Polnews24: 07/01/2011

Sunday

Muktijoddha oust Sk Russel

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com) - Muktijoddha Sangsad moved into the semi-finals of the Grameenphone Super Cup after they defeated Sheikh Russel KC 2-1 in the last match of Group B at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday.

The Reds will meet Dhaka Abahani in the second semi-final while Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting will meet Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in other semi.

Mithun Chowdhury (45+2 minutes) and Bukola (67 minutes) scored for Muktijoddha cancelling out Effiong Duke's 33rd minute effort for Sheikh Russel.

Muktijoddha earned four points, Mohammedan grabbed two and Russell earned one point from the group.

Effiong put Russel ahead after midfielder Raju paved the way for the Cameroonian and blasted home from the middle of the box.

Mithun equalised for Mukitjoddha in the added time of the first half after Russell custodian Mamun Khan dived into the feet of Motiur Munna but unmarked Mithun placed the rebounder into the empty net.

Muktijoddha went ahead after Motiur Munna's placing off a Dami free kick was saved but Bukola tapped the ball into the far post.

Muktijoddha were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Maruf was sent off after his second bookable offence in the 83rd minute.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Wednesday deferred the semi-finals and the final of the Grameenphone Super Cup to allow the national team to prepare for their World Cup pre-qualifier play-off against Lebanon.

The national booters will practice on Friday.

Bangladesh play Lebanon in the first leg at home on July 23 and the second leg on July 28.

The Super Cup semis were scheduled to be held on July 16 and 17 and the final on July 19.

Bangladesh League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Abahani Limited booked their spots after finishing goalless on Wednesday. Sheikh Jamal topped Group A with four points and Abahani ended with two.

TEAMS

Muktijoddha: Biplob, Rajani, Paul Dammi, Nasiruddin, Sweet, Motiur Munna, Maruf, Arman Aziz (Jahed Parvez) Mithun, Bukola, Rony (Alamgir Rana).

Sheikh Russell: Mamun Khan, Aminul, Prodip, Bappi, Abbas Inusha, Moro Mohammed, Manik, Raju, Yusuf (Emon Babu) , Effiong Duke (Wahed), Bangoura Ismael.

Referee: Abdul Hannan Miron

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Libya meeting seeks Gaddafi exit to end war

Other International

Author / Source : Independent Online/Reuters

ISTANBUL: Western and Arab powers begin talks in Turkey on Friday aimed at finding a political solution for Libya that would persuade Muammar Gaddafi to give up power and end a conflict that could otherwise drag on interminably.

The fourth meeting of the Libya contact group, established in London in March, comes after reports suggesting Gaddafi might be ready to give up his 41-year rule if he could get a deal.

Yet the Libyan leader remains as unpredictable as ever, and no one appears sure whether he intends to fight in hope of keeping his grip on the territory round Tripoli or seek an exit strategy that guarantees security for himself and his family.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton are among more than a dozen foreign ministers taking part in the Istanbul meeting.

The heads of NATO, the Arab League and other regional organizations are also due to attend.

They will listen to a report from U.N. Secretary-General's special envoy on Libya, Abdul Elah Al-Khatib, on the result of his contacts with the Gaddafi government in Tripoli and the rebel National Transitional Council in the eastern city of Benghazi.

"Our expectation is to discuss what might happen in Libya post-Gaddafi, and how we can help the opposition in Benghazi," a senior Turkish official told Reuters.

On Thursday Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu dined with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Rasmussen had earlier called on NATO members to provide more warplanes to bomb Libyan military targets, as the alliance seeks to keep military pressure on Gaddafi while protecting civilians from his forces.

"We can't protect civilians in Libya effectively if we are not prepared to take out critical military units on the ground that can be used to attack civilians. This is the reason why we do air-to-ground strikes," Rasmussen said in The Hague on Thursday.

The contact group will also hear from representatives of the Libyan opposition, whose forces are struggling to make decisive push toward Tripoli despite attacking from the east and west.

Mahmoud Jebril, a senior member of the rebel council, said in Brussels on Wednesday that there had been no negotiations so far with Gaddafi's regime to stop the war.

STAY OR GO

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said this week that emissaries from Gaddafi's government in contact with NATO members had said that Gaddafi was ready to quit.

But Clinton said the Gaddafi camp was putting out "contradictory signals" and the Libyan leader had yet to meet any of the international community's demands, namely to cease violence against his people, withdraw his forces and step down.

Any solution could hinge on whether Gaddafi, after stepping down, is allowed to stay in Libya or take refuge in a third country, regardless of an International Criminal Court's investigation into crimes against his people.

A British-led team planning post-conflict Libya, has recommended that Gaddafi's security forces be left intact in order to avoid errors made after the Iraq war. [ID:nL6E7HS2AF].

Foreign powers want to ensure the oil rich North African country of 6 million emerges as a stable democracy rather than fall prey to ethnic or tribal conflict, or become a haven for Islamist militants.

The Istanbul meeting is being co-chaired by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. China and Russia, two powers who have taken a softer line toward Gaddafi, were invited to attend the contact group meeting for the first time, but China refused and it was uncertain what level of representation Russia might send.

Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would use all channels to try to help start a political process and end the conflict.

Turkey and the African Union have proposed separate road maps aimed at establishing a ceasefire and moving through stages from Gaddafi quitting power to a democratic transition, and the contact group will seek to agree on a single plan.

Turkey has also stressed the need to help Libyan people through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins at the start of August this year.

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2 killed, 6 injured in Dinajpur boiler blast

Dhaka: Opposition chief whip Joynal Abdin Farroque, severely beaten by police during hartal hours on Wednesday, being taken for medical treatment by his party colleagues. -Photo: Zahiduddin Ahmed Saimon See details

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PM surprised at Khaleda's remarks about Constitution

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she is amazed at opposition leader Khaleda Zia's 'indecent' remarks about the Constitution, reports UNB.

Khaleda Zia at the BNP-sponsored mass hunger strike Wednesday stated that the amended (15th) constitution is nothing but AL manifesto which will be thrown away, if BNP returns to power.

"How can she make such an indecent remark about the Constitution? She is the Leader of the Opposition in parliament and enjoying facilities of a full minister on the basis this Constitution," Hasina said.

The Prime Minister came up with her observations when the newly elected central working committee of Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) met her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Thursday morning.

IDEB president AKMA Hamid and general secretary Shamsur Rahman led the delegation. State Minister for ICT Yafes Osman also spoke on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said such remark about the Constitution is only possible from the opposition leader as she and her party always think about grabbing the state power through coup, killing and conspiracy.

"Her husband Ziaur Rahman had grabbed the state power through killing and coup. So, it is not unusual that a military dictator's wife would make such remarks," Hasina observed.

She said the anti-liberation forces would not be able to protect the corrupt and the killers Ivy Rahman and other Awami League workers killed in the August 21 grenade attacks.

"The money launderers and the killers would not be spared. They must be brought to book," she said.

The Prime Minister said the military dictators and anti-liberation forces had distorted the Constitution after killing Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.

"After returning to power through people's votes, we have been able to free the Constitution of stigma by amending the Constitution," she added.

She said the Opposition Leader and her party do not need to have any Constitution as they are accustomed to grab state power through illegal means.

Hasina also accused the opposition leader and her party of trying to save the culprits of the August 21 grenade attack, the war criminals of 1971 liberation war and her sons from serious charges of corruption and money laundering.

The war criminals would also be tried, she reiterated.

Hasina said after killing of Bangabandhu, Ziaur Rahman set free all the war criminals and rehabilitated them.

"She (Khaleda Zia) also made the killers MPs and provided them jobs in the foreign missions," the Prime Minister said.

During the August 21 grenade attacks, Hasina said law enforcing agencies charged batons on the victims instead of protecting the people and trying to arrest the attackers.

The Prime Minister reiterated that her government would never allow any terrorist activity in the country.

She told the engineers that the nation needs skill and hard labour of the engineers to drive the country to the peak of development.

Hasina said the nation does not want to remain dependent on others. "We want to establish Bangladesh as self-reliant in all sectors."

The Prime Minister said Awami League-led grand alliance government has come to power to work for economic emancipation of the people.

"To us, power is not a means of amassing wealth. We have been voted to power to change fate of the people," she said.

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Public transport to have insurance: Muhith

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com)?The government has moved to bring the public transports under large-scale insurance to maintain normal transport activities in general strikes.

"We will bring the vehicles of BRTC (state-run Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation) under insurance," finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith told reporters on Wednesday after a meeting on the matter with businessmen from different sectors.

"The businessmen would hold campaigns in division to bring the private transports under insurance," he said.

He said, "People are afraid to drive their vehicles during hartal as those could be vandalised any moment. Their fear will reduce gradually if the vehicles are insured."

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries president A K Azad, Beximco group vice-chairman Salman F Rahman and Bangladesh Insurance Association chairman Sheikh Kabir Hossain attended the meeting.

Kabir said, "Public transport insurance system is still in effect. But few insurances give compensation. We are taking initiatives to promote large-scale insurance."

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Central bank allows online payment of fees abroad

FE Report

The central bank has relaxed foreign exchange rules allowing online payment of fees abroad by using international credit cards (ICCs) on internet, officials said.

Under the relaxed rules, professionals and students who are interested to study abroad, will be able to remit their membership fees and admission-related payments using the ICCs.

"We've relaxed payment mode for professionals and students in making payments for fees for membership and admission-related purposes," a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) told the FE Thursday.

The central bank issued a circular in this connection Thursday, directing the chief executives of all commercial banks to follow the new rules about making such payments aboard.

Under the latest decision by the BB, ICCs may be used for online payment, through internet, of fees, in line with the existing guidelines about foreign exchange transactions (GFET), according to the circular.

The banks are allowed to remit funds for making

payment of fees of foreign professional and scientific institutions and fees for applications, registrations, admission, examinations like TOFEL and SAT in connection with admission to educational institutions at abroad, according to the GFET.

Currently, such funds are being transferred to the foreign institutions by way of telegraphic transfers, money transfers and drafts.

"Individuals, who are entitled to use such facilities, will be benefited by paying a minimum cost for fund transfers and to receive immediate confirmation from their recipient sides," the central bank official added.

He also said the individuals, not holding ICCs in their names, may also make such online payments through internet using 'Virtual Card' for the required amount of money by an ICC-issuing bank.

Virtual Card means a number with security code, generally known as pin code, issued by the card or information technology (IT) division of the bank concerned that is used to remit the fund, the BB official added.

"Online ICC transactions including virtual card transactions will have to be reported to the central bank, in line with the existing guidelines," he said, adding that the central bank will monitor such payments closely.

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State approaches HC afresh against Shah Alam

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com) ? The state counsels have prayed for fresh hearing on a tax-evasion case appeal petition on which the High Court has already voided sentencing Bashundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam.

The High Court bench of justices M A Hai and Mohammad Rezaul Hasan on Wednesday heard the government petition on whether rehearing in the appeal could be allowed.

The court set Tuesday next for further hearing.

Alam had been convicted and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment by a special court on Sept 30, 2008 for tax evasion.

The court had also fined him Tk 830 million and ordered confiscation of his company property worth about Tk 225 million.

Deputy tax commissioner of Circle-8 of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Kabiruddin Mollah on Aug 13, 2007 filed the case against him for evading Tk 84.8 million in income taxes between the fiscal years 2004 and 2007.

The High Court on June 20 this year granted an appeal of Alam and scrapped his jail sentence.

Attorney general Mahbubey Alam on Wednesday made a petition for fresh hearing of the appeal.

Three lawyers of the Bashundhara chief ? barrister Rafiq-ul Haque, Anisul Haque and Ahsanul Karim ? argued that there was no scope for rehearing as per law.

Mahbubey Alam submitted the High Court verdict was verbal and the two justices were yet to sign on the verdict copy.

"The deputy attorney general was given no scope to submit during the hearing on the appeal. In this circumstance, we want to hold hearing on the appeal again."

Rafiq-ul said that there is no scope of review. "The justices did not sign in the verdict on the Seventh and 13th amendments to the constitution. The justices have gone on retirement. But is there any scope for rehearing in the amendments?" he questioned.

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Akram asks for change in selection procedure

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com) ? Bangladesh chief selector Akram Khan has proposed a change in the BCB's policy that currently allows the board's technical committee to discuss the selectors' choices, following a delay in the announcement of the squad for the Zimbabwe tour.

There is speculation that the delay is due to meddling by an influential director who is part of the committee, which has reportedly not gone down well with BCB chief Mustafa Kamal, reports ESPNcricinfo.

As is normal practice, Akram conferred with the five directors on the technical committee before submitting his team to Kamal (via the cricket operations committee) on Wednesday evening, but the final squad has not yet been announced - an unusual wait given the quick approval normally given by the board chief.

Akram denied that there was interference from any particular director, but asked for a system that would hold the selection panel accountable for the team's performance, in place of the existing procedure.

"We knew about this policy of talking with the technical committee when we signed the contract, so we have to abide by it," he said.

"It would have been better if they could evaluate our performance after we had selected the team."

It is now not clear when the team will be named; with the committee's directors off to Sylhet for a meeting, it is assumed that a press conference is out of the question on Friday or Saturday.

A press release is expected but only after the BCB's approval.

The remit of the technical committee, chaired by Enayet Hossain Siraj, is to discuss the squad with the selectors before it goes for board approval.

The body was created during Rafiqul Alam's reign and has since been regularly condemned by local media for interfering with selection matters.

There is widespread speculation that the committee impeded the previous selection panel on occasions, and even tried to force a change in the World Cup squad.

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SEC gets another member

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com)? The government has appointed former district judge M A Salam Sikder to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to make the capital market regulator five-strong.

The finance ministry announced the appointment on Wednesday. Sikder has been appointed for three years.

The government has been overhauling the securities watchdog following an investigation into Dec-Jan share bubble and bust.

SEC got four other new members in May. Former Bangladesh Bank executive director Mohammed Amzad Hossain and former president of Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association Arif Khan were appointed on May 29.

Before them, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh chairman M Khairul Hossain was made chairman of the regulator on May 15 and Chittagong University's accounting professor Helaluddin Nizami member on May 2.

Khairul replaced Ziaul Haque Khondker, who was appointed the seventh chairman of the market watchdog on May 3, 2009.

Following the suggestions made by the probe committee led by Khondaker Ibrahim Khaled on the stock market debacle, finance minister A M A Muhith said new members, including the chairman, would be appointed as part of the government move to restructure the SEC.

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Busacca named head of FIFA's refereeing department

Berne, July 13 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) ? Switzerland's Massimo Busacca, who refereed at the last two World Cups and took charge of the 2008 Champions League final, was named as the head of FIFA's refereeing department on Wednesday.

Busacca will also join FIFA's Task Force, headed by Franz Beckenbauer, which is looking at ways of making the game more attractive, football's governing body said in a statement.

The 42-year-old took charge of last season's Champions League round-of-sixteen tie between Barcelona and Arsenal when he infuriated the Premier League side by sending off Robbie Van Persie and was involved in an angry clash with Arsene Wenger afterwards.

He was also involved in controversy at the last World Cup when he awarded Uruguay a penalty for an alleged foul on Luis Suarez, who fell theatrically, and sent off South Africa's goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the same incident.

Uruguay, leading 1-0 at the time, went on to win 3-0 to leave South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira fuming.

Busacca's other stormy moment was in 2009 when he was banned for three matches after making an insulting gesture with his finger at Young Boys Berne supporters who were barracking him during a Swiss Cup match.

Busacca's international career spanned 12 years, including Euro 2008 and the UEFA Cup final in 2007. He refereed more than 250 Swiss League matches.

"As I have said on many occasions, I have made refereeing one of my main priorities," said FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

"Massimo Busacca's experience will prove to be particularly useful to our mission and to our efforts to continue the groundwork we have put in place with the confederations and member associations in this particularly important area."

Busacca will work on the administration and development of refereeing, implement decisions taken by FIFA's referees committee, carry out tasks related to the logistics of refereeing and organise courses.

He will report to the referee's committee.

"I now intend to pass my knowledge on to my refereeing colleagues to ensure that refereeing continues to improve and to help it to prepare better for the future.

"This is something that I am very passionate about, and it is a role that I have accepted with great pride and pleasure."

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Govt won't influence polls: PM

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com)?Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the outgoing British envoy that her government would not influence any elections.

"The government aims at strengthening the Election Commission that will conduct polls independently," her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters on Wednesday quoting Hasina.

Stephen Evans, the UK high commissioner in Bangladesh, called on the prime minister at her office in the morning. He will join NATO following the completion of his three-year term in Bangladesh.

Hasina claimed that the by-elections and elections to the Chittagong City Corporation and local government were fair. "The government did not manipulate any of the elections."

At his meeting with opposition BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on July 9, Evans had stressed on a free and acceptable-to-all election considering the current turmoil-like political situation.

The prime minister also told Evans that her government was showing zero-tolerance on militancy, and that the militants were not being allowed to regroup.

Hasina also said the judiciary was working independently, a claim which is dismissed by the main opposition.

"She said her government ensured human rights and justice," Azad added.

The prime minister also stressed on improving bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.

ABDUL ALIM FAMILY TO GET AID

The prime minister also said the government will provide financial assistance to the family of renowned folk musician late Abdul Aleem.

She made the pledge when members of the deceased's family had gone to meet her for assistance to treat the ailing wife of the singer.

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Muktijoddha reach last four beating Sheikh Russell

Muktijoddha Sangsad KC reached the last four of the Grameenphone Super Cup Football when they came from behind to snatch a 2-1 goals victory over Sheikh Russell KC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Thursday, reports UNB.

With the day's win, Muktijoddha SKC emerged group B champion with four points, while Sheikh Russell KC, which made exit from the meet with the day's loss, has one point as both complete their group matches.

Dhaka Mohammedan SC, which finished group B runners-up with two points, will play the first semifinal against group A champion Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, while Muktijoddha SKC will meet Dhaka Abahani Limited in the second semis.

Both the semifinals and the final will be held after the national team completes their home match of the World Cup qualifier against Lebanon on July 28.

Earlier, the two semifinals were scheduled for July 16 and 17 while the final on July 19.

In the day's match, Nigerian striker Alamu Bukola and Mithun Chowdhury scored one goal each for Muktijoddha Sangsad KC while Nigerian forward Effiong Duke netted the lone goal for Sheikh Russell KC.

The match was locked 1-1 during the first half.

Nigerian forward Effiong Duke scored first for Sheikh Russell KC in the 32 minute with a placing shot from inside the danger zone after taking a close pass from compatriot Bangoura Ismael (1-0).

But Mithun Chowdhury restored parity for Muktijoddha SKC in the injury time of the first half with a close range shot after the ball from Motiur Munna's attempt at goal came his way when it was fisted away by Sheikh Russell goalie (1-1).

After the lemon break, Sheikh Russell KC missed a certain goal in the 65th minute when advancing Duke's close header off a right wing minus by substitute Babu sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.

Nigerian striker Alamu Bukola confirmed the Muktijoddha SKC triumph in the 67th minute with a grounder from inside the D-box as Munna's well-judged shot from vantage position came his way after hitting the goalpost (2-1).

Sheikh Russell KC got another scoring chance to level the margin in the 85th minute, but as onrushing Duke pushed the ball off Ghanaian recruit Moro's right wing minus it narrowly went out of play beside the side bar.

Mithun Chowdhury of Muktijoddha Sangsad KC was adjudged the man of the match for his brilliant performance.

Muktijoddha Sangsad KC - Biplob, Rajani, Paul, Nasiruddin, Sweet, Motiur Munna, Maruf, Arman, Mithun (Johirul), Bukola, Ronny (Rana).

Sheikh Russel KC - Mamun, Aminul, Prodip, Bappi, Abbas, Moro, Manik, Raju, Yusuf (Babu), Duke (Wahed) and Ismael.

Referee - Abdul Hannan Miron.

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Liverpool agree fee for Villa's Downing

London, July 14 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Liverpool have agreed a fee with Aston Villa for England left winger Stewart Downing after the player handed in a transfer request, the Premier League clubs said on Wednesday.

"I can confirm that we have reached agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer received earlier today and the submission of a formal transfer request by Stewart Downing, and have subsequently given them permission to speak with the player," Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said.

Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool side, who finished sixth last season, have been on a midfield recruitment drive as they bid to break into the top four with Sunderland's Jordan Henderson and Blackpool's Charlie Adam having already joined the club.

"Liverpool FC tonight announced they had agreed a fee with Aston Villa for the transfer of Stewart Downing," Liverpool said in a statement without giving any financial details.

Media put the fee at 20 million pounds.

"Liverpool have now been granted permission to discuss personal terms with the player and arrange a medical," the club added on its website

Downing made his name at Middlesbrough thanks to his crossing ability and has earned 27 England caps, although the 26-year-old has never been a regular starter for his country.

Liverpool, who like Villa have an American owner, began their push to 'Buy British' with the capture of England striker Andy Carroll from Newcastle United in January.

Villa came ninth last season after a topsy-turvy campaign and new coach Alex McLeish has already lost winger Ashley Young to Manchester United with Downing set to follow.

However, Faulkner said on the club's website (www.avfc.co.uk): "We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad ahead of the coming season, and we are in discussions as such.

"We are working hard to conclude a deal for a goalkeeper who we believe can also strengthen the side," he added.

Villa's first-choice stopper, 40-year-old former US international Brad Friedel, joined fellow Premier league club Tottenham Hotspur last month.

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Announcement of team deferred

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com) ? Bangladesh team announcement for Zimbabwe tour awaits cricket board president's approval, says Akram Khan.

But the chief selector did not specify any other date to announce the team.

"We are working on it. We have sent the list of selected players to cricket board president A H M Mustafa Kamal and waiting for his approval," said chief selector Khan speaking with reporters in his office at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Minhajul Abedin Nannu and Habibul Bashar Sumon, the other selectors, accompanied Akram.

A 15-player team for Zimbabwe tour was supposed to be announced on July 14.

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US to face Japan in women's WC final

Moenchengladbach, July 14 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - The United States struck twice late in the second half to beat France 3-1 on Wednesday and will face Japan in the women's World Cup final.

The Japanese, playing in their first semi-final, beat Sweden by the same score with a double from Nahomi Kawasumi, including a spectacular 35-metre lob, to book a spot in Sunday's final.

On a rainy afternoon, the Americans, who won the title in 1991 and 1999 and have never finished below third place in a women's World Cup, took an early lead when Lauren Cheney flicked in a Carli Lloyd cross in the ninth minute.

France levelled after the break with a Sonia Bompastor cross that bounced past US keeper Hope Solo but two goals in three minutes from Abby Wambach (79th) and Alex Morgan (82nd) secured a third World Cup final appearance for the Americans.

"This is our journey, this is our dream," a beaming Wambach said. "France are a great team. There were moments they were outplaying us but I am so proud of this team."

"I know we are going to pull through. I have belief in this team. Everybody is working for each other."

In Frankfurt, captain Homare Sawa turned from villain to hero by putting Japan 2-1 up on the hour after her defensive error had given Sweden a 10th minute lead.

Josefine Oqvist pounced on Sawa's disastrous back pass, cut into the box and fired home from a tight angle but Japan recovered quickly as Kawasumi equalised nine minutes later after scrambling the ball over the line.

Sawa added the second with a close-range header after the Japanese had rattled the bar minutes into the second half and Kawasumi completed their comeback in style, catching Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl out with a spectacular lob.

FRENCH DOMINANCE

In Moenchengladbach, the Americans, who were under pressure from the start, scored against the run of play through Cheney but immediately dropped deep and some sloppy passing allowed France to come forward repeatedly.

"We lost our legs a bit but we picked up the fight," said US coach Pia Sundhage, whose team needed a penalty shootout to overcome Brazil in the last eight. "I think it was obvious we had heavy legs so we had to adjust."

With Sundhage sensing danger and bellowing from her coaching area, the French dominance almost paid off on the half hour when Gaetane Thiney tested Solo with a close-range effort.

Bompastor then rattled the bar with a fierce drive seconds later as France took complete control.

Wambach, who had scored an equaliser deep into extra time against Brazil, should have put the Americans further in front before the break but headed along the goal line from a metre.

The French got their just reward after 55 minutes when Bompastor levelled after whipping in a cross from the left that deceived Solo.

With France coach Bruno Bini bringing on another striker in the speedy Elodie Thomis as they went in search of the winner, the Americans struck at just the right time with Wambach making amends and heading in at the far post.

A smooth chip over keeper Berangere Sapowicz from Morgan three minutes later put the game beyond the French.

"We had our chances and we had a lot," Bini said. "We were as good as we could have been. But they have a lot of experience."

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We'll bin charter changes: Khaleda

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com) ? The BNP chairperson has said the recent amendments to the constitution were Awami League's own agenda, so her party will throw them away once in power.

After observing an eight-hour hunger strike on Wednesday, Khaleda Zia said, "We want to say these amendments are Awami manifesto, which will be thrown away the next time the government changes."

She reiterated that BNP would not let any election be held without a caretaker government.

"People will not accept if an election is held by Hasina and Ershad without BNP," she said, naming the heads of two of the ruling allies.

WARNING TO LAWMEN

Khaleda Zia expressed her anger on the 'excesses' of the police and RAB against the opposition.

"This government is not here forever. No one will be able to protect you when this government goes," she said.

She strongly criticised the police attack on the opposition chief whip. "The police should be saluting MPs. Instead, they are kicking democracy with their boots," she said.

Khaleda also warned intelligence agencies, saying, "Intelligence men have tortured our party men in the name of remand. I would tell them to refrain from this, otherwise they will face consequences."

PEOPLE ON HUNGER STRIKE EVERYDAY

The BNP chairperson said that BNP's observance of the eight-hour hunger strike was symbolic. "The people are on hunger strike everyday due to the high prices of essentials," she pointed out.

"We cannot let this government run any longer. We have to bring it down to break the people's hunger strikes," she said.

CORRIDOR NOT TRANSIT

The BNP chairperson demanded that the government make public the contracts made with India.

"The government did not present in parliament any agreement it signed, though the constitution says it must be done within a month striking the deal. On the contrary, they brought an amendment to cancel that provision," she said.

Criticising the transit agreement, she said, "That is not a transit agreement. The government has given India a corridor. The government must let us know what are the gives and takes of this deal."

She criticised the 'undemocratic role' of the government, saying the opposition was not being allowed to hold rallies, processions and other democratic rights.

Khaleda also demanded exemplary punishment to the teachers who sexually abuse students, including the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College teacher Parimal, who was recently arrested for abusing a student.

She went on to recount several incidents of sexual assault by the members of Chhatra League, the ruling party's student wing.

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Hasina snubs Khaleda for charter remarks

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com)?Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has derided opposition chief Khaleda Zia's remark that she will throw the amended constitution out once in power.

The nation does not expect such 'indecent' remarks about the 'sacred' constitution, she said on Thursday.

"It is only natural for the opposition leader to deliver such speech as her husband [Ziaur Rahman] trampled the constitution by usurping power," Hasina said at a programme of the newly elected officers of the Institution of Diploma Engineers (IDE).

The BNP chairperson on Wednesday said the recent amendments to the constitution were Awami League's own agenda, so her party would throw them away once in office.

The amendment to the constitution made on June 30 annulled the caretaker government system, introduced through the 13th amendment in 1996. The main opposition, from the very beginning, has been protesting the move.

Hasina reiterated that the BNP and its key ally Jamaat were trying to hinder the ongoing trials of the 'war criminals, grenade assailants, money-launderers and corrupt'.

In the ongoing trial of war crimes, five top leaders of the BNP and two others of Jamaat-e-Islami are currently facing charges.

Khaleda's elder son Tarique Rahman is currently facing charges for money laundering while younger son Arafat Rahman Coco has been convicted for a similar crime. Tarique, also BNP's senior vice-chairman, has 14 cases against him on charges of corruption and extortion. Two arrest warrants have been issued for him in the Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack.

The prime minister pointed out that the trial of Pakistani occupation army's collaborators had begun following the 1971 war. "Citizenship of many people was scrapped and a number of others were arrested too.

"But it was Ziaur Rahman who had freed those 'war criminals' and also rehabilitated them in politics by a military order. Many of them went on to become ministers and MPs," she added.

After gaining independence on Dec 16, 1971, the government of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken initiatives to try the local collaborators.

Some 37,471 collaborators, mainly comprising the Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams militias, were detained, and the trial of 2,848 people was completed by Oct 31, 1973. The court sentenced 752 to death.

Some 26,000 were freed under a general amnesty announced on Nov 30, 1973. But those accused of killing, rape, loot, arson and abduction were not granted amnesty.

Proceedings for the trial of around 11,000 accused were underway after the amnesty, but the process was halted after Sheikh Mujib's killing in 1975.

Despite trying them subsequently, Hasina alleged, Ziaur Rahman appointed some of them as Bangladesh's ambassadors in several countries.

"His [Ziaur Rahman] wife Khaleda Zia made Bangabandhu's murderer Col Rashid the opposition leader and another assassinator Huda an MP through the Feb 15 election without any voter," she said.

The prime minister said the imposition of martial law killed the spirit of Liberation War embedded in the constitution. "The politics of capturing power through killings and coup started since then."

She said her government reinstated the spirit of the Liberation War in the charter through the 15th Amendment.

"It was possible for us to do as people fetched a huge victory to the grand-alliance government through voting in the last general election," she said and thanked the people for their gesture.

State minister for science and information and communications technology Yeafesh Osman, IDE president A K M A Hamid and general secretary Mohammad Shamsur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

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'Punishment to transport owners too for accidents'

FE Report

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain has said the government will include a provision of punishment to the transport owners in the Motor Vehicles Act, which is now under revision, in view of their responsibility in connection with road accidents.

"The drivers are certainly responsible for road accidents but the owners may project such unwanted situations to make them conscious about the value of lives," the minister told reporters Thursday after he visited Mirsarai of Chittagong district to express sympathy to the families of the schoolboys who died in a truck accident last Monday.

Some 39 students of a Mirsarai school met their end of lives when a truck carrying them home from a football match skidded off the road into a canal.

The incident cast a spell of grief over the entire nation. The educational institutions across the country observed a day mourning Wednesday wearing black badges. Most of the envoys of foreign missions also expressed their condolences over the accident.

During his visit to the spot of the accident the minister admitted that the driver was mainly responsible for the worst-ever such accident. He however said the elderly people who arranged the boys' return from the place in a truck also had some responsibility.

The minister visited some houses of the victims' families and declared providing Tk 25,000 for each family of the deceased and Tk 10,000 each for those who were injured.

He also offered education free of cost for other children of these families in his constituency up to high level.

Secretary of newly set-up Railway Division and chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation accompanied the minister during the visit.

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Sister Wives family to challenge Utah polygamy laws

SALT LAKE CITY, July 14 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - The family featured on the US reality TV series "Sister Wives," about an advertising executive and four women he calls spouses, is challenging the government's right to criminalize its lifestyle, the family's lawyer said.

The family, in a lawsuit to be filed on Wednesday, will challenge Utah's bigamy statute. It is not trying to get the government to recognize plural marriage, just to stay out of the intimate affairs of consenting adults.

"We are only challenging the right of the state to prosecute people for their private relations and demanding equal treatment with other citizens in living their lives according to their own beliefs," family attorney Jonathan Turley said in a statement.

"Sister Wives", which has just concluded its second season, premiered in the US on cable television in September, earning strong ratings while also drawing the attention of authorities in the Utah town of Lehi, south of Salt Lake city, where the family shared a large house.

The show documents the world of Kody Brown, then 41, and the four women he lives with -- Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn -- along with their children, as they seek to fit in with mainstream society while maintaining their religious beliefs in plural marriage.

Brown is legally married to just one of the women, but counts the three others as "sister wives," a term in polygamous sects that refers to a husband's multiple marital partners.

Turley said earlier this year that the Browns and their 16 children moved from their Lehi, Utah home to an undisclosed location in Nevada.

Lehi residents had complained about the publicity and felt the show depicted their community in an unsavory light.

Utah law enforcement officials conducted an investigation into the family but no charges have been filed, and their lawyer has previously praised prosecutors for their "commendable discretion and judgment" in the case.

He has said that in the past, Utah officials had made it clear to polygamous families that they would not pursue them absent evidence of another crime, such as child abuse.

Plural marriage, an early tenant of the Mormon faith and once common in Utah, was renounced by the church more than 150 years ago and outlawed, as it already was in the rest of the country, as Utah was seeking statehood.

But polygamy persists in secluded communities scattered mostly around the West, especially among followers of a Mormon splinter group called the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or the FLDS.

"There are tens of thousands of plural families in Utah and other states. We are one of those families. We only wish to live our private lives according our beliefs," Kody Brown said in a statement.

"While we understand that this may be a long struggle in court, it has already been a long struggle for my family and other plural families to end the stereotypes and unfair treatment given consensual polygamy," he added.

Plural marriage was largely overlooked by Utah authorities until 2001, when polygamist Tom Green went on national TV to espouse his lifestyle. He ultimately was convicted of bigamy for being married to five women simultaneously, and of child rape in connection with his 1986 marriage to a 13-year-old girl. He served several years in prison.

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PM's DPS Nakib's contract cancelled

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com)?The contract with Prime minister's deputy press secretary Nakib Uddin Ahmed has been cancelled, following his request.

He was also withdrawn from his duties through an order from the public administration ministry on Wednesday. The order would come into effect on July 15, it added.

Nakib told bdnews24.com on Wednesday that he had applied to the authorities concerned on June 20 for discontinuation of the contract on 'personal grounds'.

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Viqarunnisa Noon principal 'removed'

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com)?The principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College has been 'removed' in the face of widespread protests.

Assistant professor Ambia Khatun replaced Hosne Ara Begum as principal on Wednesday morning. Ambia is the senior-most teacher after Hosne Ara.

The changeover came from a meeting of the governing committee held in the morning. However, the decision was not a formal one, acting president of the body Dilip Roy told bdnews24.com.

"We'll discuss the matter with the education ministry," he added.

The governing committee president Rashed Khan Menon MP is currently abroad.

Students and guardians of the four branches of the prominent school have been demanding the expulsion of Hosne Ara for allegedly being reticent about taking action against Bashundhara branch teacher Parimal Jayadhar, charged with violating a 10th-grade student of the same branch.

Hosne Ara and acting headmaster of the Bashundhara branch Mojibar Rahman were also accused in the case, filed by the victim's father.

Jayadhar, a Bangla department teacher, has admitted to the crime in a statement given before a Dhaka metropolitan magistrate.

As senior teachers insisted, all academic activities at the Baily Road unit remained suspended after only two classes were held on Wednesday morning.

Classes in the Baily Road college unit have remained suspended since Saturday.

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USA crush France 3-1 to reach World Cup finals

Favourites the United States crushed France 3-1 to advance to the women's World Cup final on Wednesday.

Lauren Cheney (9), Abby Wambach (79), and Alex Morgan (82) kept the Americans' bid for an unprecedented third World Cup title after 1991 and 1999 on track with Sonia Bompastor getting a goal back for France after 55 minutes.

The reigning Olympic champions will next play either Sweden or Japan for the title in Frankfurt next Sunday.

"I think France played very well. We lost our legs in the second half but then we picked it up," said US coach Pia Sundhage.

"Abby, she's just the best. I'm very happy to have her in our team."

Wambach added: "I'm just so proud of this team. Everyone believes in this team and we're all working for each other. We had to play nearly perfect, they got a goal back on us but in the end we're in the finals and that's all that matters."

France coach Bruno Bini lamented their missed chances.

"We had a lot of chances and played a very good game except the first ten minutes," said Bini.

"We were as good as we could have been. It was very physical and we stood up to this. But they have a lot of experience. They know how to play at this level and that told today. I thought we could get back to 2-2 but at 3-1 it's over."

Despite the French having most chances at goal in the first half it was the United States who went into the locker room with the half-time advantage after Cheney picked up a Heather O'Reilly cross to tap effortlessly into goal after nine minutes.

France's Louisa Necib had a minute earlier seen her strike go over the bar.

A header from Carli Lloyd went over after 24 minutes, but thereafter France dominated but had little to show for their efforts.

Camille Abily missed a chance to level on 28 minutes from a Bompastor cross but the Lyon midfielder's half volley lacked power and was held by US goalie Hope Solo.

Solo, playing her 100th international, proved solid again a minute later as she caught a Necib effort, and it was then the turn of Bompastor to miss after 33 minutes when she picked up a Necib cross but her left footed shot rattled the crossbar.

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Tarique faces arrest in explosives case, too

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com)?After the Aug 21 grenade attack killing case, a Dhaka court has issued arrest warrant for BNP chief Khaleda Zia's eldest son Tarique Rahman in the case filed for use of explosives in the same incident.

Metropolitan sessions judge Zahirul Haque on Thursday ordered his arrest, and asked police to submit a report on his arrest, in line with the warrant, on July 26.

Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court earlier on July 3 had issued arrest warrant for Tarique, also BNP's senior vice-chairman, and 17 others hours after submission of supplementary charge sheets in the case filed for the grisly grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka.

At least 24 people, including incumbent president Zillur Rahman 's wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 73 injured in the attack.

Thirty people, including Tarique, were named in the supplementary charge-sheet, raising the number of charge-sheeted accused in the case to 52. Twenty-two people were earlier accused in the first charge-sheet submitted on June 22, 2008.

After the issuance of arrest warrants against the 18, six of them ? three former inspectors general of police and three former investigation officers of the case ?surrendered before the court and they were sent to jail.

Tarique, who faces 14 cases on charges of corruption and extortion, is currently under treatment in the UK for a broken back after being released on parole in 2008.

He is widely accused of running a government parallel to his mother's 2001-6 government from Khaleda's Hawa Bhaban political office in Gulshan.

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Euro zone makes fresh bid to tackle Greek crisis

BRUSSELS/BERLIN, July 14 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Euro zone countries continued to grapple with the thorny issue of involving the private sector in tackling Greece's debt pile as they prepared for a meeting to decide support for the country next week.

"The principle of having a euro chiefs' meeting is accepted by the main players, including Germany," said one EU diplomat, adding that it was likely to happen next week despite earlier signals from Berlin that there was no rush to finalise a second package of aid.

First, however, countries have to agree how to involve private sector investors in tackling Greece's debt burden, a key demand of Germany before it signs off more support for Athens and a step the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday must be taken.

"Comprehensive private sector involvement is appropriate, given the scale of financing needs and the desirability of burden sharing," the IMF said in its latest review of the debt-choked country.

"Greece's debt service capacity may also need to be bolstered by combining appropriate PSI and official support," IMF officials wrote, referring to private-sector involvement.

Ratings agency Fitch cited continued uncertainty about private-sector participation and foot-dragging on giving more aid to Greece, when it downgraded the country further into junk territory.

Euro zone leaders' agreement to meet followed warnings they needed to act quickly after markets were rattled by the failure of finance ministers to reach agreement earlier this week.

Italian central bank chief Mario Draghi, soon to take the helm of the European Central Bank, and Ireland's premier both said a definitive plan was needed and quickly -- echoing a strongly-worded attack from Greece's prime minister earlier in the week.

The spotlight was taken off the euro zone, at least temporarily, after the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank could resort to more monetary stimulus if a sluggish U.S. economy weakens further.

Ratings agency Fitch had also countered the bleak outlook in Europe following an earlier downgrade of Ireland to junk status by Moody's when it said Italy could keep its credit status by sticking to fiscal targets.

But many remained on edge after a market attack on Italy and concerns that it too could need assistance, something that would overwhelm the euro zone's existing rescue funds.

"Moody's problem is not with Ireland, Ireland's problem is with Europe," Prime Minister Enda Kenny told parliament, as the cost of insuring Irish debt climbed.

"There is no point in having a meeting that won't bring about a conclusion in a comprehensive sense to something that is not going to go away unless it is dealt with."

WRANGLING

Should the leaders meet, they will need to pin down how private owners of Greek government bonds can be persuaded to shoulder a portion of the cost of a new package for Greece, a key demand of Germany.

They will weigh up the potential impact on markets if securing such involvement is declared a debt default by ratings agencies, as expected.

But countries had appeared to be subsiding into a bout of internal wrangling and risk creating a no-win situation.

"Markets reacted very badly after euro zone finance ministers could not reach an agreement," an EU diplomat said, referring to a finance ministers' meeting on Monday. "If they cannot agree, we take the fight to the highest level."

Herman Van Rompuy, the presides over meetings of EU leaders, had originally informed ambassadors he wanted to hold a summit on Friday evening.

But Europe's biggest economic power, Germany, which one EU official said was angry about being "backed into a corner", was reluctant, pushing the date of the gathering into next week.

STRESS TESTS

Another concern of leaders are the results of stress tests of European banks.

That could have a further impact on Italy, where bank stocks and the bond market have been hit by growing concerns that the euro zone's third-largest economy could be next in line after Greece, Ireland and Portugal to suffer debt contagion.

Draghi said Italian banks would comfortably pass the tests but echoed Kenny's call for a comprehensive EU response to the spreading debt crisis.

"We have to recognise that management of the financial crisis has not gone smoothly with partial and temporary interventions," he said in a speech.

"We must now bring certainty to the process by which sovereign debt crises are managed, by clearly defining political objectives, the design of instruments and the amount of resources," he said.

There are two main proposals on the table for securing the private sector's involvement in reducing Greece's debt burden.

One would be to buy back Greek bonds at a discount. Another is to swap Greek debt for longer-dated securities with a lower coupon.

However, it remains unclear how a buy-back of Greek bonds would be financed. It could involve using the 440 billion euro (387 billion pound) European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF).

The ECB remains vehemently opposed to any Greek plan that ratings agencies would be likely to see as a default.

ECB policymaker Jens Weidmann said the EFSF should not be used to buy bonds in the secondary market and it would be unacceptable for the ECB to accept Greek debt as collateral if the country were in default.

"The money of the (EFSF) bailout should not be used for the purchase of government bonds in the secondary market," he told Die Zeit newspaper. "Containment of the crisis should not mean that we undermine our principles. We must draw a red line."

But Germany's finance ministry said funds from the euro zone's rescue mechanism could in theory be used by members of the bloc to buy back their own bonds, suggesting a shift in Berlin's stance.

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Heavy is air in Mirsarai villages

Chittagong, July 13(bdnews24.com) ? The air is still filled with grief in Khoichar, Mayani, Magadia and Shairkhali unions of Mirsarai upazila.

Mourning continues in the unions where an accident took away the lives of 38 children. On Wednesday, the second day after the accident, no class was held in any school of the upazila as part of a three-day mourning programme.

Grieving family members cannot stop their tears, while students who lost their dear friends are speechless with grief.

A condolence meeting was held on Abu Torab High School grounds by the Upazila administration. It was attended by headmasters of different educational institutions and public representatives.

Those who spoke at the condolence meeting, chaired by Upazila chairman Giasuddin, included general secretary Abdul Matin of the Muktijoddah Sangsad Central Command Council, UNO Sayeed Kutub, Mirsarai upazila vice chairman Ferdous hossain, woman vice chairperson Rehana Akhter, Jafar Sadeki , headmaster of Abu Torab High School, Mirsarai College principal Mohammad Sharif, Nizampur College vice principal Mohammad Ali, Barairhat College principal Alamgir Hossain, Abu Torab Dhakhil Madrassa principal Shofiqul Islam Nizami, Khoiyachari Union Parishad chairman Zahidul Islam Chowdhury and Mayani union parishad chairman Kabir Ahmed.

UNO Sayeed Kutub told the bdnews24.com that on the second day also, black flags were hoisted at different schools and colleges. Teachers and students wore black badges.

Besides, prayers were held in three schools in memory of the dead. Schools affected by the tragedy are Abu Torab Govt Primary School, Abu Torab Multipurpose High School, S M Primary School, Abu Torab Fazil Madrashah and Professor Kamal Uddin College.

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Venezuela stay unbeaten in late show

SALTA, Argentina, July 14 (AFP): Venezuela stayed unbeaten in Group B of the Copa America with an astonishing late show on Wednesday in Salta to draw 3-3 with Paraguay.

The Venezuelans were already through having earned four points from their opening two matches including a draw with Brazil and coach Cesar Farias saluted his charges.

"We thought this would be a very difficult group, that maybe we might go through - but in third place. But we came through unbeaten. We worked hard and we merit respect."

Paraguay needed the draw to sneak into the quarters as one of the best two third-placed teams - their three points and zero goal difference sees them pip Group A's third-placed team Costa Rica, who slid to a minus two goal difference after losing 3-0 in their final game to hosts Argentina.

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BNP to stand by victims, Khaleda tells Mirsarai people

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Nepal arrests six Tibetans crossing from China

KATHMANDU, July 14 (AFP): Nepal has detained six Tibetans for illegally entering the country, police said Wednesday, in the first confirmed case of exiles fleeing China across the border for a year.

The six men, aged between 16 and 27, were held at a remote Himalayan village 120 kilometres (74 miles) northeast of the capital Kathmandu after crossing into Nepal on foot.

"They were arrested before dawn Tuesday by the local police," said Umesh Raj Joshi, deputy superintendent of Dolakha district, which borders Tibet. "We have already handed them over to the immigration authorities."

Thousands of Tibetans used to make the difficult and dangerous journey to Nepal every year, fleeing political and religious repression in China.

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Tarique among 12 faces 2nd arrest warrant

A Dhaka court Thursday issued the second arrest warrant against BNP chief and opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman along with 11 others on a different charge related to the 2004 grenade attack that saw 24 deaths, reports BSS.

Court officials said Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Zahurul Huq ordered Tarique Rahman, also BNP's senior vice-chairman, and 11 others be arrested under the Explosives Act.

The 11 others included former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, former premier Khaleda Zia's political secretary Harris Chowdhury and BNP lawmaker Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad.

Former intelligence and police officials who were served with the arrest warrant are former director of Forces Intelligence retired major general ATM Amin and former DGFI official sacked lieutenant colonel Saiful Islam Joarder, DMP's former deputy commissioners Obaidur Rahman, Khan Sayeed Hassan and transport business man Mohammad Hanif.

The rest were leaders and operatives of militant Harkat-ul- Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) Omar Abu Humayra alias Mir Sahed Baba and Hafez Moulana Yahiya, Babu alias Ratul Babu and Mufti Abdul Hai.

The development came two weeks after Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Enamul Haque issued warrants ordering arrest of Tarique Rahman and 17 others on charges linked to murders in August 21, 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally targeting the then opposition leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Judge Huq issued the second warrant after scrutinising the case docket and other relevant documents and took the charges into cognisance against Tarique and other suspects.

Earlier CID formally accused Tarique Rahman and 29 others of carrying out the grenade attack after an "extended investigation" into the case while their re- investigations suggested that operatives of militant Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) carried out the attack which was backed by several stalwarts of the past BNP-led four-party coalition government and security as well as police officials.

Tarique, who is now in London on a government parole for treatment since 2008, is also an accused in several other criminal and graft cases pending for trial.

Officials said of the 30 suspects, 12 including Babar, Mujahid, Abdus Salam Pintu and the two ex-army generals were now in custody to stand the trial in person.

But several of the suspects including Haris Chowdhury, Kaikobad, Amin and three ex- police chiefs were shown "fugitives" along with several others while the CID filed a petition seeking to confiscate the property of the fugitives.

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Crackdown escalates in Syria, 2 protesters killed

AMMAN, July 14 (Reuters): Syrian forces killed two people Thursday when they fired at a pro-democracy protest in the provincial capital of Deir al-Zor, residents said.

The incident was part of an escalating crackdown against dissent in the tribal region bordering Iraq's Sunni heartland.

Military Intelligence agents also injured seven protesters who had gathered in the main square of the city on the Euphrates river in the remote northeast.

A statue of President Bashar al-Assad's brother Basel had stood in the square but security forces removed it two months ago to stop demonstrators smashing it.

"A crowd of 1,500 had shown up for the usual noon demonstration despite the intense heat. Thousands more have descended on the square after the killings, and there are now around 10,000 people there," said one witness, a computer programer who declined to give his name for fear of arrest.

Despite being the centre of Syria's modest oil production, Deir al-Zor is among the poorest regions in the country of 20 million people.

Little oil revenue is invested in the desert area and water shortages over the last six years, which experts say have largely been caused by mismanagement of resources and corruption, have decimated agricultural production.

This has weakened support for the Assad family, which has ruled Syria with an iron fist since 1970, among Sunni tribes in Deir al-Zor, whom the authorities had allowed to carry arms as a counterweight to a Kurdish population further north.

Two overnight explosions hit minor gas pipelines in Deir al-Zor Wednesday, residents said. The official state news agency said a pipeline had caught fire due to dry weather or a leak.

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Bangladesh, India launch enclave census

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Saudi Prince Waleed due in Oct

Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Dhaka, Jul 13 (bdnews24.com)?Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is flying down to Dhaka in October to explore possible avenues of investment in Bangladesh, bdnews24.com can confirm.

Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh had contacted with the office of Prince Waleed and they conveyed that he wanted to come in October, said a senior official at the foreign ministry.

The bdnews24.com correspondent saw a letter from the Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh that communicated the conformation to the foreign ministry.

With a net worth estimated by Forbes at US$19.6 billion, making him the 26th richest person in the world, the prince came to Dhaka in 2005 and wanted to invest in the hospitality sector.

Prince Waleed, the chairman of Kingdom Holding Co., expressed desire to buy into one of the two five-star hotels?Pan-Pacific Sonargaon and Dhaka Sheraton.

"The office of the prince has asked the embassy to find out some prospective areas where he can invest," said the official, who refused to be named since he was not authorised to speak to the media on the visit.

The billionaire tycoon would also like to donate to some organisations during his visit, he added.

The member of the Saudi royal family has a net worth of about $20 billion and has stakes in Citigroup, Four Seasons and Fairmont hotel management chains.

He holds a stake in News Corp., the owner of The Wall Street Journal.

Price Waleed also expressed willingness to build one five-star hotel each in Dhaka and Chittagong.

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Booters’ camp at BKSP

National football team coach Nikola Elievski will begin practice with 22 players from Friday at the BKSP ahead of the Bangladesh's mission of the World Cup 2014 qualifying second round matches against Lebanon.

Elievski made some changes in his preliminary line up dropping goalkeeper Nehal, Yusuf Ali Khan, Mohammed Yusuf, Yamin Munna and Shakhawat Hossain Rony, who travelled to Pakistan to play in the first round match in the pre-qualifying phase.

The Macedonian coach finally made his 22-member preliminary squad including, Abahani goalkeeper Ziaul Haque Zia, midfielder Prantosh, striker Mohammed Robin, Sheikh Jamal's left back Waly Faisal, defender Sujon, Mohammedan's striker Touhidul and midfielder Shafiqul Islam Bipul.

Bangladesh will play their away match first against Lebanon on July 23 in Beirut and it will be followed by the home match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on July 28.

Squad: Biplob,(Muktijoddha), Ziaul Haque Zia (Abahani), Pranotosh, Mohammedan Robin (Abahani), Waly Faisal (Sheikh Jamal), Md. Sujon (Sheikh Jamal), Shafiqul Islam Bipul (Mohammedan Sc Dhaka), Touhidul Alam Touhid (Mohammedan Sc Dhaka), Abdul Hamid Sheikh Vashani (Mohammedan Sc Dhaka), Sharifull Islam (Mohammedan Sc Dhaka), Faisal Mahmud (Brothers Union), Md. Ziaur Rahman Zia (Abahani Ltd. Dhaka). Mamun Khan (Sk Russell). Ariful, Rezaul, Nasir (Sk. Jamal), Mamun Mia, Linkon (Abahani), Uttam Banik (Sk Russell), Mamun, Zahid, Shakil, Komol, Meshu (Sk. Jamal), Maruf (Muktijoddha), Raju (Sk Russell), Emeli (Sk Jamal), Mithun (Muktijoddha), Sohel Rana (Farashganj).

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Hosne Ara still in office: Nahid

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com)?The education minister says Hosne Ara still holds the office of principal as per the law at the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College as Ambia Khatun who 'replaced' her went to the ministry.

Students boycotted class and demonstrated on Thursday, deepening the crisis at one of the most prestigious schools in Dhaka.

No improvement was visible despite the education minister's expectations that the crisis at institution would be resolved after the dissolution of its governing board on Wednesday.

No classes were held at one of the top educational institutions of the city, until Thursday noon.

The students reportedly have split in rival groups, causing anguish among their parents.

The students were chanting slogans at the institution's Baily Road branch against and in favour of principal Hosne Ara, who was 'replaced' by assistant professor Ambia Khatun by the board on Wednesday.

Around 5,000 students gathered in the auditorium and chanted slogans blaming Hosne Ara for allegedly being reticent about taking action against Bashundhara branch teacher Parimal Jayadhar, who had been charged with violating a 10th-grade student of the same branch and who later admitted to the crime.

Another group of students assembled in front of the main gate to allege that Hosne Ara was a victim of a conspiracy.

Posters terming Ambia Khatun a 'fundamentalist' were seen on the walls of the institution.

Several guardians standing in front of the gate told bdnews24.com that the problem should be resolved soon.

Speaking to reporters at her office on Thursday noon, Ambia Khatun said the current situation should be resolved as soon as possible. "It is most urgent now to return the students to the classrooms," she said.

She said the posters terming her as a 'fundamentalist' were nothing but propaganda. "It's very unfortunate."

At one stage of the discussion, Khatun received a phone call from the education ministry.

She claimed that the ministry had summoned her, along with a list of senior teachers.

Khatun, along with four other teachers, started for the ministry around 12:15pm. The other teachers were Manju Ara Begum, Minnatul Mahal, Rokhsana Shamim and Sufia Khatun.

Earlier in the day, Khatun told bdnews24.com that she had to take the charge due to pressure from students and teachers.

Meanwhile, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid told reporters that Hosne Ara was still in office.

Speaking about the 'decision to sack' Hosne Ara, taken by some members of the governing body, the minister said, "The board expired a long time ago. A new ad hoc committee has been formed."

On Wednesday, he had said "neither I nor my ministry" knew anything about the sudden change at the top. He had directed the Dhaka education board chairman, the joint secretary of his ministry and relevant people to resolve the issue by Wednesday.

"I hope that things can get back to normal at the renowned institution from Thursday," he added.

Following the allegation against Hosne Ara of backing Parimal, the governing board 'removed' her and ordered her replacement with Ambia Khatun on Wednesday.

Hours after the 'sacking,' the government dissolved the board for its failure to tackle the situation.

Dhaka education board chairperson Fahima Khatun told bdnews24.com on Wednesday that an ad hoc committee led by the Dhaka's deputy commissioner would deal with the developments.

Khatun had said that the governing body was suspended since it had failed to tackle the present situation. "The ad hoc committee headed by Dhaka DC Mohibul Huq will oversee the institution."

Asked about the fate of the new principal, she said, "If the former committee had removed Hosne Ara lawfully, then the decision would stand," suggesting that otherwise it would not.

She said from now on, decisions by the interim committee would be final and that "whatever happened until [Tuesday] is a closed chapter."

Hosne Ara later told bdnews24.com the move reeked of political vendetta.

Acting chairman of the board Dilip Roy said that while several members of the body had taken the decision in the morning, "it can't be considered as an official decision by the committee."

The governing body chief Rashed Khan Menon MP is currently abroad.

Senior teacher Rokhsana Shamim had earlier told bdnews24.com the removal of Hosne Ara had been decided at the governing body meeting on Tuesday afternoon and added that five out of eight members had endorsed the decision.

Hosne Ara, member secretary of the 10-member board, claimed she was still holding office since Khatun had been appointed illegally.

She told bdnews24.com Wednesday afternoon some people were making political gains by trying to instigate trouble.

Hosne Ara also refuted the allegations that she had backed Parimal Jayadhar. She and the acting headmaster of the branch, Lutfar Rahman, were also accused in a case filed by the victim's father.

Jayadhar, a Bangla department teacher, has admitted to the crime in a statement given before a Dhaka metropolitan magistrate.

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FARROQUE FRACASShahara resents 'partial' TV footage

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com) ? The home minister has criticised the electronic media for covering the fracas involving opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque during the opposition-sponsored hartal on July 6 only partially.

After a cabinet committee meeting at her ministry on the law and order situation on Wednesday, Shahara Khatun said the TV channels "showed Farroque bare-bodied only".

"They [electronic media] covered the incident partly. The full incident was not broadcast," she told reporters at the Secretariat.

"They did not show how he got himself partially stripped?how furiously he charged the lawmen was also not broadcast," the minister said.

She said some policemen were also assaulted in the melee.

If the television channel would release the full video footage of the attack on the policemen, the people would see what actually had happened that day, Shahara added.

"Politicians cannot beat up uniformed policemen," she said.

During the BNP's previous term in office, Awami League leaders Mohammad Nasim, Matia Chowdhury and late Ahsanullah Master were assaulted by police, "but they did not hit back," she pointed out.

"They even broke my leg," she said.

Expressing her grief over the Mirsarai tragedy, she said, "Talking on mobile phone during driving is a crime. But the government doesn't have enough police force to keep a watch on all roads for this type of crime."

She also mentioned that effective decisions would be taken to stop carrying passengers in trucks and to reduce road accidents in a meeting with the communications ministry.

On Monday, 43 school students were killed in a road accident in Mirsarai in Chittagong when a mini-truck carrying them skidded and fell into a roadside pond.

Local government minister Syed Ashraful Islam, information minister Abul Kalam Azad and labour expatriate welfare minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain attended the cabinet meeting along with several law enforcement agency high officials.

bdnews24.com/sha/al/jk/sht/trb/nir/2036h

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Second-hand smoke tied to children's behavior problems

NEW YORK (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Children exposed to secondhand smoke at home may be more likely to have learning and behavioral problems, according to a US study.

Of more than 55,000 US children younger than 12 years, 6 percent lived with a smoker -- and those children were more likely to have ADHD compared to children in smoke-free homes, the study, published in Pediatrics, found.

Even after accounting for a number of possible explanations, such as parents' income and education levels, secondhand smoke was still tied to a higher risk of behavioral problems, said Hillel Alpert at the Harvard School of Public Health, one of the researchers.

The findings don't prove a smoke-filled home is to blame, because there are other factors that the study didn't look at that may also be to blame -- but it may give parents yet another reason to keep their homes smoke-free.

Health experts already recommend that children be shielded from secondhand smoke for health reasons, since it can increase their risk of respiratory infections, severe asthma and sudden infant death syndrome.

"The key message for parents is to protect their children from exposure to secondhand smoke," Alpert told Reuters Health.

One other factor to consider is that children exposed to secondhand smoke often had intra-uterine exposure as well, which has been linked to increased risks of learning and behavioral problems.

It's also possible that parents who smoke have a greater history of learning or behavior problems themselves compared with non-smoking parents.

The results are based on a 2007 national survey of parents of 55,358 children younger than 12. The finding that 6 percent lived with a smoker translates into nearly 5 million U.S. children exposed to secondhand smoke at home, according to the research team.

About 20 percent of parents in smoking households said their child had at least one type of conduct disorder, versus less than 9 percent of parents in non-smoking homes.

When Alpert's team accounted for poverty, race, mothers' education levels and other factors, secondhand smoke was tied to a 51 percent increase in a child's risk of having one of the three disorders.

The researchers said that it's unclear exactly how secondhand smoke would contribute to learning and behavioral problems. Some research has speculated that the smoke may affect certain chemicals in children's developing brains.

A second study in Pediatrics suggested that children's reactions to their parents' secondhand smoke may also play some role in their own likelihood of taking up the habit.

Among 165 low-income preteens from smoking households, those who thought secondhand smoke was "unpleasant or gross" were 78 percent less likely than other children to be at a high risk of smoking.

Alpert said that whatever the reasons for the current findings, they underscore the need for children to be kept away from smoke.

"We still have 5 million children exposed to secondhand smoke at home," he said.

"A lot of progress has been made in reducing that number, but there's still a lot left to be done." SOURCES: bit.ly/okML5i, bit.ly/oV5bDJ

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Sheikh Russell want instalments for fine

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com) ? Sheikh Russell Krira Chokro have propose d a 10-year instalment plan to pay the fine amount slapped by FIFA, says Nurul Alam Chowdhury.

President of Sheikh Russell also confirmed that the amount will be payable to German footballer Mohammed Abdulai.

Bangladesh League club Sheikh Russell was slapped $ 36,567 for breaching a contract with Abdulai by FIFA, the governing body of world football.

"We proposed to pay the amount in Bangladeshi currency divided into instalments spreading over ten years. The player himself will have to come and receive the amount," Sheikh Russell president Nurul Alam said in a talk with reporters on Tuesday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

"But we did not breach contract. As his performance was not good, we sent him back with a regular salary of $4,000 and air fare," he added.

Nurul Alam claimed that it was done in line with the club's rule.

Sheikh Russell contracted Abdulai in 2009 and declined to keep him after playing two matches, which resulted into a complaint to FIFA by Abdulai.

bdnews24.com/mh/tr/sd/nir/2345h

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Special kids' painting expo Friday

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com) ? Some 70 paintings of special children from various special schools will be exhibited at DRIK Gallery from Friday.

The special or autistic children and students' organisation HANS is organising the seven-day exhibition 'Emerged From Unknown III' at the gallery in the city's Dhanmondi area, and it will be open from 3pm to 8pm everyday.

HANS wants to inform people about autism and autistic children through the exhibition that they are not disabled but creative.

In this exhibition, to be organised in association with Surf Excel, the paintings would be put on sale and the money generated will be given to the boy or girl who painted them to stress the idea that the people neglected by the society can earn like others through their own talents.

The media partners of the event are ETV, New Age and bdnews24.com.

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Saturday