Majid Ul Haque cleared of graft charges

  Dhaka, Nov 28 (bdnews24.com) -- Former BNP minister Mohammad Majid Ul Haque has been acquitted in a corruption case, filed over 15 years ago.

Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Mohammad Abdul Majid gave the verdict on Monday after a hearing on the acquittal petition.

Majid Ul Haque told bdnews24.com after the ruling that most of the corruption cases against him were false and politically motivated. This case had also been filed to harass him, he said.

A retired major general from the Pakistan days, Majid Ul Haque served in the 1991-96 cabinet of prime minister Khaleda Zia in charge of water resources and then agriculture.

He was also minister for industries, railway and communication, and establishment in the cabinet of the late Lt. Gen Ziaur Rahman.

The Magura leader was also a member of the BNP's highest policymaking standing committee until he defiantly resigned in 1998.

The case alleged that the former minister had used two cars purchased for official purposes for personal business violating rules and regulations.

The case further alleged that he also had illegally spent the government funds allotted for fuel, salaries of the drivers, repairs of the cars and other heads, wasting a little over Tk 2 million from the government exchequer.

The now-defunct Bureau of Anti Corruption filed the case on Oct 20, 1996 with the Motijheel Police Station when Awami League had just returned to power.

Charges were pressed in the court against Majid on Dec 6, 1998.The judgment came after the court took statement of eight of the 11 prosecution witnesses.

"The real corrupt people get away from the genuine corruption cases because of such false cases," Mohammad Aktaruzzaman, the lawyer for Majid Ul Haque, told bdnews24.com on Monday in his reaction to the ruling.

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ICT chair rejects 'preposterous' petition

  Dhaka, Nov 28, (bdnews24.com)?The war crimes tribunal has dismissed a petition asking its chairman to state his reasons for continuing in his role despite what it termed 'reasonable apprehension for bias'.

The International Crimes Tribunal trying war crimes of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, on Monday, termed the petition of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee, "contemptuous, outrageous, and unheard of".

Sayedee's counsel had filed a petition, first seeking removal of tribunal chairman Justice Nizamul Huq, which was disposed of by the two other judges, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, and AKM Zaheer Ahmed saying that they were not empowered in any way to remove a fellow judge and had stated that the matter rested upon "the good conscience" of the chairman.

Subsequently, when Huq continued with his duties, Sayedee's defence filed another application asking that the chairman give his reasons as to how he exercised his good conscience, in the form of an order.

The Jamaat executive council member is on trial at the court on 20 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, arson and loot.

The tribunal said in its order that questioning the impartiality of a Supreme Court judge, as was done in the case of Huq, required hard facts.

The order stated that appointment of a Supreme Court Justice automatically signified presumption of impartiality.

It said that once the judges have been sworn in, it is their sacred duty to dispense justice impartially and that presumption of impartiality must not be taken lightly.

Justice Nizamul Huq said such questions could not be raised merely on the basis of "suspicion, perception or conjecture".

He began with providing an elaborate background that led to the day's order. He noted the deliberations of the defence and the prosecution as regards his removal and subsequent application for his explanation to stay on.

He said that such an application was unprecedented in the long and rich legal history and in the court of law in Bangladesh.

The tribunal chairman noted that the defence had been cavalier in its citation of cases related the recusal or removal of judges. He explained some of those cases mentioned by the defence at length showing how and why they did not apply to the one at hand.

Justice Huq stated in his order that the defence had alleged misconduct on his part for not disclosing his role in a people's enquiry commission, where he allegedly collected evidence against certain individuals including the Sayedee, and where he had been associated with a prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum, who was also a member of the commission.

He said such allegations were preposterous. He stated that the chairman 'was under no legal obligation to make such a disclosure since his involvement was obvious in publicly available documents.'

Regarding the alleged misconduct, Huq said, "The defence should be more careful to impute such serious allegations and as such merits serious reprimand."

The tribunal chairman also said that the accused petitioner was also in a position to know of this involvement and could have raised the doubts much earlier in the trial and not just the day before the prosecution was about to begin its opening statement in the case.

In this respect, Justice Huq said that the tribunal was of the same view as that expressed by the attorney general Mahbubey Alam, who had argued before the court that this petition was 'not out of a genuine concern but only to delay the proceedings'.

The court questioned the defence's stance regarding 'bias' since it had alleged an that there might an 'appearance of bias' in one petition and in another alleged that there was 'actual bias' or a 'reasonable apprehension of bias', wondering what had caused such a shift in the span of a few days.

The order said that the alleged partiality on the part of Nizamul Huq had to be firmly proven. As such, the defence had failed to satisfy the requirements. The order also noted that the defence could not demonstrate that the tribunal chairman was in any way involved with any activity of during the preparation or finalisation of the commission report other than establishing that his name was among the 40 member of the commission.

Judge Huq recalled the deliberation of the attorney general too. Mahbubey Alam's name was also included among the 40 commission members, but he told the court that he was not even aware of that.

As regards a threat from the defence that the judge would be called as a material witness, Nizamul Huq quoted its definition and said in his order that he did not quite qualify as a material witness since he did not have the degree of involvement that would warrant such an action. The order said such a stance was rather 'unusual'.

As proof of the tribunal's impartiality, Justice Huq pointed out that the Sayedee, the accused petitioner, had been given privileges that other ordinary prisoners are not generally given, which showed that the tribunal was mindful of his welfare.

Upon conclusion, chief prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipoo approached the court to initiate judicial proceedings for contempt, to which Nizamul Huq said, "We have observed that it was contemptuous. Let it stay at that."

ATM Fazle Kabir addressed the defence counsels just before leaving the courtroom as everyone stood up. "Members of the defence," he said, "Have you forgotten the norms of the court? The chair has just given an order."

Two defence lawyers hurried forward and meekly stated, "Much obliged."

A number of senior defence lawyers were absent on the day, including Tajul Islam who generally argues for Sayedee.

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Dhaka stocks rising after fall

  Dhaka, Nov 28 (bdnews24.com)?The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) general index has been erratic in the first half of the day's trading amidst protests by retail investors.

The benchmark index lost over 121 points in the first five minutes of Monday's trading to go below the 5000 mark and continued with the downward trend to lose 130.40 points or 2.57 percent to 4934.77 points at 11:31am.

The index started to gain afterwards and rose to 5003.20 points around 12:10pm with a fall of 61.97 points or 1.22 percent from Sunday's close. It stood at 5074.12 points with a gain of 8.94 points or 0.17 percent at 1pm.

Retail investors, under the banners of Capital Market Investors' Unity Council and Federation of Bangladesh Capital Market Investors Forum, started demonstration around 12:15pm protesting against the precipitous fall in share prices at the day's opening.

Trading of shares of newly listed Zahin Textile Industries Limited and Rangpur Dairy and Food Products Limited started on Monday.

Shares of 127 firms, which would change their face value to Tk 10 on Dec 1, are being traded on the spot market for three days beginning Monday. Trading of the shares will be closed for Dec 1, the record date.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveiled its incentives package on Wednesday, with provisions for increased commercial banks, merchant banks and foreign investments. SEC also made it mandatory for the sponsor directors of all listed companies to have at least 30 percent stakes, and those below the level must buy back their shares within six months.

The central bank extended the deadline for commercial banks to adjust their single-party exposure relating to share market to Dec 31, 2013 by one year, in a major move to inject more cash into the market. The Bangladesh Bank also redefined "exposure" when the commercial banks will invest through subsidiaries such as merchant banking.

But the steps, along with National Board of Revenue's confirmation that investors will face no question while investing untaxed money in the capital market, seemed to fail to return investors confidence on the market as the general index slid to 5065.18 points at Sunday's closing, a loss of 5.73 percent from the week's opening.

Shares worth nearly Tk 4.51 billion changed hands with losers far outnumbering gainers 247 to 7. Retail investors also demonstrated on Sunday demanding a stabilised market.

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German president in town

  Dhaka, Nov 28 (bdnews24.com) ?German president Christian Wulff has arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit.

His Bangladeshi counterpart Zillur Rahman welcomed him at the Shahjalal International Airport around 1pm on Monday.

Both the presidents will have a meeting on Tuesday. Wulff will have meetings with representatives of civil society and different faiths at the Goethe-Insititut, Germany's cultural institution, the same day.

He will also meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina and foreign minister Dipu Moni and deliver a lecture at the Dhaka University.

Germany is one of the biggest trading partners of Bangladesh and destination of over $1 billion of exports.

This is the second time a German president is visiting Bangladesh after his predecessor Von Weizsucker came here in 1986.

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<font size=6>Now MPs to be taxed</font>

  Dhaka, Nov 28 (bdnews24.com) ?The cabinet has cleared proposals to tax salaries of the speaker and members of parliament, who will have to pay income tax once they are passed in parliament.

The approval came from a cabinet meeting on Monday chaired by prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters.

On Nov 17, the cabinet approved proposals to tax salaries of ministers, state and deputy ministers.

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Panel reports to HC on student 'torture'

Dhaka, Nov 28 (bdnews24.com) ? The judicial committee to investigate the alleged police torture on Dhaka University student Abdul Kadar has found that he had been tortured in detention on false charges.

Deputy attorney general A B M Altaf Hossain presented the report to the bench of justices A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Jahangir Hossain on Monday.

Law ministry joint secretary Ashish Ranjan Das, the lone member of the panel, said in the report that police had detained Kadar on suspicion, shown him arrested over false charges and tortured in custody.

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This is a land of harmony: Hasina

  Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony, the prime minister has said.

Speaking at the Buddhist conference and Kathin Chibar Dan festival at International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda on Saturday, Sheikh Hasina said members of all communities were free to observe their religion in this country.

"In 1971, people from all religions gave their lives for our liberation," Hasina said.

She said secularism had been incorporated in the constitution to abolish all communalism and religious disparity.

"But Ziaur Rahman destroyed that constitution to instigate fundamentalism and give shelter to the anti-liberation elements," she added.

The prime minister said the 15th amendment had restored the constitution to its earlier ideology.

Hasina mentioned that two bighas of land had been allocated to the monastery and hoped that a beautiful new monastery would be built there.

Earlier, she unveiled the cornerstone for the new monastery.

Supreme patriarch of the monastery Dhammasen Mahathero chaired the event. Industries minister Dilip Barua, state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Dipankar Talukder and Chinese ambassador Zhang Xianye also spoke at the event.

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4 deer poachers sent to jail

Forest officials have arrested four deer poachers from the Sundarbans in Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district.

They also seized venison, two deer skin, 500 traps, sharp weapons and three trawlers from the spot.

Mihir Kumar Do, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans east zone, told bdnews24.com that a plainclothes team of Kokilmoni patrolling camp of the forest department arrested the four on Friday in special drives conducted in the shoal and canal areas outside of Sharankhola range.

They were identified as Poncha Gazi, 25, of Baradal of Ashashuni upazila in Satkhira district, Pradyut Sarker, 35, and Dipak Gain, 30, of Kaminibasini of Dakop upazila, and Bakhtiar Gazi, 30, of Kawkhali cluster village of Paikgacha upazila in Khulna district.

Two cases were filed with the Sharankhola Police Station in this connection.

The court ordered to send them in jail when they were produced before it on Saturday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the forest officials arrested two deer poachers in the mangrove forest.

"Security measures have been beefed up in the forest ahead of Ras Mela from Nov 8 to 10. The Eid holidays of all the staff and employees of the forest department have been cancelled," Mihir added.

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Redknapp set to return in two weeks

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
London, Nov 5 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp should be back in the dugout for the Premier League match at home to Aston Villa in just over two weeks after having minor heart surgery.

The 64-year-old Redknapp had hoped to return for Sunday's league game at London rivals Fulham but has heeded medical advice to rest and is set to watch the match on television instead.

"The manager is recuperating at home after having two stents inserted to unblock coronary arteries on Wednesday and will be missing from the dugout at Craven Cottage this weekend as he continues to recover," Spurs said in a statement on Friday.

Redknapp told the club website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com): "I am feeling a bit better and as soon as I am ready I will be back.

"I'll take it easy for now and do what the doctor tells me. If I do that then I won't have a problem."

The former West Ham United, Portsmouth and Southampton manager told Friday's Sun newspaper he knew he was in trouble when he had chest pains while on a treadmill at his Dorset home.

"I had hardly got going when it went tight and I was struggling to breathe. As soon as that happens you know the best thing to do is stop immediately which I did," said Redknapp.

"I haven't had a heart attack. It was just the specialist told me the arteries needed doing now."

Speaking before Thursday's Europa League game, which Spurs lost 1-0 to Rubin Kazan in Russia, Redknapp said his doctor had told him to put his feet up "for the next couple of weeks".

"That's handy because after this weekend we have a break for international matches coming up anyway. After that I'll be back in at Tottenham and back on the training pitch."

Spurs, who have climbed to fifth in the Premier League after six wins in seven games, host Villa at White Hart Lane on November 21.

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4 deer poachers sent to jail

Forest officials have arrested four deer poachers from the Sundarbans in Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district.

They also seized venison, two deer skin, 500 traps, sharp weapons and three trawlers from the spot.

Mihir Kumar Do, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans east zone, told bdnews24.com that a plainclothes team of Kokilmoni patrolling camp of the forest department arrested the four on Friday in special drives conducted in the shoal and canal areas outside of Sharankhola range.

They were identified as Poncha Gazi, 25, of Baradal of Ashashuni upazila in Satkhira district, Pradyut Sarker, 35, and Dipak Gain, 30, of Kaminibasini of Dakop upazila, and Bakhtiar Gazi, 30, of Kawkhali cluster village of Paikgacha upazila in Khulna district.

Two cases were filed with the Sharankhola Police Station in this connection.

The court ordered to send them in jail when they were produced before it on Saturday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the forest officials arrested two deer poachers in the mangrove forest.

"Security measures have been beefed up in the forest ahead of Ras Mela from Nov 8 to 10. The Eid holidays of all the staff and employees of the forest department have been cancelled," Mihir added.

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High prices keep cattle buyers off

 Two days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the capital's 13 makeshift markets and the permanent cattle market at Gabtoli are yet to warm up as very few buyers are turning up.

Cattle traders, who are thronging the markets, bringing in sacrificial animals ever day, had expected a good response from the buyers at the weekend. But many traders were frustrated by the sales though there were many buyers.

Most of the buyers claimed that cattle traders were charging higher prices than the previous year though a huge number of cattle have already been brought to the markets.

Cattle trader Etim Ali from Kushtia said there had been a significant crowd in the markets since Friday, but the sales were low.

"I could not sell one single cattle out of 25 for the last two days," he said. He was asking for a price between Tk 150,000 and 200,000 for his cows.

Businessmen Mohammad Ajgar, who came from Nabanpur to Nayabazaar, the largest makeshift cattle market in the city, said he wanted to buy a cow, but the prices were too high.

"On the TV screen, we see that the cattle market is stable. But what I have seen coming to the market is completely opposite," he remarked.

Mohammad Nurul Islam, a doctor who came to buy a cow at the cattle market at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute ground with his two neighbours, said the high prices charged by traders were putting the middle-income group in trouble.

He said the skyrocketing prices of all sacrificial animals, including goats, cows and lambs, were keeping people away from the markets, fearing that many would not be able to fulfil the religious obligation this Eid.

Nayabazaar Market Managing Committee member Shafiqul Haque Pappu said, "Trading in the markets might get a boost from today (Saturday) as most of the buyers came to markets on Friday only to get an idea about the prices of the animals."

The traders were happy about the security in the markets.

The permanent cattle market at Gabtoli aside, the venues where makeshift cattle markets have been set up are: Jigatola-Hazaribagh ground, Khilgaon Taltola bus stand, Agargaon (near the LGED Bhaban), Rahmatganj playground, Uttar Shahjahanpur, Azampur (Uttara) Government Primary School playground, Armanitola playground, Balurmath (near Brothers Union club at Gopibagh), Meradia Bazar, Banani-Kakoli level crossing, Dhupkhola East and Club playground, Dhaka Polytechnic Institute's playground, and City Corporation Adarsha School playground (near Golapbagh playground).

The sale of sacrificial animals in the temporary cattle markets will continue until midnight before the Eid day.

After offering Eid prayer, slaughtering sacrificial animals to seek Allah's blessing is the common practice and every individual takes part in 'Qurbani' at individual level or in groups as per their convenience.

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Three more fall off train, die

 Three people have been killed after falling off the roof of a moving train at Joypurhat.

Khadija Khatun, assistant station master of Akkelpur Railway Station, told bdnews24.com that the accident took place on Saturday morning while a Parbatipur-bound Eid special train was passing Halhalia Bridge.

The three travelers on the rooftop fell off when they had been hit by an iron structure of the Halhalia Bridge, Khadija added.

Jashim Uddin, officer in-charge (OC) of Santahar Railway Police Station, said local residents rescued and admitted them to Akkelpur Upazila Health Complex. Later they were taken to Bogra Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated.

They died on Saturday noon during treatment at Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.

The deceased were identified as 'Ujjal', son of Rowshan Ali of Parbatipur of Dinajpur, 'Dulal', son of Shona Mia of Kaharol upazila of same district, and Zulfikar Ali, son of Habibur Rahman of Nilphamari district.

Meanwhile, another unnamed person died on Saturday noon while undergoing treatment at Kumudini Hospital as he fell off a running train Friday night at Dehobhog of Muirzapur upazila of Tangail.

However, three people died on the spot from the same accident Friday night at Dehobhog of Mirzapur.

Kazi Harun-ur-Rashid, sub-inspector of Dhaka Railway Police station, said the dead bodies would be sent to their relatives after legal procedures.

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Majeed approached me too: Afridi

 Shahid Afridi has claimed that jailed bookie Mazhar Majeed tried approaching him several times but he kept him at arm's length as he suspected him of being involved in betting.

Afridi said Majeed tried getting friendly with him too, but that he ignored the London-based agent.

"He always tried to contact me personally in the hotel and wanted time to meet me. His brother Azhar also wanted to meet me. But I avoided them all the time because I had my suspicions that they were not trustworthy and involved in betting," Afridi said, reports ESPNstar.

Afridi also rebutted Majeed's claim that some Pakistani players were willing to throw matches to undermine his position as captain.

"I never felt that any player was doing something wrong and deliberately trying to let me down."

Speaking on spot-fixing scam that has shamed Pakistan cricket, Afridi said he feels sorry for the 19-year-old Amir.

"He is a great talent and I believe because of his age he was trapped into this scandal," he said.

Afridi accused former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt of disrespecting and humiliating players.

"Ijaz Butt didn't finish player's power, he humiliated the players," Afridi said on a talk show on the Express news channel.

The all-rounder said his differences with Butt developed because of the way he treated players.

"I won the ODI series in New Zealand and West Indies and we reached semi final of the World Cup and yet I was removed as captain by him without any justification. That is the way he treated the players which was unacceptable to me," he said.

Afridi, who is set to make a comeback in the coming ODI series against Sri Lanka in the UAE after taking back his retirement decision, said Butt didn't know how to respect players.

Afridi had announced his retirement in protest after Butt removed him as captain after the West Indies tour.

Afridi claimed that Butt had also mistreated former coach Waqar Younis, who stepped down as coach after the Zimbabwe tour in September citing personal and health reasons.

"I don't think Waqar had any health problems. He was removed by Butt. If he (Waqar) had health problems then how is he doing commentary in the series against Sri Lanka?"

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I am not involved: Bachchu

 telecommunication minister's brother Salahuddin Ahmed Bachchu in an e-mail to the media has claimed he is not involved in the Narsinghdi mayor's murder.

Bachchu, the prime accused in Lokman Hossain murder case, e-mailed from his son Afsar Ahmed's account on Saturday saying the case against him was a 'conspiratorial and fake case'.

He also demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in the murder.

Narsinghdi municipal mayor and town Awami League general secretary Lokman Hossain was shot dead in the town on Tuesday night by masked assailants. Less than 48 hours later, his brother Kamruzzaman filed a murder case accusing Bachchu, younger brother of telecommunications minister Raziuddin Ahmed Razu, and 13 others.

Most of the accused are members of the ruling party. None have been arrested so far. However, opposition BNP's district unit president Khairul Kabir Khokon was arrested hours after Lokman's death

Bachchu claimed he was 'in no way involved in conspiring for Lokman's murder'.

"Let alone compete for it, I have never even expressed the desire for the district general secretary post," he further claimed.

Local BCL leaders earlier said the fact that Raju's brother Bachchu and Lokman were both aiming to run for district general secretary of the party may have been a motivation behind the murder.

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Eid at 50 villages Sunday

 Some 50 villages in Chandpur will celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha on Sunday since it will be observed in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammed.

The people of these villages synchronise with the Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular, in celebration and observance of Muslim religious occasions like Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Shab-e-Barat and Shab-e Meraj.

"Eid-ul-Azha will be observed on Sunday," said Pir Maulana Abu Jofar Mohammad Abdul Hye of Sadra. He said several thousand villagers of about 50 villages including those of Hajiganj have been following the Saudi religious practices for long and accordingly preparations are afoot.

The Eid congregation will take place at 10am at Sadra Maidan and be joined by about 6,000 men. Pir Abdul Hye will lead the prayer as Imam.

The villages where Eid-ul-Azha prayers will be held include Sadra, Someshpur, Olipur, Balakhal, Monirhar, Bholach, Pratappur,and Bashara Mulparha Badarpur and Aitparha under Hajiganj,; Uvarampur,Uttali,Munshirhat, Mulpara Badarpur, Aitparha, Surangachar, Baluthuba,Kaitparha, Noorpur, Sachonmegh, Sholla, Hansa, Gobinapur under Faridganj, Dashani, Mohanpur and Panchani under Matlab and some villages under Shahrasti and Kachua upazila.

Late Pir of Sadra Sharif Maulana Ishaque introduced the observance of all religious festivals and functions in this manner according to lunar calendar in 1931.

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Ferguson celebrates 25th anniversary with win

Alex Ferguson celebrated 25 years as Manchester United's manager as his team beat Sunderland 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday although the occasion overshadowed United's less than glittering performance.

Former United defender Wes Brown, on his first return to Old Trafford since leaving in the summer, put the ball into his own net just before half-time and the three points lifted United back into second place in the Premier League.

United moved to within two points of leaders Manchester City who were playing at Queens Park Rangers in a match kicking off at 1730 GMT.

City lead the table with 28 points from 10 matches, followed by United on 26 from 11, Newcastle on 25 from 11 and Chelsea, who won 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers with a Frank Lampard header, in fourth place on 22 points.

United slipped down to third for a few hours after Newcastle United stretched their unbeaten league run from the start of the season to 11 matches with a 2-1 home win over Everton in a lunchtime kick-off.

Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 for their fifth straight league win at the Emirates with Robin Van Persie among the scorers, taking his tally to eight goals in his last four league games and 29 in his last 28.

Aston Villa beat Norwich City 3-2 and Liverpool had a late Dirk Kuyt goal disallowed for offside and were held to a 0-0 draw by Swansea City at Anfield.

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Ferguson given Old Trafford honour

The north stand at Old Trafford is being renamed 'The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand' in recognition of his achievements as Manchester United's manager, the club announced as he celebrated 25 years in the job this weekend.

The club is also commissioning a statue of the 69-year-old Scot who has brought 37 trophies to United since he took control on November 6 1986.

Ferguson walked on to the Old Trafford pitch on Saturday through a guard of honour formed by the players before United's Premier League match against Sunderland and looked overwhelmed as United's chief executive David Gill announced the honour to the crowd.

Ferguson addressed the crowd before the kick-off and wrote in his programme notes: "It has all been a fairytale dream - give or take the occasional nightmare."

A huge banner was on display in the ground reading: "The Impossible Dream, Sir Alex Ferguson Made Possible."

Steve Bruce, now the manager of visitors Sunderland who was in the United team when Ferguson led the club to their first English title for 26 years in 1993, added in his tribute: "There will never be another manager like Sir Alex."

Among the many tributes to Ferguson was one from Barcelona's manager Pep Guardiola, tipped as a possible successor when he eventually retires.

Speaking in Barcelona, Guardiola said: "I'd like to congratulate him and tip my hat. I'd like to have the ability, like him, to always be able to re-build my team around competitive players."

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Speed's buzz word at NYC Marathon

Speed is the buzz word at this year's New York City Marathon, as runners gear up to keep pace with the fast times registered around the world.

Kenya's Patrick Makau lowered the world best marathon time to two hours three minutes 38 seconds in September's Berlin Marathon. In April, Emmanuel Mutai won in London in course record time (2:04:38) and fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai (no relation) set a new Boston Marathon standard (2:03:02).

Geoffrey Mutai's sizzling time, nearly a full minute faster than the world best at the time, was not recognized as the world best given the layout of the Boston race and tailwinds that favoured the runners.

Makau is not in the New York field but the two Mutais are. That does not faze defending champion Gebre Gebremariam, but the course record (2:07:43) set by his fellow Ethiopian Tesfaye Jifar through the five boroughs in 2001 could be in jeopardy.

Gebremariam, who won last year's race in 2:08:14 in his first stab at the distance, expects a faster time and is confident his finishing kick will prevail in the final Central Park miles of the hilly race.

"I know them very well. I'm not worried," Gebremariam told reporters on Friday about going against the Kenyan duo.

"I'm ready to run a little faster. I hope the pace is faster than last year. When I reach Central Park I know how to win."

And if the trio are running shoulder to shoulder to shoulder? "I'm ready," said Gebremariam, 27, the 2009 IAAF world cross country champion, who finished third in the Boston Marathon with a personal best time of 2:04:53.

Geoffrey Mutai, 30, was not be credited with the world's fastest marathon but the fact remains that he covered the 26.2 mile distance faster than any runner ever has on foot.

"Even if it is not recognized, it gives me another challenge, to run faster in other races," Mutai said.

"When you are faster, you must maintain yourself at that level. I see that as another challenge."

Emmanuel Mutai, 27, tired at the end of last year's New York race and finished second. "This year I will try to improve my time and maybe my position. I do not say I'm satisfied."

American Meb Keflezighi, the 2009 champion and 2004 Olympic silver medallists, said fast times are a natural progression.

"You have people you train against or you compete against, and he does it or she does it, and it's like .. if he can do it, I can do it."

The Kenyans are under extra pressure to excel given a tight squeeze to make their Olympic marathon team. Kenya are allowed three places for London 2012, but two berths have already been reserved for Makau and twice world champion Abel Kirui.

"There is a chance now in New York," Geoffrey Mutai said about his Olympic prospects.

"If I get this chance, maybe after Sunday I'll know."

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Thorpe annoyed at early end to first meet

Singapore, Nov 5 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe was annoyed with himself after failure to qualify for the 100 metres butterfly finals at a World Cup race on Saturday brought a premature end to his first meet back following a five-year absence.

Thorpe, winner of five Olympic golds, finished third in his heat with a time of 54.09 in Singapore to rank 11th overall and outside the top eight qualifiers for the finals.

"I came here expecting to get absolutely hammered in races and I knew it was going to happen and anyone who didn't think that was going to happen didn't have this in perspective," Thorpe told reporters.

"I was quite annoyed with myself this morning with my time and things like that. Racing for me is tough. It is really easy for me to train and do whatever I am asked. It is going to be about getting back in tune with competition and being able to do it well."

Kenya's Jason Dunford was the fastest qualifier for the finals later on Saturday with a time of 51.50 seconds.

Thorpe was quick out of the blocks in lane six but lost ground in the second and third legs of the short course race with Australian team mate Chris Wright winning the heat with a time of 52.09.

"I would have liked to have made the final in that one," Thorpe said.

"I didn't go hard where I should have and fell into an awkward kind of technique.

"I'm disappointed because I thought I would be a little bit faster this morning and I'm also disappointed as I thought technically some things would have been better.

"I have to have a kind of reality check of where I am as opposed to how I feel I'm training. I'm happy with the progression I am making."

QUITE ANNOYED

It was the second day back in competition after coming out of retirement for Thorpe, who finished seventh in the final of the 100m individual medley on Friday.

Although the butterfly and individual medley are unfamiliar races for the lanky Sydney-born freestyle specialist, expectations are extremely high that the Australian can add to his huge medal haul in London next year.

'Thorpedo', with his huge-flipper like feet, had attracted few spectators at the Singapore Sports School on Saturday morning with many fans presuming he would qualify for the finals.

"I think a lot of people underestimated the complexity of swimming," said Thorpe, who also won three silvers and a bronze at the 2000 and 2004 Games along with 11 world championship titles.

"I told people if I was to start swimming again it would take me three years to get back to where I was and it may take that long - I'm planning on it not taking that long. I'm trying to fast track."

Thorpe, who will attempt to make the Australian Olympic team at the trials in Adelaide in March, races in Beijing on Tuesday and then Tokyo (Nov. 12-13) for two more World Cup meetings and said things had to improve.

"If I get to the end of Tokyo and I'm not swimming faster I am going to be very frustrated and I'll be quite annoyed, because I expect this of myself at the moment."

His coach, Gennadi Touretski, said that there was a chance that Thorpe, who regularly smashed world records in his pomp, could swim his favoured freestyle.

"It might be in Tokyo, it is up to the situation whether he will feel comfortable with this race."

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New Zealand clinch narrow victory

 Debutant Doug Bracewell claimed a five-wicket haul as New Zealand snatched victory away from Zimbabwe in remarkable fashion in the one-off Test at Bulawayo on Saturday.

Led by a brilliant century from their captain Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe looked on course to record only their 10th Test win ever as they reached 265 for three in pursuit of 366, reports ESPNstar.

However, they ended up falling agonisingly short after being bowled out for 331 just before the close on the final day as New Zealand claimed a 34-run win for their first away Test victory since 2008.

Bracewell and Daniel Vettori did most of the damage as they evenly shared six of the last seven Zimbabwe wickets to fall.

Seamer Bracewell finished with innings figures of five for 85 while Vettori picked up three for 71 to go with his five wickets from the first innings.

However, the key breakthrough of the day was made by Chris Martin, who sparked Zimbabwe's demise with the wicket of in-form Zimbabwe skipper Taylor for a superb 117.

New Zealand started the final morning in pole position after reducing Zimbabwe to 61 for two at the close of day four, but they found Taylor to be a huge thorn in their side, as he has been all tour.

In the two Twenty20 and three one-day international matches prior to this Test, Taylor recorded successive scores of 50 not out, one, 128no, 107no and 75.

He also scored a half-century in the first innings and was quickly back among the runs.

The 25-year-old joined forces with overnight batsman Tino Mawoyo and the pair put on 96 for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed for 52, bowled off his pads by part-time bowler Martin Guptill.

That was the only success New Zealand enjoyed in the opening two sessions though as Taylor and Tatenda Taibu then put on a stand worth 108 to leave Zimbabwe within sight of victory at tea.

But just two balls into the evening session, Taylor picked out BJ Watling at sweeper cover and the Zimbabwe skipper was sent on his way, having hit eight fours and five sixes in his 147-ball knock.

That proved to be the beginning of the end for Zimbabwe as they regularly lost wickets.

Taibu departed soon after for 63, Vettori claiming his first victim of the innings, and then Bracewell sent back Regis Chakabva (five), Njabulo Ncube (14) and Ray Price (four).

That saw Zimbabwe reduced to 329 for eight and the end was soon in coming as Vettori snared Malcolm Waller - Zimbabwe's last realistic hope of avoiding defeat departing for 29 - and then last man Chris Mpofu as the Blacks Caps claimed the victory.

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New Narsinghdi SP named

 Faridpur additional superintendent of police (ASP) Subrata Kumar Howlader has been made acting Narsinghdi SP.

Subrata Kumar told bdnews24.com he had taken charge of his office at 9pm Saturday.

In the wake of murder of the town's popular mayor Lokman Hosasain, the Narsingdi SP and his two deputies were "withdrawn" on Friday.

The changes in the district police administration came after top leaders of the ruling Awami League were accused of killing Lokman in a murder case filed by his brother, Kamruzzaman.

Lokman was shot dead in the town on Tuesday night by some unknown assailants.

Salahuddin Ahmed Bachchu, younger brother of telecommunications minister Raziuddin Ahmed Razu, and 13 others were named by Kamruzaman in the case.

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Bolt and Blake on Athlete of the Year shortlist

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
London, Nov 4 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake and Kenyan David Rudisha have been shortlisted for the men's World Athlete of the Year award, while Valerie Adams of New Zealand, Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot and Australia's Sally Pearson are up for the women's prize.

The IAAF announced their nominations on Friday, a week before the winners are revealed at the World Athletics Gala in Monaco.

Bolt is on the list following his two golds in the world championships at Daegu in the 200 metres and 4?100 relay and despite his disqualification at the start of the 100 final, which Blake won.

Rudisha, who became the youngest World Athlete of the Year award winner when he was 21 last year, is back in contention after winning the 800 metres title in Daegu.

Adams won her third successive world shot put title in Daegu, Cheruyiot won both the 5,000 and 10,000 titles and Pearson won the 100 metres hurdles title where she ran the fourth fastest time in history.

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No new euro-zone money for debt crisis at the G20

but no new money at a G20 Summit tortured to overcome using a sovereign debt crisis effectively supervision was placed during Italy under IMF.

Leaders of major economies in the world, meeting on the French Riviera on Friday, said Europe to sort their own problems and deferred to the next year every step of the International Monetary Fund to offer more cope with the crisis of resources.

"There is hardly any countries here that said you were willing to go along with the EFSF (euro zone Rescue Fund)," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a press conference.

Sovereigns investors such as China and Brazil wanted to see, before making a firm commitment, money in the bailout funds provided.

Global stocks and the euro fell again surfaced as doubts about financial bailout of Europe.

He joked President Barack Obama had learned a lot in two days on the complexity of the "tedious" decision-making process of the EU but said he was convinced that Europe had the capacity and the right plan, the challenge. The key was now rapid implementation.

"they have a strong partner in the United States go, but the European Heads of State and Government understand that ultimately a strong signal from Europe is important, that they stand behind the euro," he said in a press conference.

But Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard of many Summit participants summarized the mood when she said: "Europe needs to get an own house in order."

The two-day summit began under the shock have Greece since withdrawn plan to hold a referendum, which propelled it from the zone of 17-currency, and ended with Italy is pressed to restore its credibility on financial markets.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, his Government is hanging by a thread, said that Italy would welcome quarterly IMF monitoring of the long delayed pensions and labour market reforms and privatisation, he, now has promised to implement.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a Summit, kidnapped by the euro crisis Chair, said that Berlusconi had declared themselves ready to accept the additional control because he "of market doubts about the implementation of the plan" was

Given the size of its economy, Italy provides a far more serious threat to the 17-currency zone as in Greece, which almost the euro down brought, of mismanaging their finances.

With rising borrowing costs and debt, which firmly to 120 percent of GDP Rome has the third largest economy in the euro area with the largest government-bond market and is too big to fail. Paralysis in the faction-ridden Berlusconi Government has still undermine the confidence of investors.

ULTIMATUM

The Italian leader said the IMF had offered, borrow money Italy, but he refused. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said that Italy for all IMF line of credit could not qualify.

Berlusconi for monitoring licence step came back after a European ultimatum Greece of his referendum and instead forced to take a national consensus search through austerity measures.

"I this is Italy's reform process for the country and for the euro area as a whole as evidence of how important," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

The Commission shall also Italy, carry out a first assessment next week. But the IMF new role the euro-zone crisis to a new level and suggests that to control the markets no longer trust the EU, their own economies.

To varying degrees, bailout recipients Greece, Portugal, Ireland and now Italy are giving sole control of its economic policies.

The leaders of the France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the European Central Bank, the IMF and the European Union institutions discussed with Obama ways promote the IMF warchest to prevent to overthrow fallout from Europe, the world economy into a recession.

The British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose Eurosceptical decided by the single currency, country argued vigorously against any use of IMF funds for the euro area.

He was supported by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the reporter said: "We see no reason why Canada, or open how would each area of other countries contribute such bailout."

Euro zone countries were wealthy and had the means to deal with their own problems, said Harper.

No figures have been agreed the IMF but the increase in resources, especially from major emerging economies such as China, could be in the range of 300-350 billion dollars, G20 officials said.

Sarkozy said that the G20 Finance Ministers were tasked to meet several options for the increase in the budget of the Fund at their next February.

"We will ensure that the IMF still means its systemic role for the benefit of all members", the final G20 Communique said.

Would an idea discussed in Cannes entail pooling euro countries rights to the IMF builds a martial art to borrow funds to support the vulnerable rulers, such as Italy and Spain. This could make available another $280-300 billion, a G20 source said. But no decision has been taken.

ABOUT GREEK DRAMA

Delegates gathered in the building that hosts of the annual Cannes Film Festival even watch the euro-zone battle for its largest fire still snuff found.

Greece, future in the euro area can hinges on a vote of confidence in the Socialist Prime Minister George Papandreou late Friday.

If he wins, say Government sources he has promised a step aside, and making the way for an interim national unity Government, to adopt the EU/IMF bailout plan, get an important help rate and pave the way for early elections next year.

However, if he loses, Greece will be plunged into deeper political turmoil and can be a difficult standard and possible withdrawal from the 17-nation single currency.

The Greek drama wiped out to rethink Sarkozy's hopes for a breakthrough on large early objectives such as the global monetary system. But the Summit a quick change to market determined exchange rates for the first time in this connection expressly to mention China.

"The crisis in Europe caused a systemic crisis, including Asia." Rather than create a new global framework that everyone expects the IMF-more actively, "Finance Minister Japanese Jun Azumi"said.

"The focus of the debate is, as you a firewall but you consider that the IMF should be a big wall set up,."

Source: bdnews24.com

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Heart procedures relating to cognitive dismantling

a new study of German heart patients, people deal, the invasive surgery and those who less showed invasive placement stent declines in thinking and memory subject to a few months after the procedure.

Doctors have been concerned about cognitive decline in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as a result of blocked arteries undergo a long time, and in fact, memory were deficits more significant after these procedures than after stenting.

Nevertheless not the results prove it is the procedure itself, that cause memory decline that-it might just be that plaque build up in blood vessels in the heart and the brain in the same patient caused a lot of problems.

"These patients have obviously all atherosclerosis," said Dr. Mark Newman of cognitive studies after cardiac surgery at Duke University to decline medical center in Durham, North Carolina.

"You have atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, you have it probably in other ships in your body also."

Patients treated with CABG are often in poor condition, with the further development, as those who undergo stenting. It that "cognitive degradation" might be after this procedure applies to more on the severity of atherosclerosis as the procedure itself, said Newman, who was involved in the new studies, Reuters Health. "I think this is still a debate."

Nevertheless said it makes sense that if cholesterol built-up in the heart ships came loose during operation is, could it cause travel and problems to the brain, researchers.

The current study included 37 patients receive a stent placed and a further 47 in CABG, above all in their 60s and early 70s. Ago and three months after the operations the participants completed a series of were thinking and memory tests to measure, recall how well they come with or certain keywords, symbols and images.

The changes in their test results were compared to those of an other 33 healthy volunteers.

Patients in the stent Group had a major drop in score on two of the 10 tests compared to controls, a few months after their procedure. Bypass patients results on seven tests has slowed down.

Dr. Tibo Gerriets of Justus Liebig-Universität Gießen and colleagues write in the American Journal of heart, that it was clear how much the cognitive changes, which really bothers people in their daily lives after heart procedure occur.

But Newman said that this type is different from changes in thinking and memory abilities in some patients may require independent living and additional help.

Dr. Todd Rosengart, head of heart-chest surgery at Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York, said that the risk of cognitive decline after bypass surgery of which depend on how the procedure has done popular - and doctors, the German operations executed, not the best techniques may be used to protect patients against these risks.

"Today (a procedure to do) very well it means not only the patients through the process with no mortality this get through the procedure well in form," he told Reuters Health.

Heart patients, he said, should not their surgeons about the steps that they are doing to protect their brains by the intervention of shy away from issues.

With good surgeon in a good hospital should not likely, that think and memory problems on the bypass operation greater than a 20, his Rosengart added.

Heart procedure "safer and more secure receive" agreed Newman. "I don't think that people overly concerned (cognitive decline) should." "I think they should have the right treatment to help them as a whole, and see options, how they can improve their quality of life."

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Thorpe gets reality check

Fünf Mal Olympic Swimming Champion Ian Thorpe enttäuschenden siebten im Finale über die 100 Meter Lagen in ein Weltcup-Event auf eine harte ersten Tag im Wettbewerb nach fünf Jahren entfernt.

Der 29 Jahre alte Australier, die hofft für nächstes Jahr die Olympischen Spiele zu qualifizieren, begann auch mit dem Schmetterling-Bein zu verlieren auf den Rücken und dann kämpfen mit der Brust, wie er er selten vor dem Ruhestand Schwamm vorletzten in ein Ereignis abgeschlossen.

"Ich bin wirklich zufrieden mit den ersten 50, das Fliege Bein war groß, der Rücken war toll und ich bin wirklich glücklich mit der Unterwasser Arbeit heute Abend," sagte Thorpe Reportern.

"Ich war wirklich gut und dann die Brust geschah. War es nicht so schlimm heute Morgen. Es ist etwas, was ich arbeiten können."

South African Tschad Le Clos, 19, gewann das Rennen mit einer Zeit von 53.06 Sekunden, mit Thorpe-drei-und-ein-halb-Sekunden zurück in eines der schlechtesten Ergebnisse seiner illustren Karriere.

"Ich sah ihm aufgewachsen, seine Karriere-Gespräche für sich selbst," Le Clos, sagte der Thorpe.

"Ich weiß nicht, ob Sie es ein Sieg, genau, aufrufen können, da er noch offensichtlich nicht in der Nähe sein Bestes immer, aber um ihn zu schlagen, ich es nehme."

Zuvor hatte Thorpe, trotz Klagen des Leidens mehr Nerven als sonst, sagte er mit seinem sechsten Platz in Vorlauf in seinem ersten Rennen Rücken war glücklich.

Vor dem Finale sah Thorpe viel entspannter als lächelte er seinen Weg durch ein sorglos Gespräch mit Österreicher Markus Rogan vor seinem blauen T-shirt zu sein schien, seine beeindruckende Physis zu aufzudecken.

"Eine Menge heute Abend entspannter,", sagte Thorpe.

"Ein wenig mehr nervös ist als, was ich normal hielte aber was viel völlig in Ordnung."

Schlaksig Thorpe, mit den Füßen riesigen, Flipper-wie nehmen Teil am Samstag als seine Vorbereitungen zu versuchen, die Spiele 2012 in London bei den Australian Olympic im März zu qualifizieren weiterhin 100 m Schmetterling.

Australiens erfolgreichste Olympiateilnehmer wird voraussichtlich wieder im Samstag-Ereignis zu kämpfen, aber die einzelnen Lagen und Schmetterling Disziplinen sind sehr wahrscheinlich, dass für die Freestyle fallengelassen werden, auf dem er seinen Namen gebaut.

Seine Kämpfe in der Glamour-freie Umgebung von Singapur Sportschule an ein paar hundert jubelnden Zuschauern hervorgehoben, die schwierige Aufgabe, die er stellt sich bei der Erreichung einer anderen Olympischen mit wenig Einarbeitungszeit und Konkurrenten zehn Jahre jünger als er.

"Menschen wollen mir gut tun und zu sehen, mich auch schnell tun. Ich lieber zu tun, dass ich lieber nicht zu warten,", sagte Thorpe.

"Ich habe nicht für eine lange Zeit geschwommen. Ich habe, um Bilanz zu ziehen, wo ich war, wo ich jetzt bin vor 12 Monaten. Ich bin im Finale und des Wettbewerbs recht gut. Ich bin glücklich.

"Hoffentlich ein wenig mehr Zeit wir einige guten Leistungen können."

Eine andere wiederkehrende Australian zu kämpfen, war Libby Trickett. Der Dreifacher Olympiasieger fertig zuletzt im Finale der 100 m Schmetterling und die sechste über 50 m Freistil in ihre erste internationale Treffen seit der WM 2009.

Trotz der Ergebnisse war 26-Year-Old zuversichtlich, auch in den Olympischen Studien durchführen.

"Ich denke, I'll be rechtzeitig für März. Ich weiß, dass ich nach vorne bewegt halte, und dies ist nur ein Schritt auf dem Weg."

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NARSINGHDI MAYOR MURDERKhokon being moved to Narsinghdi

  Narsinghdi police, with assistance from Detective Branch (DB), have arrested main opposition BNP's Narsinghdi unit chief Khairul Kabir Khokon from his residence near Khilgaon's Matir Masjid.

However, it was not immediately clear why he was detained early Wednesday. The detention was made hours after Narsinghdi municipality mayor Lokman Hossain, from the ruling Awami League, was shot dead in the town.

Khokon, also BNP central committee's education secretary, was picked up around 2.45am on Wednesday by the detectives, his wife Shirin Sultana told bdnews24.com.

Sultana, also the general secretary of the party's women's wing Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, added, "They did not give any cause as to why they had detained him".

Dhaka Metropolitan Police DB additional deputy commissioner Mehedi Hasan said, "Narsinghdi police arrested him. We just helped them out."

Khokon is being moved to Narsinghdi, he added.

A senior Detective Branch official confirmed that they had detained him and that he was being kept at the DB headquarters in the capital.

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting has been called at BNP's Naya Paltan headquarters to discuss the issue.

The 43-year old Hossain was declared dead by doctors of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), nearly three hours after he was shot by a masked gunman in front of the Awami League office at the district headquarters' Sadar road at around 8pm on Tuesday.

The residents of the area blockaded the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in protest after the news got out and vandalised a number of vehicles. They also blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong rail road, leaving thousands stranded at railway stations in Dhaka, Narsinghdi and other places.

Chhatra League's distrcit unit has called a 72-hour shutdown from Wednesday.

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NARSINGHDI MAYOR MURDERTrain set on fire

  The supporters of slain Narsinghdi mayor Lokman Hossain have set fire to a Dhaka-Kishoreganj passenger train, as a general strike is in force to protest against the murder.

Narsigndi railway station master Maron Chandra Das told bdnews24.com that the angry protesters set six coaches of the Egaroshindur Express on fire on Wednesday.

He said the incident occurred at around 10.15am on Wednesday when the train reached Narsinghdi.

"Many passengers jumped off the train at that time and were injured. We are working to douse the flames," the master added.

"A patrol team of the Rapid Action Battalion-11 went to the spot after learning about the torching and was pelted with brickbats by angry protesters.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling Awami League, has enforced a 72-hour general strike in Narsinghdi to protest against the murder.

Shops and business organisations were seen shut on Wednesday morning. Activists of ruling Awami League and associate organisation have taken out processions demanding arrest and punishment of the assailants.

The organisers, however, said the first day's protest would not be that tight as family and party colleagues were waiting for the Hossain's body to arrive for burial.

"It will be an eased protest until 6pm Wednesday to facilitate the burial," said S M Qayum, a former central committee member of the student wing.

Qayum added that the Namaaj-e-Janaza would be held after Asr prayers when his body is brought back from Dhaka, where it underwent an autopsy.

Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to control the situation. Deputy inspector general (DIG) of Dhaka range police M H Nuruzzaman, Rapid Action Battalion-11 additional DIG Mostofa Kamal have reached Narsinghdi overnight to keep close watch on the situation.

Superintendent of Narsinghdi police Akkas Uddin Bhuiyan said, "A large number of law enforcers from Narsinghdi and surrounding districts has been deployed to handle the situation."

Doctors of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) declared the 43-year old Hossain dead nearly three hours after he was shot by a masked gunman in front of the Awami League office at the district headquarters' Sadar road at around 8pm on Tuesday.

Lokman, also the ruling party's town unit general secretary, was a two time Gold Medal winner as Best Mayor.

Source: bdnews24.com

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DSE gains in first hour

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Dhaka, Nov 2 (bdnews24.com)?The country's premier bourse saw an 101.08 point rise in the general index on the first hour of trading, on the second last working day of the week.

The benchmark index at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) stood at 5306.25 points at 11.58am on Wednesday. Shares worth a total of Tk 823.44 million have change hands with gainers heavily outweighing losers 202 to eight.

On Tuesday, the DSE reclaimed some ground, 169 points in the general index, following the fall that persisted in the previous trading days.

The market shed 40.62 points or 0.8 percent on Monday, and the benchmark index closed at 5036.49 points, amid continued protests by retail investors following continuous drop in share prices.

A platform of small investors called for making bank investments compulsory to stabilise the stock market. They also called for steps from the government forcing the banks to invest up to their limits and for implementation of investment declaration by banks from Tuesday.

The investors also urged the government to force merchant banks, financial organisations and insurance companies to maximise their investments to the limit allowed and for making a compulsory investment of 80 percent of mutual funds in the market.

On Sunday, the benchmark index lost 231.65 points or 4.36 percent to close at 5077.12 points.

Last week, the index shed 237 points to stand at 5308.79 points at the close on Thursday.

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WI close to win series

  West Indies took three vital wickets before lunch as Bangladesh reached 263-6 on day five of the second test on Wednesday.

Bangladesh, still trailing by 245 runs, must depend on its middle and lower order batting through two sessions to avoid defeat, which looks unavoidable, at least for now.

Bangladesh was struggling from the beginning of the second innings after being set a towering 508 to beat the West Indies in the second test or more than four sessions to hold out for a draw.

Resuming at 164-3, Bangladesh lost Tamim Iqbal (83), Shakib Al Hasan (55) and Mushfiqur Rahim (69), with Darren Sammy leading the bowling attack for 2-16. Devendra Bishoo has figures of 2-82 for the innings.  

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Sony mulling pulling out of LCD JV with Samsung: sources

 Sony Corp, struggling with a loss-making television business, is considering dissolving its LCD joint venture with South Korea's Samsung Electronics in a bid to cut costs, sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

The Nikkei business daily, which reported the news earlier, said the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant was aiming to reach an agreement by the end of this year to sell its nearly 50 percent stake in liquid-crystal display joint venture S-LCD to Samsung.

Sony needs to step up outsourcing to reduce procurement costs and cope with rapidly declining prices of LCD panels due to a global oversupply.

Industry sources told Reuters in Tokyo that Sony hoped to dissolve the joint venture quickly, but that it had yet to agree terms or timing with Samsung.

Spokesmen for both Sony and Samsung Electronics declined to comment.

South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo had a similar report on the joint venture breakup in July, which Sony denied.

A well-informed industry source told Reuters in Seoul that such reports seem to be "distorted" because Sony has been negotiating with Samsung over its return on investment in the joint venture, rather than shareholdings.

"Under the contract on the LCD joint venture, the two parties are allowed to discuss such matters, which outsiders could misunderstand as a step for Sony to withdraw from the joint venture," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In April, the two companies cut capital in the joint venture by $555 million as Sony sought to slash its TV losses and Samsung pushed ahead with next generation displays.

Sony is under pressure to show it can reduce its exposure to the loss-making TV unit and concentrate on developing its strategy for smartphones.

Last week, it announced it will take control of its mobile phone joint venture with Ericsson as it seeks to exploit its music and video applications to help it catch smartphone leaders such as Apple Inc.

Sony reports July-September results on Wednesday. Analysts are forecasting Sony will fall short of its operating profit outlook of 200 billion yen ($2.63 billion) for the year to March 2012, with consumer confidence wobbling in Europe and the United States and as the strong yen bites into profits.

The electronics giant, which competes with Samsung and LG Electronics in televisions, needs to slash costs as it heads for its eighth straight annual loss in its TV business.

Sony has already sold off TV factories in Spain, Slovakia and Mexico in the past few years and outsources more than half of production to companies including Hon Hai Precision Industry. It retains four TV plants of its own in Japan, Brazil, China and Malaysia.

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