Myanmar granted licenses Thursday to Norway’s Telenor and Ooredoo of Qatar to set up the country’s first foreign-owned mobile phone networks. Currently less than 6 million of country’s 60 million people have mobile phones, one of the lowest connectivity rates in the world. Hoping to spur economic growth, the government is trying to push penetration rates to 80 percent by 2016.
The licenses were awarded despite an eleventh hour push by lawmakers to delay a decision until a new telecommunications law is passed.
Of the more than 90 companies that submitted bids, 11 were short-listed.
Myanmar, located in the heart of one of the fastest growing regions in the world, became one of the most isolated and poorest nations during its half-century of iron-clad military rule.
After taking control of a quasi-civilian government in 2011, former general Thein Sein started implementing promised political and economic reforms.
The communications industry, long-neglected by the country’s military rulers, is in need of a complete overhaul. That’s in part because the original network was intended for only a tiny number of subscribers, mostly the rich. Up until a few years ago, the cost of SIM cards could reach $2,000. (Source: UNB)
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Lead
No pol case withdrawal on govt demand: ACC chair
The newly appointed chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission Md Bodiuzzaman on Thursday said no political case irrespective of party identity would be withdrawn as per the recommendation of the government so long as he would be there as the chief of the institution.
Addressing his first press meet a day after his appointment as the chief of the ACC, the new ACC boss said the investigations conducted by the ACC are free from any political bias.
ACC commissioner Md Bodiuzzaman was appointed the chairman of the anti-graft body on Wednesday.
He said the ACC files cases after conducting enquiries into graft allegations and its investigators submit charge-sheets after completing investigations.
He said the ACC carries out probe into the graft charges regardless of their political backgrounds or identities of accused.
The ACC chief informed, the commission has so far received over 300 requests from the national committee for withdrawal of politically-motivated cases. “But the commission refused to accept the requests as it has already submitted chargesheets in these cases,” he added.
He however said that they could not do anything, if the accused get orders in favour of them from the High Court in such cases.
Replying to a question, he identified the lengthy procedure of the existing judicial system as one of the main reasons behind the ineffectiveness of the commission.
The new boss of the anti-graft watchdog called upon the government to consider the amendment on the Anti-Corruption Law 2004, which is ready to be placed before Parliament.
“If the proposed bill is adopted in Parliament, we hope, the new law will minimise the complexities,” he said.
Regarding the much-talked-about Padma Bridge corruption conspiracy case, he said an ACC team during their Canada visit gathered some information, which is inadequate.
“We hope that we will be able to gather more information after a case, which is under trial in a Canadian court, is settled. So, it’ll take time to complete the investigation into the Padma Bridge graft case,” he added.
About the Hallmark-Destiny scams, he said the ACC investigation teams would submit their investigation reports to the Commission soon.
Asked to comment on a remark of of immediate past ACC chairman Ghulam Rahman, he said the previous chairman might have termed the commission a claw and toothless tiger as its effectiveness was affected due to delay in the legal process.
Replying to a question, he said the commission has an enquiry cell to conduct inquiries against ACC officials. “If we find any specific complaint against any ACC official, we will take legal action against him or her,” he added.
(Staff Reporter)
Lead
Amar Desh case pending; Diganta, I. TV aired false news: Inu
Minister for Information Hasanul Haq Inu on Thursday said, the publication of Dainik Amar Desh will remain suspended till the final disposal of the case pending with the court.
He said this while replying to a written question of BNP lawmaker ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan in Parliament
The Information Minister explained that the broadcasting of Diganta TV and Islamic TV were suspended as they broke the conditions of ‘no-objection’ provided by the Information Ministry.
He however said that the government has been examining the possibility to give permission for reopening the Diganta TV and the Islamic TV.
The Information Minister said the publication of Amar Desh was not suspended but the Deputy Commissioner’s Office cancelled the declaration of the newspaper since June 1 in 2010.
A case was filed against Amar Desh authority on April 13 this year as the printing, publication, exhibition and sale were taking place without taking prior permission. So the newspaper will not be published again until the disposal of the case, he added.
He said the broadcasting of Diganta TV and Islamic TV were suspended for temporarily as they were broadcasting false and unethical news by provoking religious fanaticism.
Replying to a question of Awami League lawmaker Benjir Ahmed, the Information Minister said there are 63 online newspaper, 30 TV channels and 18 online radios in the country.
He said a committee has been formed to prepare a policy for online newspapers and media.
(Staff Reporter)
Lead
Is Suranjit’s talks offer filibustering or real?
Awami League senior leader Suranjit Sengupta on Thursday called upon the opposition to sit across the table to discuss the election time government.
“Please come with your (opposition) proposal before the House on election-time government. We want a understanding through discussion within the Constitution,” he said while participating in the general discussion on the proposed budget.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury was presiding over the sitting.
Suranjit, who is a Minister without Portfolio, requested the opposition to place their view whether they want the next election under an interim government or all-party government and how much representation they want.
He also called upon the opposition not to waste time and said the talks could be held inside or outside the Parliament.
He made it clear that they won’t accept any evil effort to create Constitutional vacuum.
“There is no scope to proclaim emergency or seize power unconstitutionally till qiamat (the Doomsday),” he said.
Referring to the threats of opposition to boycott polls if caretaker system is not restored, the AL MP said what will happen if we don’t participate in an election under a caretaker administration.
What you will do if the President revives the present Parliament by taking advice from court after its dissolution by October” he ramarked asking the opposition to get united to uphold the constitution.
“Let us resolve the political impasse through talks by October,” he urged.
Criticising opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia for her remarks that the city elections were not held in a free and fair manner Suranjit remarked there is limit to speaking lies.
“The opposition leader claimed that the city polls were not in a fair manner after 11 days of the polls sensing that if she doesn’t speak in such a way it would be proved that the government is able to hold any election in a free and fair manner,” he said.
He also criticised senior BNP leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed alleging that Moudud writes the truth but speaks half truths.
BNP Joint Secretary General Barkat Ullah Bulu on Thursday called upon the Prime Minister to carryout investigation and find out those transferred thousand crore of Taka to Canada and Singapore and made second home over there.
Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget, he said those who plundered huge money in the name of quick rental power have to get prepared to go to jail.
Bulu said the Awmi League would not have been able to come to power for 100 years, if the army did not cooperate with them in the last election.
He said the people want to be free from the grip this government.
Fazle Hossain Badsha of Workers Party, Shafiqul Islam, Imran Ahmed,, Abdul Malek, Reza Ali, Manoranjon Sheel Gopal, AKM Bahauddin, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Mollah Jalaluddin of AL and Ziaul Haque Mridha of Jatiya Party also took part in the discussion.
(Staff Reporter)
Lead
Book on Tarique’s politics unveiled at Ocford
The publication ceremony of a book titled Political thought of Tarique Rahman, senior vice chairman of the opposition BNP, was held at Cambridge University in the UK on Wednesday.
Francis Davis, a fellow at the University of Cambridge was present at the function as the chief guest, according to available information received in Dhaka.
Bangladesh Policy Forum (BPF) Cambridge, a policy think tank based at the world famous University of Cambridge, organised the publication ceremony.
The book titled “The Political Thought of Tarique Rahman”, comprises seventeen articles from distinguished national and international professionals including former President, former Prime Minister, former Speaker, former Ambassadors, former Vice-Chancellors, reputed journalists, among others.
Tarique Rahman attended the programme and sat with the audience, but did not speak on the occasion.
Francis Davis, also a former Director of the University’s Las Casas Institute of Ethics, Human Rights and Social Justice, came down from stage and handed over to Tarique Rahman a copy of the book.
Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury, Adviser to the BNP Chairperson, was present along with other prominent figures of the British Bangladeshi community and Cambridge-based national and international scholars.
Hosted by the President of BPF Mahdi Amin, the ceremony was addressed, among others, by Francis Davis, former European Parliament Member John Clayton, Director of Young Foundation Dr David Edgar, journalist Saleh Shibly, BPF Adviser Humaiun Kabir and BPF Secretary Tamina Chowdhury.
The speakers hailed Tarique Rahman’s unique bottom-up policy-making in the empowerment of the grassroots people of Bangladesh.
They reiterated Tarique Rahman’s effort of building a better Bangladesh and hoped that he will continue his efforts to build a progressive Bangladesh.
They echoed that Bangladesh should avoid the negative examples of the West, pointing to the financial downturn and explaining that Bangladesh can export human qualities like generosity, hospitality and family values to the West under the competent leadership of Tarique Rahman.
The book was jointly edited by Saleh Shibly, Ashik Islam, Mahdi Amin and Humaiun Kabir, and outlines some of the initiatives that shape Tarique Rahman’s politics and commitment to the people of Bangladesh.
(Staff Reporter)
C: Lead
PM holds meeting with Ershad
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a one-to-one meeting with Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad at the PM’s Sangsad Bhaban office on Thursday.
Confirming the meeting, an official at the PMO told UNB that the two leaders discussed the current political situation and matters of interest of the ruling grand alliance of which Ershad’s Jatiya Party is a major partner.
But the PMO official could not say anything what exactly the two party chiefs discussed at the meeting that lasted for 40 minutes beginning at 5:30 pm. (Source: UNB)
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party presidium member Raushan Ershad on Thursday said in Parliament that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would have to take the initiative for resolving the political crisis, sitting across the table with the opposition parties.
“You (Hasina) have the bigger responsibility. You make a call to all. You don’t belong to Awami League alone….also belong to the nation and the country. You’ll have to reach the political consensus,” she said, taking part in the discussion on the proposed budget for next fiscal.
Recalling Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Raushan Ershad said he was a very big-hearted man. “You (Hasina) are the daughter of Bangabandhu. You’ve to do it. We won’t spare you.”
The entire House supported Raushan Ershad by thumping their desks and Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chauhury allowed her to speak another five minutes after the expiry of her allotted time.
Raushan Ershad, elected from Rangpur-3 constituency, urged both the ruling and opposition parties to shun the politics of vengeance and resolve the national problems through discussion. “We shouldn’t do politics with the past. We should think of the present and future.”
The Jatiya Party leader said political instability will be a disaster for the country. “If we can not resolve the political problems, what shall we say to the people?”
She urged all to work together for creating employment for the youths and control population in the country, saying that the “youths are heading towards the wrong path because of the absence of our guidance.”
Raushan Ershad urged all the MPs not to talk about the dead and respected persons. Don’t hurt those who have already passed away.
Criticizing the recent unhealthy debates in the House, she said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the Father of the Nation and he will have to be kept above all debates as he is nobody’s personal property, he is for the nation and the country.”
Raushan Ershad also urged all to stop debate on the proclamation of the independence and said all should sit together to write the real history for the future generation without any distortion. (Source: UNB)
C: News
Mandela’s health improved overnight
The office of the South African president says Nelson Mandela’s health improved overnight, and his condition remains critical but is now stable.
President Jacob Zuma’s office said in a statement Thursday that he received the update from the medical team that is treating the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader at a Pretoria hospital.
Zuma, who visited Mandela on Thursday, says in the statement that the former president is “much better” than when Zuma visited him on the previous night.
His office says it is disturbed by what it calls rumors about Mandela’s health. Unconfirmed reports and speculation about Mandela have been swirling on social media and other forums. (Source: UNB)
C: lead
Let Grameen Bank function on its own: Fakhrul
Terming the move to split Grameen Bank a conspiracy, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the government to shun its hegemony and let the Nobel-winning microcredit institution to function on its own.
“The Grameen Bank Inquiry Commission proposed splitting the organisation into 19 entities. We think it’s a conspiratorial move…the government is doing this just out of its hostile attitude towards Nobel laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, ” he said.
Fakhrul was talking to reporters at BNP’s Nayaplatan central office after an hour-long meeting with Dr Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank, at The Yunus Centre in the city’s Mirpur area in the morning.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Sabih Uddin Ahmed accompanied Fakhrul during the meeting.
Condemning the government’s move, the BNP acting secretary general said his party will be there with the Bank’s 84 lakh women borrowers and it will put the microcredit organisation back into its original shape once it is voted to power.
“I call upon the government to retreat from the path of plot shunning arrogance and realising the ground reality. Let the Grameen Bank operate on its own,” he said.
Asked bout his meeting with Yunus, Fakhrul said he went to The Yunus Centre to greet him for receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal recently.
“We discussed the present state of the Grameen Bank. We also extended our support to the bank and assured him that BNP will always be there with it,” he added.
Replying to another question, the BNP spokesman said they did not discuss political matters during the meeting, “It’s not wise to talk about politics with him as he is not a politician.”
Fakhrul said it is impossible to build Padma Bridge without World Bank assistance and the floating of tender for its construction with own resources are nothing but ravings of mad man.
He alleged the WB has retreated from funding for the bridge due to the government’s stubbornness and hegemony. “The government has lost the World Bank loan for the bridge only to save a corrupt individual.”
Fakhrul accused the Prime Minister of pushing the nation towards uncertainty, violence and bloodshed by unilaterally scrapping the non-party caretaker government system from the Constitution.
The BNP leader urged the government to reinstate the caretaker system and arrange the next polls under it realising the pulse of people.
Earlier on Sunday, BNP leader Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Dr Osman Farooque handed over Yunus a congratulatory letter of party chairperson Khaleda Zia at Yunus Centre in Mirpur for receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal.
In her letter, Khaleda, also leader of the opposition in parliament, described Yunus as a globally acclaimed person and greeted him for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal.
On April 17 this year, Prof Muhammad Yunus received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award of the United States, in recognition of his efforts for combating global poverty.
C:Business
Forex reserve crossed $15-billion this May
Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserve again crossed the $ 15-billion mark, totaling $ 15,291.74 million as of 26 June this year, up from $ 14,531.42 million on 30 May.
The forex reserve also witnessed a hefty increase of $ 5,172.71 million from the $ 10,119.03 million registered on 26 June last year, according to statistics released by the Bangladesh Bank on Thursday.
Data on taka-dollar exchange rate showed that the taka appreciated slightly, trading at Tk 77.7503 against the dollar on 26 June this year against Tk 77.7504 on 30 May.
According to the central bank statistics, revenue collection by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) during the July-April period of the current fiscal marked an encouraging 16.09 percent growth to Tk 83,031.03 crore.
Remittances from the Bangladeshi wage earners abroad stood at $ 13,395.10 million during the July-May period of the current fiscal (2012-13), a growth of 13.78 percent over $ 11,772.57 million during the corresponding period of the last fiscal (2011-12).
The statistics available from the Bangladesh Bank on Thursday (27 June) showed that the country’s remittances maintained a negative trend in May this year with a 6.69 percent fall to fetch $ 1,079.39 million compared to $ 1,156.82 million in May last year.
The current account balance is in an advantageous position – $ 2,161 million for the July-April period of the current fiscal year.
Buoyed by the moderate performances of the RMG, leather and leather products, and agricultural products, exports maintained a growth of 10.67 percent during the July-May period, totaling $ 24,321.90 million. The imports amounted to $ 28,172.40 million during the July-April period having a fall of 5.63 percent.
The central bank statistics also showed that during the period of July-April, L/Cs worth $ 29,928.41 million for food grains, capital machinery, petroleum, industrial raw materials were opened, while L/Cs worth $ 26,780.77 million were settled.
Statistics on agricultural credit disbursement showed that about 91.97 percent of the target was achieved during the July-May period as disbursement was Tk 12,995.22 crore while the recovery was Tk 12,557.02 crore. (Source: UNB)
C: lead
8 get life term for double murder in Sylhet
A court here on Thursday convicted 12 people and sentenced eight of them to life term imprisonment and four others to different terms of jail in connection with a double murder case in Companyganj upazila in 2008.
The lifers are: Sona Mia, Lal Mia, Hira Mia, Indu Mia, Abdus Sobhan, Abdullah, Abdus Sahid and Abul Kausar of Boula village in Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj district.
The court also fined them TK 10,000 each, in default, to suffer six months more in RI.
Among the four other convicts, Tendal Mia and Shamsul Haque were awarded 10 years imprisonment and fined TK 5,000 each, in default, to suffer six months jail while Sahin Mia and Chandan were sentenced to one month jail.
According to the case statement, two brothers- Faruk Mia and Akal Mia were beaten to death and their two brothers injured in an attack by the convicts following previous enmity over a piece of land at a paddy field at Halukia Beel in Companyganj upazila on January 13, 2008.
A case was filed against 16 people in this connection.
After examining the records and witnesses, District and Session Judge Mizanur Rahman handed down the verdict acquitting Abdur Rab, Abul Hasan, Jakir Hossain and Chamak Ali as their guilt was not proved. (Source: UNB)
C: Business
GB Employees urge PM to stop `move to split the bank’
Suspecting trickery in the government move to split the micro-finance institution Grameen Bank (GB), its employees now seek Prime Minister’s intervention to stop it.
Talking to UNB about the much talked about speculation that the bank will be split into 19 entities, Grameen Bank Employees Association leaders on Thursday also mentioned that they will stand firm against the move to split the Bank.
Association general secretary Mohsin Reza said: “From media reports, we’ve come to know that the government is planning to split the bank into 19 entities. We can’t find any rationale for this. It’s a move to swallow the bank more easily. It will be a slaughter.”
He said the Grameen Bank is run by about 84 lakh women stakeholders across the country and “the government has no right” to take over its control from them.
Most of the employees of the bank are also against the move and are thinking of spearheading a strong movement to protect the bank, Mohsin Reza added.
Earlier, at a press conference at the Grameen Bank headquarters on Wednesday, Grameen Bank Employees Association president Samshul Alam urged the Prime Minister for her initiative to stop the ‘trickery with the bank of the poor’.
He sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to stop the move for splitting the bank, reportedly proposed by the recently formed Grameen Bank Commission.
The Grameen Bank Commission through a recent circular on the Yunus Centre website has called for a workshop, titled `Future Structure of Grameen Bank: Some Options’, on July 2.
The Employees Association president Samshul Alam demanded cancellation of the workshop, claiming it to be a part of the plot to swallow the bank.
He also declared a black flag-hoisting programme at all the Grameen Bank offices and stations across the country unless the workshop is cancelled.
Reading out a written statement at the press conference, Samshul Alam said: “We earnestly request the honourable Prime Minister that if you’re a real fried of the poor, if you really love the people of the country, please stop the trickery with the ‘bank of the poor’.”
“We urge the Grameen Bank Commission chairman trough you to cancel the workshop scheduled for July 2.
“If the workshop on July 2 is not cancelled, we’ll hoist black flags at 2,555 Grameen Bank branches in Bangladesh as well as at 266 area offices, 40 zonal audit offices, 40 zonal offices, and at the headquarters,” he added.
Samshul Alam said that all the officers and employees of Grameen Bank will wear black badges to let the people of the country know that ‘the people in power will be sitting to slaughter the Noble prize winning bank’.
C: Governance
BUET teacher sentenced 7yrs in prison for PM death threat
A Dhaka court on Thursday sentenced absconding BUET teacher Hafizur Rahman Rana to seven years in prison for threatening to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a Facebook post.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Zahirul Haque pronounced the verdict.
Rana is with the Mechanical Engineering department at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
The court’s Additional Public Prosecutor Tapas Kumar Pal told bdnews24.com that the judge gave convict two years under penal code and two more under article 57 of ICT law.
A pro-government platform had filed a General Diary with Shahbagh Police on Apr 23 last year accusing the BUET teacher of conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister.
The complaint alleged that Rana’s posting likened the Prime Minister to a ‘hyena’ who feasted on the country and was now eyeing the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
The posting said all efforts to protect her will come to nothing as “I will shoot her first in the head and then in the stomach before displaying her head in front of BUET as a warning to ward off other hyenas”.
The court’s Additional Public Prosecutor Shah Alam Talukdar said that Shahbagh Police Station’s Inspector Biplob Kishore Shil filed a case based on the GD after investigation.
Charges were framed on Sep 25 last year.
The High Court had earlier summoned a Jahangirnagar University teacher for wishing death of the Prime Minister in his Facebook posting. The teacher, who was in Australia then, was sentenced to six months in jail for ignoring the court order. (Source: bdnews24.com)
C:Business
Don’t leave Bangladesh: FM urges OECD countries
Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni has urged the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries to remain engaged with Bangladesh, including its RMG industry.
She also said the multinational brands and retailers need to engage with Bangladesh RMG conforming to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs).
The Foreign Minister said this while delivering the inaugural address at the first OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business at the OECD headquarters, Paris on invitation by the OECD Secretary General, said Foreign Ministry release on Thursday.
Dipu Moni raised the issues of fair pricing of products and need to support long-term capacity building given an overwhelming female employment in the sector.
Later in the day, she shared an account of the measures taken by the government on ensuring the rights of the workers and overall safety in factories.
The Foreign Minister particularly elaborated the legal and institutional changes being made by the government during the recent months; and assured them of early passage of the proposed amendments to the Labour Law.
During discussions, the representatives from various OECD countries, academia and the industry conveyed their appreciation for the aspects highlighted by Dipu Moni.
Earlier, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria, a former Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs of Mexico, apprised Dipu Moni about a greater emphasis and dialogue that OECD has initiated with the industry to ensure responsible business conduct in doing business elsewhere like in Bangladesh.
During the day, the Foreign Minister also met Chairman of OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Eric Solheim. French Deputy Minister for Development Cooperation Pascal Canfin also met Dipu Moni. Later, he Foreign Minister met her French counterpart Laurent Fabius, when two the ministers discussed various issues of mutual interest.
She also attended a fashion show organised by the Bangladeshi-origin Unseco Goodwill Ambassador Bibi Russel at the Unesco headquarters, and the foundation-laying ceremony of International Mother Language Monument in Paris.
In the morning, leader of the Ismailia Community Aga Khan and the Foreign Minister discussed possible engagements of Aga Khan Development Network in Bangladesh in various areas.
Dipu Moni also met the French Minister for Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq when they discussed, among others, the possible ways of further developing Bangladesh RMG industry.
Before her departure from Paris, the representatives of Bangladesh community in France met the minister at the Bangladesh Embassy.
C: Politics
Jamaat-Hefazat to turn country ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan’: Sajeda
Deputy Leader of Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that Jamaat-Hefajat nexus with the assistance of BNP is trying to make the country ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan’.
“This nexus is now trying to throw the women of the country into the age of darkness. Whatever they say people of the country know their intention very well,” she said in Parliament, taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget for next fiscal (2013-14).
Sajeda Chowdhury requested opposition leader Khaleda Zia not to cause any harm to the women. “Fundamentalists will use you and later abuse you as they had done to a woman journalist,” she said and urged Khaleda Zia to sever her link with the Jamaat-Hefazat nexus for the sake of the country’s women.
Talking about the recent badmouthing by some MPs, the Deputy Leader of the House requested all to refrain from such practice4. “Please leave this practice, play your due role in Parliament,” she said.
She requested the Finance Minister to withdraw his proposal to increase the duty on newsprint import.
In the proposed budget, the Finance Minister proposed to impose 25 percent duty instead of the existing three percent on the import of newsprint.
Sajeda also requested the Finance Minister to withdraw the proposal to increase the duty on cylinder import. She also suggested increasing the interest rate of the savings certificates to increase the internal income of the government. (Source: UNB)
C: govern
Charge-framing hearing against 4 bloggers Aug 25
A Dhaka court on Thursday deferred until August 25 the charge-framing hearing against four bloggers in two cases filed for posting “derogatory comments about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SM)” on the Internet.
Metropolitan Session’s Judge M Zahurul Haque passed the order in the presence of three bloggers — Moshiur Rahman Biplab, Subrata Adhikary Shuvo and Rasel Parvez – who are now out on bail.
The court also granted bail to Asif Mohiuddin.
Detective Branch of police arrested the four bloggers for posting “derogatory write-ups about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)” on the Internet.
Of them Asif was arrested on April 3 while the rest on April 2.
Police filed two cases -– one against Asif and the other against Shuvo, Biplab and Parvez –- under the Information Communication Technology Act 2006 on April 17.
Shuvo is a student of Bangla Department at Dhaka University while Biplab and Rasel are former DU students. (Source: UNB)
C: News
Two killed in Dhaka fire
A couple died and one of their children sustained injuries in a fire at their residence in Dhaka’s Khilgaon area on Thursday.
Another child of the couple miraculously escaped unhurt in the fire.
Officials blamed short-circuit for the fire.
Families said Siraj Ullah worked for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Dhaka.
Spokesperson at the JICA Dhaka Office told journalists that Siraj Ullah was the field consultant at one of its support programmes for “Strengthening the Capacity of Teachers Training in Primary Teachers Training Institutes to Improve Classroom Teaching” under the Directorate of Primary Education.
He was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital along with his wife Kaniz Fatema and child Sifat with serious burn injuries at around 7:00am, Rampura Police Station Officer in-Charge Delwar Hossain said.
Fatema succumbed one and a half hour later while Siraj Ullah died at around 1:15am, DMCH Police Outpost Inspector Mozammel Hoque told journalists.
“Their son Sifat is in critical condition,” he said.
Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room official Nazma Akhter said their fire-fighters doused flames after half an hour.
“The second floor of the seven-storied building caught fire due to short-circuit,” she said.
Kaniz’s brother in-law Ilhalum Islam Kanak told journalists that Siraj Ullah was a Deputy Director in the Directorate of Primary Education before JICA job.
Another child of the couple Sihab escaped unhurt, he said. (Source: bdnews24.com)
C: busi
Telenor, Ooredoo win Myanmar telecom licenses
Myanmar granted licenses Thursday to Norway’s Telenor and Ooredoo of Qatar to set up the country’s first foreign-owned mobile phone networks.
Currently less than 6 million of country’s 60 million people have mobile phones, one of the lowest connectivity rates in the world. Hoping to spur economic growth, the government is trying to push penetration rates to 80 percent by 2016.
The licenses were awarded despite an eleventh hour push by lawmakers to delay a decision until a new telecommunications law is passed.
Of the more than 90 companies that submitted bids, 11 were short-listed.
Myanmar, located in the heart of one of the fastest growing regions in the world, became one of the most isolated and poorest nations during its half-century of iron-clad military rule.
After taking control of a quasi-civilian government in 2011, former general Thein Sein started implementing promised political and economic reforms.
The communications industry, long-neglected by the country’s military rulers, is in need of a complete overhaul. That’s in part because the original network was intended for only a tiny number of subscribers, mostly the rich. Up until a few years ago, the cost of SIM cards could reach $2,000. (Source: UNB)
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