six prostitutes and seven pimps in Hassawi!

Farwaniya law enforcement agencies raided vice dens in Hassawi and arrested 13 Asian expatriates who had turned apartments into a brothel. The group included six prostitutes and seven pimps. According to sources, the raid lasted for three hours.

Photo by Anwar Daifallah :: By Mizyed Al-Saeedi – Special to the Arab Times

Kuwait mulls end to sponsorship system

Kuwait mulls end to sponsorship system

KUWAIT, March 11, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has already begun to ponder over a mechanism aiming to end the sponsor system as a state policy, a senior ministry official said here Tuesday. Mohamed Al-Kandari, undersecretary of the ministry, made the remarks following a meeting of the permanent committee on the organization of foreign workers in the private sector, under the chairmanship of Minister of Justice, Social Affairs and Labor Jamal Al-Shihab. Officials from the ministries of the interior and commerce, Kuwait Municipality and Chamber of Commerce and Industry were present at the meeting. He quoted the minister as hailing such a step as a state policy and expecting a relevant clear-cut future vision following the abolition of the sponsor system. Al-Kandari predicted that the system would be scrapped within 15 months, saying the conferees had explored several alternatives through a set of studies presented by experts of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Kuwaiti ministry. The new system will be adopted in a way that will fulfill international requirements and criteria for foreign laborers, he said, noting that it would ensure the interests of employers and employees altogether. The conferees also considered a proposal for setting up new labor housing cities on state lands, which would meet relevant ILO requirements and answer the needs of foreign workers, he concluded.

Govt cannot ignore demand for trial of war criminals

Language Movement veterans (from left) Protibha Mutsuddi, Dr Halima Khatun, Nazmi-ara Rubi and Abdul Matin, flanked by Khondaker Nazimuddin, vice president of Tangail Public Library, stand in silence for one minute at the library auditorium on Thursday in honour of late Language Movement hero Sofia Khan. Photo: STAR

Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin has said war criminals should be tried for killing people during the Liberation War.

This government arrested and tried many leaders of major parties including Awami League and BNP but Jamaat-e-Islami leaders are untouched though many of them were behind war crimes.

The caretaker government can not ignore the demand of people for trial of war criminals, he said while addressing a discussion meeting in memory of Language Movement veteran Sofia Khan. She died of old age complications on February 14.

Language Movement veterans Dr Halima Khatun and Protibha Mutsuddi and noted columnist Monaem Sarkar also spoke at the meeting held at Tangail Public Library auditorium Thursday evening with its vice-president Khandakar Nazim Uddin in the chair.

Abdul Matin also said the government can only try the war criminals as they did the crimes against the state.

He also spoke on other issues including price hike of essentials and corruption.

Those who want to save the country will have to fight corruption and keep prices within the buying capacity of the commonman, he said.

Among others, Language Movement veteran Nazmi-ara-Rubi, Tangail district Awami League president Shamsur Rahman Khan Shajahan, former president of district BNP Hamidul Haque Khan Mohan, principals Sekandar Hayat Khan, Shamsul Huda and Begum Shamsunnahar Shanti and poets Bulbul Khan Mahbub and Mahmud Kamal spoke at the meeting.

They said Sofia Khan dreamt of a prosperous and happy society, which is still far away.

The new generation will come up to build the country they said.

‘Bazlur Rahman a symbol of honest journalism’

Journalists at a meeting Thursday evening said Bazlur Rahman was a symbol of honest journalism who never compromised in discharging his professional duties.

Society needs journalists like him, speakers as they paid tribute to the late journalist at the meeting arranged by Kushtia journalists at the office of local daily Desh Tathya, with its editor SM Halimuzzaman in the chair.

Bazlur Rahman, who was always vocal for a democratic and secular state, set up a milestone in the country through a fearless and clean journalism, they said.

He always tried to uphold truth through objective journalism and never compromised on principles, the said.

The meeting was addressed by local editors and newsmen representing national dailies and the electronic media.

Women’s Day remains a reminder of enduring inequalities

Afp, Paris Indian women perform a traditional Punjabi dance during celebrations for International Women’s Day in New Delhi yesterday. International Women’s Day is being celebrated cross the world today. Photo: AFP Nearly 100 years old, International Women’s Day on March 8 marks an ongoing worldwide battle to ensure equal rights for half the globe’s population on issues such as work, voting and abortion. Conceived in 1910, and recognised by the United Nations in 1977, the origin of marking a day for women’s rights is actually American — although, like many such symbolic days, is clouded in uncertainty and competing claims. In the United States, the country’s long-defunct Socialist Party of America celebrated a National Women’s Day on February 28, 1909. But it was a year later, at an International Socialist Women’s conference in Copenhagen, that the notion was born of an international day to celebrate the female sex — at a time of mounting anger over unequal treatment in politics and the workplace. On March 19, 1911, the day was commemorated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, with more than a million women and men coming out onto the streets. A massive women’s protest in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg in 1917 to protest the price of bread and to welcome soldiers home from the World War I front on March 8 (February 23 in the Russian calendar) helped spark the Russian Revolution and cement the day in history. Today, the March 8 tradition remains strong in communist countries: in China, for example, female workers are granted a half-day off. Elsewhere, it gained momentum alongside the broader feminist movements of the 1970s, when women seized the symbolism of the day to mark their demands for equal political and social rights. In 1977, it was officially declared by the UN General Assembly as the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. And at a 1995 UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, representatives from 189 countries agreed that gender inequalities affected the well being of all the world’s population — both men and women. Today, the day serves as a reminder of the fields in which women must still battle for fundamental rights, and where they remain victims of violence and enduring inequalities.

<!– One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka’s drainage capability. PHOTO: STAR –>

Non-stop price spiral- The Dialy Star

Prices of different essentials continued to soar at both wholesale and retail markets in the capital and elsewhere in the country over the past week, intensifying sufferings of people belonging to all strata. Retailers and wholesalers blamed shortage of supply and price hike in the international market for the increase of prices of essentials like edible oil, pulses, sugar, flour, onion, chicken, egg, powdered milk and vegetables. They also alleged that importers and a section of unscrupulous traders are contributing to the price hike. The unabated increase of prices of essentials has left a large section of city dwellers utterly frustrated. “The prices are going beyond our reach. House rent, children’s education expenses and the overall living cost have been increasing while our incomes remain unchanged. How will we afford all these essentials?” said a frustrated customer, Anwar Hossain, at Hatirpul market yesterday. The price of non-brand soybean oil leapt by Tk 10-12 per kilogram (kg) in the last week and stood at Tk 115-120 per kg at different retail markets yesterday. The prices of palm and super palm oil also registered a fresh hike at wholesale and retail markets. The price of non-brand mustard oil jumped Tk 25 per kg, reaching Tk 140-150 per kg at the retail markets. The oil sold at Tk 115-125 a kg two weeks back. Traders blamed the increased price of mustard oil on the price hike of soybean oil. The prices of pulses increased by Tk 8-12 per kg over the last week at both retail and wholesale markets. Pulses of different varieties were selling between Tk 68 and Tk 95 per kg at the retail markets of the country yesterday. Sumon, a trader at Nimtoli Anandabazar under Shahbagh Police Station, said he sold pulses between Tk 58 and Tk 84 last week depending on their variety. Traders at Karwan Bazar and in Old Dhaka said the price of pulses increased by Tk 8-10 per kg in the retail market. They cited end of the season and shortage of supply as the main reasons for the hike. The price of sugar climbed up by Tk 10 per kg in the last two weeks. Sugar was selling between Tk 40-42 yesterday. A wholesale trader at Karwan Bazar said they are selling sugar at Tk 40.5 per kg, but the price was Tk 27 a month ago. The price of flour increased by Tk 4 per kg last week and a 1kg pack of flour was selling at Tk 43-48 at the retail markets yesterday, depending on brands. The prices of onions–both the local-variety and Indian variety–are hovering around Tk 17-20 per kg. They sold at Tk 12-15 per kg a week ago. The price of poultry chicken shot up Tk 10-15 per kg and stood at Tk 75-80. Chicken was sold at Tk 60-65 a week ago. The price of local chicken also increased by Tk 100 per hali (four pieces), climbing to Tk 500-550 from Tk 400-450. The price of eggs rose by Tk 3-6 per dozen; eggs were selling at Tk 48-54 per dozen at different retail markets. The prices of powdered milk of different brands, including Dano and Fresh, saw a sharp rise. A 400gm pack of Dano powdered milk rose to Tk 212 from last week’s Tk 201 while a 400gm pack of Fresh powdered milk leapt to Tk 200 from Tk 195. Meanwhile, most vegetables also became dearer after quite a long time. Traders blamed the increase of vegetables prices on end of season for some vegetables and start of season for others. Prices of rice of different varieties increased by Tk 20-40 per maund at the wholesale market in the last week. The prices at almost all retail markets rose by Tk 1 per kg. The prices of all types of fish also increased by Tk 10-50 at the markets in the capital over the last two weeks. Abdur Rahim, a fourth class employee of Dhaka Medical College Hospital who came to Palashi kitchen market yesterday, said a month ago he could manage his family’s daily kitchen expenses within Tk 200, but now he has to spend Tk 250 to buy the daily essentials.

<!– One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka’s drainage capability. PHOTO: STAR –>

‘Murder of 2 political leaders an act of pre-poll violence’ The Daily Star

The aspirations of becoming candidates in the upcoming Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) election might be the cause of recent murders of both the BNP and Swechchhasebak League leaders in the city, sources said. Dhanmondi thana unit BNP leader Mostofa Zaman Shibli, 35, and Motijheel thana unit Swechchhasebak League vice-president Kawsar Ali, 35, were gunned down by their rivals on Wednesday and Tuesday. Harun-ur-Rashid, husband of the sister of slain Shibli, said, “Shibli was taking preparations to become a commissioner candidate of Ward No 48.” “As Shibli wanted to be a candidate, his rivals might have killed him,” said Harun-ur-Rashid. Sources said former BNP leader Harun Chowdhury is the present commissioner of Ward No 48. As he has joined the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) led by Firdaus Ahmad Quarishi, Shibli, who was also the general secretary of the party’s Ward No 48 unit, had thought himself of a commissioner candidate. Shibli served five and a half months jail term in connection with the August Violence on the campus recently. However, the other sources said the criminals of his rival group might have killed Shibli. Earlier the criminals killed his brother Abdus Sattar two years ago and another brother Yunus was killed in crossfire with Rapid Action Battalion, police said. Terming it a political murder, Kazi Mainul Hossain, sub-inspector of Dhanmondi Police Station and the investigation officer (IO) of the case, told The Daily Star, “We have been looking into the matter. We want to ascertain whether Shibli’s murder is linked to the DCC election or not.” Shibli was shot dead by unidentified gunmen near his Jigatala residence at around 8:00pm on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, the assailants shot dead Kawsar Ali, vice-president of Motijheel thana unit of Swechchhasebak League at Shahjahanpur. Kawsar was also the owner of Ali Enterprise, a generator shop at north Shahjahanpur. A gang of criminals spread bullets on Kawsar when he was on his way to a local mosque to say Zohr prayers at around 1:00pm. Kawsar’s wife Shahina Begum and sister Dolly Begum said anonymous callers had been threatening over cell phone to kill Kawsar for the last one week. Kawsar’s friend Mohidul Islam Lablu said Kawsar was always against local drug peddlers and muggers. He suspects that the muggers or drug peddlers might have hand in the killing. Talking to The Daily Star, Sub-Inspector Zillur Rahman of Motijheel Police Station, who is also the IO of the case, suspects that Kawsar might have been killed due to an internal feud. The IO said Kawsar had a desire to contest the DCC election as commissioner candidate from Ward No 34. “We have detained one Arif Khan Rana from Malibagh area. After grilling him, we might be sure of the cause behind the murder,” he added. Sources said present Ward Commissioner Mirza Khokan had been hiding since the nine/eleven. It is impossible for him to take part in the election, as he has been sentenced to prison term in several cases for several years. Local sources said in presence of Mirza Khokan, none dared to take part in the election against him.

<!– One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka’s drainage capability. PHOTO: STAR –>

Hold parliamentary election first, set Hasina free

Hold parliamentary election first, set Hasina free AL demands at discussion on historic March 7 Source : The Dialy Star Awami League (AL) yesterday said it would not accept local government polls before the general election, and reiterated its call for the Election Commission (EC) to set an election date without delay. It also observed that a caretaker government is not mandated to hold elections to local government bodies. Speaking at a discussion marking the historic March 7 at the Institute of Diploma Engineers, AL leaders demanded that the government release their detained chief Sheikh Hasina within a week and send her to the US for ear treatment. They said there’s no question that if released for treatment abroad she would return to lead the party and the nation. Acting AL president Zillur Rahman presided over the meeting. He urged the leaders and workers to stay united and prepared to join any movement that the party might need to launch to free Hasina in the coming days. “We hope the government will set her free and we’ll contest the election under her leadership,” he said. Addressing the government, AL Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu said, “You release Hasina and we (AL) will do the rest to ensure her better treatment.” Another member of the Presidium, Abdur Razzak, said a conspiracy is on to foil the polls, and demanded that the EC announce a date for the national election without delay. He said the responsibility to hold local government polls does not rest with the caretaker government. Rather, their only duty is to have the general election held in a free and fair manner. Razzak warned that the government would have to shoulder the responsibility if anything happens to Hasina for not being allowed treatment abroad. Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed asked the interim administration to hold dialogue with political parties and create an atmosphere congenial to a fair and credible election. “There is confusion in public mind whether elections will be held as per the roadmap since the chief adviser and advisers are making contradictory statements about the national election and local government polls,” he said. Presidium Member Suranjit Sengupta said no election would be allowed before the national election. He cautioned the EC that cases would be lodged if it opts to hold the local government polls first. He asked the commission to announce immediately a specific date for the long-stalled parliamentary election. Acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to release Hasina and send her to the US. “Treatment of her ears is only possible in Florida as that’s where she had treatment several times before.” AL leader Asaduzzaman Noor recited a poem while Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed, Latif Siddiqui, Dr Hasan Mahmud, Yafes Osman, AKM Jahangir Hossain, Prof Abu Sayeed, Habibur Rahman Khan, MA Aziz and Qamrul Islam spoke among others. Bangladesh Chhatra League, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan and different socio-cultural organisations arranged programmes to commemorate Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s March 7 speech, a watershed in the nation’s struggle for independence.

<!– One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka’s drainage capability. PHOTO: STAR –>

Clinton gets new life

Published Date: March 06, 2008

WASHINGTON: Hillary Rodham Clinton’s big primary wins have resuscitated her White House bid, but results released yesterday show that rival Barack Obama may not have lost much ground in the tally of delegates – the key to winning the Democratic presidential nomination. Despite taking two big primaries – Texas and Ohio – and a third smaller contest in Rhode Island – Clinton gained only 12 delegates on her rival, with another dozen yet to be awarded in The Associated Press’ count. Obama won another small st
ate, Vermont, and had an advantage in Texas caucuses that followed the state’s primaries late Tuesday night.

The wins gave fresh momentum to Clinton, and new opportunities to raise more money and lure more “superdelegates” – party leaders who vote in nominating conventions, but are not elected. She projected confidence yesterday, suggesting she might want Obama as her vice presidential running mate. “That may be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who is on the top of ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me,” she said on CBS. Obama brushed such talk aside. “We a
re just focused on winning this nomination,” he told reporters aboard his chartered campaign jet en route to Chicago from Texas.

On the Republican side, President George W Bush endorsed nominee-in-waiting John McCain, a day after the veteran senator swept four states and his only remaining rival Mike Huckabee dropped out of the race. Bush and McCain were bitter rivals in the 2000 presidential race, but are joining together now in hopes of preventing Obama or Clinton from taking the White House. “John showed incredible courage, strength of character and perseverance in order to get to this moment and that’s exactly what we need in a
president – somebody who can handle the tough decisions, somebody who won’t flinch in the face of danger,” Bush said, appearing with McCain in the White House Rose Garden.

With his low poll ratings and an unpopular war on his shoulders, Bush could hurt McCain with some groups, while helping with others. McCain said he looked forward to campaigning with Bush at his side and said the president could be helpful in states such as Texas. In the Democratic race, Clinton still has a large delegate deficit to make up and few opportunities to do so. Obama indicated he will take a tougher line against Clinton, targeting her claims to be experienced in handling foreign policy.

Was she negotiating treaties? Was she handling crises? The answer is no,” Obama said. “She made a series of arguments on why she should be a superior candidate. I think it’s important to examine that argument.” The first-term senator vying to become the US’ first black president said he would prevail in the Democratic battle despite facing a tenacious candidate who “just keeps on ticking.” There were 370 Democratic delegates at stake in Tuesday’s contests, and nearly complete returns showed Clinton outpa
ced Obama in Ohio, 74-65, in Rhode Island, 13-8, and in the Texas primary, 65-61.

Obama won in Vermont, 9-6, and was ahead in the Texas caucuses, 30-27. Ten of the dozen that remained to be awarded were in Texas; the other two in Ohio. “We still have an insurmountable lead,” Obama said. With the next major contest in Pennsylvania six weeks away – on April 22 – the Democrats had ample time for public campaigning, and for private appeals to superdelegates. Clinton has the support of 241 superdelegates, and Obama 202. But more than 350 remain uncommitted, a large enough bloc to swing th
e nomination should they band together.

Clinton and Obama spent most of the past two weeks in Ohio and Texas in a bruising campaign, with the former first lady questioning his sincerity in opposing the North American Free Trade Agreement and darkly hinting he’s not ready to be commander in chief in a crisis. Based on their current delegate counts, neither candidate can win enough delegates in the remaining primaries and caucuses to secure the nomination without the help of nearly 800 superdelegates.

Yesterday, Clinton and her campaign clearly aimed their case at those delegates – a strategy that could take the nomination fight all the way to the party’s national convention in August. She said voters are being drawn to her argument that she would be the better commander in chief, the best steward of the economy and that she can better confront McCain in the general election.

Obama countered that on a key national security issue – the war in Iraq – “she got it wrong” by supporting Bush’s call for authority to use of force. As for superdelegates, Obama said he expected them to rally around him. “I don’t think it will necessarily go to the convention floor,” he told reporters aboard his plane before taking off from San Antonio for Chicago.

The delegate count does not include delegates from Florida and Michigan. The two states were penalized by the Democratic Party for moving up their primaries ahead of a schedule set by the Democratic National Committee. None of the Democratic candidates campaigned in either state. But Clinton, who won the popular vote in both state primaries, yesterday renewed her call for Florida and Michigan to be counted in the nomination race.

McCain surpassed the 1,191 delegates needed to win his party’s nomination against odds that seemed steep only a few months ago, and all but impossible last summer. Facing a couple of well-financed marquee candidates in a crowded field, the Arizona senator opened his comeback in New Hampshire’s leadoff primary, rolled over Rudy Giuliani in Florida and finished off Mitt Romney after Super Tuesday on Feb. 5. Huckabee hung in until Tuesday night, keeping up the fight weeks after dropping from long shot to afte
rthought. – AP

Narcotic Pills found with Bangladeshis, Kuwaiti man held taking drugs in toilet

Kuwait : Customs officers at the Kuwait International Airport have arrested two Bangladeshis for attempting to smuggle narcotic pills into the country, reports Al-Qabas daily.
According to a security source the suspects put up a brave appearance to pretend nothing was wrong with them. Their behavior caught the attention of customs officers and the passengers were whisked away for a thorough check.
The officers then searched their baggage and found 700 pills in the baggage of one man and 150 with the other.