'Return forever would be happier'

Dhaka, May 11 (bdnews24.com)?Celebrated contemporary Bengali fiction writer and playwright Humayun Ahmed said he was happy after arriving in Dhaka on Friday morning for three weeks after staying at New York for eight months.

"If I had returned forever after getting done with my treatment, then I would have said I am very happy. But after setting my foot in the country today, I thought one of the 20 days have gone. Only 19 days are left," he told reporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after his arrival.

His wife Meher Afroz Shaon, two sons 'Nishad' and 'Ninit' were also with him. They headed straight for Nuhash Polli in Gazipur.

"What I missed so much is my Nuhash Polli. I missed the garden there and the trees. Then I can say that I missed my mother, my friends and relatives," Ahmed said.

Earlier, Anyaprokash Publications Ltd director Abdullah Naser told bdnews24.com that the plane carrying the Humayun family landed at 6am on Friday.

Though he returned to home for 20 days to spend some days with his friends and relatives, the doctors have proscribed not to meet with so many people for the sake of his health condition. "That's why I will spend my time with the nature and trees," Ahmed said.

He, however, said he always wished for the well-being of his legions of fans.

Following their arrival, his wife Shaon said, "The surgeries in his liver and colon will take place after we go back. Then we will return home if everything goes well."

The third cycle of his treatment would start through the operation at Bellevue Hospital in New York on June 12.

Humayun Ahmed, also a renowned filmmaker, went to New York on Sep 13 last year after he was diagnosed with colon cancer during a routine check-up in Singapore.

He took treatment at the Memorial Sloan?Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC), a cancer treatment and research institution in New York.

bdnews24.com/rrd/trb/bd/1234h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

Johnson, Cummins recalled

Sydney, May 10 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Patrick Cummins will return to Australia's one-day international side following long-term injury breaks when they were named on Thursday for next month's tour of Ireland and England.

The 30-year-old Johnson has not played for Australia since the tour of South Africa late last year and then had foot surgery, while teenage fast bowler Cummins has recovered from a heel injury that kept him out for about five months.

"Mitchell Johnson... is in contention for the ICC World Twenty20 (starting in September) and needs to be in the set-up and have some quality competitive cricket leading into this," chairman of selectors John Inverarity said in a statement.

"We are also excited about the return of Pat Cummins and we are looking to ease him back into the team. He will not be expected to play in all of the eight scheduled games."

Australia are rotating their one-day squad, with the 2015 World Cup they co-host with New Zealand in mind, with veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin excluded along with several internationals who played in the domestic season or on the recent West Indies tour.

Matthew Wade, who supplanted Haddin in Australia's domestic season, is the only specialist wicketkeeper named for the tour, which includes a one-day international against Ireland, two matches against county sides and five against England.

Leg-spinning all rounder Steve Smith has also been included in the team, with Xavier Doherty the only specialist spinner.

"Steve Smith has been rewarded for his late season form," Inverarity added.

"He has come into strong contention for the Australian ICC World Twenty20 squad to be named in August and the (selection panel) is keen to have him in the set-up in England as the reserve batsman, (while) his leg-spinners would provide good variation to our attack."

SQUAD:

Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, George Bailey, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

ITINERARY:

June 21 v Leicestershire, Leicester
June 23 v Ireland, Belfast
June 26 v Essex, Chelmsford
June 29 v England, London (Lords)
July 1 v England, London (The Oval)
July 4 v England, Birmingham
July 7 v England, Durham
July 10 v England, Manchester

bdnews24.com/sd/2054h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

Road crashes kill 14 in 3 districts

Sylhet/Gaibandha, May 11 (bdnews24.com)? At least 14 people were killed in two road traffic accidents in the early hours of Friday in Sylhet, Gaibandha and Chittagong districts.

Police said eight people died and 20 more were injured in the accident in Sylhet and there was no survivor in Gaibandha as four of the five killed were from one family while one died and three got injured in Chittagong.

Sylhet's Sherpur Highway Police Officer-In-Charge Shahinur Rahman Khan said the mishap took place around 6am on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at Osmani Nagar's Tero Myle area when a truck collided head-on with a Sylhet-bound Volvo bus of Greenline.

All the deceased were passengers of the bus. Of them, six were identified as Awami League's Sylhet district unit Senior Vice-President Iftekhar Hossain Shamim, Hazi Abdul Baten, 45, of Keraniganj, Baten's son Abir Hossain, 20, nephew 'Apu', 22, Rashembwar Singh, 28, of Dhaka, and Shawkat Ali, 33, of Habiganj. Two others could not be identified immediately.

OC Khan said seven died on the spot while Shawkat died at the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

The injured were also admitted there while the bodies of the deceased were also taken there for autopsy. The injured also include Shamim's wife Naznin Hossain and their daughter.

The truck driver managed to flee the scene right after the accident, he said, adding a case was being filed.

As the news of his death spread, Sylhet City Mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran, Sylhet-2 MP Shafiqur Rahman and local AL leaders went to the scene. Deputy Commissioner Khan Mohammad Billal and Superintendent of Police Shakhawat Hossain also visited the scene. Billal said that highway police had already been told to form a committee to find the reason for the accident.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister AMA Muhith have expressed deep shock at the loss of lives of seven persons including Shamim.

Moreover, five people were killed when a truck ran over the rickshaw-van carrying them on Gaibandha-Polashbarhi road near the office of the Superintendent of Police in Gaibandha.

The deceased were identified as Shyamal Chandra Sarker, 35, his wife Nomita Rani Sarker, 28, Shyamal's younger brother Chandan Kumar Sarker, 23, aunt Kanchan Bala, 60, and rickshaw-van driver Ashraf Ali, 50.

Sadar Police Station OC Mostafizur Rahman said the truck ran over the van when the family was on their way to Gaibandha Adhunik Hospital. Two were killed on the spot, two others died on their way to hospital while another died from his wounds at the hospital.

OC Rahman said the truck fled the scene immediately, but they somehow managed to identify it. "Any arrests are yet to be made."

Another accident on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Chittagong's Sitakunda area has left one person dead and three injured.

Baro Aulia Highway Police Camp OC Humayun Kabir told bdnews24.com the accident took place around 7:15am at Sitakunda's Bhanur Bazar area when a truck ran over the victims, who were repairing a truck beside the road.

The deceased was identified as Mizanuddin, 22, but the identities of the injured are yet to be known. They were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment.

bdnews24.com/corr/mc/rrd/trb/bd/1150h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

'AL to stay in power until 2021'

Dhaka, May 10 (bdnews24.com) ? Planning Minister A K Khandaker on Thursday said the ruling Awami League-led government will continue in office until 2021.

"I believe the government won't change. The way we are working for the country and its people, people will surely return us to power again," he told reporters after a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) in the city.

"Only the Awami League-led government is capable of implementing a long-term (2010-2021) perspective plan," he said.

Earlier, the NEC meeting approved the first-ever long-term plan of the country, titled 'Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2010-2021: Making Vision 2021 a Reality'. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.

The planning minister's remarks came while he was discussing the approved ambitious plan with the journalists.

Asked how Awami League would be in power until 2021, he said, "Performance ... our performance will send us back to power."

"Apart from rise in GDP, we have made the country self-sufficient in food sector through bumper production. This is government's biggest achievement and the people are enjoying it," Khandaker said.

"We are leading the country towards the goal we announced in our electoral pledge. That's why the people will throw us back to power again. We will develop the country through this perspective plan."

The minister also added that the long-term perspective plan was formulated after discussions and according to recommendations of veteran economists and specialists of the country in the last two years.

The plan targets to make Bangladesh a middle-income country with $2000 per capita income by 2021, when the nation celebrates the golden jubilee of its independence.

bdnews24.com/arh/trb/nir/2205h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

RAB dismisses 'call from Ilias'

Dhaka, May 10 (bdnews24.com) ? The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has dismissed as 'baseless' a Jubo Dal leader's claim about a call coming from the cell phone of missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali.

"The news is baseless. We looked into the claim, but found that Ilias Ali's cell phone has been switched off ever since he went missing," said RAB Director (Intelligence) Ziaul Ahsan.

On Thursday afternoon, Abdul Latif, Joint Convener of the BNP's youth front in Ilias' constituency, claimed to have received a call from Ilias' phone number at 4:48pm.

Latif, however, said he could not receive the call as it came when he was talking over his phone. The call was registered as a 'missed call' on Latif's phone.

He called back to the number immediately only to find the phone switched off. Latif claimed the call came from the Ilias' mobile-phone number (01732293744).

Bishwanath upazila Chhatra Dal joint convener Shamsuddin told bdnews24.com that he found the number active at around 5:25pm on Thursday. None, however, received the call before switching it off, he added.

The word prompted RAB to launch an immediate investigation into the matter.

Earlier, the elite force had confirmed that Ilias had used his cell phone last time from the city's Eskaton area before he had gone missing.

Bloody violence erupted at Bishwanath during the countrywide shutdown enforced protesting the disappearance of Ilias. Latif and Shamsuddin stand accused in the case filed by police in connection with the violence. None of them are staying at their addresses currently.

"Both of them are absconding. They might have some other motive behind spreading the news of call coming from Ilias' switched-off cell phone," said the RAB's Intelligence Director Ziaul.

One of the BNP's organising secretaries, Ilias Ali and his driver Ansar Ali have been missing since the wee hours of Apr 18. Police found his private car abandoned at Mohakhali.

Police became certain about the vehicle belonging to Ilias Ali on finding Ansar Ali's cell phone inside the abandoned private car.

Police have failed to trace the BNP leader despite conducting numerous drives in and outside the capital.

The BNP has been alleging that Ilias was picked up by RAB personnel, an allegation refuted by the government who says the law-enforcing agencies are trying their best to trace him.

bdnews24.com/corr/kt/lh/eh/nir/2240h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

Canada likely to tour Pakistan

Toronto, May 10 (bdnews24.com) - Canada have offered to tour Pakistan more than three years after international cricket was halted in the troubled country.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, who haven't seen a home Test, ODI or T20I since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the touring Sri Lankans' team bus and left several players injured and civilians dead, looked forward to welcoming Canada, reports CRICKET365.com.

"PCB has thanked Cricket Canada for their interest in sending their national team to Pakistan. PCB believes in strengthening the relationship further between the two boards," read a statement from the PCB.

Efforts to resume international competition in Pakistan were marred last month when Bangladesh postponed an agreed tour over security fears.

Canada is an associate member of the International Cricket Council, not a full Test-playing nation, but took part in the 2011 World Cup and lost to Pakistan in the group stage.

bdnews24.com/sd/2148h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

Warner blasts Delhi to victory

Hyderabad, May 10 (bdnews24.com) - David Warner cracked a sensational hundred while Naman Ojha slammed a half-century as Delhi Daredevils crushed Deccan Chargers by nine wickets.

The home side appeared to have posted a competitive total when they made 187 for four from their 20 overs, reports ESPNSTAR.com.

Shikhar Dhawan made 84 from 49 balls and Cameron White added 65 from 40 balls as Deccan scored at more than nine runs an over.

But Warner put those achievements firmly in the shade as he made 109 not out from just 54 balls, hammering 10 fours and seven sixes.

Naman Ojha also thrashed five sixes in his 64 not out from 46 balls following the dismissal of Virender Sehwag as Delhi cruised to 193 for one with 20 balls to spare.

bdnews24.com/sd/2139h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

Ganguly quits as PWI captain

Dhaka, May 11 (bdnews24.com)?Sourav Ganguly will no more captain the struggling Pune Warriors India in Indian Premier League and will be involved with the team only in the capacity of mentor, reports The Press Trust of India.

The franchise owner Subrata Roy Sahara said that the former Indian captain offered to serve the team as mentor only.

"Sourav will be the mentor next season. We rather pushed him to play in IPL 5 as he is such a fantastic captain," Roy was quoted as saying.

The announcement has brought an end to the speculations over the struggling batsman's fate following a string of poor results. Pune have lost nine of their 13 matches in the league so far.

Some of the decisions made by Ganguly that have come under scanner include Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal not getting a single game despite being the top-scorer in Asia Cup.

The Warriors are already out of the race for the play-offs berth and Roy said Ganguly would like to sit out the team's last three matches for the youngsters' sake, the report added.

"Sourav wants to give youngsters a chance in the last games," the report quoted Roy.

"I did not want to be the captain but was asked to do so. Now I want to give chance to youngsters," Ganguly told the PTI.

Ganguly was appointed skipper after Yuvraj Singh, currently recuperating from a rare germ cell cancer, was ruled out.

There is a possibility that either Australia skipper Michael Clarke or find-of-the-season Steve Smith would lead the side.

Former South African pacer Allan Donald is the team's bowling mentor. Praveen Amre coaches the batsmen while Pady Upton is the mental and high performance coach of the team.

bdnews24.com/eh/bd/2448h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

220 AL men accused in Bishwanath case

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Sylhet, May 10 (bdnews24.com) ? As many as 220 activists of Awami League and its front organisations have been accused of murder in a case filed with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Sylhet on Thursday.

The case was filed over the killing of Selim Ahmed, who died on Apr 23 at Bishwanath, during the countrywide strike enforced by opposition BNP demanding 'return' of one of its organising secretaries, M Ilias Ali.

Selim's father Shafiq Miah, a resident of Tengra village at Bishwanath, filed the case accusing 132 named people including local Bishwanath upazila Awami League President Mozommil Ali and its General Secretary Babul Akter.

The rest accused, activists of Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and Shwechhashebok League, were unnamed.

The complainant's lawyer, Hasan Ahmed Patwary Ripon, said the court has taken the case into cognizance, and ordered police to carry out an investigation into the allegation and take action against the responsible.

According to the case statement, the accused lead by Mozommil Ali, Babul Akter, Mizanur Rahman and Fazr Ali equipped with firearms attacked the procession taken out to demand the 'return' of Ilias Ali in Bishwanath area on Apr 23.

"At one stage of attack, Chhatra League leader Mizan shot Selim. The bullet hit Selim in the chest and he collapsed on the ground in front of Mohammadia Madrassa," it said.

Doctors declared him dead after police took him to Osmani Hospital in Sylhet, the statement added.

Justifying filing of the case 17 days after the incident had taken place, the complainant said that Bishwanath police station refused to lodge any complain in this regard when he (the complainant) had gone there for filing a case.

Selim is one of the three killed at Bishwanath during the countrywide Apr 23 strike enforced to demand 'return' of BNP's missing leader M Ilias Ali, who also hailed from the same place.

Police had filed two cases against 8,000 leaders and activists of BNP following the violence.

bdnews24.com/corr/eh/nir/2245h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map

Youth told to be job providers, not seekers

Dhaka, May 10 (bdnews24.com) ? Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the youth of the country to create employment opportunities for others instead of looking for jobs themselves, and assured them of providing all government assistance in this regard.

"The enthusiastic youths of the country should create job opportunities for others instead of running after for their own jobs," she said at a programme in the city on Thursday.

"The government is ready to provide them with all kinds of assistance in this regard," Hasina added.

The premier was addressing the inaugural function of a subsidy money distribution programme for waiving interest on agriculture loan of cooperative societies' farmers at the city's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

She also underscored the need for working on co-operative basis for strengthening rural economy.

"The rural economy must be strengthened for ensuring food production," she said adding that it is possible to revitalise rural economy only through co-operative movement.

Hasina also called upon the farmers of the co-operative societies to repay bank loans in time.

"You (farmers) must repay the loan in time. None, including us, will waive the loan interest in the future," she warned.

"You repay the NGO loan money with high interest rates, but do not return the government's loans with lesser interests."

"Such a trend has also been seen among businessmen," she said.

Sheikh Hasina termed agriculture and farmers as the main driving forces of country's economy and said her government is working ceaselessly for boosting the sector.

She also promised to continue providing subsidies to the farmers.

She pointed out that her government had given hefty subsidy after the formation of her earlier government in 1996.

She also upheld Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's contribution's towards a flourishing agriculture sector and small investments in the country.

Hasina alleged that the 4-Party Alliance had stopped various 'pragmatic' steps of her government for development of the cooperative farmers later.

"If they had continued with our pace of work, the country would have advanced far more," she observed.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, among other, also addressed the function.

Later, Sheikh Hasina handed over cheques to 20 farmers.

bdnews24.com/sum/mi/shs/nir/2315h

Source: bdnews24.com

Read More on Dhaka Map