Burnt For Dowry Mother dies 4 days after her 2 kids

Ending her grim battle for life, dowry victim Shazia Begum succumbed to her burn injuries yesterday, four days after both her children had met the same fate in a classic example of human brutalities.

The 32-year-old housewife and mother of two breathed her last at the Intensive Care Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Shazia, who hailed from Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, was brought to the DMCH on Monday with 98 per cent of her body burnt. Her children Emon (5) and Emona (3) died from burns on the same day at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where all the three were admitted on Sunday.

Shazia's brother Abdul Hafiz had earlier quoted her as saying she woke up from sleep smelling kerosene Saturday evening and saw her sister-in-law Nasima throw fire at her and flee the spot. She rushed to a nearby pond and jumped into it to douse the flames engufing her. Her kids still asleep were badly burnt.

Hafiz told The Daily Star that Shazia was married to Kuwait-expatriate Nuruddin nine years ago without dowry. Then they had to give at least Tk 5 lakh to Nuruddin's family at different times. "Due to torture on Shazia by her in-laws for more money, we brought her to our home and she lived with us for two years. Around five months ago, her in-laws took her back promising no more torture," Hafiz said.

His mother Samirunnesa told this correspondent that Shazia's in-laws started torturing her for another Tk 3 lakh when her husband left for Kuwait at the end of his vacation.

"Shazia told me over the phone a week ago that torture on her had increased. I told her I will take you away soon," Hafiz said.

Contacted yesterday, Officer-in-Charge of Jagannathpur Police Station Saleh Uddin said a case was filed accusing five persons. They are trying to track down the culprits.

Source : The Daily Star

PM pledges stronger EC: Asks BNP for caretaker formula

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday in parliament said the government will further strengthen the Election Commission to hold free and fair parliamentary polls.

She, however, urged the main opposition BNP to suggest an alternative to recently scrapped caretaker government system.

"We cannot validate the provision of caretaker government declared illegal by the Supreme Court. But I will request them [opposition] to come up with a formula if they find any alternative to the system."

Hasina was delivering her winding-up speech in budget session, which began on May 22 and prorogued last night after 30 sittings.

Stressing the need for a stronger EC, the premier said the voter list with photographs has been prepared and translucent ballot boxes introduced.

Her government wants the electoral process to be more transparent and fair so that people can freely exercise their voting rights, she said.

Referring to the Chittagong City Corporation elections, municipality and union parishad polls and Habiganj by-election, the premier said the commission worked independently and nobody can claim that her administration tried to influence it.

Hasina, however, mentioned no specific measure to strengthen the EC.

The prime minister said the current parliament held 237 sittings till yesterday. But the opposition lawmakers joined 51 sittings and the opposition leader only six, she said.

"Participating only six sittings, the opposition leader spoke four days for three hours and 25 minutes. But still, they claim they are not allowed to speak in parliament."

Hasina, also the ruling Awami League chief, criticised Khaleda Zia for demanding reintroduction of the non-partisan caretaker administration system.

She noted it was a caretaker regime that had detained the opposition leader and forced her two sons to leave the country. "Now, I ask, why she is crying for the caretaker government system."

Also, Hasina defended recent constitutional amendments.

"The way of grabbing state power by extra-constitutional means has been blocked forever," she said, referring to a new provision in the charter ensuring stringent punishment for of usurper.

The premier also tried to justify maintaining Islam's status as the state religion and keeping the Arabic phrase "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" above the preamble of the constitution. "We did it to respect people's sentiment."

She blasted some religion-based political parties for calling hartal on July 10 and 11 protesting the scrap of the phrase "Absolute faith and trust in Almighty Allah" from the constitution.

"Can't they find Allah in Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim? Do they find Allah in hartal? Allah lives in our heart. Did they lose Allah from their hearts?" Hasina added.

However, the premier expressed "shock" at Wednesday's police assault on Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, and said she herself enquired about his treatment round-the-clock.

In her half-an-hour's speech, the prime minister also spoke about the government measures to ensure food security, economic freedom, and bring normalcy to the stock market.

Source : The Daily Star

Posthumous award for Indira

The government will award former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi posthumously for her "tremendous support" to the Liberation War, 1971.

Indian Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi will receive the Foreign Friends Award on behalf of her mother-in-law during her Dhaka tour on July 25-26.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said this while addressing a joint press conference following her official talks with her Indian counterpart SM Krishna.

Sonia, being a member of the Gandhi family, will receive the award for her late mother-in-law during her visit to Bangladesh to attend an International Child Autism Conference at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said.

The government has decided to honour a number of foreign nationals who helped Bangladesh win the nine months of war against Pakistan occupation force and emerge independent.

A list of some 500 "Foreign Friends in 1971", including around 225 Indian and 40 Pakistanis, has been prepared so far.

They would be honoured at a ceremony in the city ahead of the 41st Victory Day on December 16 this year.

"Obviously, Indira Gandhi comes at the top of the list of our Foreign Friends in 1971," added Dipu Moni.

Officials said more names would be added to the list gradually.

Any recipient, unable to attend the ceremony in Dhaka, would be delivered the award by the foreign minister or the prime minister herself while visiting that country.

Source : The Daily Star

Capacity 50, carrying 200: Capsized launch salvaged; death toll reaches 9

Despite having the approval of carrying 50 passengers, MV Madinar Alo that capsized in Shitalakhhya on Wednesday evening was carrying around 200.

Moreover, inefficiency of master and driver of the launch led to its prompt sinking, alleged Department of Shipping (DOS) officials.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the launch capsize rose to nine as the body of a woman passenger was found floating in the river near Char Muktarpur in Munshiganj yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Korbul Nesa, aged about 60, of Motlob in Chandpur district.

Salvage vessel MV Rustom of BIWTA towed the sunken ship to the shore in the morning. No more body was found inside the vessel, report our Munshiganj and Narayanganj correspondents.

The rescue operation was declared closed with the salvage of the sunken launch, said Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Md Azizul Alam.

Eight people drowned and 35 went missing when Narayanganj-bound MV Madinar Alo from Chandpur sank after a head-on collision with oil tanker OT Shitalakkhya in the river near Char Muktarpur on Wednesday.

Police seized the oil tanker, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in charge of Munshiganj Sadar Police Station.

Narayanganj police arrested Faruque Hossain, master of the oil tanker, and his assistant Mizanur Rahman at noon after a case was filed in this connection.

According to the latest registration paper of MV Madinar Alo issued on October 3 last year, the capacity of the vessel was 50.

Witnesses and survivors, however, said the number of passengers on board of the launch was four times more than its capacity during the incident.

According to the Inland Shipping Ordinance-1976, authorities of all vessels have to mention the name of DOS-registered master and driver for its operation.

But the launch got permission without having any name of DOS-registered master and driver in the registration paper that is mandatory for every vessel.

It also got approval for plying during daylight on stable rivers. But violating its registration proviso, the launch way plying in the evening when the accident occurred, said a DOS ship surveyor.

Talking to The Daily Star, DOS Director General Commodore Jobair Ahmad said probe committees have been formed to investigate the incident. Disciplinary action will be taken if any irregularities are found, he added.

Source : The Daily Star

'Unite or you will suffer': Says Rahul Gandhi in UP

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi yesterday said that Uttar Pradesh was being run by dalals (touts).

Addressing people in Kripalpur village of Aligarh, he said, "Touts have taken over the administration as people of the state are divided." He said that touts are active in all the districts wehere land had been acquired.

"You may not like it. But this is true. Since you are not together that is why this is happening here. Unless you unite, you will continue to suffer," the Congress leader told the villagers.

Rahul made this statement on the third day of his footmarch in west UP districts affected by large scale land acquisition by the state government.

In a bid to counter Rahul Gandhi's footmarch in support of farmers whose land has been acquired by the state government, the ruling BSP accused Congress led UPA government of step-motherly treatment towards UP.

Source : The Daily Star 

Samsung Elec tips sharply lower Q2 operating profit

South Korea's Samsung Electronics on Thursday forecast second-quarter operating profit of 3.7 trillion won ($3.48 billion), a 26 per cent fall from a record 5.01 trillion won a year earlier.

Giving its earnings guidance before the release of official results, Samsung also estimated second-quarter revenue at 39 trillion won, a 2.9 per cent increase from 37.89 trillion in April-June 2010.

The company, the world's biggest maker of flat panels, memory chips and flat-screen televisions, did not give an estimate for net profit or other details.

Analysts said the liquid crystal display business probably suffered from falling demand for televisions and personal computers — especially in the United States and Europe — as the global economic recovery falters.

They expected earnings to improve modestly in coming quarters due largely to strong sales of its latest version of the Android- powered smartphone, Galaxy S II.

As of the end of June, Samsung had sold around three million of the new model globally since it debuted in April.

Some industry-watchers said the company's performance would probably improve over the rest of the year, as its advanced displays — organic light emitting diodes — help turn around that business.

'The display business hit the bottom and with a higher profit from the OLED panels, it will post about 100 billion won in operating profit in the third quarter,' David Choi, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities, told Yonhap news agency.

In the first quarter of this year, the company recorded an operating profit of 2.95 trillion won on sales of 36.98 trillion.

Source : New Age

1,40,000 Filipinos ‘could lose jobs in KSA’

Up to 1,40,000 Philippine workers could lose their jobs in Saudi Arabia due to a domestic helper ban and a programme to compel firms to employ more locals, the Filipino labour minister said on Thursday.

Between 20,000-50,000 Filipino domestic workers in the kingdom could be hit by Saudi Arabia's decision announced last month to stop granting work permits to Philippine and Indonesian maids, labour secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

Another 90,000 Filipinos of the 1.3 million working there could be affected by the new policy of imposing quotas for local staff, though the specialised skills of the majority should allow many to hang on to their jobs, she added.

'Let us not talk about everyone being sent home. That is impossible. You can't just replace skilled workers,' Baldoz told a news forum.

However, the 'Saudisation' policy would affect mainly unskilled workers like manual labourers, janitors, drivers and gardeners, she added.

Saudi Arabia said last week it would stop granting work permits to Philippine and Indonesian maids after failing to agree on hiring conditions imposed by the Asian countries.

Baldoz said the maids ban would mainly affect new applicants and not those already working there.

However, the exact implications were still unclear and she said she hoped to negotiate with Saudi officials to minimise their effects.

The main issue appears to be the demand, backed by Philippine law, for a base monthly salary of $400 for domestic workers, she said. Saudi Arabia rejects the salary floor, she added.

Source : New Age

Oil up in Asia on signs of improved US demand

Crude was up in Asia on Thursday on signs that oil demand is picking up in the United States, the world's largest consumer of the commodity, analysts said.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for August delivery, rose 66 cents to $97.31 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for August gained 57 cents to $114.19.

The American Petroleum Institute on Wednesday reported a bigger than expected drawdown in crude reserves, seen as a sign of improved demand in the world's biggest economy.

'US crude oil stockpiles fell unexpectedly by 3.2 million barrels, more than analysts' prediction of 2.3 million barrels, which was supportive for

crude oil prices,' said Ker Chung Yang, commodity analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore.

However, concerns about future Chinese demand are expected to keep a lid on crude prices after Beijing on Wednesday raised interest

rates for the third time this year in a bid to rein in inflation.

China, the world's second biggest economy, is the largest energy consumer.

Source : New Age

Euro up slightly against dollar

The euro edged higher against the dollar in Asia on Thursday following overnight falls, ahead of the European Central Bank's policy meeting at which a rate hike is expected, dealers said.

The euro fetched $1.4324 in Tokyo afternoon trade against $1.4314 in New York late Wednesday. The European common currency edged up to 115.92 yen from 115.83 yen. The dollar was slightly higher at 80.93 yen against 80.88 yen.

Despite the euro's marginal gains, 'sentiment remains bearish for the euro due to renewed concerns about peripheral eurozone countries,' Hideki Hayashi, global economist at Mizuho Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The ECB is on Thursday expected to raise interest rates for the second time this year, by 0.25 percentage points to 1.5 per cent with the aim of curbing inflation, dealers said.

Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet is to hold a news conference after the meeting.

'The biggest focus today is on whether Trichet would indicate further rate hikes later this year,' said Sumino Kamei, senior analyst at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

If Trichet stresses ongoing upside inflationary risks, that could buoy the common currency, Hideki Amikura, foreign exchange dealer at Nomura Trust and Banking, told Dow Jones Newswires.

Source : New Age

market Disclosures

Makson Spinning Mills 
Mohd Amzad Ali and Khadiza Akhter Shilpi, both are sponsors/directors of the company, have reported their intention to sell 2,10,000 and 1,20,000 shares (bonus shares) out of their total holdings of 27,30,000 and 15,60,000 shares respectively at prevailing market price through the stock exchange within July 31, 2011.

Progressive Life Insurance Co
Gulam Mostofa Ahmed, one of the sponsors/directors of the company, has reported his intention to sell 2,500 shares out of his total holdings of 27,500 shares of the company at prevailing market price through the stock exchange within next 30 working days.

Continental Insurance
Mohd Jahangir Hussain, one of the sponsors/directors of the company, has reported his intention to sell total 9,170 (8,571+599) shares out of his total holdings of 88,000 shares of the company at prevailing market price through the stock exchange within next 30 working days.

Beacon Pharmaceuticals
The company has informed that due to unavoidable circumstances the 5th EGM of the company will now be held on July 13 instead of July 11. Other information of the EGM as announced earlier.

Keya Cosmetics
The SEC has issued showcause cum hearing notice to Keya Cosmetics Ltd, its directors, managing director and company secretary for non-compliance with the securities related laws in connection with retention of auditor for a consecutive period exceeding three years. SEC has also issued showcause cum hearing notice to Keya Detergent Ltd, its directors, managing director and company secretary for non-compliance with the securities related laws in connection with retention of auditor for a consecutive period exceeding three years.
    Source: DSE

Source : New Age