Dhaka, Feb 3 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – The Election Commission is exploring the "shortcomings" of returning officers in submitting their Upazila election results sheets, said the chief election commissioner on Tuesday.
"The Upazila returning officers in some cases have published one set of election results at night and another in the morning." said polls chief ATM Shamsul Huda.
"The results sheets also contained shortcomings in addition and subtraction," he said.
The concerned officers would be called to the capital to explore these 'mistakes', he added.
The chief election officer also said they might need one month in total to publish all the Upazila results in an official gazette, revising all the shortcomings.
He said they were sending the authenticated results to the press in phases for publishing.
Asked on whether any more Upazila results would be held up, he said, "I don't like to say anything about something under process."
Friday, January 30, 2009
Dhaka leads climate war: Danish minister
Dhaka, Feb 3 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) — Bangladesh sets a unique example in tackling climate change disaster, says the visiting Danish climate and energy minister.
"One of the biggest challenges right now for Bangladesh is adaptation to climate change," the Danish minister, Connie Hedegaard, said in Dhaka Tuesday.
"During my visit here I have learnt that in Bangladesh up to 40 percent of the investment in development and infrastructure is likely to be affected by climate change."
Bangladesh has invested some Tk 10 billion to tackle disaster management over the last two decades, a seminar was told Tuesday.
"Denmark remains committed to assist with adaptation to climate change in these two sectors as already planned under theme one, 'Food security, Social Protection and Health', in your strategy and action plan for climate change," she said.
Environment and forest minister Mostafizur Rahman said Bangladesh had already set up a climate change fund.
"We have little time to lose to come to a global agreement on how to manage climate change, its causes and adverse impacts in all but most particularly, in developing countries and the least developed countries," said Rahman.
Swedish ambassador Britt Hagstrom and DFID country representative in Bangladesh Chris Austin both said Bangladash was not just vulnerable to climate change, but was rather in a unique position to develop expertise to tackle climate change.
Among others, Danish ambassador Rinar H Jensen, environment and forest secretary Rezaul Kabir and ERD secretary Mosharaf Hossain also spoke.
Bangladesh Center for Advance Studies executive director Dr. Atiq Rahman delivered the welcome speech and moderated the conference.
"One of the biggest challenges right now for Bangladesh is adaptation to climate change," the Danish minister, Connie Hedegaard, said in Dhaka Tuesday.
"During my visit here I have learnt that in Bangladesh up to 40 percent of the investment in development and infrastructure is likely to be affected by climate change."
Bangladesh has invested some Tk 10 billion to tackle disaster management over the last two decades, a seminar was told Tuesday.
"Denmark remains committed to assist with adaptation to climate change in these two sectors as already planned under theme one, 'Food security, Social Protection and Health', in your strategy and action plan for climate change," she said.
Environment and forest minister Mostafizur Rahman said Bangladesh had already set up a climate change fund.
"We have little time to lose to come to a global agreement on how to manage climate change, its causes and adverse impacts in all but most particularly, in developing countries and the least developed countries," said Rahman.
Swedish ambassador Britt Hagstrom and DFID country representative in Bangladesh Chris Austin both said Bangladash was not just vulnerable to climate change, but was rather in a unique position to develop expertise to tackle climate change.
Among others, Danish ambassador Rinar H Jensen, environment and forest secretary Rezaul Kabir and ERD secretary Mosharaf Hossain also spoke.
Bangladesh Center for Advance Studies executive director Dr. Atiq Rahman delivered the welcome speech and moderated the conference.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Boucher arrives Saturday
Dhaka, Feb 4 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – US assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs Richard A Boucher is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh Saturday on a two-day visit, a US embassy press release issued Wednesday said.
During his stay, Boucher will meet with the prime minister and government officials, parliamentarians, business people and members of the civil society, engaging in consultations with the newly-elected government spanning a broad range of regional and bilateral issues, the statement said.
The assistant secretary last visited Bangladesh in May last year.
During his stay, Boucher will meet with the prime minister and government officials, parliamentarians, business people and members of the civil society, engaging in consultations with the newly-elected government spanning a broad range of regional and bilateral issues, the statement said.
The assistant secretary last visited Bangladesh in May last year.
Climate change: 'Not a distant fury'
Dhaka, Feb 3 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) — Visiting Danish climate minister Connie Hedegaard says climate change is not some "distant fury", its widespread consequences are already being felt in Bangladesh and around the globe with one thing in common: unpredictability.
"During my visit I saw people are struggling with climate change. It is already here," Hedegaard told bdnews24.com in an interview on Tuesday.
"It's not a distant fury, it's not a distant future."
"Things are not as they used to be, you cannot use the knowledge that you inherited from your mother and father," said the visiting minister, who arrived in Dhaka on Monday to attend a conference titled 'Bangladesh on the road to Copenhagen'.
The main focus of Hedegaard's visit was to assess Bangladesh's preparedness for the year-end UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Low-lying Bangladesh, located in the Ganges Delta, will be one of the countries worst affected by escalating climate change.
Denmark has already pledged to contribute to a multi-donor trust fund for chalking out climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes in Bangladesh.
"One of the biggest challenges right now for Bangladesh is adaptation to climate change I have learnt that in Bangladesh up to 40 percent of investment in development and infrastructure is likely to be affected by climate change," said Hedegaard.
Her delegation travelled to the southern district of Patuakhali "to see the consequences of climate change, to listen to the people already now living with the consequences of climate change," she said.
Witnessing those consequences—entire villages decimated by 2007's Cyclone Sidr, crops and livestock affected by more frequent floods—she said: "The villagers from Patuakhali share the fate of millions of vulnerable people all over the world, directly affected by climate change."
"And their stories indeed underline the importance of an urgent global effort to combat the threats of climate change."
Unpredictability
Hedegaard said she was struck by how she heard "the same story" around the world.
People affected by climate change have one experience in common, she said.
"Unpredictability - the climate is becoming ever more unpredictable."
"Before, we knew when to seed and when to harvest. Before, we had six seasons, now we have three."
"What people learned from their forefathers—when to seed, harvest and hunt—that knowledge cannot be used any more. And that is a real challenge."
"This is the same message I heard last year in West Africa; I heard it in North Thailand, in Greenland."
Climate change affects the economic, security and social structures of our world today, she said.
"Climate change recognises no borders, knows no cultural or political divides; its impacts will be felt by all people, at every level," said the minister.
"That is what the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December is all about: The world must come together now."
Copenhagen
Denmark's prime minister, in recent days, has urged rich and poor countries alike to commit to big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, ahead of the year-end talks he will host.
"It is essential to engage heads of state and government stronger in the whole process to ensure a positive result in Copenhagen," Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday.
Hedegaard told bdnews24.com Tuesday: "The industrialised countries must show clear leadership."
"We need to find a way how growth and sustainable development can go hand in hand. Because in 2050 it is said there will be around nine billion people in the world. An eight of them will be living in what we today call the developing countries."
"Also, it is necessary to secure additional financial flows. And it cannot be only pledges year after year from industrialised countries. We have to create steady revenues by means of new, innovative financial sources."
Bangladesh's example
"The urgency to act is ambitiously reflected in Bangladesh's timely development of a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan," said Hedegaard.
"Denmark looks forward to supporting Bangladesh in achieving its objectives and committed additional initial funds in support of the new Strategy and Action Plan."
Denmark is contributing Taka 120 million (10 million Kroner) in addition to the more than Taka 2 billion that it already commits each year to Bangladesh, said the minister.
"I firmly believe that adaptation efforts must be integrated in national development plans and strategies."
"Let me finish where I started – with the villagers we visited," said the Danish minister.
"They belong to the world's most poor and vulnerable. And they have the right to expect improvements. They must get out of poverty and into a prosperous, climate resilient and sustainable future."
The answer, says Hedegaard, is leadership and political courage from governments all over the world.
"Courage to make a change right now," said the minister, speaking of the international community.
"And we need you," she said of Bangladesh, "as belonging to the group of LDC countries to speak up even more strongly in calling for global emission reductions."
"The Bangladesh example of putting climate change in front and centre of national development efforts gives me strong reasons for optimism."
"I promise you that what I learned here will not stay here in my head. I will let the case of Bangladesh be known to the whole world so that we know why we have to act and why we have to act now," said Hedegaard.
"During my visit I saw people are struggling with climate change. It is already here," Hedegaard told bdnews24.com in an interview on Tuesday.
"It's not a distant fury, it's not a distant future."
"Things are not as they used to be, you cannot use the knowledge that you inherited from your mother and father," said the visiting minister, who arrived in Dhaka on Monday to attend a conference titled 'Bangladesh on the road to Copenhagen'.
The main focus of Hedegaard's visit was to assess Bangladesh's preparedness for the year-end UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Low-lying Bangladesh, located in the Ganges Delta, will be one of the countries worst affected by escalating climate change.
Denmark has already pledged to contribute to a multi-donor trust fund for chalking out climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes in Bangladesh.
"One of the biggest challenges right now for Bangladesh is adaptation to climate change I have learnt that in Bangladesh up to 40 percent of investment in development and infrastructure is likely to be affected by climate change," said Hedegaard.
Her delegation travelled to the southern district of Patuakhali "to see the consequences of climate change, to listen to the people already now living with the consequences of climate change," she said.
Witnessing those consequences—entire villages decimated by 2007's Cyclone Sidr, crops and livestock affected by more frequent floods—she said: "The villagers from Patuakhali share the fate of millions of vulnerable people all over the world, directly affected by climate change."
"And their stories indeed underline the importance of an urgent global effort to combat the threats of climate change."
Unpredictability
Hedegaard said she was struck by how she heard "the same story" around the world.
People affected by climate change have one experience in common, she said.
"Unpredictability - the climate is becoming ever more unpredictable."
"Before, we knew when to seed and when to harvest. Before, we had six seasons, now we have three."
"What people learned from their forefathers—when to seed, harvest and hunt—that knowledge cannot be used any more. And that is a real challenge."
"This is the same message I heard last year in West Africa; I heard it in North Thailand, in Greenland."
Climate change affects the economic, security and social structures of our world today, she said.
"Climate change recognises no borders, knows no cultural or political divides; its impacts will be felt by all people, at every level," said the minister.
"That is what the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December is all about: The world must come together now."
Copenhagen
Denmark's prime minister, in recent days, has urged rich and poor countries alike to commit to big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, ahead of the year-end talks he will host.
"It is essential to engage heads of state and government stronger in the whole process to ensure a positive result in Copenhagen," Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday.
Hedegaard told bdnews24.com Tuesday: "The industrialised countries must show clear leadership."
"We need to find a way how growth and sustainable development can go hand in hand. Because in 2050 it is said there will be around nine billion people in the world. An eight of them will be living in what we today call the developing countries."
"Also, it is necessary to secure additional financial flows. And it cannot be only pledges year after year from industrialised countries. We have to create steady revenues by means of new, innovative financial sources."
Bangladesh's example
"The urgency to act is ambitiously reflected in Bangladesh's timely development of a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan," said Hedegaard.
"Denmark looks forward to supporting Bangladesh in achieving its objectives and committed additional initial funds in support of the new Strategy and Action Plan."
Denmark is contributing Taka 120 million (10 million Kroner) in addition to the more than Taka 2 billion that it already commits each year to Bangladesh, said the minister.
"I firmly believe that adaptation efforts must be integrated in national development plans and strategies."
"Let me finish where I started – with the villagers we visited," said the Danish minister.
"They belong to the world's most poor and vulnerable. And they have the right to expect improvements. They must get out of poverty and into a prosperous, climate resilient and sustainable future."
The answer, says Hedegaard, is leadership and political courage from governments all over the world.
"Courage to make a change right now," said the minister, speaking of the international community.
"And we need you," she said of Bangladesh, "as belonging to the group of LDC countries to speak up even more strongly in calling for global emission reductions."
"The Bangladesh example of putting climate change in front and centre of national development efforts gives me strong reasons for optimism."
"I promise you that what I learned here will not stay here in my head. I will let the case of Bangladesh be known to the whole world so that we know why we have to act and why we have to act now," said Hedegaard.
PM reported stable after surgery
NEW DELHI, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underwent coronary bypass surgery on Saturday, with local television channels saying his condition was stable after a seven hour operation. Doctors are due to give a briefing on the prime minister's condition at 6 p.m. local time (1230 GMT). The 76-year-old leader may be unable to return to work for several weeks, while confusion has emerged about who would be charge of government just months before a general election. Some officials said Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee would take over most prime ministerial responsibilities, including defence, security and the finance portfolio, while Singh was recovering from the surgery. "Pranab Mukherjee is in charge of the government until the prime minister resumes his duty," an official in the prime minister's office, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters. "This is normal procedure as he is the most senior member of the cabinet, so there has been no official announcement." But a government spokesman insisted this was not the case. "The prime minister is still in charge," he told Reuters. "Nobody has taken over his functions." That confusion was mirrored in the media, where some papers and television channels said Mukherjee was in charge but others disagreed. "Nobody named in charge," the Mail Today announced on its front page. "No clarity on who controls the nukes. No succession plan leads to ad hocism. The confusion led to speculation that the ruling Congress party did not want to give Mukherjee a public endorsement as acting prime minister just before an election, and overshadow other candidates within Congress battling to be Singh's successor. Many ceremonial duties, for example, will be transferred to the vice-president, not Mukherjee. The operation came just as reports surfaced that Rahul Gandhi, heir to one of India's most powerful family dynasties, was emerging as a potential successor. A general election is due by May this year and Singh has been expected to continue as prime minister if the Congress coalition wins. The main battle is between the Congress-led government and a coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The surgery could mean that Singh will not be able to carry out full vote campaigning. But the soft-spoken economist was never central to Congress's campaigning plans, analysts said. Singh underwent bypass surgery in 1990 in Britain. He also underwent wrist surgery in 2006, a prostate gland surgery and a cataract removal procedure last year, officials said. One expert said on Friday a new operation presented little risk for the prime minister. "There is 1 to 2 percent risk factor associated with a bypass surgery on a patient with a long history of cardiac problems like the prime minister," said Dr. T.S. Kler, head of cardiology at the Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre Ltd. In neighbouring Bhutan, hundreds of Buddhist monks have begun special prayers for the Indian prime minister.
Storm kills 15 in Spain, france
MADRID/PARIS, Jan 25 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Four children aged from nine to 12 years were killed on Saturday when a sports center collapsed near Barcelona in strong winds which battered parts of northern Spain and southwest France. At least 11 adults were killed in separate incidents in Spain and France as gales buffeted the region for a second day, cutting power, disrupting flights and blocking roads. Forest fires, one caused by felled power lines, raged in Spain. In the sports center disaster, winds of more than 100 km (62 miles) per hour, ripped the metal roof off a building next to a baseball court in Sant Boi, causing the breeze block walls to collapse inwards. "It was horrific," Jose Antonio Godina, a parent, was quoted as saying by El Mundo newspaper. "We heard a loud noise and we thought a tree had fallen on a roof. But when we got here, the roof of the annexe had literally flown off and the walls had fallen in on them." Four children, members of a junior baseball team, were killed, local authorities said. Nine people were injured, including seven children. A policeman was killed by a falling tree in Galicia, northern Spain on Saturday, a police spokesman said, while a 52-year-old woman was killed when a wall collapsed on her as she walked down a street in Barcelona on Friday. A 51-year-old man was killed by a falling wall in Alicante, authorities said, while two more adults were killed by falling trees in Catalonia on Saturday. A Portuguese captain died after being rescued from a ship in high seas off the coast of Galicia. A 73-year-old woman was killed when a door blew on top of her in the northern province of Burgos, local authorities said. The Spanish army stepped in to help fight a forest fire in La Nucia, north of Benidorm in Alicante, started by an electricity pylon felled by gales, the Ministry of Defense said. Thousands were evacuated from nearby housing estates. Forest fires also raged in the region of Catalonia, putting emergency services on high alert, authorities said. In France, gales cut power supplies to around 1.7 million homes and closed roads, railways and airports. Local authorities in the Landes area said a 50-year-old man was killed when a tree fell on a car. A 78-year-old man died in his garden when he was hit by a piece of debris. The body of a third victim, a 75-year-old man, was found crushed by a tree. Later, French state television reported that an elderly lady died when her respiratory support machine failed because of a power cut caused by the storm. POWER CUTS Tens of thousands in Spain were left without power and gales disrupted flights and rail travel. Waves of more than 20 meters (65 feet) were registered off the northern coast and high winds stranded dolphins on beaches in the region. Winds of up to 190 km an hour paralyzed southwest France. The French weather agency Meteo France placed the region on red alert and asked residents to stay indoors for their own safety. French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier said the storm was the worst since 1999, when a huge storm killed 88 people, and said France would call on the European Union to help fund reconstruction efforts. President Nicolas Sarkozy told reporters he would travel to the affected area on Sunday. Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said she had ordered 700 extra security forces to be sent to help with rescue efforts and that extra equipment would also be sent to help clear roads and electric lines. The airports at Bordeaux, Biarritz and Pau were closed. The national power grid manager, Electricite Reseau Distribution France (EDF), said it could take a long time to restore power. The French state railway company SNCF said it had been forced to halt services completely in the Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrenees regions, and asked travelers to postpone their journeys. It said high-speed TGV trains from Bordeaux had been stopped because of an electrical fault caused by the storm.
Abahani Race closer to title
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews24.com) – Mohammedan Sporting Club slipped out of the Citycell B. League title race on Saturday with a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to leaders Abahani Limited in the second-leg derby at Bangabandhu National Stadium. Alamu Bukola Olaleken put the Black and Whites ahead in the 45th minute before Jahid Hasan Emily pulled one back for the Sky Blues in the 67th minute. Emeka Christina sealed the match for Abahani one minute from time. With the 12th triumph in 16 matches, Abahani stretched their lead to 38, four and nine points ahead of Sheikh Russel KC and Mohammedan SC, who, however, played a match less. The match started half an hour late as Mohammedan insisted on the shifting of the tie a later date and the punishment to the match referee and the officials of Sheikh Russel KC, who had held Mohammedan 1-1 thanks to a 'controversial' penalty. Mohammedan president Mosaddek Ali Falu intervened at the request of BFF president Kazi Salahuddin to get his side to take the field. The high-voltage match got off to an electric start before some 8000-strong crowd—a low turnout due to the uncertainly over the match—with both sides attacking in the first 10 minutes. Abahani, however, went into the defensive as the match progressed and they sorely missed Ghanaian playmaker Auwdu Ibrahim as Mohammedan controlled the midfield. Yet, it was Abahani who made the first foray in the third minute when Abul Hossain headed a Mamunul corner. A Mohammedan defender cleared it but Abahani's defender Sujan headed on the follow-up before goalkeeper Aminul Haq. Mohammedan coach Maruful Haq sent on defender Kamal Hossain in the 25th minute in place of captain Jewel Rana, who ended his 20-year career. Players from both teams shook hands with him and the match was halted for almost five minutes. The former national defender waved to the fans of both teams before walking off the pitch. Mohammedan finally broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when Bukola headed home from a terrible play by Abahani's Arif Khan Joy and netminder Biplob Bhattacharya. Ripon hurled a throw-in from the left and both Joy and Biplob rose to clear the ball, but it went to Bukola taking deflection off Joy and the Nigerian striker did not make mistake to score in the open net. Abahani, after resumption, went all out and midfielder Pranotosh narrowly missed the target from close nine minutes into the second half. Mohammedan's Korean striker Oh Ddogyi once again failed to prove his worth. The tiny striker broke the off-side trap but failed to beat Biplob in a one-on-one situation in the 61st minute. Six minutes later, Abahani's Mamun with his favourite left foot curled a well-judged cross from the right for Emily, who headed the cross home to level the margin. With the match locked 1-1, Mohammedan stepped up the attack with Oh releasing a defense-splitting pass for Abdul Baten. The winger shot over the Abahani post despite getting goalkeeper Aminul alone in the 81st minute. Five minutes later, Mohammedan came close to scoring from a counter-attack, but Abahani defender Mohammad Sujan brilliantly tackled Bukola. As the crowd was preparing to leave the stadium thinking of a 1-1 draw, Emeka struck the 89th minute stunner. Emily drove a powerful shot outside the right-side box that got a bit of out-swing and though goalkeeper Aminul fisted it, but it went to unmarked Emeka, who side-volleyed in from 10 yards. "It was totally a team work as we played all out in the second half," said Abahani coach Amolesh Sen, who admitted that he wanted to parry Mohammedan off in the first half due to the absence to Ibrahim. "It was just bad luck as the players could not take the chances that came their way IN the match," said Mohammedan coach Maruful Haq. Haq thought their title hopes now depended on 'ifs and buts.'
Messi Double helps Barca go 15 points clear
MADRID, Jan 25 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored twice as leaders Barcelona overcame Numancia 4-1 at the Nou Camp to go 15 points clear at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday. Modest Numancia are the only team to have beaten Barca in the league, winning 1-0 at home on the opening day of the season, and they made life difficult for their hosts early on. After the break, however, Messi, twice, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry all scored as Pep Guardiola's side stepped up a gear, and they moved to 53 points from 20 games. Jose Barkero's blistering freekick for the visitors had made it 2-1 after 61 minutes. "I congratulate Numancia. Their team knew what they were doing on the pitch, but Barca are lucky to have good players who can make a difference in a game, and they delivered the victory," Guardiola said. Second-placed Real Madrid host Deportivo Coruna at the Bernabeu on Sunday, when Sevilla welcome Racing Santander. Earlier, struggling Osasuna came back to draw 1-1 at Villarreal with a spirited performance at the Madrigal. The visitors were rewarded for their ambition when substitute Dady scored from close range following an error by Pascal Cygan in the 65th minute, cancelling out Giuseppe Rossi's stylish first-half opener. Villarreal remained fifth with 34 points, kept out of the Champions League places on goal difference by Valencia. Osasuna climbed off the bottom, drawing level on 14 points with Real Mallorca but above them on goal difference. EARLY SCARE Numancia gave the leaders an early scare when Javier del Pino headed in at the back post after 18 minutes at the Nou Camp, but the goal was harshly ruled out for a foul. The visitors resisted until the 49th minute when Daniel Alves set up Messi by chipping over his marker and heading a cross in for his team mate to break the deadlock. Iniesta threaded through for Eto'o to notch his 19th goal of the campaign soon after, before Barkero pulled one back, but it was only a brief respite from Barca's constant pressure. Henry bagged the third from Messi's run and pass, and the Argentine made it 4-1 as he squirmed through two defenders and rounded the keeper to score. Messi was denied his hat-trick near the end when he hit the crossbar. By then Numancia were down to 10 men following the 81st minute dismissal of Cesar Palacios.
Berbatov Gives Man United Cup win over Spurs
LONDON, Jan 25 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Dimitar Berbatov scored what proved to be the winning goal against his former club as Manchester United scored twice in two minutes to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. Berbatov, who left London for United in August, outpaced the defence after 36 minutes, latching on to a lofted pass from Michael Carrick and firing past goalkeeper Ben Alnwick before celebrating the goal in front of the Spurs fans. That put the home side ahead just after a deflected long range shot from Paul Scholes had cancelled out Roman Pavlyuchenko's fifth minute opener for Tottenham. Championship (second division) Swansea City had earlier scored the day's biggest upset when they knocked out holders Portsmouth with a deserved 2-0 win at Fratton Park. Portsmouth, who beat Cardiff City in the Cup final in May, had no answers against another Welsh side, Swansea winning with first half goals from Nathan Dyer, on loan from Portsmouth's arch-rivals Southampton, and a penalty from Jason Scotland. Portsmouth manager Tony Adams, who took over from Cup-winning coach Harry Redknapp when he moved to Spurs in October, could not hide his disappointment after his side had been outplayed. "It is not nice going out, full stop," Adams said. "It doesn't matter whether you're the holders. When you are out-fought and outplayed for 45 minutes then you are always likely to be dumped out of the Cup." There was little room for FA Cup romance elsewhere with none of the other unfancied teams managing upset victories. Minor League Kettering Town came close to achieving a draw against Premier League Fulham before Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora scored late goals to give the visitors a 4-2 win while Championship side Doncaster Rovers held Premier League high flyers Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw. LITTLE KNOWN Along with Sunday's Liverpool v Everton clash, the United-Spurs match was the highlight of the fourth round with Redknapp, whose Portsmouth side beat United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford last season, looking for his fourth career FA Cup victory over United. United, struggling with an injury crisis and chasing four trophies, ran out fairly comfortable winners in the end against a Spurs side struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League. Apart from a bright start and a late fightback at the end, the visitors rarely looked like salvaging much from the game as United dominated for long periods. Pavlyuchenko's superb opening goal—a glancing header from a Tom Huddlestone cross—gave Spurs a surprise early lead. However, United soon took control and Carlo Tevez went close twice, first being denied by the bar and then by a stunning save from Alnwick, playing only his second match for Spurs in place of Brazilian Heurelho Gomes. The sides are due to meet again in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium on March 1. HARD WORK Apart from Portsmouth and Spurs, none of the other Premier League teams involved on Saturday lost with West Ham United seeing off League One (third division) Hartlepool United's challenge with a 2-0 win at Victoria Park. Chelsea, though, made hard work of beating Championship side Ipswich 3-1 at Stamford Bridge with Michael Ballack scoring twice and Frank Lampard adding the third with a stunning 35-metre freekick in the closing stages. Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers drew 0-0 in the only all-Premier League match of the afternoon. Hull City reached the fifth round for the first time in 20 years with a 2-0 win over League One (third division) Millwall and Middlesbrough scored a 2-1 win at Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers with Marvin Emnes scoring the late winner for the visitors. Doncaster Rovers, struggling at the wrong end of the Championship, played above themselves to hold high-flying Premier League visitors Aston Villa to a goalless draw. Burnley of the Championship also did well to draw 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion with a late equaliser from Martin Paterson. The fourth round will be completed on Sunday when Cardiff City host Arsenal and Liverpool welcome Everton for the second Merseyside derby in six days after their league meeting on Monday.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Safina Fights back to beat Cornet at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Jan 25 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Russian world number three Dinara Safina saved two match points and won the last five games in an extraordinary comeback to beat French teenager Alize Cornet 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday. Cornet was on the verge of a huge upset when she recovered from losing the first to lead 5-2 in the third when her game suddenly fell apart under a ferocious attack from Safina. Cornet twice failed to serve out the match and squandered two match points in the 10th game as Safina turned up the heat to snatch victory. Safina, whose brother Marat Safin saved a match point in the semi-finals against Roger Federer before winning the Australian Open men's singles title in 2005, will play either Jelena Dokic or Alisa Kleybanova in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Jankovic Blames loss on lack of preparation
MELBOURNE, Jan 25 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - World number one Jelena Jankovic lamented her lack of preparation as a factor in her Australian Open fourth-round loss to Marion Bartoli on Sunday. The 6-1 6-4 defeat cemented the worst performance by a women's top seed at the year's first grand slam since Germany's Steffi Graf lost at the same stage to South Africa's Amanda Coetzer in 1997. "I haven't played for a while. For two months I didn't compete. I was supposed to play an exhibition in Hong Kong," the 23-year-old Jankovic told reporters. "Unfortunately, me and my mother, we got sick, so it was very hard where I couldn't play some matches over there, which I wanted, just to feel the atmosphere, get the rhythm on the court. "I'm this kind of a player who needs a little bit of time to get used to it, to get the routine playing matches and get the confidence. "Then I feel that I can do whatever I want on the court. At the moment I'm still not there." Jankovic added: "I'm still finding my range, to get that confidence when I'm playing. …Today I just couldn't find it." An aggressive Bartoli capitalised on the Serbian's inconsistent serve, blasting winners at every opportunity. "My opponent was really on fire today and she was hitting everything and really went for her shots," said Jankovic. "Most of those were going in. It was tough. "I couldn't do my own thing, …I just couldn't do what I needed to do. My shots were not where I wanted to be." Jankovic, who has yet to win a grand slam, will lose the world's top ranking at the end of the tournament if Serena Williams or Elena Dementieva make the final. "I really enjoy being the number one and I proved that at the end of last year when I won three tournaments in a row," she said. "You know, it doesn't matter because it's just the beginning of the year, and there are many more tournaments to play. "So maybe it will change, the number one ranking, but it's not important what you do now, it's the whole year ahead of us. "(There are) a lot of tournaments, a lot of battles out there. You know, the best one will finish it. I think, at least for me, the most important thing is how you finish, not how you begin."
Jankovic Bundled out of Open by Bartoli
MELBOURNE, Jan 25 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Top seed Jelena Jankovic was knocked out of the Australian Open by an inspired Marion Bartoli in the fourth round on Sunday. The Frenchwoman capitalised on the Serbian's shaky serve, blasting winners at every opportunity before ending the world number one's misery 6-1 6-4 in just 82 minutes. The unconventional Bartoli, who despite being right-handed plays two-handed off both sides, had not advanced beyond the Australian Open second round in seven previous attempts. The 16th seed set up a quarter-final against either Nadia Petrova or her fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva. "I was really confident because I played really well my last match against (Lucie) Safarova," the 24-year-old Bartoli told reporters. "I knew I could beat Jelena on a good day, it was just a matter of executing, you know, play the right shot at the right time and don't make too many mistakes. "But I was not overwhelmed by the situation, and I just went for my shot and everything went in today. It was just a great match." DELICATE DROP Bartoli, hitting winners from both sides off the baseline, won the first five games of the match, clinching the first set with a delicate drop push that left Jankovic wafting at thin air. The Serb won just 13 points on her own serve in the first set, but losing the set seemed to wake Jankovic up, although both players struggled with their serve in the second, each breaking the other twice in the first eight games. Bartoli hung tough, however, securing her fifth break of the match and booking her place in the quarter-finals after rifling a backhand cross-court winner past a deflated Jankovic. "It's obviously disappointing. Nobody likes to lose," said Jankovic. "Today was a tough day for me. I let my opponent completely come on top of me and play her game. "I had a slow start. I gave her a lot of confidence throughout the match and then in the second set I also had a lot of opportunities to come back and try to get in the game somehow. "She was the better one, and all the credit. She went for all her shots and hit whatever she could. She knew that she had to do that in order to win and it was her day.
Hurt in continued post-polls violence
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – At least 75 people were hurt in continued post-polls violence in Sunamganj, Barguna, Bogra, Netrakona, Feni and Kurigram on Saturday. Some 50 people were injured in Ashuganj of Brahmanbaria district alone on Friday afternoon. There were reports of lootings and arson attacks around the country besides incidents of attacks on the UNO office in Feni and a defeated female candidate in Satkhira. One person was killed in Brahmanbaria on Thursday and two others in Narail and Faridpur the following day. On Thursday, when Upazila elections were held, polls at Belkuchi in Sirajganj, Barura in Comilla, Brahmanbaria Sadar and Ramganj in Luxmipur districts were called off due to alleged snatching of ballot papers, occupation of polling centres, rigging and clashes. bdnews24.com correspondents report 17 people including women were hurt in Sunamganj, four in Barguna, 22 in Bogra, at least 14 in Netrakona, two in Feni, one in Satkhira, five in Kurigram, and at least 50 in Brahmanbaria. Besides, some 1,500 broiler chicken of a poultry firm at Faridganj in Chandpur were burnt alive, sub-inspector of Faridganj police M Mahbub said. Matlab Sheikh Russel Smriti Sangsad office was also burnt down in the post-polls reprisals, witnesses said.
CHT leader Ent to rison
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) - A Dhaka court on Saturday sent to jail a Chittagong Hill Tracts leader, who had been on the run since two cases had been filed against him on charges of arms and currency smuggling in 2007. Ferdaus Ara of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka, ordered Shaktipada Tripura, who is the organising secretary of the Parbotyo Choṭṭogram Jonoshonghoti Shomiti, into jail after he had been picked up from a Mirpur house on Friday night. Ara also rejected a petition for his bail. The cases had been filed against Tripura in a Khagrachhari court, said Mohammad Shahjahan Khan, sub-inspector of Mirpur Police Station. The lawyers for Tripura, who is also a leader of Adivashi Forum, said two cases were filed with the court in 2007. He was arrested when he had been preparing to return to Khagrachhari to fight the cases, they added.
New state ministers set for oath
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Six new state ministers will be sworn in on Saturday evening as prime minister Sheikh Hasina expands her government, highly placed sources said. The new state ministers are scheduled to take oath at around 7pm at the Bangabhaban, sources with knowledge of the matter at the Cabinet Division and presidential house confirmed to bdnews24.com. The new state ministers are ruling Awami League's Shamsul Haq Tuku, Abdul Mannan Khan, Motahar Hossain, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Kamrul Islam and Shahjahan Miah. Tuku got better of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami in Pabna-1, AL office secretary Abdul Mannan won Dhaka-1 seat, Moahar Hossain secured Lalmonirhat-1 and Awami Jubo League chairman Nanak won Dhaka-13. Acting general secretary of Dhaka metropolitan AL Kamrul Islam emerged winner in Dhaka-2 and Shahjahan Mia took Patuakhali-1 constituency in the Dec. 29 general elections. All preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are complete, officials at the Cabinet Division told bdnews7.blogspot.com. After the Awami League-led grand alliance won a historic landslide in the ninth parliamentary election, Hasina took oath as prime minister and 32 others as ministers and state ministers on Jan. 6. The incumbent state ministers are Mostafizar Rahman Fizar, forests and environment, ABM Tazul Islam, liberation war affairs, Hasan Mahmud, foreign affairs, Munnuzan Sufian, labour and employment, Dipankar Talukdar, Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs, Ahad Ali Sarker, youth and sports, Tanjim Ahmed Sohel, home affairs, and Yafes Osman, science and ICT.
Students Withdraw siege to Satrasta-Mohakhali crossing
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Hundreds of students of Dhaka Polytechnical Institute in Tejgaon blocked the Satrasta-Mohakhali crossing for an hour on Saturday morning demanding rescheduling of exam dates, police said. "The final exam for the diploma-in-engineering is supposed to begin on February 11 but the students have carried out protests to delay the test," officer in charge of Tejgaon Police Station Shafiqul Islam Sikder said He further said some 500 students congregated on the campus and began rallying. "Later the principal talked to authorities of the technical education board and told the agitating students that their demands would be met," said Islam. The students went back to campus at 11am, he added.
State ministers take oath
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Six Awami League MPs were sworn in as state ministers on Saturday evening as prime minister Sheikh Hasina expands her government. President Iajuddin Ahmed administered oath to office at the Bangabhaban at around 7pm. The new state ministers are ruling Awami League's Shamsul Haq Tuku, Abdul Mannan Khan, Motahar Hossain, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Kamrul Islam and Shahjahan Miah. Tuku got better of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami in Pabna-1, AL office secretary Abdul Mannan won Dhaka-1 seat, Moahar Hossain secured Lalmonirhat-1 and Awami Jubo League chairman Nanak won Dhaka-13. Acting general secretary of Dhaka metropolitan AL Kamrul Islam emerged winner in Dhaka-2 and Shahjahan Mia took Patuakhali-1 constituency in the Dec. 29 general elections. After the Awami League-led grand alliance won a historic landslide in the ninth parliamentary election, Hasina took oath as prime minister and 32 others as ministers and state ministers on Jan. 6. The incumbent state ministers are Mostafizar Rahman Fizar, forests and environment, ABM Tazul Islam, liberation war affairs, Hasan Mahmud, foreign affairs, Munnuzan Sufian, labour and employment, Dipankar Talukdar, Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs, Ahad Ali Sarker, youth and sports, Tanjim Ahmed Sohel, home affairs, and Yafes Osman, science and ICT.
BNP will Attend opening session: Sircar
Dhaka, Jan 24 (bdnews24.com) – Outgoing speaker Jamiruddin Sircar on Saturday said BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her party MPs would attend the maiden session of the parliament on Sunday. "Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia has agreed to attend the parliament on the first day and continue to do so unless any discourtesy is shown to her and her party members," said Sircar after speaking to Khaleda about her party's joining the opening session. "And unless the constitution and the rules of procedure are not violated," he told bdnews24.com at his office, just a day before his departure from office. Sircar, the longest-serving speaker in the country's history, would be out of office on Sunday with the election of a new speaker. He failed to win the Panchagarh-1 seat on the BNP ticket in the Dec. 29 general elections. He added the main opposition would not boycott parliament if the new speaker or the treasury bench did not violate the constitution and rules of procedure of parliament. Citing rules of procedure, the speaker on Saturday afternoon overrode the government whips' decision on seat arrangements ahead of the inaugural sitting of the new parliament. BNP lawmaker Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury earlier hinted that the BNP might not join the opening session if the main opposition was not given seats in the front row in the opposition bench. The treasury bench wanted to allocate three out of 10 frontline seats of the opposition bench to the left of the speaker. The Awami League had accused Sircar of partisan attitude in running the eighth parliament. The outgoing speaker said he made the seat arrangements, which paved the way for BNP's joining the inaugural session on Sunday, as per the rules of procedure and the practices followed in the British parliament, Indian Lok Sabha and the West Bengal's provincial legislature. "I have made the seat arrangement to make the parliament effective," said Sircar who would be active in BNP's politics from Sunday. Taking oath as the speaker on Oct. 28, 2001, he was supposed to serve as speaker for more than five years and three months. But the prolonged tenure of the caretaker government gave him the opportunity to serve for two more years. He earlier told bdnews24.com he might run in the by-election in a Bogra seat if Khaleda, the BNP chief, 'insisted'. Khaleda vacated Bogra-6 and 7 constituencies and took oath as an MP from a Feni seat.
Friday, January 23, 2009
US Marines force of 20,000 seen for Afghanistan
Washington, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Up to 20,000 US Marines could be deployed in Afghanistan as part of a planned major troop build-up to battle worsening insurgent violence, the top US Marine officer said on Friday. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway said any buildup of Marines in Afghanistan would have to be accompanied by an equivalent cut in the 22,000-strong Marine force in Iraq to maintain the corps' schedule of seven-month deployments. U.S. military planners have proposed injecting up to 30,000 U.S. troops into Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months to combat an intensifying insurgency from Taliban militants and other fighters. The United States now has 34,000 troops in the country, including 2,200 Marines. But Conway told reporters that sending too many Marines to Afghanistan could jeopardize the corps' ability to resume training in vital areas, including amphibious landings, after a hiatus of several years. "We hope that the number is 20,000 or less," he said. "The time is right for Marines in general terms to leave Iraq. It's very much a nation-building kind of environment that's taking place there," he said. "A building fight taking place in another locale -- that's really where Marines need to be. That's what we offer the nation." OSPREY SQUADRON President Barack Obama and his defense advisers are reviewing options for how quickly to reduce the U.S. force in Iraq, which currently stands at 143,000 troops. Marines would likely be deployed to southern Afghanistan where NATO commanders say there are not enough troops to combat growing Taliban influence in the countryside. Conway said the expected Marine deployment to Afghanistan would include at least one squadron of tilt-rotor MV22 Osprey aircraft, the half-airplane half-helicopter made by Textron Inc and Boeing Co. "It's made for a place like Afghanistan," he said, adding that the Marines and U.S. special forces were installing a belly gun to the Osprey to make it more effective against insurgents in Afghanistan. He said the Marines are also working to modify the blast-resistant vehicles designed to protect troops from roadside bombs. The marine-resistant ambush-protected trucks, or MRAPs, have not performed well off-road and Conway said the Marines would test a new version in the barren Afghan landscape that uses independent suspension instead of a heavy axle. "The initial tests have been somewhat encouraging," Conway said. "We're looking at how rapidly we can prove the product before doing a massive overhaul of vehicles we've got and get them to Afghanistan." He added that the Marine Corps has no plans to buy more vehicles.
Gilani says pakistan needs to act fast on India : FT
Singapore, Jan 24 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - Pakistan needs to move swiftly to ease tensions with India, including examining laws in the way of prosecuting militants who commit violence in other countries, the Financial Times quoted Pakistan's prime minister as saying. Yousaf Raza Gilani also said Pakistan needed more help from other nations to increase its effectiveness in battling militants along its border with Afghanistan, according to an interview carried in the FT's weekend edition. India and Pakistan have been exchanging heated rhetoric and threats since the Mumbai attacks that killed 179 people in November, which India says were not only carried out by Pakistani nationals but must have had support from Pakistani state agencies. Pakistan "needed to act fast" to ease tensions, and "if somebody is out of the country and he has proved to be guilty, then certainly we have to look into our own laws as well," Gilani was quoted as saying. Pakistan has said it would not send any attackers who might be arrested to India for prosecution, which New Delhi would prefer. Gilani repeated past pledges to cooperate fully with India in the investigation of the Mumbai attack, and to share and publicise its findings. Pakistan has also been under pressure from allies like the United States to crack down on militants along its border with Afghanistan. Gilani told the FT it had only limited resources to do so and aid would help. "You are fighting war in Afghanistan with the most sophisticated weapons in the world and the whole world is pouring money into that," Gilani was quoted as saying. "When it comes to Pakistan, the world should understand that they have to build up the capacity of Pakistan too."
Sheikh Russel Breathe on Abahani's neck
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Sheikh Russel KC returned to the winning ways in the Citycell B. League when they handed a 2-1 away defeat to struggling Muktijoddha Sangsad KS in the second-leg match on Friday. Rajon Mia and Al Morshed slotted one goal apiece for Russel while Rokonuzzaman Kanchan pulled one back at Bangabandhu National Stadium. Sheikh Russel maintained their second place in the point table with 34 points from 16 matches, just one point behind league leaders Abahani Limited, who played a match less. Muktijoddha remained at nine points from 15 points at second place from the bottom. Sheikh Russel, who played a 1-1 draw against Mohammedan in their previous encounter, went ahead in the 12th minute from an unexpected strike from Rajon, whose left-side cross found the back of the net after a fumble by goalkeeper Paul. Muktijoddha, who played better in the second leg to draw against Brothers Union and Chittagong Abahani, scared the title contenders with an equaliser in the 28th minute. Kanchan, the former national forward, tapped a Jalal minus home to level the margin for the All Reds, who then parried Sheikh Russel off for 50 minutes before Morshed struck the winner. The league's top-scorer Alfaz Ahmed set Morshed inside the danger zone and the winger slotted the ball home to give Sheikh Russel their fifth win in second-leg six outings.
Private sector to lead Energy battle: Salman
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com)— The energy crisis will receive most attention from the Sheikh Hasina-led government, and much of the work will be done by the private entrepreneurs, says the Awami League chief's adviser on private sector Salman F Rahman. "Our leader has already set out the agenda and the priorities," Rahman told a TV show Friday night. "The prime minister has also said efforts to develop or promote alternative energy based on solar, wind etc will be given maximum possible incentives." Rahman, who runs Bangladesh's biggest industrial group Beximco, laughed off suggestions that the current global economic crisis would hit the country hard. "This crisis is mostly about excessive lending," he said, "and we are not exposed to international banking system." Rahman, FBCCI president in the mid 1990s, said fears of the Western recession hitting Bangladesh's exports were exaggerated and that he did not see much impact on remittance, too. "Even if garments suffer price cut, there are signs that volume will take care of the shortfall," the Beximco Group vice chairman said. A former president of pharmaceutical manufacturers' group, Rahman said the industry had the potential to fetch much more than the current projection of $ 3 billion from exports. "It can overtake the $ 11 billion garment business." Replying to a question, he said he now believed politics would pose "a conflict of interest" for him—the reason why he did not run Dec. 29 polls. "Politics and business could not go hand in hand," Rahman said.
killed, dozens injured In post-polls violence
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Two people have been killed and at least 43 injured in violence in Faridpur, Narail, Brahmanbaria, Jamalpur and Sherpur districts since the Upazila elections on Thursday. The dead are Akkas Matubbar and Idris Mollah, both aged 50, from Faridpur and Narail, respectively. Faridpur Matubbar, a supporter of the newly-elected Upazila chairman, was beaten to death on Friday allegedly by followers of the defeated Upazila candidate Imamul Hossain at the Patpasha village under Gotti Union in Saltha Upazila. Three more people were hurt as they went to save Matubbar, said officer in charge of the local police station quoting witnesses to the incident. Of the injured, Lablu Mia, 30, was admitted to Saltha Upazila Health Complex. Narail Idris was seriously injured as some nine people of a group attacked him with sharp weapons at Banka of Laxmipasha Union on Friday. He was taken to Lohagora health centre and then moved to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He died from the wounds there. Superintendent of police of Narail Quamrul Ahsan told bdnews24.com there had been rivalry between the two groups for the last two years. They filed cases against each other two months ago. Brahmanbaria Defeated Upazila chairman candidate Abu Asif's supporters allegedly besieged Ashuganj Upazila Parisad office on Friday afternoon, demanding cancellation of what they said were rigged polls. Police and RAB tried to thwart them and a clash ensued which left at least 25 men were injured. Additional police superintendent Khandaker Faridul Islam said police fired teargas shells and fired blank shots to disperse them. Islam said the clash continued until around 6pm. Jamalpur Adherents of local Sadar Upazila vice-chairman candidate Khalequzzaman Pradip allegedly vandalised and set fire to the election office of rival candidate Ruhul Amin Milon. They also reportedly attacked the firm of a local business leader. Police visited the venue but no charges were lodged, said Abdul Matin, officer in charge of the local police station. Sherpur The supporters of Awami League-backed defeated candidate Mohammad Ashraf Hossain Khoka staged demonstrations after rejecting the polls result. They besieged and vandalised the home and office of the Upazila Nirbahi officer, and damaged two trucks and a bus. UNO Enamul Habib confirmed the incident to bdnews24.com. "Preparation is on to lodge cases." Police superintendent Sheikh Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said at around 9pm that Khoka had been arrested and that they were in control of the situation.
clashes continue at baitul Mukarram for third Friday
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews24.com) – Hundreds of devotees clashed in the national mosque, Baitul Mukarram, prior to Juma prayers for a third consecutive Friday since the newly-appointed Khatib took charge. A number of people sustained injuries during two bouts of clashes in and outside of the sprawling mosque compound between the supporters and the opponents of Khatib Maulana Mohammed Salahuddin Ahmed. As the Khatib entered the mosque, a group of devotees shouted slogans against him. The Khatib's supporters attempted to stop them, kicking off the first phase of the scuffles around 1pm, witnesses said. When Salauddin was addressed the devotees before beginning his sermon, his opponents once again protested and began shouting. Witnesses said the supporters of the Khatib tried to quell the opponents, triggering the second phase of the chaos including fistfights and shoes-hurling. In the five-minute clash, the Khatib's supporters chased his opponents out of the mosque. Plainclothesmen who had taken position inside the mosque played the main role in driving the opponents out, a source inside the police said, requesting anonymity. The dissenters regrouped at the north gate of the mosque and offered prayers led by Hafez Maulana Mufti Abdullah on the Comrade Moni Singh Road. The dissenters, mostly students and teachers of Kaomi madrasa, shouted slogans against the Khatib. Deputy police commissioner of Motijheel zone Mazharul Islam acknowledged the clash. Asked whether the law-enforcement agencies would take measures to prevent a repeat of such incident every Friday, he said the mosque is a sensitive place. He said the police had little to do when the devotees create chaos. However, officer-in-charge of Paltan Police Station Md Farid Ahmed denied any untoward incident in or outside the mosque. "I was not inside the mosque, but I didn't hear of any chaos there. But a few devotees took part in a procession on the street carrying shoes," Farid said. Witnesses said general people also took part in the chase driving the Khatib's opponents out of the mosque. "Every Friday when I come to say my prayers, these people create chaos in the mosque. It is not our headache who is the Khatib. So I took part in chasing the trouble-mongers out," Arif, who gave only one name, told bdnews24.com. Salahuddin, the Khatib, told bdnews24com on Friday night, "I had said immediately after my appointment that I would move to stop political activities in the mosque being a sacred place. "Those who perpetrate these sort of mosque-based acitivities are opposing me." The government appointed Salahuddin, former principal of Madrasa-i-Aliah, Dhaka, who had been the Khatib of Gausul Azam Mosque at Mohakhali, in Jan. 2009 amid howls of protests by a section. The national mosque has been witnessing clashes between the Khatib's supporters and opponents since.
series-decider today
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blodspot.com.com)-Bangladesh take on visiting Zimbabwe in the series-deciding last match of the GrameenPhone three-match ODI series with both teams optimistic about winning the series, reports UNB.The match gets under way at 9:15 am at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) at Mirpur in Dhaka Friday.This will be the 37th ODI encounter between the two teams. In their last 36 matches, Zimbabwe won 20 and Bangladesh 16. Talking to the reporters Thursday, Bangladesh vice captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said they are very serious about Friday's match against Zimbabwe."We need a good start in the match and the top order must score runs," he said, adding: "If we bat first, we'll set a target of 220-240 runs for Zimbabwe." About their game plan, Mashrafe said: "Our target will be to restrict Zimbabwe below 200 if they bat first."Replying to a query, he said: "We consider ourselves ahead of Zimbabwe in Friday's match."Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakadza said they are hopeful of winning the final match.Replying to a question, he said: "If we bat first, we'll try to score 230 runs."Bangladesh earlier lost the opening ODI against Zimbabwe by two wickets but bounced back to level the series 1-1 beating the visitors by six wickets in the second ODI.
jewel Rana swansong in Dhaka derby saturday
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blodspot.com.com) – Defender Jewel Rana is keen to have the last laugh before he hangs his boots up on Saturday after a crucial B. League clash between archrivals Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club at Bangabandhu National Stadium. The usually reliable defender retired from the national team in 1999 immediately after Bangladesh clinched their first-ever SAFF Games football trophy in Katmandu in Nepal. Jewel donned his favourite the Black and Whites jersey after leaving Brothers Union this season in a bid to put an end to his 20-year career. Mohammedan also honoured Jewel with captaincy and the central defender repaid by helping the Motijheel-based outfit to clinch the title of the season curtain-raising Federation Cup in 2008. He failed to keep up the momentum, however, in the ongoing Citycell B. League and hardly featured in the first team, a fact that may have prompted him, among other reasons, to call it quits midway into the second leg of the professional league. The focus, however, will remain on the match considered vital for the title race as Mohammedan are desperately looking to close gaps with leaders Abahani after a 1-1 draw against Sheikh Russel KC in the previous match. Defending champions Abahani are well ahead with 35 from 15 outings and want to consolidate their lead. Their old foes Mohammedan are six points adrift with secured 29 points from 14 matches. The Sky Blues are in good shape with four wins out of five second-leg matches, but Mohammedan's ride remained rough with only two wins in four second-leg outings. Mohammedan are on the backfoot after Bangladesh Football Federation on Thursday rejected their appeals to forfeit their match against Sheikh Russel, award them full three points and defer Saturday's match against Abahani. Doubtless, a win against Abahani will bring Mohammedan back on the track and leave the title race wide open since Sheikh Russel are also in the haunt with 34 points from 16 matches. "It is our last chance to come back to the race and a win over them (Abahani) closes the gaps," said Mohammedan coach Maruful Haq. "If we go down tomorrow (Saturday), all hopes are lost and we are looking forward to winning the match," said Haq. Abahani coach Amalesh Sen said they took the Dhaka derby as if a final battle. "We don't want to miss the chance. If we win the match, 90 percent of our job to retain the title will be completed and all players are ready to give their best," said Sen. Abahani and Mohammedan shared the honours in the first-leg match with a 2-2 draw as the strikers were in great rhythm. Abahani's Nigerian striker Emeka Christina had struck 11 goals in 15 matches while his partner Jahid Hasan Emily found the opponents' target 10 times in 14 games. Mohammedan's Nigerian recruit Alamu Bukola Olaleken also struck 10 goals, including a hat-trick, while young striker Mohammad Robin scored seven goals in 13 matches. Mohammedan will also look to their new Korean recruit Oh Ddogyi, who is yet to find the back of the net in the two matches he has played.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
POLITICS
dead in Brahmanbaria polls violence
Brahmanbaria, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Violence marred polls in Brahmanbaria Thursday, with one dying in polls violence in Nasirnagar Upazila while Sadar Upazila saw voting called off.
One person was killed in bloody fights between supporters of pro-Awami League and pro-BNP candidates over control of Purbabhag polling centre in Nasirnagar, police said.
Nasirnagar police officer-in-charge Ratan Kanti Dasgupta Oli Mia, seriously injured in the fight, died on the way to hospital.
Meanwhile, clashes between supporters of rival candidates, looting of ballot papers and bombings in different centres seriously disrupted polling in Sadar Upazila centres, prompting the Election Commission to call the polls off, officials said.
MK Masud, presiding officer of Natai Government Primary School centre was among dozens hurt in the violence.
DEVELOPING NEWS
AL victory, amid 'marred' polls
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Results from 271 of 475 Upazila put Awami League-backed candidates far in the lead with 172 chairman seats in Thursday's local body elections, which appeared to reflect AL's landslide victory in the Dec 29 general election but saw low turnout, sporadic violence and alleged attempts by ruling party MPs and ministers to influence the proceedings.
BNP-backed candidates had won just 52 chairman seats, Jamaat-e-Islami 15, Jatiya Party 9, independents 10 and others 13, in results collected early hours Friday.
LOW TURNOUT, POLLS DISRUPTED
Voting was thin in the morning, and though it picked up in the afternoon overall turnout was low as polling came to a close at 4pm.
A number of polling stations saw disruptions due to violence and voting was called off altogether in four Upazila.
Election commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain told bdnews24.com that polls had been postponed in a total of six of 481 Upazila.
Voting in Ukhia Upazila in Cox's Bazar was called off on Wednesday night after pre-polls violence that left dozens injured. Dighinala Upazila in Khagrachhari postponed its vote on Jan. 15.
The Election Commission called off voting to another four Upazila during polling hours Thursday due to violence or allegations of irregularities.
One person died in polls violence that marred the elections in Brahmanbaria.
Oli Mia died after a bloody battle between supporters of pro-Awami League and pro-BNP candidates over control of Purbabhag polling centre in Nasirnagar, police said, while Sadar Upazila saw voting called off for violence.
The morning saw empty voting centres in many parts of the country, with just handfuls of ballots being cast in the first few hours.
Local people expressed reluctance to cast ballots as they said they did not know the candidates.
Coming out of a Gazipur Sadar centre, Ripan Devnath, a voter, said people were not turning out as the Upazila polls were "not very significant for them".
Other voters said they could not cast their ballots spontaneously as AL activists attempted "to take over centres".
CEC DISPLEASED
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda expressed disappointment at low voter turnout Thursday, while also blaming MPs and ministers for what he alleged was abuse of political power to influence the polls.
"The commission wanted to hold the third Upazila polls under the caretaker government with a view to avoiding such a situation," said the CEC.
Local government minister Syed Ashraful Islam denied the CEC's allegations saying ministers and party lawmakers did not take part in campaigns for the local body elections.
But the opposition BNP accused supporters of Awami League of forcefully occupying polling stations, forcing polling agents of BNP-backed candidates out of the stations and stuffing ballot boxes for AL candidates in the polls.
CEC Huda told reporters: "We'd expected the local elections being held after 18 years would reflect the people's will and would re-establish the Upazila Parishad system of local government."
But as voting ended, the CEC said, there was much to be unhappy about.
"A number of ministers and MPs have tried to exert their influence on the voting process in places and we've halted the voting in those Upazila."
"We were expecting that there would be some changes in the country's political culture under a new government. We didn't expect that ministers would abuse power," the CEC said.
"We wanted to hold the election during the tenure of the caretaker government. But that was not possible," he said.
Voting took place in over 30,000 polling stations of 475 of 481 Upazila from 8am to 4pm without break.
Though voting was disrupted in a number of centres for disturbances, Huda said, "There was no report of extreme violence anywhere and the voter turnout was similar to two previous Upazila elections."
"Turnout was lower than our expectation," said Huda. "But if it reached 50 percent, then it will be satisfactory."
Election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain, asked if he was satisfied with Thursday's election, said, "I'm not dissatisfied at all, but we'd high expectation."
He said Awami League leaders and supporters created untoward incidents at some polling stations, "which was not expected".
Local government minister and AL spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam called the incidents "stray".
"Family feuds, communal conflicts and locality-based disputes are reasons behind violence and disorder in the Upazila elections."
"It wasn't a political election and our MPs and ministers didn't campaign for anyone," he said.
Ashraful was critical of the current system of non-political elections to the local government tier. "Political parties take part in local government polls in the developed countries," he said.
"In America and Britain voter turnout is higher in the local elections than in the national polls," he added.
'RIGGING'
An opposition spokesperson, BNP office secretary Rizvi Ahmed, raised allegations at a press briefing of massive polls irregularities on Thursday.
"The allegations are arriving at our monitoring cell with proof from Upazila across the country. We've information that the ruling party supporters have been forcefully occupying many polling stations across the country, stamping ballot papers and dropping them into the ballot boxes," said Rizvi.
He also accused local administration of failing to take any measures to prevent such incidents.
"A good number of BNP-backed candidates had boycotted the election by noon seeing massive rigging in the voting," Rizvi said.
"Awami League have snatched the people's mandate in the Upazila Parisad election as they did in the general election on December 29," he said.
According to EC figures, over 8,000 candidates contested countrywide for the three posts in each Upazila. Of the total, 13 candidates have already been elected uncontested.
Former president General Hussain Muhammad Ershad introduced the Upazila system. Elections to the local government bodies were first held in 1985 and then again in 1990.
After the fall of Ershad, then the BNP government repealed the Upazila Parishad Ordinance in 1991.
AL bags 8 of 11 called in Kishorganj
Kishorganj, Jan 22 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) - AL-backed candidates had won eight chairman seats and BNP had won one as results from 11 of 13 Upazila results were declared not long after midnight.
The ruling party bagged Mithamain, Bajitpur, Kuliarchhar, Bhairab, Nikli, Katiadi, Karimganj and Pakundia Upazilas.
The Itna Upazila chairmanship went to opposition BNP.
Sadar and Hossainpur Upazilas went to independent and Jatiya Party candidates respectively.
Results of Tarail and Ashtogram Upazilas were yet to be called at 1am.
Pro-Jamaat candidates win seats in Rajshahi, Nilphamari
Dhaka, Jan 22 (bdnews24.com) – Jamaat-e-Islami-backed candidates had bagged at least two Upazila chairman seats by midnight Thursday.
Jamaat-backed Mokbul Hossain bagged the first chairman seat called out of nine Upazilas in Rajshahi.
Hossain polled 77,493 votes in Paba Upazila beating Awami League-backed Yasin Ali bagging 63,007 votes.
Returning officer Abdul Barik confirmed the result.
A Jamaat adherent also won the first seat called out of six Upazilas in the Nilphamari.
Jamaat-backed Syed Ali bagged 43,449 votes against nearest rival Awami League-backed Ansar Ali Mintu pocketing 35,664 votes.
Counting in the other Upazilas was going on, the returning officer said at midnight.
AL win 4 of 5 seats called in Khulna district
hulna, Jan 22 (bdnews7.blogspot.com)—Awami League-backed candidates won four chairman seats while a BNP contestant emerged victor in one out of a total nine Upazila of Khulna district.
A BNP-backed chairman candidate won in Fultala Upazila.
Local AL leaders won Rupsa, Terokhda, Koyra and Paikgachha
Results of Dakop, Batiaghata, Digholia and Dumuria Upzilas were still to be announced at around 1am.
Brahmanbaria, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Violence marred polls in Brahmanbaria Thursday, with one dying in polls violence in Nasirnagar Upazila while Sadar Upazila saw voting called off.
One person was killed in bloody fights between supporters of pro-Awami League and pro-BNP candidates over control of Purbabhag polling centre in Nasirnagar, police said.
Nasirnagar police officer-in-charge Ratan Kanti Dasgupta Oli Mia, seriously injured in the fight, died on the way to hospital.
Meanwhile, clashes between supporters of rival candidates, looting of ballot papers and bombings in different centres seriously disrupted polling in Sadar Upazila centres, prompting the Election Commission to call the polls off, officials said.
MK Masud, presiding officer of Natai Government Primary School centre was among dozens hurt in the violence.
DEVELOPING NEWS
AL victory, amid 'marred' polls
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Results from 271 of 475 Upazila put Awami League-backed candidates far in the lead with 172 chairman seats in Thursday's local body elections, which appeared to reflect AL's landslide victory in the Dec 29 general election but saw low turnout, sporadic violence and alleged attempts by ruling party MPs and ministers to influence the proceedings.
BNP-backed candidates had won just 52 chairman seats, Jamaat-e-Islami 15, Jatiya Party 9, independents 10 and others 13, in results collected early hours Friday.
LOW TURNOUT, POLLS DISRUPTED
Voting was thin in the morning, and though it picked up in the afternoon overall turnout was low as polling came to a close at 4pm.
A number of polling stations saw disruptions due to violence and voting was called off altogether in four Upazila.
Election commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain told bdnews24.com that polls had been postponed in a total of six of 481 Upazila.
Voting in Ukhia Upazila in Cox's Bazar was called off on Wednesday night after pre-polls violence that left dozens injured. Dighinala Upazila in Khagrachhari postponed its vote on Jan. 15.
The Election Commission called off voting to another four Upazila during polling hours Thursday due to violence or allegations of irregularities.
One person died in polls violence that marred the elections in Brahmanbaria.
Oli Mia died after a bloody battle between supporters of pro-Awami League and pro-BNP candidates over control of Purbabhag polling centre in Nasirnagar, police said, while Sadar Upazila saw voting called off for violence.
The morning saw empty voting centres in many parts of the country, with just handfuls of ballots being cast in the first few hours.
Local people expressed reluctance to cast ballots as they said they did not know the candidates.
Coming out of a Gazipur Sadar centre, Ripan Devnath, a voter, said people were not turning out as the Upazila polls were "not very significant for them".
Other voters said they could not cast their ballots spontaneously as AL activists attempted "to take over centres".
CEC DISPLEASED
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda expressed disappointment at low voter turnout Thursday, while also blaming MPs and ministers for what he alleged was abuse of political power to influence the polls.
"The commission wanted to hold the third Upazila polls under the caretaker government with a view to avoiding such a situation," said the CEC.
Local government minister Syed Ashraful Islam denied the CEC's allegations saying ministers and party lawmakers did not take part in campaigns for the local body elections.
But the opposition BNP accused supporters of Awami League of forcefully occupying polling stations, forcing polling agents of BNP-backed candidates out of the stations and stuffing ballot boxes for AL candidates in the polls.
CEC Huda told reporters: "We'd expected the local elections being held after 18 years would reflect the people's will and would re-establish the Upazila Parishad system of local government."
But as voting ended, the CEC said, there was much to be unhappy about.
"A number of ministers and MPs have tried to exert their influence on the voting process in places and we've halted the voting in those Upazila."
"We were expecting that there would be some changes in the country's political culture under a new government. We didn't expect that ministers would abuse power," the CEC said.
"We wanted to hold the election during the tenure of the caretaker government. But that was not possible," he said.
Voting took place in over 30,000 polling stations of 475 of 481 Upazila from 8am to 4pm without break.
Though voting was disrupted in a number of centres for disturbances, Huda said, "There was no report of extreme violence anywhere and the voter turnout was similar to two previous Upazila elections."
"Turnout was lower than our expectation," said Huda. "But if it reached 50 percent, then it will be satisfactory."
Election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain, asked if he was satisfied with Thursday's election, said, "I'm not dissatisfied at all, but we'd high expectation."
He said Awami League leaders and supporters created untoward incidents at some polling stations, "which was not expected".
Local government minister and AL spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam called the incidents "stray".
"Family feuds, communal conflicts and locality-based disputes are reasons behind violence and disorder in the Upazila elections."
"It wasn't a political election and our MPs and ministers didn't campaign for anyone," he said.
Ashraful was critical of the current system of non-political elections to the local government tier. "Political parties take part in local government polls in the developed countries," he said.
"In America and Britain voter turnout is higher in the local elections than in the national polls," he added.
'RIGGING'
An opposition spokesperson, BNP office secretary Rizvi Ahmed, raised allegations at a press briefing of massive polls irregularities on Thursday.
"The allegations are arriving at our monitoring cell with proof from Upazila across the country. We've information that the ruling party supporters have been forcefully occupying many polling stations across the country, stamping ballot papers and dropping them into the ballot boxes," said Rizvi.
He also accused local administration of failing to take any measures to prevent such incidents.
"A good number of BNP-backed candidates had boycotted the election by noon seeing massive rigging in the voting," Rizvi said.
"Awami League have snatched the people's mandate in the Upazila Parisad election as they did in the general election on December 29," he said.
According to EC figures, over 8,000 candidates contested countrywide for the three posts in each Upazila. Of the total, 13 candidates have already been elected uncontested.
Former president General Hussain Muhammad Ershad introduced the Upazila system. Elections to the local government bodies were first held in 1985 and then again in 1990.
After the fall of Ershad, then the BNP government repealed the Upazila Parishad Ordinance in 1991.
AL bags 8 of 11 called in Kishorganj
Kishorganj, Jan 22 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) - AL-backed candidates had won eight chairman seats and BNP had won one as results from 11 of 13 Upazila results were declared not long after midnight.
The ruling party bagged Mithamain, Bajitpur, Kuliarchhar, Bhairab, Nikli, Katiadi, Karimganj and Pakundia Upazilas.
The Itna Upazila chairmanship went to opposition BNP.
Sadar and Hossainpur Upazilas went to independent and Jatiya Party candidates respectively.
Results of Tarail and Ashtogram Upazilas were yet to be called at 1am.
Pro-Jamaat candidates win seats in Rajshahi, Nilphamari
Dhaka, Jan 22 (bdnews24.com) – Jamaat-e-Islami-backed candidates had bagged at least two Upazila chairman seats by midnight Thursday.
Jamaat-backed Mokbul Hossain bagged the first chairman seat called out of nine Upazilas in Rajshahi.
Hossain polled 77,493 votes in Paba Upazila beating Awami League-backed Yasin Ali bagging 63,007 votes.
Returning officer Abdul Barik confirmed the result.
A Jamaat adherent also won the first seat called out of six Upazilas in the Nilphamari.
Jamaat-backed Syed Ali bagged 43,449 votes against nearest rival Awami League-backed Ansar Ali Mintu pocketing 35,664 votes.
Counting in the other Upazilas was going on, the returning officer said at midnight.
AL win 4 of 5 seats called in Khulna district
hulna, Jan 22 (bdnews7.blogspot.com)—Awami League-backed candidates won four chairman seats while a BNP contestant emerged victor in one out of a total nine Upazila of Khulna district.
A BNP-backed chairman candidate won in Fultala Upazila.
Local AL leaders won Rupsa, Terokhda, Koyra and Paikgachha
Results of Dakop, Batiaghata, Digholia and Dumuria Upzilas were still to be announced at around 1am.
world
Obama names Mideast and Afghan-Pakistan envoys
Washington, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com/Reuters) - President Barack Obama named special envoys on Thursday for the long-troubled Middle East and the violent Afghanistan-Pakistan region and promised U.S. help in ensuring a lasting truce in Gaza.
Obama chose former Sen. George Mitchell as an envoy who will try to jump-start moribund Arab-Israeli peace talks.
In a flurry of diplomatic activity in his first week in office, Obama also tapped former ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke to be the first-ever special U.S. envoy for Afghanistan, Pakistan and related issues.
Both the envoys have records of success in helping settle long-running violent conflicts -- Mitchell in Northern Ireland and Holbrooke in the Balkans.
"We have no time to lose," said Obama, who introduced Mitchell and Holbrooke at an event with newly confirmed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Mitchell will go to the Middle East to help ensure the durability of the ceasefire in Gaza, which was left devastated by a 22-day Israeli offensive against Hamas. Israeli said it launched the offensive in response to rocket attacks from the militant group.
"It will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors," Obama said.
NO DIRECT MENTION OF IRAN
In discussing the Mideast issues, neither Obama nor Clinton mentioned Iran.
But Obama seemed to allude to Iran when he said his administration wanted to signal to all countries in the region "that external support for terrorist organizations must stop."
The Bush administration had accused Iran of supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah, and in the past had linked Tehran to weapons and explosives smuggled to insurgents in Iraq.
Obama said during the campaign he favored high-level engagement with Iran but since the election he has given no details on when that effort might start.
Pressed on Iran during a briefing, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs reiterated that Obama believes "We're going to have to engage our friends and our enemies in order to make our country safe and secure."
Clinton said the United States had to restore its standing in the world. "We must be smarter about how we exercise our power," she said.
Obama has ordered a full review of the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, where he has pledged to boost troop strength, and told generals to take the first steps toward a pledge to withdraw troops from Iraq.
He has pledged to shift the focus of the struggle against terrorism back onto Afghanistan and away from Iraq. Osama bin Laden and other top al Qaeda militants are believed to be hiding in the mountainous border region of Pakistan near Afghanistan.
The day after his inauguration, Obama called Israeli and Arab leaders to commit himself to active engagement in the Mideast and to promise help consolidating the Gaza ceasefire.
Mitchell, 75 and a Democrat, is best known for peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland, but he also has experience in the Middle East and was appointed by former President Bill Clinton to find ways to halt Israeli-Palestinian violence.
Mitchell's 2001 report called for Israelis to freeze construction of new settlements and for Palestinians to crack down on terrorism. Mitchell is the son of a Lebanese immigrant mother and a father of Irish descent.
Mitchell said that from his experience working on the Northern Ireland issue, he "formed the conviction that there is no conflict that cannot be ended."
Holbrooke, 67, said he had been given a "daunting assignment."
Holbrooke gained prominence by brokering the Dayton peace accords that ended the war in Bosnia.
Nabil Abu Rdainah, aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said he hoped the appointment of the new Mideast envoy would signal a shift in the U.S. approach toward the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"We will deal with Obama's envoy and we hope he will work fast to implement the road map and the Arab peace initiative as well as international agreements and to implement Obama's change policy in order to bring justice and freedom to our people," he said.
US to set concrete, near-term Afghan goals: Gates
Washington, Jan 23 (bdnew7.blogspot.com) - The U.S. strategy for the war in Afghanistan is likely to shift to more near-term and concrete goals after a review by the Obama administration, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said on Thursday.
President Barack Obama has ordered a review of the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. He is expected to soon approve plans to nearly double the 30,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan as part of his pledge to make the war one of his top priorities.
Gates said no decision on troop deployments to Afghanistan has been made. But the new war plan would focus on "very concrete things" such as establishing control in parts of the country, going after al Qaeda and delivering services and security for the Afghan people, he said.
The Obama and Bush administrations had agreed "that the goals we did have for Afghanistan are too broad and too far into the future, are too future-oriented, and that we need more concrete goals that can be achieved realistically within three to five years," Gates told a news conference.
He said the Obama administration review would take in ideas from a previous Bush administration study, the NATO campaign plan, in-country commanders plans and a study by U.S. Gen. David Petraeus.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that in addition to military strategies, the reviews stress deploying civilian corps, provincial reconstruction teams, improved governance and economic development.
"Over time, without that, all the military troops in the world aren't going to make any difference," he said.
Gates said he recently approved a change in the rules of engagement in Afghanistan so that "if we have evidence that the drug labs and drug lords are supporting the Taliban, then they're fair game."
New Delhi and Washington signed a civilian nuclear deal in 2008 under Obama's predecessor George W. Bush, reversing decades of U.S. non-proliferation policies, and bilateral ties are at their closest for years.
India is trying to mount a diplomatic offensive against nuclear-armed rival Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks that killed 179 people in November.
New Delhi wants Islamabad to crack down on the Pakistan-based militants who India and the United States say were behind the attacks. India accuses some Pakistan state agencies of involvement, a charge its neighbour strongly denies.
"The letter focuses on the multi-faceted relationship that is anchored in the common values of democracy, pluralism and respect for diversity, shared by the two countries," the government statement said.
"He (Singh) expressed the hope that the bilateral relations between India and the USA would strengthen further."
Analysts say Obama and his Western allies may, rather than join India in pushing Pakistan to arrest those behind the attacks, side with those urging India to find a solution to the problem of Kashmir, claimed in full but ruled in part by both India and Pakistan, as a way to bring security to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A growing number of think-tanks and strategic experts, some linked to the Obama administration, have said they believe finding a solution to Kashmir would rid the region of one of its main sources of Islamist militant recruitment.
Obama suggested during his election campaign that a special envoy was needed for Kashmir, but India sees the region, the focus of two wars with Pakistan, as a bilateral issue and dismisses any outside attempt to influence developments.
bdnews24.com/amt/1110 hrs." type="hidden"> India PM tells Obama he hopes for stronger ties
New Delhi, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com//Reuters) - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told new U.S. President Barack Obama in a letter of congratulations that he hopes ties between the two countries will "strengthen further", a statement said on Thursday.
New Delhi and Washington signed a civilian nuclear deal in 2008 under Obama's predecessor George W. Bush, reversing decades of U.S. non-proliferation policies, and bilateral ties are at their closest for years.
India is trying to mount a diplomatic offensive against nuclear-armed rival Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks that killed 179 people in November.
New Delhi wants Islamabad to crack down on the Pakistan-based militants who India and the United States say were behind the attacks. India accuses some Pakistan state agencies of involvement, a charge its neighbour strongly denies.
"The letter focuses on the multi-faceted relationship that is anchored in the common values of democracy, pluralism and respect for diversity, shared by the two countries," the government statement said.
"He (Singh) expressed the hope that the bilateral relations between India and the USA would strengthen further."
Analysts say Obama and his Western allies may, rather than join India in pushing Pakistan to arrest those behind the attacks, side with those urging India to find a solution to the problem of Kashmir, claimed in full but ruled in part by both India and Pakistan, as a way to bring security to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A growing number of think-tanks and strategic experts, some linked to the Obama administration, have said they believe finding a solution to Kashmir would rid the region of one of its main sources of Islamist militant recruitment.
Obama suggested during his election campaign that a special envoy was needed for Kashmir, but India sees the region, the focus of two wars with Pakistan, as a bilateral issue and dismisses any outside attempt to influence developments.
sports
Bangladesh invite Zimbabwe to bat first
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) - Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful invited Zimbabwe to bat first after winning toss in the fog-curtailed series decider on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The match has been reduced to 37 overs for each side after dense fog delayed the start for more than two hours.
Zimbabwe made two changes from the squad that lost to Bangladesh by six wickets in the second one-dayer with Keith Dabengwa and Christopher Mpofu replacing Malcolm Waller and Tawanda Mupariwa.
Bangladesh retained the same squad.
Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful,Tamim Iqbal, Roqibul Hassan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain Jr., Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Naeem Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah and Rubel Hossain.
Zimbabwe: Prosper Utseya, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Christopher Mpofu, Raymond Price, Edward Rainsford, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu and Sean Williams.
Dhaka, Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) - Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful invited Zimbabwe to bat first after winning toss in the fog-curtailed series decider on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The match has been reduced to 37 overs for each side after dense fog delayed the start for more than two hours.
Zimbabwe made two changes from the squad that lost to Bangladesh by six wickets in the second one-dayer with Keith Dabengwa and Christopher Mpofu replacing Malcolm Waller and Tawanda Mupariwa.
Bangladesh retained the same squad.
Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful,Tamim Iqbal, Roqibul Hassan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain Jr., Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Naeem Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah and Rubel Hossain.
Zimbabwe: Prosper Utseya, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Christopher Mpofu, Raymond Price, Edward Rainsford, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu and Sean Williams.
1 dead in Brahmanbaria polls violence
Jan 23 (bdnews7.blogspot.com)Violence marred polls in Brahmanbaria Thursday, with one dying in polls violence in Nasirnagar Upazila while Sadar Upazila saw voting called off.
One person was killed in bloody fights between supporters of pro-Awami League and pro-BNP candidates over control of Purbabhag polling centre in Nasirnagar, police said.
Nasirnagar police officer-in-charge Ratan Kanti Dasgupta Oli Mia, seriously injured in the fight, died on the way to hospital.
Meanwhile, clashes between supporters of rival candidates, looting of ballot papers and bombings in different centres seriously disrupted polling in Sadar Upazila centres, prompting the Election Commission to call the polls off, officials said.
MK Masud, presiding officer of Natai Government Primary School centre was among dozens hurt in the violence.
One person was killed in bloody fights between supporters of pro-Awami League and pro-BNP candidates over control of Purbabhag polling centre in Nasirnagar, police said.
Nasirnagar police officer-in-charge Ratan Kanti Dasgupta Oli Mia, seriously injured in the fight, died on the way to hospital.
Meanwhile, clashes between supporters of rival candidates, looting of ballot papers and bombings in different centres seriously disrupted polling in Sadar Upazila centres, prompting the Election Commission to call the polls off, officials said.
MK Masud, presiding officer of Natai Government Primary School centre was among dozens hurt in the violence.
BREAKING NEWS
Shakib top ICC ODI all-rounder">Shakib top ICC ODI all-rounder
Dhaka, Jan 22 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has emerged as the first Bangladeshi ever to lead an ICC ranking when he became the world's top one-day all-rounder, according to an announcement of the game's governing body on Thursday.
With 380 rating points, the 21-year old, who was number three last week, went ahead of New Zealand's Jacob Oram (368 points) and England's Andrew Flintoff (366 points), according to the latest ICC ODI championship rankings.
"It feels great to be ranked number one. My one and only goal is to keep performing and win matches for the Bangladesh team and I feel more inspired and motivated to give my all in the field," said Shakib, who is close to getting into the ODI bowler's top 10 also. He is currently ranked number 12.
"I also know that retaining the number one spot will be even tougher and it will require lots of sacrifices, consistency, hard work and dedication," said Shakib in his immediate reaction.
Shakib is only the second Bangladeshi to break into the top 10.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak had shot to number eight in the ODI bowling rankings in November 2007.
In Test cricket Shakib has also made his mark and is ranked 10 in the all-rounder's list. This also makes him the first Bangladeshi Test cricketer ever in the top 10.
ICC ODI Championship All-Rounder Ranking
RANKING: 1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), 380 points, 2. Jacob Oram (New Zealand)
368, 3. Andrew Flintoff (England) 366, 4. Shoaib Malik (Pakistan), 342, 5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa), 342, 6. Chris Gayle (West Indies), 336, 7. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), 323, 8. Yuvraj Singh (India)
310, 9. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), 293, 10. Paul Collingwood (England), 280
bangladesh football Both B. League encounters end in draws
Dhaka, Jan 21 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Khulna Abahani Krira Chakra on Wednesday earned the first point after 14 defeats in a row when the hosts held visitors Chittagong Mohammedan Sporting Club to a goalless draw at Khulna Stadium on Wednesday. Away at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, hosts Chittagong Abahani Limited were also held to a goalless draw by visitors Farashganj Sporting Club. Khulna Abahani, who never won or drew a match since their stunning 3-1 win over struggling Muktijoddha Sangsad in their league opener, parried off mighty Chittaogng Mohammedan till the final whistle and snatched a point to raise their tally to four from 16 outings. It, however, did not make any difference to the 11-team point table as Khulna Abahani are still in the relegation threat to stay at the bottom. Chittagong Mohammedan, who handed a 2-1 home defeat to Khulna Abahani, maintained their fifth place with 24 points from 15 games. In the port city, Chittagong Abahani and Farashganj SC once again shared honour playing a goalless draw as both sides had earlier played a 1-1 draw at Bangabandhu National Stadium. With the fifth draw in 15 games, the Old Dhaka outfit, Rahmatganj, have 20 points to stay at sixth position while Chittagong Abahani joined seventh-placed Rahmatganj MFS with 17 points each. Chittagong Abahani, however, played two matches more than Rahmatganj's 14.
Ashraful is relieved
Dhaka, Jan 21 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful saw the series-levelling triumph against Zimbabwe on Wednesday as s a relief for him and the team. The hosts level the series 1-1 with a convincing six-wicket win the second match with the decider slated for Friday. "It was a crucial match, specially after losing the first game to Zimbabwe and I now feel better defeating them," Ashraful told reporters at a post-match briefing at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The Bangladesh captain was also upbeat about winning the series. "If we can play our best, I believe we will clinch the series." The 24-year old batsman praised all his pacers and spinners, who restricted Zimbabwe to 160 for nine in 50 overs. "After reducing Zimbabwe to 47 for six, we tried hard to break the seventh wicket between (Sean) Williams and (Prosper) Utseya, who adopted a defensive strategy and chose to not play big shots. "They, however, could not make so many runs. But, we will try to find a way-out to overcome such situation in future," said Ashraful, who played a 13-ball five, leaving Bangladesh side at 42 for two in 15.1 overs. "Yes, it was a bad shot, but it could have been better had I hit on top or below of the ball," said the top-order batsman, who was caught at short cover by Utseya off Raymond Price. Ashraful also admitted his decision to bowl first winning the toss in the series opener was wrong, "but we learnt this time." "We took the decision collectively that we would bowl first if we won the toss in the second match as the wicket was better compared to (the one for ) the first match," said Ashraful. Asked whether his captaincy was at risk, Ashraful said, "I will try to play better in the next match and put on some runs on the board." "I am not thinking of the captaincy as I am getting supports from all and I am trying my best."
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Upazila elections Cast your votes freely, says CEC
Staff CorrespondentThe Chief Election Commissioner, ATM Shamsul Huda, in a televised speech yesterday evening assured the nation of all necessary preparations for a free and fair election on Thursday (today) and invited voters to apply their voting rights."I am inviting all voters irrespective of religion and castes, to go to polling centers and cast their valuable votes to pave the way for establishing a effective democracy once again taking the opportunity of secured environment as on December 29 elections," CEC Huda said in his 30 minutes speech.Underlining the importance of the upazilla elections, CEC said, "Like others elections including national one, there is a great importance of the upazilla polls and commission hopes that people will exercise their franchise to establish their democratic rights," said Huda, adding, " I am assuring the voters of providing enough security so that they (voters) can cast their votes freely.""There is no force which can change the people's mandate. We have taken enough security measures including deployment of troops for smooth balloting. We strongly believe that post-polls environment will remain calm. We have identified the mistakes committed by the commission during December 29 parliament polls and hope that there will be no repetition of those mistakes in these elections," said Huda.He also warned against any attempt of vote rigging saying, "The EC will take stern action against any attempt of chaos in the elections."He underscored the need for decentralization of power, "If we want to establish rule of people, local bodies' autonomy and decentralizations of power through holding upazilla polls is a must to ensure service to the people.""In a bid to revive the upazilla system, I am inviting the voters once again across the country to go to polling centers to elect their respective representatives," CEC said, adding," As the upazilla Parishad is a direct service providing organization, so the elected representatives will have to be close to you."
BNP may not attend maiden session
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| Tuesday, 13 January 2009 | |
| Dhaka, Jan13 (bdnews24.com) – BNP lawmakers may not join the maiden parliament session on Jan. 25 since the day coincides with the introduction of one-party rule in 1975, Khandaker Delwar Hossain has said. "BKSAL was established in the country by killing multi-party democracy on Jan. 25, 1975. This day has been etched into the memory of the people as a 'black day'. |
Matia slams NGOs, businesses
NGOs and businesses talk big but never help the farmers in times of crisis, says Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury ........More
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