Commuters left to suffer: Gridlocks go from bad to worse as traffic regulated for VVIP movement

Zihan Saba was sobbing as she entered her school at 2:18pm yesterday. A student of class two, she was 18 minutes late for her second-term exam.

Saba's mother, who accompanied her to Siddheswari Girls High School on Bailey Road in the capital, said their rickshaw got stuck in apparently a never-ending traffic gridlock at Malibagh intersection.

They waited there for half an hour before starting to walk fast down the road. The kid had already been suffering from nerves.

Cab driver Elias at Sonargaon intersection of Karwan Bazar said it took him around four hours from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Dholaipar in Old Dhaka.

"I started at 9:30am and reached Dholaipar at about 2:00pm--usually a trip of around one and a half hours," he said.

Like Saba and Elias, thousands of people had to pass through untold sufferings yesterday, as almost all the city streets were chock-a-block with traffic.

A large number of important streets and link roads were off-limits to regular traffic for over two hours to ease the movement of motorcades carrying Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Sri Lanka's First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Maldives vice president's wife Ilham Hussain along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ministers.

The VVIPs were in the city to attend a two-day conference on autism yesterday.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police earlier in a press release said it would regulate traffic on roads from Sonargaon Hotel intersection to Bijay Sarani to Savar yesterday from 9:30am to 10:00am for smooth transport of VVIPs to the National Memorial.

Besides, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, routes from Ruposhi Bangla Hotel through Kakrail, High Court, Zero Point and Rajuk to Bangabhaban would be restricted.

The VVIPs were scheduled to leave Bangabhaban for the airport at 7:00pm.

"We tried to ease congestions and we did not control traffic before the VVIPs' arrival. The restriction was imposed only during the VVIP movements," Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Khandaker Nazmul Akhter of DMP (south) said.

If a busy area of the capital is jammed for an hour or two, the rest of the city feels the impact, said another DMP high official, preferring anonymity.

Yesterday, the officer added, the city dwellers on almost every road experienced long tailbacks, starting with the VVIP movements in the morning.

An Uttara resident said he left house for his Farmgate office at 10:30am.

He was more than an hour late for work as he was caught in a jam at a level crossing near the Army Stadium at 11:45am. There, he had to spend about 40 minutes.

From the level crossing to Farmgate his car moved by inches.

He reached his office at 12:25pm spending an hour and 55 minutes on road. Usually, it takes 40 minutes to one hour and 15 minutes.

An East Shewrapara resident said he waited at Shewrapara bus stand for at least half an hour for a bus to go to Bashundhara residential area in Badda.

He got a bus but had to get down on Gulshan Link Road as it was moving very slowly in heavy traffic.

Finally, a walk of around three kilometres to his destination was the last resort.

Source : The Daily Star

Worker dies falling from rooftop

A worker died falling from the rooftop of an under-construction building at Bashundhara in the capital yesterday morning.

The deceased, identified as Mohammad Miraz, 24, hails from Boalmari, Faridpur.

Workers at the construction site blamed the death on lack of safety gears.

A fellow worker, Zakir Mollah, said four labourers around 9:45am joined work on the rooftop of the four-storey building.

"We were removing wooden frames from the newly-built pillars. Miraz pulled a wood piece from a pillar which was at the edge of the rooftop and suddenly lost control," he said.

His head hit the boundary wall of the adjacent building before he fell to the ground, Zakir added.

Miraz was rushed to a nearby hospital and then shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Doctors around 2:00pm declared him dead, Badda police said.

Zakir said Miraz would not have died had there been protective arrangements.

Following the incident, workers stopped the construction work.

An unnatural death case was filed with Badda Police Station in this connection, said Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Source : The Daily Star 

Prosecute errant BSF members Rights body urges India

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Indian government to conduct speedy and transparent probe into fresh allegations of killings, torture and abuse by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Indo-Bangla border.

"Despite orders from New Delhi to end killings and abuse and to exercise restraint in dealing with people crossing the border, new deaths and other serious abuses are being reported," said HRW South Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguly in a news release on the organisation's official website yesterday.

"The government has issued some positive new directives, but it needs to prosecute those who commit abuses so the soldiers will understand they can't act with impunity," she said in the news release "India: New killings, torture at Bangladeshi border."

The HRW said killings, torture, arbitrary detention and other abuses by the BSF continue along the border despite India's pledge to bring an end to such criminal activities.

India earlier announced that it would direct BSF members to show restraint and encourage them to use rubber bullets instead of lethal ammunition to stop border killings after the HRW last year published a report "Trigger Happy," a documentation of BSF's illegal activities along the border. The HRW welcomed the announcement.

The number of deaths in border shootings dropped substantially this year. However, at least 17 Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing apart from other instances of severe abuse since January this year, said the HRW referring to a documentation of Odhikar, a Bangladeshi non-governmental organisation.

Shooting incidents at the border have decreased significantly but the BSF members continue to torture suspects, reports MASUM, a Kolkata-based non-governmental organisation conducting fact-finding missions in border areas.

Indian residents in the border areas are relieved to see a fall in shooting incidents but have complained about intimidation and torture by BSF members, said the HRW.

"The excessive use of force and the arbitrary beating of people along the border are unjustifiable. These abuses call into question India's stated commitments to the rule of law," Ganguly said.

The BSF is mandated to act against militants and criminals, especially those involved in narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, and transporting explosives and fake currency. But the HRW in its investigation found that in many cases those who had fallen victim to the BSF were cattle rustlers, farmers, or labourers.

The victims were hoping to supplement their meagre livelihood by working as couriers in the lucrative but illegal cattle trade rampant at the West Bengal border, said the HRW.

Ganguly said, "While the Indian authorities vigorously protest attacks on fishermen who enter Sri Lankan waters, they seem unwilling to act against their own border forces when they commit crimes against Bangladeshis.

"As a regional power, India should lead by example in South Asia to end the culture of impunity for security forces."

Source : The Daily Star

'Undermining' SC: Jamaat leader Azharul summoned

The High Court yesterday summoned ATM Azharul Islam, acting secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, to appear before it on August 8 to explain his remark "undermining" the Supreme Court.

The HC order came after Prof Wahiduzzaman Chan, a teacher of Dhaka University, yesterday filed a writ petition seeking directives on the government to take legal action against Azharul.

According to the petition, the Jamaat leader on July 19 at a press conference at his party office said the government scrapped the caretaker government system by exploiting the Supreme Court.

The petitioner also brought contempt of court charges against Azharul.

The HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore ordered government officials concerned to take action against the Jamaat leader within two weeks and submit a report on the compliance of the order in 10 days.

The home secretary, inspector general of police, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Supreme Court registrar have been made respondents to the rule, petitioner's counsel Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.

He said the bench also issued a rule upon Azharul to explain within two weeks why he should not be punished for contempt of court.

Deputy Attorney General ABM Altaf Hossain represented the government.

Source : The Daily Star

Sonia lavish in her praise

Indian Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi yesterday lauded Bangladesh's success and achievements in economic, social, health and education sectors and said that in some areas the country is ahead of India.

"Bangladesh has achieved economic and social success beyond anything thought possible at the time of its birth. You are admired world-wide for your path-breaking innovations in microfinance, education, women's empowerment, public health and sanitation," she said.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a regional conference on "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia" at Ruposhi Banlga Hotel in the capital.

Sonia, also the chairperson of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in India, arrived in Dhaka Sunday night on her first-ever visit to Bangladesh. During her 24-hour stay she also received the posthumous award conferred by Bangladesh government to former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi for her unique contributions to Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971.

The Indian congress party president said on crucial issues, like the fertility rate, proportion of underweight children, immunisation, number of mean years of schooling, child and infant mortality rates, and life expectancy, Bangladesh is ahead of India.

"We applaud your achievements. It is because Bangladesh has been such a fertile source of social innovation that I particularly welcome Professor Saima Hossain's initiative on autism," she added.

Expressing her gratefulness to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for inviting her to Bangladesh, she said this was an opportunity for her to renew the bonds of friendship between the two countries and reaffirm Indian special affection and enduring respect for Bangladesh.

"Our people are bound by a shared history, the commonality of composite culture," she said, adding, "We share passions too, from the poetic and artistic legacy of figures like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam to the sublime ilish machh and mishti doi."

Source : The Daily Star

5 fake Apple stores found in China

Chinese officials have found five fake Apple stores in the south-western city of Kunming, and ordered two of them to suspend business while they're investigated, a local government website said Monday.

Officials couldn't do anything about the other three stores — which prominently displayed Apple signs and logos — because they did not find any fake Apple products for sale, according to a report by a local newspaper posted on the Kunming city government's website.

The investigation follows a blog post last week by an American woman who lives in Kunming in Yunnan province, who stumbled across three shops masquerading as bona fide Apple stores in the city. She took photos and posted them on her BirdAbroad blog.

She said they were modelled on the company's iconic stores right down to the winding staircase and the staff wearing the customary blue T-shirts.

After the blog appeared on Wednesday, the Kunming Trade and Industry Bureau inspected more than 300 electronics stores in Kunming and found the five fake Apple stores, the city government's website said.

Source : New Age

Honda to recall 200,000 cars globally

Japan's Honda Motor said Monday it would recall about 2,00,000 passenger cars globally due to defective engine parts.

The company said it had received 63 customer reports in Japan of engine malfunctions as a result of the defect, but said none had led to accidents.

In Japan alone, the car maker will recall more than 50,000 units of three models — the Stream, Civic and Crossroad — that were produced at its domestic plants between July 2008 and July 2010, it said.

Honda will exchange engine bolts that may cause trouble with the motor cooling system and that could eventually cause the engines to stop.

'Globally there are some 2,00,000 cars, including the 50,122 in Japan, with similar trouble,' a Honda spokesman said, adding that it would recall about 1,00,000 units in South America and 6,800 in Europe.

The other vehicles are being recalled in the Middle East and Africa, but the recall does not cover markets in North America.

Source : New Age

Japan automakers’ Q1 earnings hit by quake

Quarterly earnings at Asian automakers will show Japanese automakers at their worst after the March 11 earthquake disrupted parts supplies, while South Korean rivals charged ahead with sales gains in major markets.

Production at Japan's top three car makers suffered the biggest impact in their April-June first financial quarter, with falls of about 80 per cent for domestic output at Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co in April, and 49 per cent at Nissan Motor Co.

But with parts supply recovery faster than expected, the market's focus has shifted to what the coming months will look like, especially with many car makers flagging a production ramp-up to make up for the post-quake losses.

Financial markets will be looking at earnings reports starting this week for the timing of any revisions to Japanese automakers' full-year earnings forecasts, which appear conservative against consensus projections.

Attention will also be focused on how Asian automakers are performing in China, the world's largest car market, but one where growth is slowing sharply. Major Chinese automakers report later in the earnings season.

'The markets are already focused on production levels from July-September,' Tokyo-based Barclays Capital analyst Kei Nihonyanagi said. 'As the focus is shifting to earnings recovery levels from next business year (starting April 2012), it is hard for us to expect negative surprises on April-June earnings.'

Toyota and Honda are both expected to swing to an operating loss in the latest quarter, while Nissan is seen shining with a profit of 70 billion yen ($893 million), though that is down 58 per cent from the previous year.

While a complete recovery in the broken supply chain is now expected before October, Japanese brands face widening currency losses as the dollar sinks to a near four-month low of 78.13 yen. Nissan and Honda have assumed a dollar of 80 yen in the year to March 2012, while Toyota expects 82 yen.

Currency woes could also deepen for South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp with many investors saying the advancing South Korean won has more room to gain in the coming months.

Hyundai and Kia, which together ranked fifth in global sales last year, are set to post strong quarterly results thanks to brisk sales in the United States. The challenge from here is managing investors' expectations as the won firms and Japanese rivals raise production levels, analysts said.

Source : New Age

Dollar drops amid US debt debate impasse

The dollar fell to a four-month low against the yen in Asia on Monday, dragged by the impasse in US debt negotiations amid growing fears that the world's biggest economy will default.

The greenback fell as low as 78.12 yen in early trade, the lowest level since March 17 when it was in the 76-yen range, prompting intervention from Japan and its G7 counterparts.

It recovered to 78.47 yen by 0500 GMT in Tokyo against 78.52 yen in New York late Friday.

The euro edged up to $1.4363 from $1.4357 and to 112.73 yen from 112.69 yen after a new eurozone bailout plan for Greece and other measures were seen to reduce the risk of a flaring-up of the debt crisis.

The single currency had slipped to $1.4342 after Moody's downgraded its Greece debt rating to Ca from Caa1, before recovering.

The euro is unlikely to get a major lift as there are signs that the eurozone economy is slowing, Daisuke Uno, chief strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, told Dow Jones Newswires.

'While the euro is relatively firmer versus the dollar amid the US debt standoff, its topside is capped by lingering concern over (the) eurozone sovereign debt problem,' Kamei said.

Source : New Age

market Disclosures

Provati Insurance Company
Shadat Hossain, one of the sponsors/directors of the company, has reported his intention to sell 1,800 shares (bonus shares) out of his total holdings of 16,800 shares of the company at prevailing market price through the stock exchange within next 30 working days.

United Airways (BD)
Sayed Chowdhury, one of the sponsors/directors of the company, has reported his intention to sell 27,500 shares (bonus shares) out of his total holdings of 5,77,500 shares of the company at prevailing market price through the stock exchange within next 30 working days.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank
Mohammad Yahya, one of the sponsors/directors of the bank, has reported his intention to sell 1,00,000 shares out of his total holdings of 2,55,528 shares of the bank at prevailing market price through the stock exchange within next 30 working days.

Bextex
Trading of the shares of the company will be allowed only in the spot market and block/odd lot transactions will also be settled as per spot settlement cycle from July 26 to 28. Trading of the shares of the company will remain suspended on record date on July 31 for amalgamation purpose.

Beximco
Trading of the shares of the company will be allowed only in the spot market and block/odd lot transactions will also be settled as per spot settlement cycle from July 26 to 28. Trading of the shares of the company will remain suspended on record date on July 31 for amalgamation purpose.

Khulna Power Company
The company has informed that Khanjahan Ali Power Company Ltd (40 MW rental power plant), a 90 per cent subsidiary company of Khulna Power Company Ltd  achieved commercial operation date and Bangladesh Power Development Board  issued COD certificate on July 20, 2011 with retrospective effect from May 29, 2011, accordingly started its commercial operation.

Janata Insurance
The company has informed that due to unavoidable circumstances the board of directors has postponed the 25th AGM of the company scheduled to be held on July 26 at Trust Milanayatan at Dhaka Cantonment in Dhaka. The new schedule i.e. time, date and venue of the AGM will be set and notified later on. Other information of the AGM as announced earlier.
    Source: DSE

Source : New Age

Dollar drops amid US debt debate impasse

The dollar fell to a four-month low against the yen in Asia on Monday, dragged by the impasse in US debt negotiations amid growing fears that the world's biggest economy will default.

The greenback fell as low as 78.12 yen in early trade, the lowest level since March 17 when it was in the 76-yen range, prompting intervention from Japan and its G7 counterparts.

It recovered to 78.47 yen by 0500 GMT in Tokyo against 78.52 yen in New York late Friday.

The euro edged up to $1.4363 from $1.4357 and to 112.73 yen from 112.69 yen after a new eurozone bailout plan for Greece and other measures were seen to reduce the risk of a flaring-up of the debt crisis.

The single currency had slipped to $1.4342 after Moody's downgraded its Greece debt rating to Ca from Caa1, before recovering.

The euro is unlikely to get a major lift as there are signs that the eurozone economy is slowing, Daisuke Uno, chief strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, told Dow Jones Newswires.

'While the euro is relatively firmer versus the dollar amid the US debt standoff, its topside is capped by lingering concern over (the) eurozone sovereign debt problem,' Kamei said.

Source : New Age

Asia hopes US will avoid debt ‘suicide’

Bewildered Asian officials could only watch and hope for the best on Monday after US lawmakers failed to break a debt impasse that threatens to trigger a default and up-end global financial markets.

Asia, which holds close to $3 trillion in US government debt, has a powerful vested interest in Washington finding a workable compromise. Policymakers and economists contacted by Reuters were confident that lawmakers would strike a last-minute deal to avert a crisis.

Investors in Asia took a defensive stance, although there was no evidence of the sort of panic selling that some politicians in Washington had feared. Stocks slipped while the Swiss franc rose and gold hit a record high.

But with just eight days left before August 2, when the Treasury Department has estimated it will run short of money to pay all of its bills, the worry level was rising.

'Those in direct charge of reserves operations must be more nervous than before, but nobody thinks Americans will choose suicide when they have known solutions,' said a senior official at the Bank of Korea, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the news media.

Japanese finance minister Yoshihiko Noda, when asked about the breakdown in the US debt talks, said only: 'I will be watching the situation.'

Asian sources said the US debt troubles were primarily political, not economic. Finding a solution was a matter of mustering political will rather than securing rescue funding, which can be far more complicated, as Greece's recent difficulties showed.

'They will definitely reach a compromise,' said Xia Bin, an academic adviser to the People's Bank of China. 'Don't worry too much about it.'

China is the largest foreign owner of US government debt, with $1.16 trillion as of May, so a vote of confidence from Beijing carries significant weight.

A senior Indian government official said the Obama administration and lawmakers must be well aware of the consequences for global markets of failing to reach a deal.

'If you look at the world markets, they are jittery though they have not nose-dived, perhaps reflecting hope of a solution,' the Indian official said.

Australian treasurer Wayne Swan said a protracted debt ceiling debate adds uncertainty to the global economy.

'With the global recovery and confidence still fragile, it's in everyone's interests that US policymakers work towards a speedy resolution of these issues,' Swan said in an email to Reuters.

Congress has set the US government's borrowing limit at $14.3 trillion, but Treasury has already tapped that amount and needs more money to meet its obligations. Republicans want an agreement on spending cuts before they authorise more borrowing. Democrats want to see a mix of lower spending and higher taxes.

Source : New Age

1 killed in Khulna trawler capsize

A man was killed and another remained missing as an overloaded trawler capsized in the River Bhairab near Beyara ghat in Dighalia upazila of Khulna Sunday night.

The deceased was Abu Bakar Hawladar, 20, son of Shahjahan Hawladar of the upazila.

Dighalia upazila nirbahi officer said the Dighalia-bound trawler from Daulatpur carrying 50 passengers capsized near the ghat at around 10:30pm due to overloading.

Some 48 passengers, however, managed to swim ashore. Later, divers recovered the body of Abu Bakar, a labourer of a jute storehouse while another labourer Mukul still remained missing.

Source : New Age

25 fishermen abducted, 8 trawlers looted

A gang of pirates abducted 25 fishermen and looted eight trawlers near Fairwebar in the Bay early Monday.

Patharghata Fishing Trawler Owners' Association sources said a gang of 20 to 22 pirates of Al-Amin Bahini attacked eight trawlers of the fishermen and beat them up mercilessly at about 3:00am.

They came under attack when they were returning to home after catching fish.

The pirates looted fish, fishing nets and fuel from the trawlers and kidnapped 25 fishermen and took them to the deep forest of the Sundarban along with two trawlers.

The fishermen hail from Patharghata upazila of Barguna and Bagerhat.

Patharghata Trawler Owners' Association president Golam Mostafa confirmed the incident.

'Coast Guard members were informed immediately and preparation is going on for rescuing the abducted fishermen,' Lieutenant Harun-or-Rashid, commander of coastguard Patharghata camp said.

Source : New Age

Eight stabbed by stalkers

Eight people, including a schoolgirl, were injured allegedly attacked by a gang of stalkers at Daherpara at Jessore sadar upazila early Monday.

The inured were admitted to Jessore Sadar Hospital, said the girl's father.

Father of the girl told New Age that four men, led by Akhidul, tried to abduct his daughter, reading in Class X in a local school, while she was going to her private tutor at about 6:30am.

As she screamed for help they stabbed her along with seven of her neighbours and family members, including her mother, who rushed to her rescue.

'Akhidul had long been following and disturbing my daughter,' he added. 

The other injured were Abdus Shahid, 35, Rahima Begum, 30, Saira Khatun, 40, Kalpana, 35, Nazera Begum, 90, and Karima Begum, 55.

Jessore Kotwali police confirmed the matter. No case was filed and none was arrested till Monday evening.

Source : New Age

NSU signs MoU with Thai universities

North South University has recently signed memorandums with two Thailand universities.

A delegation led by Mohammad Shajahan, chair of the NSU Board of Trustees and NSU Foundation, visited Thailand to sign the agreements with Bangkok University and Mahidol University, said a NSU release.

The agreements aimed at promoting research, training, sports and cultural programmes under mutual cooperation and exchange of students and specialised faculty members.

Mohammad Shajahan signed the memorandums on behalf of NSU while Mathana Santiwat, president of Bangkok University, and Pratap Sighasivanon, a faculty dean of Mahidol University, represented their respective sides.

Source : New Age

Speakers for true history of liberation war

Speakers at a discussion in Sylhet on Monday emphasised the documentation of authentic history of Liberation War.

They were addressing a discussion on 'history tells fact: Bangabandhu's role in achieving independence' organised by Jalalabad Cantonment Public School and College auditorium in the Sylhet city.

The college, Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and the Army headquarters arranged the programme with a view to introducing true history of the country's war for independence to the new generation.

Addressing the programme, as the chief guest, Biruttam Major General (retired) M Azizur Rahman called on the new generation to be inspired form the history and take part in the development works of the country.

Responding to a question of a JCPSC student, he said that he was not affiliated to any political party and had no intention to join politics.

The 52 Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Obayedul Haque, the Sylhet Jalalabad Cantonment station officer, Brigadier General ATM Ziaul Hasan and the JCPSC principal, Lieutenant Colonel Alamgir Hossain, addressed the discussion.

Source : New Age

Ratification of ILO convention on domestic workers demanded

Labour leaders and labour rights activists on Monday demanded immediate ratification of the International Labour Organisation's Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, amendment to the Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 in line with the convention, and immediate approval of the draft Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy 2010.

Inhuman treatment and torture of domestic workers will continue if new laws are not enacted to safeguard their rights and interests, they told a press conference organised by Domestic Workers Rights Network, an association of trade unions and labour rights bodies, at the National Press Club.

Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra general secretary Wazedul Islam Khan in a paper presented at the conference pointed out that the facilities received by workers at the moment depended on the whim of their employers.

Facilities are given to domestic workers on a charitable basis and mostly depend on employers' whim but things like access to education and medical facilities are fundamental rights that cannot be established if laws are not enacted, Wazedul said.

Jatiya Sramik Jote president Abdul Kader Howladar said, according to the existing labour law, employers in both formal and informal sectors should provide appointment letters to employees, which make the former liable to ensure that workers received all necessary facilities.

'Unfortunately, in our country we have laws that are not implemented,' Kader added.

Several labour leaders also demanded ensuring access of workers to education including vocational training, their right of getting day-offs and recreation time, formation of a wage board, particularly for domestic workers, establishment of a separate government agency to deal solely with domestic worker-related cases, and conducting a survey of domestic workers.

DWRN coordinator Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh labour Federation general secretary Abdul Quader Hawlader, adviser to Bangladesh Women Workers' Union Abul Hossain, Nagorik Sangahti president ASM Atiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal general secretary Zafrul Hassan, Jatiya Sramik League general secretary Roy Ramesh Chandra, and Karmajibi Nari executive director Rokeya Rafique, among others, were present at the conference. 

Source : New Age

Hena Kabir dies

Hena Kabir, a first-generation announcer of Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television, died of cancer and respiratory complications at Apollo Hospitals on Monday at the age of seventy-four.

Hena Kabir is survived by her husband and three children.

Her namaz-e-janaza was held at the Uttara Mosque and she was buried at the Banani graveyard on Monday evening.

Born on March 17, 1937 at Gopalpur in Faridpur, Hena Kabir attained popularity as an announcer of radio and television. 

She was the first announcer of the state-run Bangladesh Television that was commissioned on December 25, 1964.

As recognition for her career anchoring, Hena Kabir was awarded best TV personality by the state-owned Bangladesh Television.

Source : New Age

Dhaka to host int’l confce on peace and education in December

Bangladesh will host a two-day international conference on peace and education in December this year to promote peace and prosperity in South Asia, the organisers said on Monday.

South Asian Fraternity (Bangladesh Chapter) will organise the conference which is likely to begin on December 14, convenor of SAF, Humayun Kabir Hiru, announced at a press briefing held at National Press Club.

Top luminaries in different fields like former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam, Nobel laureates Aung San Suu Kyi, Amartya Sen and Muhammad Yunus, former Indian prime minister

IK Gujral, noted Indian writer and human rights activist Mahasweta Devi and eminent journalist Kuldip Nayar are likely to be invited to address the moot. 

Hiru also informed that a seven-member international lobbying group has been formed to do the groundwork for the conference. 

South Asian Fraternity was established in 1990 to foster good neighbourly relations among countries of South Asia through promoting people to people contacts.

Satya Paul, secretary general of South Asian Fraternity, among

others, was present at the briefing.

Source : New Age

Mosharraf blames third, fourth forces for rift in Indo-Bangla relations

A senior leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, on Monday blamed a 'third or fourth force' for creating misunderstanding between India and Bangladesh and protracting bilateral disputes.

He also said that he does not believe that Indian people or the government would do anything causing harm for Bangladesh. If there was a stronger bilateral relation, people of both the countries would be benefited, he added.

He also expected the longstanding disputes would be resolved during the forthcoming visit to Bangladesh by Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Mosharraf, a member of BNP's top policy-making body, at a discussion at the National Press Club on 'Manmohan's Upcoming Tour of Bangladesh : Fear and Prospect', said politicians of both the countries should understand the activities of other forces and resist them from creating misunderstanding between the two countries.

'We want a friendly relation with India and people of Bangladesh expect so,' he said and urged the Indian leaders to come up with sincere efforts to resolve longstanding disputes in the same way it had stood by Bangladesh during the war of independence in 1971.

'India has many expectations from Bangladesh as a neighbour and Bangladesh has more expectations from India as a big country,' Mosharraf said.

He also asked the ruling government to raise the longstanding bilateral issues and strongly discuss them during Manmohan's tour, instead of pursuing a submissive attitude during the talks.

'If our problems were properly raised in dialogues, India would of course respond positively. But people have doubts over the government's role at the discussion table,' he said.

Mosharraf said fear was brewing among people for the government's hush-hush attitude over possible agreements during Manmohan's trip. He also iterated the party's demand for placing all the deals signed with India in parliament.

The BNP leader welcomed the visiting Indian Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi and hoped her visit would strengthen Dhaka-Delhi relations.

Mosharraf expected Sonia's role in settling the unresolved issues like water sharing of the Ganges and Teesta, resolving border conflicts and killing of Bangladeshi people by Indian border guards, demarking maritime boundary and stopping the move for constructing dam at Tipaimukh on upstream Meghna.

Adviser of BNP chairperson Abdul Halim, Bangladesh Jatiya Party secretary general Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah and National Awami Party (Bhsasani) secretary general Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan also spoke at the programme presided over by Mehbubur Rahman.

Source : New Age

Ganasanghati holds govt responsible for soaring prices

Ganasanghati Andolan leaders on Monday blamed the Awami League led government's patronisation of market syndicates for the sky rocketing essential prices.

Speaking at a demonstration, the left leaning party organised in the city in protest against the unbridled price escalation, they called for national unity for foiling conspiracies to make the common people suffer.

They said that a poor family had to spend 76 per cent of its earnings on buying rice alone.

They described the prevailing situation as totally unacceptable as 58 per cent of the families cannot afford enough food.

The police obstructed the demonstrators, who had gathered in front of the National Press Club, from proceeding towards the ministry of food.

Ganasanghati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki said the government directly patronised the syndicate of profiteers.

He said that profiteering made public life miserable well ahead of Ramadan.

He said that there was no justification to raise rice price to adjust it with international price when approximately 95 per cent of the food grain was produced in Bangladesh.

Saki said that it would be a wishful thinking on the part of the Awami League-led government to expect that its foreign mentors would be able to keep it in power for eternity.

He said that it was totally wrong for the AL led regime to neglect the electorate out of its erroneous thinking that by pleasing it foreign mentors it would be able to cling to power.

He asked the government to break the syndicate and ensure selling of essentials at fair and reasonable prices.

GA leader Abdus Salam said that a mass movement alone could protect the democratic and fundamentals rights of the people of Bangladesh from encroachment by dictatorial regimes.

Source : New Age

Police asked to take action against Jamaat acting secy

The High Court on Monday directed the government and the city police to take appropriate action against Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam for committing contempt against the Supreme Court in a recent statement.

A bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore also directed Azharul to appear before it on August 8 to explain a written statement he had made on July 19 at the party's central office.

Azharul reportedly stated that the Awami League led government had abolished the provision of election time caretaker system keeping the gun on the Supreme Court's shoulders as the ruling party wants to continue in power by holding election under its own supervision.

The court also asked him to explain in two weeks why he should not be punished on charge of committing contempt of court by making the 'derogatory statement.'

The court also directed the home secretary, inspector general of police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, and the Supreme Court registrar to explain in two weeks their failure to take action against Azharul for making the statement.

It passed the order after its attention was drawn to the statement by a contempt petition filed by M Ahiduzzaman, a teacher of the Institute of Education and Research of Dhaka University.

Ahiduzzaman had first filed a writ petition challenging the respondents' failure to take action against Azharul as the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter of contempt.

But the court asked the petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid to correct the petition and bring the contempt of court charge.

The court pointed out that Azharul's statement is defamatory to all the judges of the Supreme Court, and as judges of the court they have the power to issue a contempt rule.

In the modified petition counsel Manzill Murshid told the court that Azharul had undermined the authority of the Supreme Court in his written statement which alleged that the government had used the Supreme Court as an instrument to repeal the thirteen amendment of the constitution. 

He contended that as the custodian of the constitution the Supreme Court should take action

against Azharul under appropriate provision of the law as the Supreme Court registrar did not take any action against him as per the law.

On July 20, the same bench directed the DMP commissioner to take appropriate action against Fazlul Haque Amini,

the chairman of Islami Oikya Jote for his

statement against the

constitution.

Amini was asked to appear before it on August 2 to explain his statement, which was published in the daily Amar Desh on July 15. He had allegedly stated at a meeting with Bangladesh Islamic Ain Bastabayan Committee, at his

office at Lalbagh on July 14, that the amended constitution would be thrown away and into the dustbin.

Source : New Age

Sonia leaves Dhaka

The Indian National Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, left Dhaka on Monday evening ending a hectic 24-hour visit amid tight security.

A special Indian Air Force plane carrying Sonia took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for New Delhi at about 9:20pm.

During the visit, she received the 'Bangladesh Swadhinata Sanmanona', the highest state honour for '1971 foreign friends', conferred on the late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi for her unique contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh 40 years ago.

Sonia, who visited Dhaka on an invitation from the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, also attended an international conference on autism and developmental disorders as chief guest at a city hotel.

She separately called on Zillur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina. The meetings preceded an official visit here by Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh scheduled for September 6-7.

Zillur Rahman and Sonia Gandhi discussed various issues related to bilateral cooperation and mutual interest, according to state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Sonia Gandhi and Sheikh Hasina, who are chiefs of the ruling parties in their respective countries, expressed identical views on fighting against militancy and terrorism for achieving a sustainable development in the region, according to the news agency.

They expressed the views when Sonia called on Hasina at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including further boosting regional cooperation, to face the social menaces and achieve economic progress, said the prime minister's  press secretary Abul Kalam Azad after the meeting.

The two leaders shared the idea of working together to prevent terrorism and militancy saying that Bangladesh and India were against all forms of terrorism and militancy that hindered development of the countries.

They Laid emphasis on concerted efforts to arrest social menaces and viewed that due to the gravity of the problem, it was difficult for a single country to fight against terrorism and militancy.

They hoped that the excellent bilateral ties between Bangladesh and India would be strengthened in the years to come.

Sonia placed wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar and Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi on Monday morning.

She paid tributes to the Liberation War martyrs and Bangladesh's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sonia stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memory of the 1971 martyrs at the memorial after placing the wreaths and then planted a sapling of `Bokul' tree on the memorial premises.

The Italian-origin Indian leader then signed the visitors' book at the memorial where she was accompanied by state minister for liberation war affairs AB Tajul Islam.

On return from Savar, she visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi and placed wreaths at Mujib's mural.

The museum's curator Siddiqur Rahman escorted her to different corners of Sheikh Mujib's historic residence, which subsequently turned into a museum.

'She was visibly moved seeing the place where Bangabandhu was assassinated and a picture of her [Sonia] slain mother-in-law with Bangladesh's founding father,' an official said.

Foreign minister Dipu Moni, LGRD and cooperatives minister Syed Ashraful Islam, health adviser Dr Syed Modasser Ali, state minister for liberation war affairs Tajul Islam and Indian high commissioner in Dhaka Rajiv Mitter saw Sonia Gandhi off at the airport.

Source : New Age

Sugar price yet to come down to govt-set level

The retail price of sugar in the capital was yet to come down on Monday to the level set by the government, while soya bean oil was being sold at the government-set price where it was available.

On Monday, it was found that some retailers in the capital were selling sugar at a price higher than Tk 65 per kilogram set by the government.

For instance, a number of grocers in Azimpur area were selling sugar at Tk 75 per kg.

'I had to procure sugar at Tk 73 a kg from the wholesalers at Babubazar just after the Shab-e-Barat. How can I sell that stock at Tk 65 per

kg?' said Nurul Islam, owner of N Islam Traders at Azimpur.

Most of the retailers in the city's Polashi Bazar claimed they had no sugar in stock.

Some of them admitted that they stopped selling sugar after the government had set its retail price as they had to procure it at a price higher than the government-set wholesale price.

'If I buy sugar at Tk 64 per kg from wholesalers at Moulvibazar and add the carrying cost to it, my procurement cost would amount to Tk 65. So, I have not procured any sugar yesterday,' said Ruhul Amin, a grocer at Polashi Bazar, on Monday.

But, the retailers at Hatir Pul Bazar were found selling sugar at Tk 65 per kg on the day. There was a price chart hanging in front of a shop that read the retail price of sugar was Tk 65 per kg, soya bean oil Tk 109 per litre, and palm oil Tk 99.

Distributors in the city said the Deshbandhu Group had been supplying sugar to them since Saturday at Tk 60 per kg.

They claimed some of the refiners were charging them more than the government-set mill gate price of sugar, while a section of the millers was even making it mandatory for them to buy other goods at high prices along with sugar.

Aminul Islam, a distributor at Karwan Bazar, claimed that the Meghna and Monem groups were selling sugar at mill gate at Tk 62 per kg, which is Tk 4 more than the government-set price.

The retailers who will buy sugar from them may not be able to sell it at the government-set price, said Amin, adding that the government should ensure that sugar was sold at mill gate at the price set by it.

Nur-e-Alam Liton, a distributor of the City and the Deshbandhu groups, said the City Group had been offering to sell sugar to them since Saturday but it had been forcing them to procure soya bean oil and flour along with sugar.

'It had not sold any sugar to the distributors who declined to procure oil and flour along with it,' said Nur-e-Alam, adding that the price of flour it charged was Tk 2 more than that of flour of the same quality he had been selling.

He claimed the City Group had been making up for the loss incurred from selling sugar at the government-set price by force-selling flour at a high price.

Reports from Chittagong, on the other hand, said there was no sugar in Khatunganj, the country's biggest wholesale hub, with the traders claiming that the distributors had not supplied sugar to them for the last few days.

But, some of the traders admitted that they stopped selling sugar as they did not want to incur loss by selling the essential sweetener at a price lower than its procurement cost.

The commerce ministry on Monday asked the Dhaka City Corporation to ensure that a price chart of sugar and edible oils was put on display at every market in the capital.

Sugar price began to come down in the capital after the businessmen on Sunday had assured the prime minister of supplying sugar at the government-set price.

Later on the day, the High Court directed the government to take the necessary steps to stop illegal hoarding of sugar and soya bean oil.

The court also directed the government to make sure that sugar was retailed at no more than Tk 65 a kg and soya bean oil at Tk 109 or less per litre.

Source : New Age

Dist magistrates seek summary trial power

Deputy commissioners at their annual conference are likely to ask the government for authority to conduct 'summary trial' by executive magistrates besides operation of mobile courts to keep law and order under control.

They would also suggest setting up of a separate attorney service either under the Cabinet Division or under the public administration ministry to effectively defend the state in legal battles, a number of deputy commissioners said.

The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, is scheduled to inaugurate the three-day conference at the Prime Minister's Office today with law and order, price control, strengthening of the local government and land management high on the agenda.

Dhaka divisional commissioner along with deputy commissioners of Chittagong and Rajbari are expected to speak at the inaugural session on behalf of seven divisional commissioners and 64 deputy commissioners from across the country. 

All working sessions will be held at the Cabinet Division in the secretariat.

'We will ask for an amendment to the code of criminal procedure so that executive magistrates can hold summary trials besides operating mobile courts to maintain order,' deputy commissioner of Dhaka Md Mohibul Haque told New Age on Monday.

He said that mobile courts could try a person summarily only when the accused confessed to their guilt.

After separation of the judiciary from the executive, the executive magistrates do not have the legal authority to hold summary trial in case an accused denies having committed the crime, said officials.

Mobile courts operate across the country to try scheduled offences, including food adulteration, stalking and acts of violence, that affect public life. 

The district administrators would again raise the issue with the prime minister that they could not perform as expected and face difficulties in defending the state in many cases 'in fear of contempt of court' and also because of 'inefficient attorneys', said a number of deputy commissioners.

In their written recommendations, the deputy commissioners, who also hold the rank of district magistrate, have stressed the need for a separate attorney service to defend the state effectively and provide adequate logistic to mobile courts. 

They have also suggested enforcing measures to contain prices of essential commodities.

'I have recommended expansion of city amenities as a growing number of people are coming to urban areas,' Gazipur deputy commissioner Md Kamal Uddin Talukder said.

The deputy commissioners have prepared a total of 320 recommendations to be discussed in 20 working sessions, according to officials at the Cabinet Division.

'The deputy commissioners' conference will focus on issues relating to law and order, price hike, land management and revenue collection, e-governance and strengthening of local government bodies,' cabinet secretary M Abdul Aziz said on Thursday.

He said the DCs would discuss area-specific problems and prospects with the ministers of 36 ministries for short- and long-term solutions.

The cabinet secretary said that a total of 289 decisions were made in the last conference of which 127 had been implemented immediately and the rest 162 were in progress.

The main objective of the conference was to expedite service delivery to the public, he added.

The deputy commissioners' conference 2011, the third after the Awami League-led government assumed office in January 2009, will also discuss ways to reclaim rivers and government lands from illegal occupation and implement the government's vision for a digital Bangladesh by 2021, said senior officials concerned.

In the previous conference held in July 25-27, 2010, deputy commissioners sought the authority to report on the activities of police officials under their respective jurisdictions to the government for better maintenance of law and order, which was later opposed by police.

The government is expected to give them directives to arrest price hike of essentials before Ramadan, expedite ADP implementation on a priority basis and use the internet for quick service delivery to the public, the officials concerned said.

Source : New Age

Indira honoured posthumously

Bangladesh on Monday conferred the highest state honour for '1971 foreign friends' on the late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi for her unique contribution to the country's Liberation War in 1971.

The Indian National Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, also daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, received the Bangladesh Swadhinata Sanmanona (Freedom Honour) from president Zillur Rahman at a ceremony.

The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and nearly 1,000 high profile dignitaries were present at the function  at Bangabhaban, according to state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Before the ceremony, Sonia Gandhi had a 25-minute meeting with the president at the Bangabhaban while the prime minister joined them at the halfway.

Bangabhaban was decorated with photographs of  Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, including those taken during Indira's visit to Bangladesh in March 1972.

The dignitaries witnessed a video documentary with rare footages of Mujib and Indira before the crest was handed over to Sonia.

The three were then escorted to the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban where dignitaries waited to witness the nearly one-hour ceremony that began with Bangladesh's national anthem.

So far Indira Gandhi is

the lone recipient of the honour though the cabinet last week also decided to acknowledge the contribution of 47 other foreign friends and five international organisations to the country's 1971 independence. They would be given the awards under two other categories.

'By her (Indira Gandhi) political wisdom and vision, she influenced the course of history and the fate of generations,' Zillur Rahman said handing over the posthumous award in the form of a crest to Sonia.

The crest weighing three kilograms and designed on a 400-year-old terracotta of a 'Kadam tree' made of gold, was handed over to Sonia Gandhi. Cabinet secretary Abdul Aziz read out the citation recalling Indira's role in 1971.

Indira Gandhi was India's prime minister in 1971 when she travelled across the world to mobilise support for Bangladesh's Liberation War against Pakistan while Bangladeshi freedom fighters also received training in India and were given weapons to fight against the occupation forces.

Her government provided food and shelter to an estimated one crore people who fled the atrocities of the Pakistani troops.

'I recall with highest gratitude her strong support for the independence of Bangladesh . . . By honouring Srimati Indira Gandhi for her noble contribution to our freedom, we honour ourselves and revisit the epic of our Liberation War,' the president said.

He said Indira Gandhi had inspired millions of Bangladeshis and Indians to fight against all oppression and injustice.

'Even after forty years, she remains a beacon of hope and strength to all of us who aspire to make Bangladesh a true Sonar Bangla, dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,' he said.

In response to the honour conferred upon her late mother-in-law, Sonia, who looked somewhat nostalgic, said, 'Memories and emotions flood my mind' as she joined the ceremony to receive the award.

'The honour is not hers (Indira) alone, but also India's,' said Sonia.

Sonia said she was humbled to accept the honour on behalf of Indira Gandhi 'with a very full heart as I know she (Indira) would have been overwhelmed by the high honour you have bestowed on her'.

She also paid rich tributes to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sonia arrived in Dhaka on Sunday night on a 24-hour visit.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the Indian soldiers who had laid down their lives in Bangladesh's liberation war.

'I am personally grateful to the Indian government and Mrs Indira Gandhi for providing shelter to my sister Sheikh Rehana and my family after the assassination of my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 along with most of our family members,' Hasina said.

'That was really an invaluable support Mrs Gandhi had extended to us like a guardian in our time of distress,' Hasina said.

Hasina's daughter and autism expert Saima Wazed Hossain, foreign minister Dipu Moni, also the chairperson of national committee on conferring honour on friends of Bangladesh, also spoke on the occasion. State minister for liberation war affairs Tajul Islam gave the welcome speech.

Source : New Age

Joint action needed for autistic children

A number of South Asian personalities, who were in Dhaka to speak at a conference on autism, on Monday called upon the governments, local and international organizations to make 'pragmatic collective efforts' to ensure easy access to the region's autistic and disabled children to quality services in affordable expenses to facilitate their development as equal citizens.

Italian born Sonia Gandhi, president of Indian National Congress party, which leads the country's ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition government, spoke as the chief guest at the inaugural session at a city hotel.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Maldivian vice president's wife Ilham Hussain spoke as special guests at the session chaired by health minister Ruhal Haque. Pakistan National Assembly speaker Fahmida Mirza could not attend as she became acting president of her country as president Asif Ali Zardari is out on a foreign visit.

The conference on 'Autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia' was jointly organized by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, World Health Organisation and its South East Asian regional office and Bangladesh chapter of Autism Speaks Global Autism Public Health Initiative.

Reading from a written speech, Sonia Gandhi called it 'unfortunate' that in South Asian societies generally the disabled do not command the empathy they deserve.

The disabled, too, need not just food, education and shelter, but to be recognised as persons, said Sonia, the patron of Autism India Initiative.

'We need to make them equal citizen,' she said. 

Sonia arrived Dhaka Sunday night, amid tight security, on a 24-hour visit in an Indian Air Force flight.

In her 20-minute speech, she came up with a number of suggestions for immediate implementation including empowerment of parents through education and training, providing vocational training to autistic children and setting up of research institutions.

'Each family with an autistic child has become a resource for others, creating a ripple effect. The stronger this movement grows, the greater will be the pressure on governments to provide more services,' she added.

Sonia praised Bangladesh for its success in addressing health and social issues saying it was ahead of India in terms of social indicators.

Bangladesh has achieved economic and social success beyond anything thought possible at the time of its birth, she said.

On crucial issues like the fertility rate, proportion of underweight children, immunization, number of mean years of schooling, child and infant mortality rates, life expectancy, micro-finance, education, women empowerment, public health and sanitation, 'you are ahead of us', she said.

Sonia, attired in an embroidered olive saree, pointed out that the two neighbours shared passions from the poetic and artistic legacy of figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam to the sublime 'ilish maachh' as the hilsha is called in Bangladesh and 'mishti doi' or sweet curd.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of ruling Awami League, said it was necessary to create social and legal system on an urgent basis to uphold the rights of the physically or mentally challenged persons.

'Let us begin the process of working in cooperation and collaboration with one another, so that as a region we can develop scientifically sound practices, which are socially applicable and economically feasible,' she said.

Ilham Hussain stressed the need for early detection to explore full potential of autistic children so that they can be helped to lead a normal life.

Shiranthi Rajapaksa read out the seven-point Dhaka Declaration adopted by the conference.

According to the declaration, the participants agreed to take coordinated actions in the region and globally to highlight social responsibility to persons with developmental disorders, strengthen health systems to address their needs, mobilize and allocate increased human and financial resources and promote a supportive national legislative and policy environment to ensure social inclusion.    

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Shekhar Saxena of WHO, Andy Shih of Global Autism Public Health Initiative and representatives of Bhutan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and UAE also spoke.

Sheikh Hasina's daughter child psychologist Saima Wazed Hossain, ministers, parliament members, ambassadors, senior civil and military officials, representatives of international organizations attended, among others.

Speaking at the conference experts described autism as 'a complex life-long developmental disability' which severely impairs social and communication skills.

They said that nearly one person in every 110 is afflicted with disabilities worldwide. 

Bangladesh national cultural team of autistic children performed at a 20-minute session of songs and dances.

Source : New Age