black Friday. Now, they've battling for consumer dollars in cyberspace.
Cyber Monday is likely to be the biggest day for online sales this year.
So how can you score the best deals on Cyber Monday? Here are six tips:
1) Get informed.
For starters, check out the various Black Friday deal sites, such as dealnews.com, bfads.net, and fatwallet.com. Find the retailers offering the merchandise you want, then sign up for automatic e-mail alerts. Then follow those retailers on Twitter.
"The retailers announce a lot of their deals on Twitter," says Dan de Grandpre, chief executive officer of dealnews.com, a website that tracks sales at large retailers across the country.
2) Stay up late. Get up early.
Just because Black Friday is over doesn't mean you can slack off. If anything, online crowds move faster than real ones do, so you need to be ready to take advantage when something goes on sale.
“Items get cheap and sell out very quickly," says Mr. de Grandpre. "Deals launch in the middle of the night, or very early, but it’s still cheaper than going to the store."
And it's more comfortable than camping out in front of a mall store.
3) Shop around.
More retailers than ever are going to compete for online sales this year, because sales are increasingly migrating online. Last year's Cyber Monday was the biggest online spending day on record, according to market research firm comScore, with spending topping $1 billion. This Cyber Monday is expected to be even bigger. E-commerce retail sales for the entire season should top $50 billion for the first time, according to IHS Global Insight, an economic research firm based in Lexington, Mass.
"It's going to be the biggest ever, in terms of stores participating," says Charlie Graham, CEO of Shop It To Me Inc, a free online personal shopper for sales of clothing, shoes, and accessories. So don't hesitate to go to smaller, second-tier stores.
One popular Cyber Monday offering should be apparel at niche retailers, such as the Gap, Aeropostale, and American Eagle.
3) Watch for price-matching.
Do you have a favorite retailer? If you prefer shopping at specific stores, check out their price-matching policies. If they will match the low price you've found elsewhere, stick with your favorite retailer. Many retailers will price match, at least to a limited degree. Amazon.com is known as an aggressive price-matcher, says de Grandpre.
4) Look for free shipping.
"The deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are pretty similar," says Mr. Graham. So retailers try to stand out on Cyber Monday by offering free shipping on items once you spend a certain minimum.
If you can't find free shipping for an item, calculate what it would cost you and check to see if another retailer offers a similar deal with free shipping thrown in.
5) Check out the return policy.
If your holiday gift doesn't work out, how easy is it to send back for a refund? Is there a restocking fee? Who pays the return postage? Companies have dropped some of these charges to simplify returns. In general, "retailers have good return policies," Graham says. "It's easy to buy almost anything."
6) Keep the boss at bay.
Half of the sales from last year's Cyber Monday came from people at work, according to comScore.
You don't want to jeopardize your job so you can get 50 percent off on dish towels, do you? So do your boss and your career a favor.
Retailers pulled out all the stops to lure foot traffic on Black Friday. Now, they've battling for consumer dollars in cyberspace.
Cyber Monday is likely to be the biggest day for online sales this year.
So how can you score the best deals on Cyber Monday? Here are six tips:
1) Get informed.
For starters, check out the various Black Friday deal sites, such as dealnews.com, bfads.net, and fatwallet.com. Find the retailers offering the merchandise you want, then sign up for automatic e-mail alerts. Then follow those retailers on Twitter.
"The retailers announce a lot of their deals on Twitter," says Dan de Grandpre, chief executive officer of dealnews.com, a website that tracks sales at large retailers across the country.
2) Stay up late. Get up early.
Just because Black Friday is over doesn't mean you can slack off. If anything, online crowds move faster than real ones do, so you need to be ready to take advantage when something goes on sale.
“Items get cheap and sell out very quickly," says Mr. de Grandpre. "Deals launch in the middle of the night, or very early, but it’s still cheaper than going to the store."
And it's more comfortable than camping out in front of a mall store.
3) Shop around.
More retailers than ever are going to compete for online sales this year, because sales are increasingly migrating online. Last year's Cyber Monday was the biggest online spending day on record, according to market research firm comScore, with spending topping $1 billion. This Cyber Monday is expected to be even bigger. E-commerce retail sales for the entire season should top $50 billion for the first time, according to IHS Global Insight, an economic research firm based in Lexington, Mass.
"It's going to be the biggest ever, in terms of stores participating," says Charlie Graham, CEO of Shop It To Me Inc, a free online personal shopper for sales of clothing, shoes, and accessories. So don't hesitate to go to smaller, second-tier stores.
One popular Cyber Monday offering should be apparel at niche retailers, such as the Gap, Aeropostale, and American Eagle.
3) Watch for price-matching.
Do you have a favorite retailer? If you prefer shopping at specific stores, check out their price-matching policies. If they will match the low price you've found elsewhere, stick with your favorite retailer. Many retailers will price match, at least to a limited degree. Amazon.com is known as an aggressive price-matcher, says de Grandpre.
4) Look for free shipping.
"The deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are pretty similar," says Mr. Graham. So retailers try to stand out on Cyber Monday by offering free shipping on items once you spend a certain minimum.
If you can't find free shipping for an item, calculate what it would cost you and check to see if another retailer offers a similar deal with free shipping thrown in.
5) Check out the return policy.
If your holiday gift doesn't work out, how easy is it to send back for a refund? Is there a restocking fee? Who pays the return postage? Companies have dropped some of these charges to simplify returns. In general, "retailers have good return policies," Graham says. "It's easy to buy almost anything."
6) Keep the boss at bay.
Half of the sales from last year's Cyber Monday came from people at work, according to comScore.
You don't want to jeopardize your job so you can get 50 percent off on dish towels, do you? So do your boss and your career a favor.
NBA Lockout is Over, Why Owners Are the Clear Winners: Fan’s View
From Yahoo! Sports
At 3 a.m. on November 26, 2011, the NBA owners and players reached a deal on a new labor agreement, ending the 149 day lockout. The deal calls for a 66 game season in 2011-12, that will begin on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011.
As an NBA fan, I'm relieved the lockout is over. As a New Jersey Nets fan I'm really relieved the deal is done because the Nets are moving to Brooklyn in 2012-13. If the NBA canceled the whole season, the Nets would have never played another game in New Jersey, where I live.
Reading through the details of the new labor agreement, I think it's pretty clear that one side got major concessions from the other. Here's the winners from the new NBA labor agreement…(full story)
At 3 a.m. on November 26, 2011, the NBA owners and players reached a deal on a new labor agreement, ending the 149 day lockout. The deal calls for a 66 game season in 2011-12, that will begin on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011.
As an NBA fan, I'm relieved the lockout is over. As a New Jersey Nets fan I'm really relieved the deal is done because the Nets are moving to Brooklyn in 2012-13. If the NBA canceled the whole season, the Nets would have never played another game in New Jersey, where I live.
Reading through the details of the new labor agreement, I think it's pretty clear that one side got major concessions from the other. Here's the winners from the new NBA labor agreement…(full story)
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Boosts Latest Mars Rover to the Red Planet
From Market Watch
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne demonstrated the consistent reliability of its power and propulsion systems by successfully boosting the Mars Science Laboratory rover, which will travel to the red planet to assess its habitability. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 booster engine, and the Centaur upper stage is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10 engine. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. UTX +0.30% company, has powered 14 successful launches this year with payloads that included humans; cargo; and satellites vital to space exploration, worldwide communication, navigation, defense, research and development, and weather prediction. RD AMROSS LLC is a joint venture of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and NPO Energomash…(full story)
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne demonstrated the consistent reliability of its power and propulsion systems by successfully boosting the Mars Science Laboratory rover, which will travel to the red planet to assess its habitability. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 booster engine, and the Centaur upper stage is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10 engine. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. UTX +0.30% company, has powered 14 successful launches this year with payloads that included humans; cargo; and satellites vital to space exploration, worldwide communication, navigation, defense, research and development, and weather prediction. RD AMROSS LLC is a joint venture of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and NPO Energomash…(full story)
New Mars rover Curiosity is ultimate off-road vehicle
From USA Today
Today's blastoff of the latest rover raises an interesting question. Since it is as big as a car, with wheels the size of one, how would the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity stack up if it were the latest flashy model in your local showroom?
Well, for starters, we're not sure that name, Curiosity, would rank right up with other space-related monikers like Mercury Montego or Saturn Vue -- even Ford Galaxie. But when you get down to statistic about the latest, biggest rover, you come away seeing the possibilities.
Curiosity is as long as a Mini and as wide as a Hummer, making it plenty stable for the steep sides of canyons or craters, NASA tells Drive On. Some other cool stats that compare it to a car…(full story)
Today's blastoff of the latest rover raises an interesting question. Since it is as big as a car, with wheels the size of one, how would the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity stack up if it were the latest flashy model in your local showroom?
Well, for starters, we're not sure that name, Curiosity, would rank right up with other space-related monikers like Mercury Montego or Saturn Vue -- even Ford Galaxie. But when you get down to statistic about the latest, biggest rover, you come away seeing the possibilities.
Curiosity is as long as a Mini and as wide as a Hummer, making it plenty stable for the steep sides of canyons or craters, NASA tells Drive On. Some other cool stats that compare it to a car…(full story)
It's 'Small Business Saturday' as shoppers take break from Friday's crush at Big Box stores
From www.pleasantonweekly.com
After shoppers competed for discounts largely in major chain stores on Black Friday, several Bay Area cities, including Pleasanton, are encouraging shoppers to take part in "Small Business Saturday" today.
The national campaign is in its second year, and encourages shoppers to spend some time on Saturday doing their holiday shopping in small, locally owned businesses.
San Jose recently officially proclaimed today Small Business Saturday, encouraging residents to visit San Jose businesses, saying the campaign aligns with the city's Shop San Jose Initiative.
"These initiatives are an important way to connect our residents with the many great shops, restaurants and small businesses located here in San Jose," Mayor Chuck Reed said in a statement after the proclamation…(full story)
After shoppers competed for discounts largely in major chain stores on Black Friday, several Bay Area cities, including Pleasanton, are encouraging shoppers to take part in "Small Business Saturday" today.
The national campaign is in its second year, and encourages shoppers to spend some time on Saturday doing their holiday shopping in small, locally owned businesses.
San Jose recently officially proclaimed today Small Business Saturday, encouraging residents to visit San Jose businesses, saying the campaign aligns with the city's Shop San Jose Initiative.
"These initiatives are an important way to connect our residents with the many great shops, restaurants and small businesses located here in San Jose," Mayor Chuck Reed said in a statement after the proclamation…(full story)
NYC promotes 2nd annual Small Business Saturday
From Wall Street Journal
Small business owners hoping to reel in holiday shoppers are promoting the second annual Small Business Saturday in New York and 14 other U.S. cities.
The small-business promotion was first announced in 2010 by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault.
It takes place the day after Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. It is intended to encourage shoppers to patronize independent local businesses…(full story)
Small business owners hoping to reel in holiday shoppers are promoting the second annual Small Business Saturday in New York and 14 other U.S. cities.
The small-business promotion was first announced in 2010 by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault.
It takes place the day after Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. It is intended to encourage shoppers to patronize independent local businesses…(full story)
Take part in Small Business Saturday
From fox11online.com
On Saturday, November 26 people all over the nation are encouraged to take part in Small Business Saturday .
This is the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday . It's a day for people all over to "shop local" and buy from a small business in their area…(full story)
On Saturday, November 26 people all over the nation are encouraged to take part in Small Business Saturday .
This is the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday . It's a day for people all over to "shop local" and buy from a small business in their area…(full story)
After Black Thursday and Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday
From Los Angeles Times
After ditching turkey prep on Thanksgiving Thursday to shop and then braving throngs on Black Friday to shop some more, do consumers have it in them to head out on Small Business Saturday for even more shopping?
American Express, which launched the nationwide effort last year to boost revenues at local businesses, thinks yes.
Small Business Saturday helped independent merchants pull in 28% more sales in 2010 than they did the same day in 2009, according to American Express. Organizers say that 89 million consumers are expected to “shop small” this weekend.
About 2.5 million people have liked Small Business Saturday’s Facebook page. To help shop owners prepare, organizers gave away $100 in free Facebook advertising to the first 10,000 who signed up…(full story)
After ditching turkey prep on Thanksgiving Thursday to shop and then braving throngs on Black Friday to shop some more, do consumers have it in them to head out on Small Business Saturday for even more shopping?
American Express, which launched the nationwide effort last year to boost revenues at local businesses, thinks yes.
Small Business Saturday helped independent merchants pull in 28% more sales in 2010 than they did the same day in 2009, according to American Express. Organizers say that 89 million consumers are expected to “shop small” this weekend.
About 2.5 million people have liked Small Business Saturday’s Facebook page. To help shop owners prepare, organizers gave away $100 in free Facebook advertising to the first 10,000 who signed up…(full story)
The kids are not all right with mobile phones, shows poll
From Reuters
Nearly three-quarters of Britons think it is inappropriate for children under 12 to own a mobile phone, despite the fact that most kids already have them, according to a poll on Thursday.
The survey of 2,000 people found that expensive bills, unmonitored internet use and lack of parental control were some of the reasons adults felt uncomfortable about kids owning mobiles.
However, more than one in 10 would buy a child a mobile phone as a treat to encourage good behaviour, or for doing well at school.
The vast majority of parents (90 percent) also liked the idea of a child having a phone in case of an emergency.
Mobile phone information and price comparison website Recombu.com, which carried out the survey, noted that 79 percent of 7 to 11-year-olds already own a mobile...(full story)
Nearly three-quarters of Britons think it is inappropriate for children under 12 to own a mobile phone, despite the fact that most kids already have them, according to a poll on Thursday.
The survey of 2,000 people found that expensive bills, unmonitored internet use and lack of parental control were some of the reasons adults felt uncomfortable about kids owning mobiles.
However, more than one in 10 would buy a child a mobile phone as a treat to encourage good behaviour, or for doing well at school.
The vast majority of parents (90 percent) also liked the idea of a child having a phone in case of an emergency.
Mobile phone information and price comparison website Recombu.com, which carried out the survey, noted that 79 percent of 7 to 11-year-olds already own a mobile...(full story)
Kurt Budke, Miranda Serna die in plane crash
From www.sfgate.com
Kurt Budke turned Oklahoma State's women's basketball team into a winner and hoped he had found the place where he would coach until he retired. Miranda Serna had passed up opportunities to leave his side, staying loyal to the man whom she had helped to win a junior college national championship.
Having succeeded together, Budke and Serna died together, perishing in a plane crash on a recruiting trip.
Budke, the head coach, and Serna, his assistant, were killed Thursday when the single-engine plane in which they were passengers crashed in steep terrain in Arkansas, the university said Friday.
The pilot, 82-year-old former Oklahoma state Sen. Olin Branstetter, and his 79-year-old wife, Paula, also died when the plane sputtered, spiraled out of control and nose-dived into the Winona Wildlife Management Area near Perryville, 45 miles west of Little Rock…(Full Story)
Kurt Budke turned Oklahoma State's women's basketball team into a winner and hoped he had found the place where he would coach until he retired. Miranda Serna had passed up opportunities to leave his side, staying loyal to the man whom she had helped to win a junior college national championship.
Having succeeded together, Budke and Serna died together, perishing in a plane crash on a recruiting trip.
Budke, the head coach, and Serna, his assistant, were killed Thursday when the single-engine plane in which they were passengers crashed in steep terrain in Arkansas, the university said Friday.
The pilot, 82-year-old former Oklahoma state Sen. Olin Branstetter, and his 79-year-old wife, Paula, also died when the plane sputtered, spiraled out of control and nose-dived into the Winona Wildlife Management Area near Perryville, 45 miles west of Little Rock…(Full Story)
McCormick says Budke had impossible job at Tech
A punch to the gut.
That's what I felt when my wife sent me a text message Friday morning, telling me that Kurt Budke had been killed.
Just to be honest, I hate reading tragic news. I want to be informed, so I read it, but I would much rather read uplifting, inspirational stories.
The Penn State saga is tragic. The kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was saddening, but at least it had a heroic ending.
Sadly, there was no heroic ending for Budke, a former Louisiana Tech women's basketball coach who was one of four people killed in a plane crash in Arkansas Thursday night. Budke was the women's basketball coach at Oklahoma State, and his long-tenured assistant, Miranda Serna, also was killed as they were returning to Stillwater, Okla., from a recruiting trip.
Budke was entering his seventh season in Stillwater, where there aren't many words to describe the job he did in turning around a putrid program and making it competitive in the Big 12, which is quite possibly the best women's basketball conference in the country.
The Cowgirls were winless in Big 12 play in 2005-06, Budke's first season on the job. Two years later, Oklahoma State reached the Sweet 16, and the Cowgirls have advanced to postseason play each of the past five years, including three NCAA tourney appearances.
I remember Budke less for his time at Oklahoma State and more for his rocky tenure at Louisiana Tech, where he was given the unenviable task to trying to replace the legendary Leon Barmore, who built the Lady Techsters into one of the premier programs in the country.
To be blunt, Budke was saddled with an impossible situation.
He was asked to replace a legend in Barmore, but more than that, he was brought in after the heir apparent, Kim Mulkey, had a nasty battle with Tech's administration that saw her decline to replace Barmore -- the job she'd waited around in Ruston for nearly 20 years to get -- and instead go build a national championship program at Baylor…(Full Story)
That's what I felt when my wife sent me a text message Friday morning, telling me that Kurt Budke had been killed.
Just to be honest, I hate reading tragic news. I want to be informed, so I read it, but I would much rather read uplifting, inspirational stories.
The Penn State saga is tragic. The kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was saddening, but at least it had a heroic ending.
Sadly, there was no heroic ending for Budke, a former Louisiana Tech women's basketball coach who was one of four people killed in a plane crash in Arkansas Thursday night. Budke was the women's basketball coach at Oklahoma State, and his long-tenured assistant, Miranda Serna, also was killed as they were returning to Stillwater, Okla., from a recruiting trip.
Budke was entering his seventh season in Stillwater, where there aren't many words to describe the job he did in turning around a putrid program and making it competitive in the Big 12, which is quite possibly the best women's basketball conference in the country.
The Cowgirls were winless in Big 12 play in 2005-06, Budke's first season on the job. Two years later, Oklahoma State reached the Sweet 16, and the Cowgirls have advanced to postseason play each of the past five years, including three NCAA tourney appearances.
I remember Budke less for his time at Oklahoma State and more for his rocky tenure at Louisiana Tech, where he was given the unenviable task to trying to replace the legendary Leon Barmore, who built the Lady Techsters into one of the premier programs in the country.
To be blunt, Budke was saddled with an impossible situation.
He was asked to replace a legend in Barmore, but more than that, he was brought in after the heir apparent, Kim Mulkey, had a nasty battle with Tech's administration that saw her decline to replace Barmore -- the job she'd waited around in Ruston for nearly 20 years to get -- and instead go build a national championship program at Baylor…(Full Story)
ORU women's coach Jerry Finkbeiner remembers Kurt Budke
From newsok.com
Jerry Finkbeiner had known Kurt Budke for about 17 years. He says he has five references on his resume, and Budke was the only a Division I coach.
Oral Roberts women's basketball coach Jerry Finkbeiner said he has five references on his resume, and only one of them is an NCAA Division I coach.
“I could have a whole assortment on that references list, but I chose to have Kurt Budke exclusively on my resume,” Finkbeiner said. “It just shows what I thought of him as a man and a coach.”
Finkbeiner said he has known Budke for about 17 years…(Full Story)
Jerry Finkbeiner had known Kurt Budke for about 17 years. He says he has five references on his resume, and Budke was the only a Division I coach.
Oral Roberts women's basketball coach Jerry Finkbeiner said he has five references on his resume, and only one of them is an NCAA Division I coach.
“I could have a whole assortment on that references list, but I chose to have Kurt Budke exclusively on my resume,” Finkbeiner said. “It just shows what I thought of him as a man and a coach.”
Finkbeiner said he has known Budke for about 17 years…(Full Story)
OSU interim women's coach Jim Littell: Kurt Budke's ‘zeal for OSU was incomparable'
From newsok.com
Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke's “zeal for Oklahoma State was incomparable,” associate head coach Jim Littell said Friday.Budke, Oklahoma State's women's basketball coach, and assistant coach Miranda Serna were killed Thursday in a plane crash in Central Arkansas along with former state senator Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula. The plane was owned by Olin Branstetter, who was also the pilot.
“He loved this place,” said Littell, who will take over as interim head coach for the Cowgirls.
Littell and OSU president Burns Hargis remembered Budke and Serna at a Friday morning press conference.
“It's our worst nightmare,” said Hargis, who added that he had spent time…(Full Story)
Bangladesh keen to import power from Nepal
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has proposed Nepal to export 1,000MW of electricity to Bangladesh from the Himalayan state’s Sapt-Kosi High Dam, 110 km off Thakurgaon of Bangladesh.
She gave the proposal in a meeting with the Nepalese prime minister, Baburam Bhattarai, at Shangri-La Resort in Addu City on the sidelines of the 17th SAARC Summit that ended Friday.
‘During the meeting, Hasina called for a broader agreement with Nepal for cooperation in the areas of hydropower generation and trade and proposed
for joint venture projects or equity sharing or direct purchase agreement with Nepal to obtain 10,000-MW electricity in the next five to seven years,’ her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the news agency.
The two prime ministers agreed to take up projects to harness hydropower and water resources at sub-regional and regional levels.
Hasina said Bangladesh, India and Nepal might jointly construct water reservoirs in Nepal for augmentation of dry season flows of the Ganges.
All three countries, she said, should implement Sapt-Kosi High Dam with augmentation potential of 68,600 cusecs. ‘Bangladesh would import 3,500MW power from the Sapt-Kosi High Dam project,’ she said.
In this connection, Hasina said Nepalese rivers contribute 71 per cent of Ganges natural dry season flow and 41 per cent of the annual flows of the Ganges at Farakka point.
Laying importance on increasing trade with Nepal, she said Bangladesh had undertaken initiatives to improve infrastructure of land customs stations and land ports for trade with neighbouring countries.
The prime minister said Bangladesh had already signed an addendum to an MoU with India for rail transit to Nepal on Rohanpur-Singabad
route, and about 50,000 tonnes of fertiliser had already been transported to Nepal through this route.
Hasina said the multi-gauge conversion of Birol- Radhikapur sector by 2012 would help two rail linkages for boosting trade between Bangladesh and Nepal as well as third country.
Referring to the signing of the Standard Operating Procedure with India during her visit to India in January 2010, she said it would allow Nepalese cargo vehicles to enter up to 200 meters from zero point at Banglabanda inside Bangladesh.
She said Bangladesh and Nepal could also collaborate in the areas
of promotion of the tourism, people-to-people contact, and study of the Nepalese students in Bangladesh’s private universities.
Hasina congratulated Baburam Bhattarai on his election as the prime minister of Nepal and expressed hope that the ‘Peace Process’ and drafting of the constitution in Nepal would be successful.
She invited Baburam Bhattarai to visit Bangladesh at his time of convenience.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni, ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and PM’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present on the occasion.
Source: New Age
She gave the proposal in a meeting with the Nepalese prime minister, Baburam Bhattarai, at Shangri-La Resort in Addu City on the sidelines of the 17th SAARC Summit that ended Friday.
‘During the meeting, Hasina called for a broader agreement with Nepal for cooperation in the areas of hydropower generation and trade and proposed
for joint venture projects or equity sharing or direct purchase agreement with Nepal to obtain 10,000-MW electricity in the next five to seven years,’ her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the news agency.
The two prime ministers agreed to take up projects to harness hydropower and water resources at sub-regional and regional levels.
Hasina said Bangladesh, India and Nepal might jointly construct water reservoirs in Nepal for augmentation of dry season flows of the Ganges.
All three countries, she said, should implement Sapt-Kosi High Dam with augmentation potential of 68,600 cusecs. ‘Bangladesh would import 3,500MW power from the Sapt-Kosi High Dam project,’ she said.
In this connection, Hasina said Nepalese rivers contribute 71 per cent of Ganges natural dry season flow and 41 per cent of the annual flows of the Ganges at Farakka point.
Laying importance on increasing trade with Nepal, she said Bangladesh had undertaken initiatives to improve infrastructure of land customs stations and land ports for trade with neighbouring countries.
The prime minister said Bangladesh had already signed an addendum to an MoU with India for rail transit to Nepal on Rohanpur-Singabad
route, and about 50,000 tonnes of fertiliser had already been transported to Nepal through this route.
Hasina said the multi-gauge conversion of Birol- Radhikapur sector by 2012 would help two rail linkages for boosting trade between Bangladesh and Nepal as well as third country.
Referring to the signing of the Standard Operating Procedure with India during her visit to India in January 2010, she said it would allow Nepalese cargo vehicles to enter up to 200 meters from zero point at Banglabanda inside Bangladesh.
She said Bangladesh and Nepal could also collaborate in the areas
of promotion of the tourism, people-to-people contact, and study of the Nepalese students in Bangladesh’s private universities.
Hasina congratulated Baburam Bhattarai on his election as the prime minister of Nepal and expressed hope that the ‘Peace Process’ and drafting of the constitution in Nepal would be successful.
She invited Baburam Bhattarai to visit Bangladesh at his time of convenience.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni, ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and PM’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present on the occasion.
Source: New Age
Dhaka’s proposal dropped
The South Asian leaders on Friday ‘dropped’ a proposal mooted by Bangladesh for ‘management of common rivers in the region’ from the declaration of the 17th SAARC Summit in the Maldives.
They took the decision to drop article 10 of the 22-point draft declaration that sought ‘to direct the SAARC environment ministers to consider development of modalities on the management of common rivers in the region.’
The SAARC Council of
Ministers comprising foreign ministers of the regional grouping finalised the draft declaration at Equatorial Convention Centre at Addu on Wednesday.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in her address to the summit on Thursday, called for basin-based management of common rivers, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra, in the region.
The South Asian leaders dropped the article 10 at the request of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh at the summit retreat at Shangri-La on Indian Ocean island of Villingili on Friday morning, diplomatic sources said.
The newly elected SAARC chair and Maldives president, Mohamed Nasheed, Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Nepal’s prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, Pakistan prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa and SAARC secretary general Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed were also present at the retreat.
The Bangladesh side tried to persuade India on the sidelines of the summit to keep the provision of common river management in the declaration. But India declined the proposal.
The SAARC leaders adopted the Addu Declaration at the concluding session of the summit on Friday.
The regional forum takes decisions on consensus.
They dropped another proposal seeking to elevate the SAARC secretary general to the status of a foreign minister from the next term of the office.
Source: New Age
They took the decision to drop article 10 of the 22-point draft declaration that sought ‘to direct the SAARC environment ministers to consider development of modalities on the management of common rivers in the region.’
The SAARC Council of
Ministers comprising foreign ministers of the regional grouping finalised the draft declaration at Equatorial Convention Centre at Addu on Wednesday.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in her address to the summit on Thursday, called for basin-based management of common rivers, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra, in the region.
The South Asian leaders dropped the article 10 at the request of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh at the summit retreat at Shangri-La on Indian Ocean island of Villingili on Friday morning, diplomatic sources said.
The newly elected SAARC chair and Maldives president, Mohamed Nasheed, Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Nepal’s prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, Pakistan prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa and SAARC secretary general Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed were also present at the retreat.
The Bangladesh side tried to persuade India on the sidelines of the summit to keep the provision of common river management in the declaration. But India declined the proposal.
The SAARC leaders adopted the Addu Declaration at the concluding session of the summit on Friday.
The regional forum takes decisions on consensus.
They dropped another proposal seeking to elevate the SAARC secretary general to the status of a foreign minister from the next term of the office.
Source: New Age
People’s SAARC for regional connectivity, easing visa
A civil society platform, People’s SAARC, has urged the eight leaders of South Asia to pay more attention to greater regional connectivity and easing visa to promote people to people easy contacts across South Asia, home to 150 crore people.
‘South Asian leaders should work more on enhancing connectivity of the common people by building mutual trust and easing visa regime that ensure free mobility of people across South
Asia,’ read a press release of the Forum circulated
at the Equatorial Convention Centre, venue of the 17th SAARC Summit on Friday.
The Kathmandu-based Forum also said the SAARC process should be more pro-people and committed to eradication of poverty and injustices through
regional development that it must be based on reduced military budget and mutual cooperation in economic and social fronts.
It said the aspiration for superior military power, which prompts scale up defence budget, would divert resources away from development goals.
‘We do underline the need for the SAARC to expand its ambit to cover all areas of political, environmental, economic, social and human rights, peace and justice spheres of the South Asia region,’ said the press release adding the potentials of the region should be harnessed through equitable share of natural resources.
It said the forum wanted an immediate action to protect the rights of migrant workers and their families as well as refugees through ratification of relevant international instruments and regional mechanisms, a demand which goes
with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recommendation in the SAARC summit that ended Friday.
The forum also demanded establishment of regional human rights commission, climate commission and a monitoring body to oversee democratic governance in the member states under the SAARC Democracy Charter.
It also strongly pleaded for ensuring zero tolerance to violence against women.
People’s SAARC is a focal point and platform for sharing, forging and strengthening solidarity linkages among the like-minded action groups, resources agencies and progressive individuals
to build people’s resistance against the forces of globalisation across the
nations of South Asia, which encompasses eight nations — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Source: New Age
‘South Asian leaders should work more on enhancing connectivity of the common people by building mutual trust and easing visa regime that ensure free mobility of people across South
Asia,’ read a press release of the Forum circulated
at the Equatorial Convention Centre, venue of the 17th SAARC Summit on Friday.
The Kathmandu-based Forum also said the SAARC process should be more pro-people and committed to eradication of poverty and injustices through
regional development that it must be based on reduced military budget and mutual cooperation in economic and social fronts.
It said the aspiration for superior military power, which prompts scale up defence budget, would divert resources away from development goals.
‘We do underline the need for the SAARC to expand its ambit to cover all areas of political, environmental, economic, social and human rights, peace and justice spheres of the South Asia region,’ said the press release adding the potentials of the region should be harnessed through equitable share of natural resources.
It said the forum wanted an immediate action to protect the rights of migrant workers and their families as well as refugees through ratification of relevant international instruments and regional mechanisms, a demand which goes
with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recommendation in the SAARC summit that ended Friday.
The forum also demanded establishment of regional human rights commission, climate commission and a monitoring body to oversee democratic governance in the member states under the SAARC Democracy Charter.
It also strongly pleaded for ensuring zero tolerance to violence against women.
People’s SAARC is a focal point and platform for sharing, forging and strengthening solidarity linkages among the like-minded action groups, resources agencies and progressive individuals
to build people’s resistance against the forces of globalisation across the
nations of South Asia, which encompasses eight nations — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Source: New Age
Khaleda to meet leaders at grassroots
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, is planning to exchange views with the party’s grassroots level activists after her road-march programme.
Khaleda Zia, also the leader of the opposition, is planning to meet presidents, general secretaries and organising secretaries of the party’s district, upazila and municipality units to make up for the organisational loss caused by non-holding of grassroots representatives’ councils, a programme launched by her son Tarique Rahman, a top leader of the party told New Age recently.
The grassroots level leaders will be invited to Dhaka in phases and Khaleda will take their views on the ways to strengthen the party and next course of action in its anti-government campaign. She will also ask the local level leaders to remove their differences.
After becoming the senior joint secretary general of BNP in 2002, Tarique Rahman, now the senior vice-chairman of the party, had started holding grassroots representatives’ conferences to gear up organisational activities across the country.
Party insiders said Khaleda wanted to continue her activism as well as to strengthen the party by holding organisational programmes instead of violent street agitation until a ‘final push’ to unseat the government.
‘Khaleda Zia will steer the party towards a better position to pave the way for Tarique’s return to the country before the next general election,’ said another senior leader.
‘The leader of the opposition during her countrywide road-march campaign is assessing the popular mood and their response to her call for a tougher anti-government movement, but she could not yet discuss organisational matters with the grassroots level leaders,’ he said.
‘Against this backdrop,’ he said, ‘the chairperson
has decided to exchange views with the local leaders.’
Khaleda has already led road-marches to Sylhet, Bogra and Chapainawabganj and is scheduled to lead another road-march to Khulna on November 26.
She will conclude the programme by leading a road march to the port city of Chittagong possibly in December.
Khaleda is also likely to address rallies in Rangpur or Dinajpur and in Barisal.
Party insiders said Khaleda’s countrywide campaign was aimed at rallying support for its demand for mid-term polls by projecting the government ‘failures’ in containing prices, slide in law and order and reining in share market gamblers, its top leaders said.
The BNP chief would give a clear message to the government that the party would not contest elections without restoration of the caretaker government system.
Source: New Age
Khaleda Zia, also the leader of the opposition, is planning to meet presidents, general secretaries and organising secretaries of the party’s district, upazila and municipality units to make up for the organisational loss caused by non-holding of grassroots representatives’ councils, a programme launched by her son Tarique Rahman, a top leader of the party told New Age recently.
The grassroots level leaders will be invited to Dhaka in phases and Khaleda will take their views on the ways to strengthen the party and next course of action in its anti-government campaign. She will also ask the local level leaders to remove their differences.
After becoming the senior joint secretary general of BNP in 2002, Tarique Rahman, now the senior vice-chairman of the party, had started holding grassroots representatives’ conferences to gear up organisational activities across the country.
Party insiders said Khaleda wanted to continue her activism as well as to strengthen the party by holding organisational programmes instead of violent street agitation until a ‘final push’ to unseat the government.
‘Khaleda Zia will steer the party towards a better position to pave the way for Tarique’s return to the country before the next general election,’ said another senior leader.
‘The leader of the opposition during her countrywide road-march campaign is assessing the popular mood and their response to her call for a tougher anti-government movement, but she could not yet discuss organisational matters with the grassroots level leaders,’ he said.
‘Against this backdrop,’ he said, ‘the chairperson
has decided to exchange views with the local leaders.’
Khaleda has already led road-marches to Sylhet, Bogra and Chapainawabganj and is scheduled to lead another road-march to Khulna on November 26.
She will conclude the programme by leading a road march to the port city of Chittagong possibly in December.
Khaleda is also likely to address rallies in Rangpur or Dinajpur and in Barisal.
Party insiders said Khaleda’s countrywide campaign was aimed at rallying support for its demand for mid-term polls by projecting the government ‘failures’ in containing prices, slide in law and order and reining in share market gamblers, its top leaders said.
The BNP chief would give a clear message to the government that the party would not contest elections without restoration of the caretaker government system.
Source: New Age
AL to gear up activities at grassroots
The ruling Awami League has embarked on reorganising its grassroots units to gear up its activities to face the opposition ‘politically’ and preparing the party for the next general elections.
AL insiders said that council sessions at ward and union levels had already started which would be completed by December this year.
Council sessions of upazila units would start early next year and district level councils would be completed by June next year so that the party’s central council could take place by July 2012, sources said.
‘Council sessions at ward and union levels are on and those would be completed by December,’ AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told New Age on Thursday.
He said that the upazila level councils would begin after completion of the union an ward level council sessions. District level council sessions would be completed by June next year.
‘We are planning to complete the local level council sessions by June next year so that the central council session can take place by July next year as scheduled,’ said Hanif, also the spokesperson for the AL.
Another central leader said that the party would strengthen its grassroots units and increase political activities to prepare the party for the next general elections.
He also said that the opposition was enforcing various programmes, including road marches, but as the ruling party the AL would face them politically by increasing organisational activities at grassroots and national levels.
AL leaders have visited different districts as a part of its plan to increase organisational activities and face the movement of the opposition ‘politically’.
The party also held rallies at the headquarters of 18 greater districts in July- August this year.
AL central leaders, ministers, mayors of different cities and local lawmakers addressed the rallies.
Source: New Age
AL insiders said that council sessions at ward and union levels had already started which would be completed by December this year.
Council sessions of upazila units would start early next year and district level councils would be completed by June next year so that the party’s central council could take place by July 2012, sources said.
‘Council sessions at ward and union levels are on and those would be completed by December,’ AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told New Age on Thursday.
He said that the upazila level councils would begin after completion of the union an ward level council sessions. District level council sessions would be completed by June next year.
‘We are planning to complete the local level council sessions by June next year so that the central council session can take place by July next year as scheduled,’ said Hanif, also the spokesperson for the AL.
Another central leader said that the party would strengthen its grassroots units and increase political activities to prepare the party for the next general elections.
He also said that the opposition was enforcing various programmes, including road marches, but as the ruling party the AL would face them politically by increasing organisational activities at grassroots and national levels.
AL leaders have visited different districts as a part of its plan to increase organisational activities and face the movement of the opposition ‘politically’.
The party also held rallies at the headquarters of 18 greater districts in July- August this year.
AL central leaders, ministers, mayors of different cities and local lawmakers addressed the rallies.
Source: New Age
Fuel price hike to further raise inflation
The latest hike of fuel-oil prices would further fuel the on-going upward inflation in the country’s economy pushing the fixed and lower to middle income groups into misery.
Economists expressed fear that the series of price hikes of fuel-oil would have a long-term adverse effect on industrial production, employment and living standard of a large section of people.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) executive director Mustafizur Rahman told New Age, ‘The decision of raising fuel price came at a time when there has been a high inflation in the economy. The latest hike in fuel oil price will further increase the inflation. People with fixed income will particularly bear the burnt.’
Rights activist Anu Mohammad, a professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University, said that a large section of the population would substantially lose their purchasing power which will force them to compromise their living standard.
He assessed around 95 per cent people would be affected due to the series of fuel price hike by Tk 10 a litter in two slabs in less than two months.
Anu feared that a number of small and medium industries might be laid off as a result of losing their competitiveness due to abrupt increase in production cost due to hike in fuel price.
According to the latest data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, food inflation, which was at 12.7 per cent in August, had increased to 13.75 per cent in September while food inflation in urban areas increased to 14.69 per cent in September from 12.94 per cent in August.
The government planed to increase fuel-oil price to match with the international market to offset huge subsidy in energy sector, particularly caused by huge demand of fuel-oil to operate the recently installed rental power plants.
With the latest increase, the government so far has increased the price of fuel-oil including the most essential fuels for transport, lighting and cooking, diesel and kerosene by Tk 12 per litter in three slabs since May this year.
It has increased furnace oil price by 112 per cent or Tk 29 a litre, from Tk 26 to Tk 55 a litter in five slabs this year.
Anu said the government’s policy for power generation caused a huge burden of subsidy.
Mustafiz said that the burden of subsidy caused by fuel-oil fired rental power plants pushed the country’s economy to a vulnerable situation.
He said the government would have to borrow more and more from the central bank to meet the subsidy which in turn would increase inflation. And government’s excess borrowing from private banks would create liquidity crisis for the entrepreneurs which in turn would leave a negative impact on the country’s economy.
He added that the government should take necessary steps to control the price of commodities caused by the increase of fuel prices because a major part of businessmen usually manipulate such occasions to maximise profits.
The two economists feared that the country’s economy would not be able to contain the huge volume of subsidy and fuel price hike for a long time.
Mustafiz suggested the government should immediately go for replacing expensive fuel-fired power plants by low cost gas and coal-fired power plants.
He also urged the government to expand the coverage of rationing and safety net programmes to protect widening number of vulnerable people of the society.
Source: New Age
Economists expressed fear that the series of price hikes of fuel-oil would have a long-term adverse effect on industrial production, employment and living standard of a large section of people.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) executive director Mustafizur Rahman told New Age, ‘The decision of raising fuel price came at a time when there has been a high inflation in the economy. The latest hike in fuel oil price will further increase the inflation. People with fixed income will particularly bear the burnt.’
Rights activist Anu Mohammad, a professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University, said that a large section of the population would substantially lose their purchasing power which will force them to compromise their living standard.
He assessed around 95 per cent people would be affected due to the series of fuel price hike by Tk 10 a litter in two slabs in less than two months.
Anu feared that a number of small and medium industries might be laid off as a result of losing their competitiveness due to abrupt increase in production cost due to hike in fuel price.
According to the latest data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, food inflation, which was at 12.7 per cent in August, had increased to 13.75 per cent in September while food inflation in urban areas increased to 14.69 per cent in September from 12.94 per cent in August.
The government planed to increase fuel-oil price to match with the international market to offset huge subsidy in energy sector, particularly caused by huge demand of fuel-oil to operate the recently installed rental power plants.
With the latest increase, the government so far has increased the price of fuel-oil including the most essential fuels for transport, lighting and cooking, diesel and kerosene by Tk 12 per litter in three slabs since May this year.
It has increased furnace oil price by 112 per cent or Tk 29 a litre, from Tk 26 to Tk 55 a litter in five slabs this year.
Anu said the government’s policy for power generation caused a huge burden of subsidy.
Mustafiz said that the burden of subsidy caused by fuel-oil fired rental power plants pushed the country’s economy to a vulnerable situation.
He said the government would have to borrow more and more from the central bank to meet the subsidy which in turn would increase inflation. And government’s excess borrowing from private banks would create liquidity crisis for the entrepreneurs which in turn would leave a negative impact on the country’s economy.
He added that the government should take necessary steps to control the price of commodities caused by the increase of fuel prices because a major part of businessmen usually manipulate such occasions to maximise profits.
The two economists feared that the country’s economy would not be able to contain the huge volume of subsidy and fuel price hike for a long time.
Mustafiz suggested the government should immediately go for replacing expensive fuel-fired power plants by low cost gas and coal-fired power plants.
He also urged the government to expand the coverage of rationing and safety net programmes to protect widening number of vulnerable people of the society.
Source: New Age
SAARC leaders pledge effective free trade area
The South Asian leaders on Friday concluded their 17th summit with a pledge to intensify efforts to fully and effectively implement the agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area.
They asked the SAFTA Ministerial Council comprising finance ministers of the group to work for substantial reduction in sensitive lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonising standards and customs procedures.
They adopted a 20-point ‘Addu Declaration’ with a pledge to strengthen the SAARC mechanisms, including the secretariat and regional centres ‘through an inter-governmental process’ to provide better service to the people in the region.
The newly elected SAARC chair and Maldives president, Mohamed Nasheed, presided over the concluding session of the 17th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation at the Equatorial Convention Centre in Addu city in the Indian Ocean state of Maldives in presence of six other South Asian leaders – Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Nepal’s prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, Pakistan prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai, was not present at the concluding session of the summit, as he left Addu before its commencement on Friday afternoon due to his urgent engagement at home, Nasheed informed the summit.
The foreign ministers of the group signed the four agreements in presence of the top regional leaders.
The summit asked the SAFTA Ministerial Council to intensify efforts to fully and effectively implement the agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area.
It also asked council to work for substantial reduction in sensitive lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonising
standards and customs procedures.
The regional leaders also directed the finance ministers to chart a proposal that would allow greater flow of financial, capital and intra-regional long-term investments.
On the second day of the two-day summit, SAARC foreign ministers signed four regional agreements seeking implementation of regional standards, multilateral arrangement on recognition of conformity assessment, rapid response to natural disasters and establishment of a SAARC seed bank.
The regional leaders finalised the 20-point declaration at the summit retreat at the exotic Shangri-La resort on the Indian Ocean island of Villingili.
The summit felt the necessity of signing an agreement on mutual cooperation on regional railway services and convening an expert group meeting on the Motor vehicles Agreement before the next session of the council of finance ministers.
They also asked for an early demonstration run of a container train through Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
The regional leaders also called for finalisation of the work on the elaboration of the SAARC Regional Convention on Preventing and Combating trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution for its adoption by the next summit.
They asked the South Asia forum to continue work towards development of the ‘vision statement’ for South Asia and its future development, including elements of a South Asian Economic Union, as may emerge from its subsequent meetings.
They agreed to undertake a comprehensive review before the next session of the SAARC Council of Ministers comprising foreign ministers of the region in 2012 on all matters relating to engagement of SAARC observers in the process of the regional grouping.
The leaders appreciated formulation of an actionable framework to address the common challenge of sanitation and access to safe drinking water in the region.
They also agreed to expedite the work on mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees and harmonisation of academic standards, and establishment of long-term linkages among the universities, research institutions and think-tanks in the region.
They agreed to settle the operational issues related to the SAARC Food Bank by the next session of the council of ministers with a view to ensuring its effective functioning.
The regional leaders also agreed to make concrete and coordinated efforts to root out terrorism, taking into account its links with illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms.
They called for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
They also gave directions for conclusion of the Inter-governmental Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation.
The leaders asked for conducting a study on the Regional Power Exchange Concept and SAARC Market for Electricity.
They agreed to make available an appropriate portion of national income for investment in renewable energy in respective countries.
They stressed the need for timely implementation of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change.
The regional leaders directed the SAARC secretary general to conduct a feasibility study on the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service.
They stressed the need for convening an inter-governmental expert group meeting for developing a regional mechanism to ensure empowerment of women, gender equality in the region, with focus on national legislations, including timely realisation of the MDGs.
The leaders also agreed to initiate work towards combating maritime piracy in the region.
They decided to convene a regional conference on media to consider deepening collaboration among the media and to mark a SAARC Media Day.
The SAARC leaders decided that the 18th summit of the regional grouping would take place in Nepal in the first half of 2013.
The 16th summit was held in Thimphu, the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
Source: New Age
They asked the SAFTA Ministerial Council comprising finance ministers of the group to work for substantial reduction in sensitive lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonising standards and customs procedures.
They adopted a 20-point ‘Addu Declaration’ with a pledge to strengthen the SAARC mechanisms, including the secretariat and regional centres ‘through an inter-governmental process’ to provide better service to the people in the region.
The newly elected SAARC chair and Maldives president, Mohamed Nasheed, presided over the concluding session of the 17th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation at the Equatorial Convention Centre in Addu city in the Indian Ocean state of Maldives in presence of six other South Asian leaders – Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Nepal’s prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, Pakistan prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai, was not present at the concluding session of the summit, as he left Addu before its commencement on Friday afternoon due to his urgent engagement at home, Nasheed informed the summit.
The foreign ministers of the group signed the four agreements in presence of the top regional leaders.
The summit asked the SAFTA Ministerial Council to intensify efforts to fully and effectively implement the agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area.
It also asked council to work for substantial reduction in sensitive lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonising
standards and customs procedures.
The regional leaders also directed the finance ministers to chart a proposal that would allow greater flow of financial, capital and intra-regional long-term investments.
On the second day of the two-day summit, SAARC foreign ministers signed four regional agreements seeking implementation of regional standards, multilateral arrangement on recognition of conformity assessment, rapid response to natural disasters and establishment of a SAARC seed bank.
The regional leaders finalised the 20-point declaration at the summit retreat at the exotic Shangri-La resort on the Indian Ocean island of Villingili.
The summit felt the necessity of signing an agreement on mutual cooperation on regional railway services and convening an expert group meeting on the Motor vehicles Agreement before the next session of the council of finance ministers.
They also asked for an early demonstration run of a container train through Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
The regional leaders also called for finalisation of the work on the elaboration of the SAARC Regional Convention on Preventing and Combating trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution for its adoption by the next summit.
They asked the South Asia forum to continue work towards development of the ‘vision statement’ for South Asia and its future development, including elements of a South Asian Economic Union, as may emerge from its subsequent meetings.
They agreed to undertake a comprehensive review before the next session of the SAARC Council of Ministers comprising foreign ministers of the region in 2012 on all matters relating to engagement of SAARC observers in the process of the regional grouping.
The leaders appreciated formulation of an actionable framework to address the common challenge of sanitation and access to safe drinking water in the region.
They also agreed to expedite the work on mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees and harmonisation of academic standards, and establishment of long-term linkages among the universities, research institutions and think-tanks in the region.
They agreed to settle the operational issues related to the SAARC Food Bank by the next session of the council of ministers with a view to ensuring its effective functioning.
The regional leaders also agreed to make concrete and coordinated efforts to root out terrorism, taking into account its links with illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms.
They called for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
They also gave directions for conclusion of the Inter-governmental Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation.
The leaders asked for conducting a study on the Regional Power Exchange Concept and SAARC Market for Electricity.
They agreed to make available an appropriate portion of national income for investment in renewable energy in respective countries.
They stressed the need for timely implementation of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change.
The regional leaders directed the SAARC secretary general to conduct a feasibility study on the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service.
They stressed the need for convening an inter-governmental expert group meeting for developing a regional mechanism to ensure empowerment of women, gender equality in the region, with focus on national legislations, including timely realisation of the MDGs.
The leaders also agreed to initiate work towards combating maritime piracy in the region.
They decided to convene a regional conference on media to consider deepening collaboration among the media and to mark a SAARC Media Day.
The SAARC leaders decided that the 18th summit of the regional grouping would take place in Nepal in the first half of 2013.
The 16th summit was held in Thimphu, the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
Source: New Age
BRRI’s annual research workshop begins today
A 3-day-long annual research review workshop of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute will begin today at its headquarters in Gazipur.
Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture CQK Mustaque Ahmed will inaugurate it as chief guest at 10:00am at BIRRI auditorium.
About 200 scientists, researchers and officials are expected to participate in the workshop.
BRRI director general Dr AKG Mad Enamul Haque will chair the inaugural function while its research director Dr Md Khairul Bashar will present the keynote paper highlighting BRRI's research performance.
Dr Wasi Kabir, executive director of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, and Md Habibur Rahman, director general of the Department of Agricultural Extension, will attend the opening session as the special guests.
BRRI dhan55, BRRI dhan58 and BRRI dhan57 - the three high yielding and drought tolerant early maturing rich varieties - are the latest innovation of the BRRI. Of these varieties, BRRI dhan55 can be cultivated throughout the country in favourable conditions and it yields one tone more on per hectare of land than the most popular and cultivated BRRI dhan28.
5 shops gutted
A fire gutted five shops at Nandina bazar in Jamalpur sadar upazila early Saturday.
The fire fighters said that the fire originated from an electric short circuit of a shop at the Nandina bazar at about 1:45am and soon engulfed the adjacent shops.
Being informed, the fire fighters went to the spot and extinguished the blaze after two hours frantic efforts.
The fire fighters estimated the loss about Tk 10 lakh.
PDP opposes new broadcast policy
The Progressive Democratic Party, formed during the military-backed caretaker government, has threatened to launch movement if the proposed National Broadcasting Policy is implemented.
'There are sufficient ways to control misdeeds and irrelevant publicity/publication under the existing law. So, there is no need for a new regulatory law,' the PDP chairman, Ferdous Ahmed Quarishi, said on Saturday while exchanging views with reporters at Biruttam Khaja Nazimuddin auditorium in the city's Segunbagicha area.
He claimed that direct publicity of any political party was prohibited in the proposed policy. 'Such policy is contrary to the political spirit and development of the country.'
'It has also been said in the policy that any 'erroneous' information must not be given. Now the question is who will determine the erroneous information?' he said.
The information ministry on August 1 submitted the draft of the country's first National Broadcasting Policy to the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry with a view to ensuring free flow of information.
The standing committee on September 22 recommended publishing the draft on the internet after consultations with stakeholders.
Stating that the role of the ruling Awami League in terms of freedom of press was not glorious in the past, Quarishi said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had imposed Newsprint Control Ordinance in 1974 and also banned all newspapers except four government publications while establishing the system of one-party rule called BAKSAL in early 1975.
The PDP chief urged the government to refrain from taking steps that violate the freedom of press, and show respect to people and public opinion.
Ataur Rahman Khan’s death anniv today
The first anniversary of the death of former Bangladesh Awami League presidium member Ataur Rahman Khan Kaisar is going to be observed in Chittagong today.
The family of the deceased requested his friends, political aides and well wishers to attend a prayer session at Bangshalbari Mosque at Chandanpura in the city.
Different organisations, including Bangabandhu Sanskritik Charcha Sammilan Parishad, Chittagong Shishu-Kishor Ananda Mela and the Chittagong City Corporation Kaisar-Nilufar College, will organise similar programmes on the day.
The Bangabandhu Sanskritik Charcha Sammilan Parishad will also hold a discussion at the Abdul Khaleque Auditorium at the Chittagong Press Club on October 15, said a release.
18,000kg hilsa seized in Chittagong
Coastguard and fisheries officials in several drives at outer encourage of the Bay of Bengal seized 18,000 kilograms of hilsa Saturday.
Coastguard members along with the officials of the Department of Fisheries conducted several drives in outer anchorage area and seized the hilsa
loaded in eight boats as the government imposed an
11-day ban on catching, selling and hoarding of hilsa from October 6 to October 16.
Fisheries inspector Mohammad Zahirul Islam said they on the presence of magistrate sold 18,000kg of the seized hilsa for Tk 27 lakh on some conditions.
Coastguard members also fined eight fishing boats Tk 16,000 for carrying the hilsa defying government ban.
Anwara Khan dies
Anwara Khan, wife of National Professor MR Khan, died of old-age complications in Central Hospital in Dhaka at 9:10am on Saturday at the age of seventy-seven.
Anwara Khan is survived by a daughter and her husband.
Her namaz-e-janaza was held on the Central Hospital premises at 4:30pm.
She will be buried at her family graveyard at village Rasulpur in Satkhira on October 10.
Anwara Khan was born at Rasulpur on November 9,1933. She studied at Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School in Kolkata and then in Kolkata Ripon College, now Surendranath College and completed bachelor's degree.
Through establishing Dr MR Khan and Anwara Khan Trust, she funded child healthcare, education, initiatives to establish schools, hospitals and scholarship awarding, said a release.
Mohammad Farhad’s 24th death anniv today
The 24th anniversary of death of Mohammad Farhad, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, will be observed today.
The Communist Party and the Mani Singh-Farhad Trust has called up programmes to mark the day with due respect across the country.
Wreaths will be placed at the grave of Mohammad Farhad at Banani graveyard and to his portrait at Purana Paltan in the morning. The Communist Party will hold a discussion at its central office in the afternoon and local units also hold programmes.
The Mohammad Farhad Community Hospital at Farhads ancestral home at Balaramhat of Boda in Panchagarh will also organise programmes of tree planting, health camp, prayer session and discussion.
Farhad, also a former member of the parliament, died on October 9 in 1987 in Moscow at the age of 49.
Born on July 5, 1938 in Dinajpur, Farhad and actively participated in the language movement of 1952, education movement of 1962, mass uprising of 1969, War of Independence and anti-Ershad movements in 1980s.
Farhad as the key organiser of the NAP-Chhatra Union Guerrilla Force in the war of independence and one of the organisers of the movement against military rule after Ershad's coup d'état in 1982.
In his 35-year political career, Farhad had been either in hiding or in jail for 14 years. He had contested 1986 general election and won from Debiganj-Boda constituency.
3 youths stabbed to death in Jessore, Mymensingh
Three youths were stabbed to death by miscreants in Jessore and Mymensingh.
In Jessore, two young men were stabbed to death by miscreants in separate incidents in the town early Saturday.
The deceased were Masud Hossain, 27, son of Sheikh Abdus Sattar of Purba Barandipara area and Shukur Ali, 25, son of Abdul Gafur Mollah of Railgate Pashchimpara area of the town.
Family members said Masud had a conflict with a drug syndicate of the area as he informed the police of their illegal activities.
They said Laltu of nearby Bejpara area called Masud out of the house at about 1:30am and later he was found dead near a graveyard in the town.
On information, the police recovered the body that bore several stab injury marks. The body was sent to hospital morgue for autopsy.
The police detained Monirul Islam alias Chhoto Moni, son of Azim Mia, Soni and Islam, sons of Fazar Ali of the area for interrogation.
In another incident, miscreants stabbed to death Shukur Ali, an activist of Shechchasebok League at around 12:15am in Railgate area. The body was sent to hospital morgue for autopsy.
The reason behind the murder could not be known immediately. Two separate cases were filed.
In Mymensingh, a youth was stabbed to death by some miscreants in Trishal upazila bus stand area Friday night.
The deceased was Sabuj, 26, hailed from Darirampur village of the uapzila.
The police quoting local people said some local miscreants attacked and stabbed Sabuj at one stage of altercation over a trifling matter at 9:00pm, leaving him seriously injured.
Later, Sabuj was taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where he died.
A case was filed.
1.2 lakh tonnes of furnace oil to be imported from Vietnam
The government will import 1,20,000 tonnes of furnace oil from Vietnam to meet the growing demand of petroleum particularly for the rental and quick power plants.
According to official sources, the energy ministry has forwarded a proposal to the Cabinet Division to place it to the Cabinet Purchase Committee's meeting scheduled for today.
The energy ministry officials said they had finalised a deal recently with Vietnam's Petrolimex to import the bulk of furnace oil which would cost approximately $82.464 million. The premium of per tonne fuel was proposed to be $32.
'Considering the proposed premium on the fuel, the total value of 1,20,000 tonnes of furnace oil will possibly cost Tk 618.48 crore,' said an official. The Purchase Committee is also expected to fix a premium for import of 60,000 tonnes of furnace oil from the Maldives' MNOC.
Cabinet Division officials said the purchase body might consider a total of 15 proposals including the fuel imports and gas pipeline construction in different places of the country.
The government needs to import some 8,52,000 tonnes of furnace oil for six months from July to December 2011.
The energy ministry official said the ministry had set this requirement taking into account the use of the petroleum fuel in power plants and for other purposes, including its use in the industries where gas was not available.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has so far received assurances from different sources to have the supply of a total of 7,65,000 tonnes of the fuel.
Negotiations are on with different sources to meet the remaining demand, according to the source.
Among the other sources for supply of furnace oil, Petco of Malaysia has assured of providing 1,40,000 tonnes, while ENCO of United Arab Emirate 80,000 tonnes, MIDOR of Egypt 1,00,000 tonnes, Chinese Petrochina 20,000 tonnes, Bumisiak of Indonesia 100,000 tonnes and MNOC of the Maldives 60,000 tonnes.
Besides, BPC will get 1,45,000 tonnes of furnace oil from the state-owned Eastern Refinery Limited.
The demand for furnace oil has shot up in recent months following the installation of liquid fuel-fired rental power plants in private sector.
The government, however, has taken the move to set up the liquid fuel-fired plants amid severe gas crisis.
The state-owned BPC is responsible to ensure supply of the petroleum.
RCHCI for referral system to ensure better treatment
Revitalisation of Community Health Care Initiative in Bangladesh project director Makhduma Nargis on Saturday asked for developing a 'strong referral system' by networking the community clinics across the country to reduce the rush of patients at district hospitals and ensure better treatment.
Speaking at a news conference called by the Community Clinic Revitalisation Project at its office in the city she said that unless it was done the very purpose of opening the community clinics would otherwise.
She said that the formalities had almost been finalised for appointing 13,500 community health care providers.
Now, she said, the civil surgeons would make the appointments.
Nargis requested the officials of health directorate and family planning directorate to support the clinics to be run by the two directorates.
She said that a plan had been finalised under which the health service and the family planning directorate would jointly train the community clinic health care providers.
Nargis said that under a1 memorandum of understanding signed some NGOs would support the project.
Society for Empowerment, Education and Development would run a six year project in 36 upazilas in six districts, SEED programme director AN Zafar Ullah said.
He said that SEED would hold studies to identify the health care needs of the people in the select localities.
He said that SEED would also provide training to the health workers and community representatives.
Among others, Barendra Nath Mandal, additional project director of RCHCIC spoke.
No CG in future, says Modasser
Prime minister's health and social welfare adviser Syed Modasser Ali has said the defunct non-party neutral caretaker government will not be restored in the country.
'The people will decide who will govern the country in future,' he said while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on pneumonia in the city.
Prekkhit, a non-governmental organisation, organised the workshop at Dhaka Reporters' Unity on the eve of World Pneumonia Day to be observed
on November 12.
Those days are gone for grabbing state power through conspiracy,
rigging and anarchy. Change of power will take place constitutionally in the country in future, he added.
Modasser said the
government would strengthen the Election Commission so that the next general election could be held in a free and neutral manner.
He criticised the caretaker government system and said that the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, believed in the power of the people.
He opposed holding any talks between the two top leaders on the next polls, citing 'boundless corruption' by an opposition leader while in power.
If necessary, discussions could be held between the leaders of the
Awami League and the
BNP at other levels,
he said.
The adviser condemned the opposition's anti-government movement
and said the government wanted to extend cooperation to the opposition
parties.
The danger of pneumonia in Bangladesh was discussed in the workshop, where journalists from print and electronic media took part.
Call for strengthening Oil, Gas Committee
District leaders of the National Oil, Gas Committee at a meeting on Saturday asked for strengthening their organisation so that it could compel the government not to lease out gas blocks to international oil companies.
They gave their opinion at the day long central representatives' meeting of the national committee at Tajul Auditorium at Moni Singh-Farhad Memorial Trust Bhaban in the capital.
The National Committee to Protect Oil, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports called the meeting to discuss its next action programme to press its seven demands.
The national committee convener, Sheikh Muhammad Shaheedullah, who chaired said that the committee would continue with its movement until it could secure the mineral resources of the country.
He said that there was no scope for defeat.
Shaheedullah requested the district representatives to work for the success of the committee's long march from Dhaka to Sunetra in Sunamganj from October 28 to 31 and the grand rally in the capital city scheduled for November 26.
The national committee member secretary Anu Muhammad said that Bangladesh would lose its natural resources by signing unequal deals with the IOCs.
'We don't want Bangladesh to suffer the fate of Nigeria which lost its natural resources to multi national companies,' Anu said.
He asked the government to refrain from adopting the so called 'Model Production and Sharing Contract' for the onshore gas blocks designed to give upper hand to the IOCs.
He said that the national committee would work for forging national unity to save Bangladesh's natural resources from plunder by the IOCs.
Mohammad Altaf Hossain of Dinajpur, Manas Nandi of Chittagong, Abul Kalam Azad of Rajshahi, Shahdat Hossain of Rangpur and Jinnatul Islam of Bogra, vented their views at the discussions attended by all the 42 district representatives of the national committee.
National committee leaders Rashed Khan Menon, Mjahidul Islam Selim, Khalequzzaman, Bimal Biswas, Tipu Biswas, Mosharraf Hossain Nannu, Saiful Huq, Ruhin Hossain Prince, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Ragib Ahsan Munna, Zonayed Saki, Babul Biswas took part in the discussions besides others.
Che’s 44th death anniv today
The 44th anniversary of death of Marxist revolutionary Earnesto Che Guvera, who was one of the architects of the Cuban revolution and had led a campaign against imperialism afterwards, will be observed today in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the world.
Che, an Argentine-born communist internationalist who became a revolutionary legend in his lifetime, still inspires progressive and anti-imperialist forces across continents struggling for a better future for mankind.
A number of organisations have chalked up various programmes to mark the day.
Social activists under the banner of Che Sanghati on Saturday held a discussion, recital of poems and a concert of people's songs at Rabindra Sarobar amphitheatre in Dhaka on the occasion.
Writer Ahmad Rafiq, Asaduzzman Noor MP, Sajjad Sharif, Zahid Reza Noon and Parvez Chowdhury joined in the discussion while musical troupes Udichi and Mrittika rendered people's songs in the programme.
Cultural group Wrishiz will hold a similar programme at the same venue today.
Born in the Argentine city of Rosario, Che travelled across Latin America in 1952 and 1953 and was shocked to witness widespread economic disparity and miseries of the working class.
He became convinced that violence was necessary to overturn the unjust social order in the region.
He met Fidel Castro in Mexico in 1955 and quickly joined the uprising against the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. The revolution triumphed in January 1959 of which Che was a key player.
After liberating Cuba, Che decided to spread revolution and led a group of Cuban revolutionaries fighting side by side with Marxist guerrillas in Congo before going to Bolivia in late 1966.
There he led a small clutch of rebels for 11 months trying to spread revolution to the peoples fighting against imperialism and its lakeys.
The Bolivian army and the US Central Intelligence Agency agents captured an ill Che during a battle in the village of La Higuera, and executed him on October 9, 1967. He was 39.
20 hurt in AL infighting in Bagerhat
At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two fractions of the Awami League at Rahmatpur village in Chitalmari upazila of Bagerhat Friday evening.
Local people said there was a longstanding rivalry between Jalaluddin Rumi group and Haji Syed group over establishing supremacy in the area.
The clash ensued between the two groups at one stage of altercation over a trifling matter.
Both groups later equipped with lethal weapons,
sticks and brickbats attacked each other, leaving 20 people from both sides wounded.
Fourteen of the injured were admitted to Tungipara Hospital in Gopalganj and Chitalmari Health Complex. Condition of five injured was stated to be critical.
The police visited the spot and additional police have been deployed at the village to avert further clash.
BNP marches towards Sylhet tomorrow
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday expected a overwhelming participation of people in its road march towards Sylhet and alleged that goons of the Awami League were instigating people into violence at places along the road march route.
The party's joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a briefing in its central office at Naya Paltan alleged that Awami League goons were instigating people into violence at places along the road march route towards Sylhet from Dhaka and said that an overwhelming participation of the people would stem all their evil attempts.
'Awami League leaders and activists are threatening people, trying to create a state of fear in different localities to keep the people away from the march but all their attempts will fail,' he said.
Despite accusing the ruling party of instigating violence, the acting BNP secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday wrote to the home ministry to ensure proper security for the road march convoy and the programme venues, party insiders said.
The BNP begins the road march on Monday to press home its demand for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system and holding the next election under an election commission neutral in a true sense.
The march will start from the party chief's office at Gulshan and the chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to address at least six large rallies on the way at Tarabo of Rupganj, Itakhola of Narsinghdi, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Kadda crossing of Brahmanbaria, Shayestaganj of Habiganj and Sherpur of Moulvibazar on Monday. She will conclude the march by holding a rally in the Aliya Madrassah ground in Sylhet town on Tuesday.
The BNP high command has asked its local units concerned to make necessary preparations to ensure huge turnout in the rallies and on both sides of the highway.
All steps have been taken to make the road march successful, Rizvi said, hoping that it will create a momentum for the ongoing anti-government movement.
He said that all the local units had made adequate preparations for the march and carried out successful campaigns.
Rizvi said that the BNP had made arrangements to webcast the road march live on www.bnplive.com so that the people abroad could see it.
In reply to a question on the impact of party infighting on different units in view of the march, Rizvi said that there was a competition of leadership in the BNP but there was no rivalry.
As for change of the venue of the concluding rally from Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj, he said that there had been a large rally in Rajshahi for which they would be holding the rally this time in a bordering district.
As for conflicts between Khaleda Rabbani and Naser Rahman in Moulvibazar, Rizvi claimed they both were working together and there was no conflict.
The leader of the opposition in the parliament announced the agitation programme, including road marches towards Sylhet, Rajshahi and Chittagong, at a 'grand' rally organised by the BNP-led alliance in Dhaka on September 27.
The party, later, postponed its Chittagong road march scheduled for October 25 –26 because of Hajj and Eid-ul-Azha.
Govt plans quality power for rich
The government is planning to introduce quality-based power price by way of which people could get uninterrupted power supply with proper voltage by paying higher while others may have to experience power outages and other related problems.
The state-run Power Development Board worked out a new price chart consistent with the cost of fuel oil-fired power offering consumers better quality and uninterrupted power.
According to the proposal, the distribution agencies will realise power price ranging between Tk 12 and Tk 13.5 a unit (kilowatt-hour) from all levels of consumers who want to get uninterrupted supply and better quality power.
A PDB official, however, said that power consumers were connected to 230kv, 132kv and 33kv transmission lines. 'In that case,
initially big industries and a few commercial consumers will get the advantage. For others, new dedicated power lines will have to be laid out,' he added.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission in the past week took cognisance of the proposal of retail power price increase submitted by the power board where the board proposed that the commission should set the new price chart with added facilities that were not in the current scheme.
With the proposal, the government is trying to introduce a new tariff policy for power distribution where the quality of power is also considered a factor linked to the financial capacity of the consumers, another PDB official said.
According to the existing tariff policy, all consumers are treated equally in the quality of power without making any discrimination between higher and lower payers.
A few officials and experts concerned said that power outage and other quality problems would increase for consumers who would not be able to pay higher for power if the BERC approved such a tariff policy.
Asked about the government's move, power expert Shamsul Alam, who also represents the Consumers Association of Bangladesh in the power and energy sector, said that it would require a fresh tariff policy.
In addition to the Power Development Board, there are four other state-run power distribution agencies — Dhaka Power Distribution Company, Dhaka Electricity Supply Company, Rural Electrification Board and West Zone Power Distribution Company and the four did not demand such a new price chart with in their proposal for the retail power price increased by the energy regulatory commission.
The power distribution agencies expect that the commission would increase the power price in December as the commission earlier increased the bulk price of power in two phases — by 11 per cent with effect from February 1 and by 6.66 per cent with effect from August 1.
BD Rahmatullah, former director general of the Power Cell, said that the power board's proposal was nothing but a trick to increase power prices.
'The government helped a few businessmen, policymakers and bureaucrats to make money with power generation initiatives from fuel oil-fired rental power plants which increased generation cost. Now the government will pay the bill either from the state exchequer or by increasing power price,' he alleged.
He said that the government, in an unsolicited way, awarded 18 rental power projects of installed capacity about 1,500MW only for corruption.
Courses prolonged as session jam continues
A long session jam continues to affect almost all courses, adding to the owes of students at the National University although the university was set up to save students the hassles of session jam.
Students cannot complete any course on time as many of the courses have session jam up to three years.
Officials said that mismanagement at the university was what caused the the session jam and the authorities did not have any effective measures to resolve the matter.
Ahsanul Bashar, who did his graduation from a city college under the university told, New Age that it took six years for him to complete his four-year graduation course.
'Students begin their academic life in the National University with session jam. No one can complete courses in time. The session jam is wasting our time,' he said.
When the National University was set up in 1992, it was said that it would help to get rid of the session jam and would end student sufferings but it has not been able to do so since its establishment.
Teachers, students and officials of the National University said that the session jam in the university was quite unusual.
They said that universities normally have session jam as they remain closed because of campus violence or because of something else but the National University, which is an affiliating institution, does not have any campus activities.
They said that it was the mismanagement of the university which was responsible for the session jam.
They said that delay in the publication of results and delay in the admission process were mainly contributing to the session jam.
According to students and officials, the university has failed to publish the results of the bachelor of business administration and computer science courses even 13 months after the examinations. Delay in the publication of results is happening in most of the courses, an official said.
Students who are mainly from low- and middle-income groups suffer most because of the session jam. Students said that although they were supposed to complete their graduation in fours, they needed six to seven years for this.
'It just increases our cost of education. Many of us live in Dhaka in rented houses and depend on tuition for livings. Session jam makes our life unbearable,' said Shafikul Islam, a student of Mirpur Bangla College in Dhaka.
'As we are from low- and middle-income groups, our families expect that we would complete our study as soon as possible and get jobs. But the National University does not allow us to do so,' said Shamsul Alam, a student of Titumir College.
'The National University is not only causing suffering to us but also to our families,' he added.
The pro-vice chancellor of the university, Tofail Ahmed Chowdhury, said that there were some reasons for the session jam in the National University.
'In some cases, we are not responsible for the session jam but it is also true that the university also has some negligence that is contributing to the session jam,' he said.
He said that the admission process at the National University was done after the admission process of other universities. 'This is also responsible for the session jam,' he said.
He added that sometimes delay of in the BG Press in printing question papers had also resulted in delay in the examinations, which added to the session jam.
Tofail, however, said that the university was trying hard to avoid session jam and end sufferings of the students.
'We have taken many measures in recent times to avoid session jam,' he added.
BNP unlikely to join next JS session
Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party have said there are little chances that they would attend the next session of parliament scheduled to begin on October 20, although the treasury bench have repeatedly urged them to return to the house and place their demands.
BNP insiders said they were abstaining from attending the house sessions on various grounds and accused the government of not initiating any effective move to ensure the opposition's return to the house.
'Although we have not made a decision, the possibility of our attending the session is still zero,' the opposition chief whip, Zainul Abdin Farroque told New Age on Saturday.
Farroque, who returned to the country on Friday after staying in the United States for about one month and a half for treatment, also said that the BNP's attention was now focused on the 'long march' beginning on Monday and the party would think of other programmes and issues after the Sylhet long march.
'We are boycotting the house to press our various demands but the ruling party have paid no heed yet and have not communicated us over the matter,' he said, adding that 'no significant progress' had been made by this time to persuade the opposition to attend the upcoming session.
He, however, said that he would talk to the party chairperson Khaleda Zia and other leaders before taking a final decision on whether to attend the next session.
Senior BNP leader MK Anwar said that the ruling party had not created an atmosphere conducive to the opposition's return to parliament.
'We are yet to take a decision on the matter,' Anwar, also a party standing committee member, told New Age on Saturday, adding that the situation remained unchanged.
The chief whip of parliament, Abdus Shahid, however, said that the treasury bench always wanted presence of the opposition parties in the house as it was their constitutional responsibility to attend after the president summons parliament.
'I have repeatedly requested the opposition to attend sessions… The prime minister and the speaker have also made repeated appeals,' Shahid told New Age on Saturday. 'What can one
do if they abstain from attending the session despite taking all facilities as lawmakers.'
He hopped that the opposition would attend the next session and the treasury and opposition lawmakers would exchange Eid greetings there.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on October 1 welcomed the opposition's proposal for re-constitution of the Elections Commission by consensus and urged the BNP to place its demands in parliament and discuss everything there.
Hasina on different occasion urged the opposition to return to the house to press their demands, including the one on the election-time interim government.
Senior leaders of the AL, including general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and Matia Chowdhury made similar appeals to the main opposition.
The BNP last time attended the house on March 25 during the eighth session of parliament after boycotting 74 consecutive sittings to keep their memberships valid but remained absent in the ninth and tenth sessions.
BNP did not attend the second, third, sixth and seventh sessions of the ninth parliament and only attended the fifth session for only one day.
BNP started boycotting parliament sessions from the second session over some issues, including seating arrangement in the front row, demanding withdrawal of the cases against Khaleda Zia and her two sons and other BNP leaders and activists, scrapping of the decision to cancel the lease of Khaleda Zia's cantonment house and ensuring an atmosphere conducive to their return to the house.
8 Bangladeshis executed in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia said it had executed eight Bangladeshis in Riyadh on Friday on charges of an armed robbery and killing, said a statement released by the Saudi interior ministry.
The migrant workers, who were beheaded in public, were sentenced to death for killing an Egyptian in April 2007, a senior official at the Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh said.
Human rights group Amnesty International criticised the incident, saying that 'multiple executions are deeply disturbing.'
The Bangladeshis executed in Riyadh were Mamun, son of Abdul Menan of the Tangail district headquarters, Mohammed Sumon, son of Abdul Hye, and Masud, son of Shamsul Haque, of Kalihati in Tangail, Shafiq al-Islam, son of Khowaz Uddin of Sakhipur in Tangali, Abu Hussain, son of Ahmed Biswas, and Motair Rahman, son of Shahid Khan, of Faridpur, Faruq, son of Jamaluddin of Daudkandi in Comilla, and Sumon Miah, son of Milan Miah of Pakundia in Kishoreganj, according to the Bangladesh mission in Riyadh.
Three other Bangladeshis were imprisoned for varying terms and sentenced with flogging.
The Bangladeshis wounded Egyptian Saeed Mohammed Abdulkhaleq, a guard of a building complex who later died, when they were reportedly stealing electric cables.
The accused gave confessional statements in the court on their involvement in the incident, SM Haroon-or-Rashid, counsellor of the labour wing of the Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh, said.
The Saudi Arabia government did not inform the embassy of the matter before executing the order of a criminal court, which was supported by the court of cassation and the supreme judicial council and approved by the king of the country.
Asked whether the people executed had received quality legal support, he said that they embassy had provided them with all legal support.
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz also rejected a request of the Bangladesh president, Zillur Rahman, for mercy to the convicted on humanitarian grounds keeping in consideration the state of poor families dependent on the eight convicts.
The Saudi foreign ministry informed the embassy that the state, the king in this case, does not grant clemency to people convicted for
killing and spreading reign of terror, he said.
According to the Saudi law, only the family of the victim can grant mercy to the people responsible for killing, the Saudi foreign ministry said.
'We contacted the relatives of the guard who was killed through the Egyptian embassy in Saudi Arabia but they were adamant about not granting pardon, even in exchange for blood money,' the counsellor said.
According to Saudi rules, the beheaded people are buried locally under the management of the Saudi police. 'We are, however, trying to get the bodies so that they could be sent to their families in Bangladesh,' the official added.
Two other Saudi citizens were executed in the northern city of Tabuk, taking the total number of executions on Friday to 10.
The Amnesty International's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said, 'Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia fall far short of international standards for fair trial and news of these recent multiple executions is deeply disturbing,', the organisation said in a release.
'The Saudi authorities appear to have increased the number of executions in recent months, a move that puts the country at odds with the worldwide trend against the death penalty,' she said.
Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty to a wide range of offences.
The beheadings bring the number of executions in Saudi Arabia this year to at least 58, more than double the 2010 figure. Twenty of the people executed in 2011 were foreign nationals, mostly migrant workers from poor and developing countries.
The Amnesty International said that defendants often have no defence lawyer and are unable to follow court proceedings in Arabic. They are also rarely allowed formal representation by a lawyer, and in many cases are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them.
They, and many of the Saudi Arabians who are executed, also have no access to influential figures such as government authorities or heads of tribes, nor to money, both crucial factors in paying blood money or securing a pardon in murder cases.
SEC okays amended mutual fund rules
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved the amended Securities and Exchange Commission (Mutual Fund) Rule, 2001, allowing asset managers to handle funds of institutional clients and increasing the individual placement ceiling to Tk one crore.
'The commission finalised the amendments taking into consideration the opinions of stakeholders and public,' SEC executive director Saifur Rahman told a press
briefing at the commission office.
He also said, 'Provident funds, pension funds, and endowment funds will now be considered as institutional clients.'
Before making the draft of mutual fund rules public, the commission had proposed that the individual placement ceiling should be Tk 25 lakh, which it later raised to Tk one crore.
The SEC also allowed advisory service for the mutual funds subject to approval of the commission, Saifur said.
The capital market regulator on Wednesday also formed a three-member committee headed by Saifur Rahman to prepare and place a set of recommendations to the commission
for amending the Securities and Exchange Commission (Merchant Banker and
Portfolio Manager) Rule, 1969.
Saifur said, 'The committee will submit the recommendations within 15 working days after receiving the office order.'
BB warns banks against rat race for collecting remittance
Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday warned the authorised dealer banks that it would cancel the licence of any bank found involved in a rat race for collecting remittance from abroad by offering high rates of dollar.
The BB warning came from a meeting of the central bank with chief executive officers and managing directors of all banks at the BB headquarters on the ongoing dollar crisis.
BB deputy governor Ziaul Hasan Siddique presided over the meeting.
BB officials observed that the price of dollar shoot up because of unhealthy competition between banks to bring in remittance by offering high rates of dollar.
'Some of the banks are in a rat race for collecting remittance. If a bank offers Tk 75 for a dollar, others offer Tk 76 to bring in the remittance. This sort of practice must be stopped, otherwise the BB would cancel the licences of the errant banks,' said a BB official.
The inter-bank buying rate of dollar soared to Tk 75.41 on Wednesday from Tk 74.90 on September 18 while the selling rate increased to Tk 75.45 from Tk 75.05 because of a supply dearth of dollar.
BB officials also asked the banks to expedite repatriation of export proceeds in the wake of the country's depleting foreign exchange reserve.
A BB high official said BB's forex reserve had been depleting in recent times because of rising import.
BB officials told the bank chiefs that, although as per the rules the banks were given a maximum of four months to repatriate export proceeds, they should take steps so that the proceeds could be brought in by a week or two.
They also told the banks to negotiate vigorously with their clients to repatriate the export proceeds fast, considering the current state of the country's foreign exchange reserve, which came down to around $9.94 billion at the moment from around $11.32 billion in March.
Bank credits to large industries on decline
Banks' and financial institutions' credit to the big industries decreased 0.92 per cent in the April-June period of this year compared to the previous quarter of January-March, according to the latest data of the central bank.
And the industrial term loans disbursement posted only 1.47 per cent growth in the April-June period.
Experts and business leaders said that the energy crisis, high lending rate, the government's borrowings from banks and lack of business confidence were the reasons for the decline in the industrial loans.
Bangladesh Bank data shows that the total amount of term loans of the big industries was Tk 5316.43 in April-June period which was 5267.47 crore in the previous quarter.
The amount of industrial term loan disbursement stood Tk 7675.49 crore in April-June period of this year.
On the contrary, in the January-March period term loans disbursement was Tk 7564.01 crore.
Meanwhile, disbursement of working capital loans was Tk 18067.41 crore in the April-June period which was Tk 17619.86 in the previous quarter, a rise by 2.54 per cent.
According to the BB data, loans for the medium industries increased 8.76 per cent and small industries loans increased 2.80 per cent.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies research director Zaid Bakht said that the industrial term loans disbursement was not satisfactory due to shortage of energy and infrastructure.
He said that big industries were not interested enough to get loans and there were different problems such as high lending rate and business confidence that discouraged the enterpreneurs.
Centre for Policy Dialogue executive director Mustafizur Rahman said that the economy has been passing through a crucial time with the balance of paymentsproblems and depleting foreign exchange reserves.
He said that bank borrowings by the government rose significantly in the recent days which was a major concern for the credit flow to the private sector.
'If the term loans disbursement to the big industries slows down the overall investment might be affected,' he cautioned.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries president AK Azad said that if banks charge interest rates of 18 to 20 per cent for lending it would be difficult for the business community to run their business.
He said, 'Many industries are still waiting for gas connection to start their operation while inadequate power supply is also a great concern.'
'But the situation will improve soon as the government has taken initiatives for solving the energy crisis,' FBCCI chief added.
BB data shows that imports of capital machinery were worth Tk 2,894 crore in 2010-11 fiscal year while the total import posted 41.79 per cent growth.
As on October 3, 2011, the country's total foreign exchange reserves came down to $9.94 billion from around $11.32 billion in March.
According to the central bank data, the government's borrowings from banks stood at Tk 7,893 crore till 15th September, 2011.
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