Cyclone 'SIDR' turns into hurricane
Staff Correspondent
The strong cyclonic storm 'SIDR' over the Bay turned into a hurricane with tough winds in its core, which ultimately forced the countrymen to recall devastating cyclone that hit coastal areas on April 29, 1991. Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and the district administration have taken various precautionary measures as the severe cyclonic storm, 'SIDR', over the Bay turned into a hurricane.
A coordination meeting was held at Chittagong port on Tuesday. The CPA Chairman Commodore M Faruk presided over it.
Shah Amanat Intl Airport finally gets international status
Samir Kanti Barua
Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport (CSIA), country's second largest airdrome at length is going to have taste of the international stature.
Though the CSIA was developed as an international one with an estimated cost of TK 541 crore but failed to do much than the half century old Patenga Air port even after a lapse of nearly eight hours.
The civil aviation authority developed the infrastructures of the international one including terminal, runway but it could not be transformed as international one in true sense as operation of the airlines in international routes excepting Biman and Thai Airways and Phuket, Silk Air stayed off it .
Dhaka-Yangon Quick move On agreed projects urged
Dhaka, Nov 13 (UNB)
Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Tuesday said Bangladesh and Myanmar should move quickly on their agreed projects, including one on cross-border roadway communications. He mentioned the agreements on projects such as road link, contract farming and a tripartite body comprising the United Nations, Myanmar and Bangladesh to finally resolve the outstanding problem of Rohingya refugees. The Foreign Advisor made the suggestions during discussion with a visiting delegation from Myanmar led by U Aung Tun, Deputy Commerce Minister, at the Foreign Ministry in the morning. Also present, apart from other delegates, were envoy of Myanmar in Bangladesh Ambassador U Nyan Linn and Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Maj Gen
Thousands of garment workers feared dropped from voter registration
Subarna Mazumder
Thousands of garment workers in the city are feared dropped from enlistment as voters as they can't manage time from their service for providing their photographs in national identity card.
Many garment workers alleged that they were facing problems and often exposed to harassment in the office while seeking leave for photo registration.
"The authority does not allow us to go outside excepting one hour leisure period and the one hour intermission that we get is being finished to reach the registration centre," said a number of garments workers on condition of anonymity.
It is almost impossible for them to come back to their work place within this intermission after photo registration and most workers were shown absent if they fail to return office in due time.
Legal notice on EC by Khaleda's Counsel
Dhaka, Nov 13 (UNB)- Counsel for detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia Tuesday served a legal notice asking the Election Commission (EC) to withdraw or revoke within 48 hours the letter inviting Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed as BNP representative for its November 22 dialogue on electoral reforms.If fails to do so, the EC will have to face appropriate legal action,
Fertilizer stock sufficient : Geeteara
Dhaka, Nov 13 (UNB)
Denying any crisis of fertilizer in the country, Industries Adviser Geeteara Safiya Choudhury blamed propaganda and "some problems" in distribution for panicking the farmers into scramble for the agri-input.
"We have sufficient stock of fertilizers, but there are some problems in distribution in some areas, and that made the farmers panicky," said the Adviser replying to a question of reporters at a programme of Acid Control Council held at the Home Ministry today (Tuesday).
Further explaining the problems, she said media
7 killed as Hamas breaks up largest Fatah rally
AP, Gaza City
Panicked Fatah supporters scattered, knocking over plastic chairs set up for their commemoration of the anniversary of Yasser Arafat's death, as Hamas forces opened fire on their huge rally.At least seven people were killed and 85 wounded Monday in theworst outbreak of violence since the Islamic militants seized control of Gaza last June. Overnight, Hamas security men arrested many of the rally's organizers and other Fatah members, Fatah officials said Tuesday. The officials did not know precisely how many had been detained but put the number at dozens.Gaza City was quiet and tense the morning after the violence, with few Hamas policemen in evidence on the streets. Schools were closed in mourning. About 250,000 flag-waving Fatah backers gathered for Monday's rally, a massive show of support for Arafat's successor, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.Abbas declared three days of mourning for the dead and wounded, ordering Palestinian flags to fly at half-staff, condemning the Hamas crackdown as a "heinous crime."
Roh urges Bush to agree early summit with Kim
AP, Seoul
South Korea urged U.S. President George W. Bush to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to try speeding up the North's nuclear disarmament, saying Tuesday that time was running out for Bush resolve the issue before his term ends.
The South's President Roh Moo-hyun said he hoped that the two Koreas, the U.S. and China could meet at a summit to strengthen peace on the Korean peninsula, and that this could give Bush and Kim an opportunity to confer.
Richard Gere given humanitarian award
AP, Philadelphia
Richard Gere, who has donated time and money to the causes for Tibetan independence and HIV/AIDS care, accepted a prestigious humanitarian award given by the city of Philadelphia.
On Monday, the actor was given the Marian Anderson Award, named after the black American opera singer who achieved international acclaim by the mid-1930s but faced racial segregation at home. Gere, 58, accepted the honor and its $100,000 (euro68,600) honorarium at a gala at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
"I'm not worthy of this award in any way whatsoever," Gere said. "I can't tell you how this makes me feel. My heart is so wide open."
Gere was lauded for taking on the dual role of artist and activist before it became fashionable, lending his fame and finances to global issues. Gere, a Buddhist, has advocated Tibetan independence from Chinese rule since 1978. He co-founded the Tibet House and is board chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet.