BCL activists stop SMC principal, vice-principal from attending office

Activists of the Sir Salimullah Medical College unit Chhatra League, the ruling Awami League's associate body of students, have reportedly not been allowing the college principal and the newly appointed vice-principal to enter the offices for a few days.

The activist went on strike and laid siege to the principal's office demanding withdrawal of the transfer order for the college's former vice-principal.

The health ministry issued the order for the transfer of Samiul Islam, who was vice-principal, on May 4 and appointed Mahbub Hossain to replace Samiul. The principal, MA Azahar, told New Age on Friday that he had informed the ministry of the matter. 'I did not enter my office on Thursday after a 10-day leave. I have to take leave on security grounds.'

He said that he had done his administrative chores sitting in the room of the hospital's director.

Mahbub Hossain, the newly appointed vice-principal, said that he had joined the college but could not perform his duties. He also could not visit his patients in the orthopedic ward of the hospital, he said.

'I have to take leave for 20 days on security grounds,' Mahbub said.

He alleged that some Chhatra League activists, led by Samiul Islam, threatened his life. 'They said if I join office, they will kill me.'

Brushing aside the allegation, Samiul said, 'No responsible government worker can give such a threat.'

He alleged that Mahbub was an associate professor in current charge. 'A person appointed in current charge cannot be appointed vice-principal. Mahbub Hossain submitted false documents to the ministry and got the appointment.'

Samiul said 'According to the appointment notice, the order came into effect on May 15. But the ministry cancelled the order on May 12.'

Source: New Age

Khaleda to meet Hillary in Washington May 23

The BNP chairperson, Khaleda Zia, is likely to meet with the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, in Washington on May 23.

Khaleda, now in London, is scheduled to fly to New York at 10:00am (London local time) on Saturday.

A central leader of the BNP now in New York told the news agency over phone on Friday that Khaleda was likely to meet with Hillary Clinton on May 23.

BNP US chapter will accord a reception to Khaleda at Hotel Sheraton in New York on May 22.

On May 14, the BNP chief left Dhaka for London en route to America.

During her weeklong visit to London she had meetings with UK political leaders and ministers including opposition leader Ed Miliband and ex-prime minister Gordon Brown.

Khaleda also spent time with her eldest son Tarique Rahman and his family members in London.

Tarique, senior vice-chairman of the BNP, has been in London for medical treatment.

The BNP chairperson is scheduled to return home on May 29.

Source: New Age

JP to remain with AL-led alliance: Ershad

Former president and Jatiya Party chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad has said his party would remain with the Awami League-led alliance in future.

Ershad said this while addressing a party rally at Pandul union in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram on Friday.

Ershad welcomed the High Court verdict on cancelling caretaker government system and said his party would take part in the next general elections from the AL-led alliance though the BNP might not take part in that elections after the verdict.

Ershad also called upon his party leaders and activists further strengthening organisational activities so that the  JP could get maximum number of seats in the next parliamentary elections to play its due role in serving the nation.

With Pandul union unit president of JP Shah Jamal in the chair, former JP lawmaker Moshiur Rahman Ranga, Mostafizur Rahman, MP, Rangpur Municipality mayor AKM Abdur Rouf Manik, Rangpur sadar upazila chairman Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, Aminul Islam, and JP leaders addressed the rally.

Source: New Age

BSF returns body of Bangladeshi youth

The Border Security Forces of India returned the body of a Bangladeshi young man to the Border Guard Bangladesh after a flag meeting at Chapatala border in Jhenaidah on Thursday evening.

Bangladeshi national Miraj Hossain, 25, son of Abdus Satter of village Chapatala in Moheshpur in the border area of the district, was tortured to death allegedly by the BSF on Wednesday night.

BGB Srinathpur Camp Commander Subedaer Nazrul Islam said Miraj had left his house on Wednesday night to visit his paternal uncle's home at village Chhutipur in India.

The Fatehpur camp BSF members caught him near pillar number 61 as he stepped into their territory illegally.

The BSF had tortured him and sent him to Krishnanager hospital when his condition deteriorated. Miraj succumbs to his injuries in the hospital on Thursday morning.

When the family members of Miraj were informed about his death, they were agitated and demanded return of the body.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Moheshpur Abul Kalam Azad said a flag meeting was held between the BGB and BSF on Thursday evening.

Source: New Age

Excess fare hurts commuters

Commuters had to pay more for going places in the city as the operators of buses and CNG-run auto-rickshaws continued to charge in excess of the rates fixed by the government ignoring the drive against the unacceptable practice on the second day, Thursday

The drive of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority against the erring auto-rickshaw and bus operators remained equally ineffective for the second day in spite of support from Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

And to worsen the situation there was none to take action against erring rickshaw pullers charging at sweet will.

On Wednesday, the first day of the drive, BRTA had to do it alone with no trace of the police anywhere.

Meanwhile, BRTC also increased commuting fare on Thursday.

The police support on the second day made no difference to the drive with the bus and auto-rickshaw operators continuing to charge excess fare citing the government decision to raise the price of compressed natural gas since May 5.

Executive magistrate Mohammad Tofael Islam, who led the BRTA drive at Topkhana Road, in front of the National Press Club on Thursday with support from Shahbag police station, said the bus ticket sellers fled abandoning their counters as soon as his squad reached the spot at 12.30 PM.

He, however, said that the BRTA team confiscated two buses belonging to Belal Enterprise and My Line and fined Tk 1,500 from each, for charging excessive fare and not having proper documents.

He said that the squad also confiscated the route permit of one of the buses.

He said that the drive would continue as long it takes the authorities to ensure full compliance with the new fare structure, announced by the government.

Islam said that the authorities would, if needed, engage more magistrates and police with the drive.

The additional deputy commissioner of DMP Mohammad Zaidul Alam said the drive was carried out at different city points against charging of excess fare by the operators of CNG run buses and three wheelers.

On Monday the government raised bus fare by 35 paisa a kilometre in the cities of Dhaka and Chittagong and fixed the minimum fare at Tk 7, following its decision to increase the fuel price.

On long routes, it raised bus fare to Tk 1.15 a kilometre from 94-96 paisa.

The government raised CNG-run auto-rickshaws fare to Tk 7.50 a kilometre from Tk 7, and fixed minimum fare unchanged at Tk 25.

It increased the waiting charge for the auto-rickshaws to Tk 1.30 a minute from Tk 1.25.

Source: New Age

Repeal 1st amendment to constitution for fair ICT trials: HRW

Human Rights Watch has written to the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, asking her to repeal Article 47A of the country's constitution to ensure a fair trial of the people accused of committing international crimes during the 1971 independence war of Bangladesh.

Article 47A was introduced in July 1973 as part of the first amendment to the constitution and has the effect of denying those accused of offences under the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973 the right to move the High Court for any constitutional remedies.

The law minister, Shafique Ahmed, rejected

out of hand any thought of repealing this provision of the constitution.

'Why should we agree with this? These men have committed murder throughout the country.' he said.

'Let the Human Rights Watch man who claims to be an expert in Bangladesh constitutional law and in international jurisprudence, let him communicate with me. That is my comment,' he added. 'Please convey the message.'

At present seven men — five leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and two of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party — have been detained by the International Crimes Tribunal set up in March 2010 under the 1973 law. One is on bail.

The request for the constitutional repeal was made by the international human rights organisation in a letter signed by Brad Adams, its Asia division executive director and dated May 18, which sets out 12 categories of changes that the organisation says are necessary 'to ensure that the trials are carried out in accordance with Bangladesh's international human rights obligations, international criminal law and Bangladesh's constitution.'

The letter to the prime minister says that Article 47A of the constitution denies 'fundamental rights guaranteed in the constitution and international law, which are accorded to accused persons in all other criminal trials.'

'There is no justification for withdrawing these rights to those accused of violations of international humanitarian law,' the letter adds.

In calling for this change, Human Rights Watch has gone beyond the proposals made by the United States war crimes ambassador-at-large, Stephen Rapp, who in his letter to the Bangladesh government in March 2011 only proposed changes to the International Crimes Tribunal's rules of procedure.

Changes in the rules of procedure can be made directly by the tribunal without any legislative changes.

In his letter to government ministers Rapp had said that ministers had told him that it would take too much time to make changes in the legislation but were willing to consider additions to the rules of procedure.

The other proposals suggested by Human Rights Watch in its letter reflect many of Rapp's suggestion, including the introduction of a system of interlocutory appeals that will allow the 'parties to be able to appeal [against] key decisions during the trial process instead of waiting for a conviction' – which the letter said was 'essential' - and amendments that will provide greater clarity to the definitions of the offences in the 1973 act.

The letter makes clear that the organisation considers that there should be changes not just to its rules of procedure, but also to the 1973 Act.

Adams also emphasises the need for an improvement in the capacity of the ICT prosecutors and judges.

'Ensuring that prosecutions and trials meet international standards requires considerable technical expertise so that the cases presented and verdicts delivered are based on sufficient, legally obtained evidence,' the letter states.

'We are concerned that Bangladesh's limited experience in trying grave international crimes means that prosecutors and judges are not sufficiently trained and experienced to effectively handle these complex cases.'

Human Rights Watch had previously written to the prime minister in July 2009 about the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973 and in the new letter says that it appreciates that since then the government has introduced some amendments to the legislation.

Whilst calling for changes, the US-based human rights organisation states firmly that it welcomes the 'government's commitment to bring to justice those responsible for serious human rights abused in 1971' and are 'pleased that the government has decided to set up special courts with a special prosecution team to address these crimes.'

Source: New Age

Nor’wester kills three, injures scores in four dists

There people were killed and scores of people injured in nor'westers that lashed parts of Patuakhali, Barguna, Gopalganj and Chuadanga districts early on Wednesday.

New Age correspondent in Patuakhali said one person was killed and over 50 others were injured as the storm swept over five Upazilas of the district.

The storms that started at about 5:45am and lasted for about 20 minutes damaged nearly 200 houses and uprooted trees and electric poles.

Dashmina Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ajmal Hossain said Aleya Begum, 55, of Bagura village died

when her house collapsed on her.

At least 15 people were injured in Dashmina, and 10 each in Baufal, Galachipa and Kalapara, and 5 in Sadar Upazila.

Of the injured, 5 people were admitted to Dashmina Upazila Health Complex.

United News of Bangladesh reports that two people were killed and 20 others injured as nor'wester swept over Gopalganj, Barguna and Chuadanga districts early on Thursday.

In Gopalganj, a middle-aged man was killed as a wall collapsed on him during a storm at Padmabila village in Kashiani Upazila.

The deceased was identified as Waheduzzaman, 55.

In Chuadanga, Hajera Begum, 63, died in wall collapse during the storm at Kushodanga village in Sadar Upazila.

The storm also raged over 50 houses to the ground.

In Barguna, at least 15 people were injured and over 100 thatched houses damaged in a nor'wester early on Thursday.

The agency quoting local sources said at least 70 houses were damaged at Locha and Basuki village in Amtoli Upazila and 56 houses in different places of Sadar Upazila.

Over 400 trees were uprooted in Amtoli Upazila. Vegetable and Boro paddy on vast tracts of land were also damaged in the storm.

Source: New Age

Some newspapers writing too much on Limon: PM’s adviser

The prime minister's defence adviser has said he is '100 per cent sure' Limon Hossain was not a target of Rapid Action Battalion's shooting.

'When RAB went to capture criminal Morshed Jamaddar, Limon was trying to run away. That is why RAB shot in his leg,' Tarique Ahmed Siddique told the press on Thursday.

The retired major general claimed that Jamaddar had 'very close ties' with Limon and the father.

'On the day of the incident, Limon's father was in Savar and his mother was three to four kilometres away from the scene,' he added.

A RAB team reportedly shot Limon, who used to work in a brick kiln, in the leg on March 23.

They took him to a place adjacent to his house at Jamaddarhat in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakati, less than a fortnight before his Higher Secondary Certificate examinations were to begin.

RAB on the same day filed two cases against the teenager under the arms act and another for obstructing government duty, making attempts to murder and injuring RAB personnel.

The police submitted charge sheet in the case under arms act last week claiming that Limon is a member of 'Mizan-Morshed' gang. Charges were brought against him under the Juvenile Crimes Act.

Limon's mother, Henuara Begum, also filed an attempt-to-murder case against six RAB men and as many unidentified people. The family alleged that law enforcers were trying to prove him a miscreant.

Earlier this month, National Human Rights Commission chairman Mizanur Rahman questioned the lower court's sending to jail Limon. 'Limon is an adolescent boy. Can he be sent directly to the jail?'

Limon, whose leg had to be cut off, secured a six-month bail in an arms case filed by the elite force.

The High Court also asked the government to explain why a judicial commission should not be formed to look into the so-called shootout.

Siddique said he could say with conviction RAB did not shoot anyone after detaining.

'The way some newspapers publish news, people would even believe the lies. This is intentional,' he said.

The defence affairs adviser said some newspapers were writing too much on Limon. 'They are more focused on banning RAB than sympathy for Limon.'

He said though incidents of 'crossfire' were reported with zeal, no one reported attacks on law enforcers.

'When this Jamaddar cut off a leg of a policeman that newspaper did not say anything. But they've written 48 stories on Limon in 40 days.'

Siddique said RAB's success against militancy was enviable.

The adviser said it was an officer or soldier's temperament that was judged when recruiting for RAB.

'RAB recruits are brave but not unruly.'

He said so far disciplinary actions had been taken against 1,047 members of RAB.

'Also, 76 were expelled, 16 jailed. Thirty-four RAB members have died in action,' he added.

He outlined many successes of the paramilitary force.

'Despite all the success, the propaganda is such that even knowledgeable people now believe them,' he said.

Source: New Age

France favourites for 56th Eurovision Song Contest

AFP, DUESSELDORF, Germany, May 13: The Eurovision Song Contest will on Saturday for the 56th time demonstrate its enduring appeal as 25 contestants battle it out with some 125 million people watching live around the world.

Bookmakers indicate that France's Amaury Vassili with his operatic "Sognu" ("I Would Dream About Her") -- belted out in the Corsican language -- is the favourite to take top honours in Duesseldorf, western Germany.

"I don't have a perfectly trained opera voice yet but my voice is really well adapted to performing in front of large audience," said Vassili, 21. "I will give it my very best."

But stiff competition comes from Ireland, who have won Eurovision a record seven times. This year the Emerald Isle's hopes rest on quiffed twins Jedward and their song "Lipstick".

The 20-year-olds appear to have more of a chance than 2008's shouting-and-farting Irish entry, Dustin the Turkey, who managed a surprisingly good 15th place with "Irelande Douze Pointe".

Making a Eurovision comeback meanwhile is Israeli transsexual pop diva Dana International, the 1998 champion whose victory ruffled feathers among the country's influential ultra-Orthodox community.

Bookmakers give her latest effort, "Ding Dong", long odds of 200-1, however.

Also having another go is Germany's homegrown Lena Meyer-Landrut, who won last year in Oslo with her ueber-catchy ditty "Satellite", this time performing the darker "Taken By A Stranger", still in her slightly Bjork-esque accent.

It is because of Lena's victory that the competition is being held in Germany this year, since the winner's country automatically becomes host for the next Eurovision, one of the world's longest-running TV shows.

The competition is broadcast live throughout Europe, but also in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand and the United States, even though these countries do not participate.

This week, a series of qualifying rounds have been whittling down the 43 official entries to 25 for Saturday evening's grand final. The "Big Five" of Britain, France, Spain, Germany and Italy automatically qualify.

Viewers at home and juries from each of the 43 countries then vote on each song, ranking them from their favourite, which gets a full 12 points, to the biggest howler, which gets zero. The results are also announced in French.

All the entries can be seen on the Eurovision website, www.eurovision.tv, where the final can also be watched live.

Britain, which last year came last, is hoping for fewer "nul points" scores with squeaky-clean boy band Blue and their upbeat "I Can". The last British victory was Katrina and The Waves back in 1997.

Another favourite is Finland, hoping for a repeat of 2006 when rockers Lordi, dressed as orc-like creatures, won the competition with "Hard Rock Hallelujah".

This time Finland is sending Paradise Oskar with his song "Da Da Dam", a environmental ballad about a nine-year-old boy who "went out in the world to save the planet" and who "ain't coming back until she's saved".

Victory at the Eurovision can be the start of a glittering career, as it was for Sweden's ABBA, who won in 1974 with "Waterloo", or Canadian Celine Dion, who won for Switzerland in 1988. But for many, it is their one moment of fame.

'American Idol' axes another finalist

AP, LOS ANGELES, May 13: "American Idol" voters apparently stopped believin' in James Durbin.

The wailing 22-year-old rocker from Santa Cruz, Calif., was revealed to have received the fewest viewer votes on the Fox talent contest Thursday, leaving just three finalists remaining in the competition. Durbin consistently wowed the judges and did so again Wednesday with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and The Clovers' "Love Potion No. 9."

"I was really hoping to get there," a tearful Durbin said after the results were revealed.

Durbin, the towering singer whose vocal acrobatics recalled the wonders of eighth season runner-up Adam Lambert, was never among the show's bottom-three vote-getters after such eccentric performances as Muse's "Uprising" or Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," which respectively included accompaniment by marching drummers and a flaming piano.

"I did so much stuff that's never been done on this show before," he said Thursday.

Durbin's dismissal means deep-voiced 17-year-old country crooner Scotty McCreery of Garner, N.C., growling 20-year-old singer Haley Reinhart of Wheeling, Ill., and soaring 16-year-old songstress Lauren Alania of Rossville, Ga., are the top three finalists. Reinhart has appeared at the bottom a total of four times, while Alania was there only once last week.

Before the elimination, Durbin and McCreery teamed up for the Brad Paisley and Keith Urban duet "Start a Band," while Reinhart and Alania were paired for Miranda Lambert's "Gunpowder and Lead." The installment also included performances by Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, sixth season "Idol" winner Jordin Sparks and the debut of Steven Tyler's solo music video.

The top-three singers will visit their hometowns this weekend then return to the stage next Wednesday with another finalist dismissed Thursday, paving the way for the 10th season "Idol" champion to be crowned on the May 26 finale. In addition to Sparks, past winners of "Idol" have included Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen, David Cook and Carrie Underwood.

Cannes party honors women in independent film

AP, CANNES, France, May 13: This year's Cannes Film Festival is filled with big-budget movies like "Puss in Boots" and "Kung Fu Panda 2," but on Thursday evening, the focus was on the realm of independent film.

Cannes judge Uma Thurman and actress Rosario Dawson were honored for their contributions to indie film. Also lauded were "Sleeping Beauty" director Jane Campion and the film's producer, Jessica Brentnall, and a handful of other women.

Dawson has been in plenty of mainstream films, but says she will never forget her indie roots in films like "Kids."

"I've been acting since I'm 15, doing independent films and now we have all of these women directors who are being nominated and their films are being shown and put across this audience," she said. "I think it's fair and that's exciting to see that over all these years."

The event was held on the beach across from the celebrity filled Martinez hotel, and was hosted by Calvin Klein Collection and the Independent Filmmakers Project.

Vanessa Hudgens said she attended because she wanted to show her support for her fellow actresses.

"I think it's really great when somebody gives women an opportunity to come out and stand up for what they are doing, and I'm so excited to be here," Hudgens said.

2 charged in scheme to sell fake Disney pins

AP, SANTA ANA, Calif., May 13: Two Southern California men have been charged with illegally importing about $2 million worth of counterfeit Disney pins from China and selling them over the Internet.

Orange County prosecutors announced the charges against 52-year-old Robert Smyrak of Anaheim and 57-year-old Larry Allred of Walnut on Thursday.

Smyrak is accused of orchestrating a scheme in which he and Allred sent legitimate, collectible Disney pins to a manufacturer in China to be replicated. When the counterfeit pins were sent back to them, they sold the pins online while passing them off as the real deal.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered the scheme in February when they intercepted a package addressed to Smyrak containing more than 150 pounds of pins.

Smyrak and Allred are scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Jay Chou, Leehom Wang lead Golden Melody nominees

AP, HONG KONG, May 13: Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou, Chinese-American singer-songwriter Leehom Wang and Hong Kong's Karen Mok led nominations for Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards announced Friday.

Chou's "Superman Can't Fly," Wang's "Things You Don't Know" and Mok's "Perfect Loneliness" are up for song of the year, along with Eric Hung's "Flower of Love," Jody Chiang's "I Wanted to Marry Then," Freya Lim's "Heavy Injury" and Jonathan Lee's "Song for Myself."

Chou, Wang, Mok and Hung are also competing for album of the year. Chou, a 32-year-old singer-songwriter who burst onto the scene in 2000 and has become one of Chinese pop's top acts, also received nominations in the best composer, best producer and best Mandarin male singer categories.

The nominations also mark a strong resurgence for Lee, a veteran singer-songwriter who's one of the industry's top producers. Lee's "Song for Myself" is from the second of two albums that are part of a one-off collaboration with Lo Da-yu, Emil Chau, Chang Chen-yue dubbed "Super Band."

Wang is also a best Mandarin male performer nominee, along with Singaporean Wayne Lin and Taiwanese singers William Wei and Chyi Chin.

The best Mandarin female singer nominees are Mok and fellow Hong Kong singer Denise Ho, Lim and Taiwan's A-Lin and Wanfang Lin.

The winners will be announced June 18 in Taipei. The annual awards are the Chinese-language equivalent of the Grammys.