วันศุกร์ที่ 4 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2553
ของกินที่ขึ้นต้นด้วยข้าว
ไทยเรามีอาหารหวานคาวหลายชนิดที่ขึ้นต้นด้วยคำว่า ข้าว เช่น ข้าวเกรียบ คือของกินทําด้วยแป้งข้าวเจ้าหรือแป้งข้าวเหนียว เป็นแผ่นตากให้แห้ง แล้วปิ้งหรือทอด มีหลายชนิด เช่น ข้าวเกรียบว่าว ข้าวเกรียบงา ข้าวเกรียบกุ้ง ข้าวเกรียบปากหม้อ คือของว่างชนิดหนึ่งทําด้วยแป้งข้าวเจ้า ละเลงบนผ้าที่ขึงปากหม้อน้ำเดือด มีไส้ทําด้วยกุ้งหรือหมูเป็นต้น ข้าวเกรียบอ่อน คือขนมชนิดหนึ่งทําด้วยแป้งข้าวเจ้า ประสมกับนํ้าตาลโตนดหรือนํ้าตาลมะพร้าว ละเลงบนผ้าที่ขึงปากหม้อน้ำเดือด มีไส้ทําด้วยถั่วและมะพร้าว กินกับนํ้าตาลคลุกงา ข้าวแช่ คืออาหารชนิดหนึ่ง มีข้าวสุกขัดแช่นํ้าเย็น กินกับเครื่องกับข้าวต่าง ๆ ข้าวต้ม คือข้าวเหนียวที่ห่อด้วยใบไม้เช่นใบตองหรือใบมะพร้าวอ่อน แล้วต้มหรือนึ่งให้สุก อยู่ในจําพวกขนม มีชื่อต่าง ๆ เช่น ข้าวต้มมัด ข้าวต้มผัด ข้าวต้มน้ำวุ้น คือของหวานชนิดหนึ่ง ทําด้วยข้าวเหนียวห่อใบตองเป็นรูปสามเหลี่ยม ต้มสุก กินกับนํ้าเชื่อม ข้าวตอกตั้ง คือของหวานทําด้วยข้าวตอกคลุกนํ้าตาลและมะพร้าว ทําเป็นแว่น ๆ เกลือกแป้ง ข้าวตู คือข้าวตากคั่วแล้วตําเป็นผงเคล้ากับนํ้าตาลและมะพร้าว ข้าวเปียก คือข้าวที่ต้มกับนํ้ากะทิเจือเกลือเล็กน้อย กวนให้สุกจน ข้นหรือเละ มีรสเค็ม ๆ มัน ๆ ข้าวพอง คือขนมชนิดหนึ่ง ทําด้วยเมล็ดข้าวเจ้าทอดน้ำมันให้พอง เคล้ากับน้ำตาลแล้วอัดเป็นแผ่น ข้าวเม่า คือข้าวเปลือกข้าวเหนียวที่ยังไม่แก่จัดเอามาคั่วแล้วตำให้แบน ข้าวเม่าที่เอามาคั่วให้กรอบ เรียกว่า ข้าวเม่าราง ข้าวเม่ารางทอดแล้วใส่เครื่องปรุง มีกุ้งแห้งทอด ถั่วลิสงทอด เต้าหู้หั่นทอด เรียกว่า ข้าวเม่าหมี่ ข้าวเม่าทอด คือขนมชนิดหนึ่ง ใช้ข้าวเม่าตำคลุกกับมะพร้าวและน้ำตาลปึกหุ้มกล้วยไข่สุก แล้วชุบแป้งทอดเป็นแพ ๆ ข้าวหลามตัด คือข้าวเหนียวนึ่งอัดใส่ถาดโรยถั่วทอง ตัดเป็นรูปสี่เหลี่ยมขนมเปียกปูน มักกินกับข้าวหมาก ข้าวหมาก คือของกินอย่างหนึ่ง ทําด้วยข้าวเหนียวนึ่งแล้วหมักกับแป้งเชื้อ ข้าวหัวโขน คือข้าวตากคั่วคลุกนํ้าตาลปึก ข้าวเหนียวแก้ว คือ ข้าวเหนียวที่เอามากวนกับกะทิและนํ้าตาลทราย แต่ถ้าเอามากวนกับกะทิและนํ้าตาลหม้อมีสีแดงเป็นสีนํ้าตาลไหม้ เรียกว่า ข้าวเหนียวแดง.
'ใครฆ่าประชาชน' ที่สภาไม่มีคำตอบ
วันพุธ ที่ 02 มิถุนายน 2553 เวลา 0:00 น
วันแรกของ “ญัตติ” อภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจของพรรคเพื่อไทย ได้ทิ้ง “น้ำหนัก”ไว้กับเรื่องเหตุการณ์การสลายการชุมนุมของกลุ่มคนเสื้อแดง
คำถามใหญ่ที่พรรคเพื่อไทยพยายาม โยนและลากจูงสังคมไทยให้เดินตามคือ ใครคือไอ้โม่งที่ “ฆ่าประชาชน”
ต่างฝ่ายต่างโทษกัน แต่สิ่งที่สังคมได้รับกลับ “ตรงข้าม” เพราะ “ข้อมูล” ประกอบการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจที่ดูเอาจริงเอาจังตั้งกรรมการ 3 ฝ่ายขึ้นมาพิจารณานั้นไม่ใหม่และไม่เด็ดเท่าที่ควร
แต่ก็ยังไม่แน่ เพราะ “หมัดเด็ด”ของพรรคเพื่อไทยอยู่ที่ นายจตุพร พรหมพันธุ์ ส.ส.สัดส่วนพรรคเพื่อไทย ซึ่งรู้เรื่อง “กระบวนการคนเสื้อแดง” ดีที่สุดคนหนึ่ง
ก็จะไม่ให้รู้ดีได้อย่างไรในเมื่อเจ้าตัวเล่นเองกับมือ เป็นการ “เล่น” การเมืองทั้งเล่นในสภาผู้แทนราษฎรและเล่นนอกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร
เป็นการเล่นการเมืองยุคใหม่ที่ไม่เคยมีมาก่อน
“ท่วงทำนอง” ที่บรรดา ส.ส.พรรคเพื่อไทย เรียงหน้าอภิปราย นายอภิสิทธ์ เวชชาชีวะ นายกรัฐมนตรี และ นายสุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ รองนายกรัฐมนตรี ในฐานะประธาน ศอฉ. เป็นไปในลักษณะ “หนังม้วนเก่า” กล่าวคือ เอาเรื่องที่เกิดมาแล้วมาฉายใหม่แต่แทบน้อยคนนักจะ “แนะ” วิธีการออกจากปัญหาความขัดแย้ง
ขณะที่ฝ่ายค้าน “หนังม้วนเก่า” ฝ่ายรัฐบาลอย่างนายอภิสิทธิ์และนายสุเทพก็แทบไม่ต่างกัน คือ นำประเด็นที่เคยชี้แจงมาก่อนหน้านี้มาชี้แจงใหม่อีกครั้ง
สุดท้าย “สังคมไทย” ก็ยังงง เบลอ ๆ ไม่รู้ซะทีว่า ใครกันแน่ที่เป็นฝ่าย “ฆ่าประชาชน”
มีข้อน่าสังเกตอยู่ข้อหนึ่งว่า ทำไม รัฐบาลถึงไม่เร่งดำเนินการตั้งคณะกรรมการอิสระขึ้นมาสอบสวนข้อเท็จจริงที่เกิดขึ้นทั้งหมด
จริงอยู่แม้นายอภิสิทธิ์จะระบุมา ตลอดว่า กำลังอยู่ระหว่าง “ทาบทาม” ประธานคณะกรรมการฯ ซึ่งจะต้องเป็นกลางและเป็นที่ยอมรับของทุกฝ่าย
ล่าสุด นายอานันท์ ปันยารชุน อดีตนายกรัฐมนตรี ได้ออกมาปฏิเสธที่รับเป็นประธานคณะกรรมการฯ ชุดนี้แล้ว
หรือเหตุที่ “ล่าช้า” เพราะยังไม่ได้ตัวประธานคณะกรรมการฯ
ความขัดแย้งทางการเมืองที่เดินมา 3-4 ปี ทำให้สังคมไทย “ขาดแคลน” คนกลางเพื่อมาทำหน้าที่ “คลี่คลาย” เพราะต่างฝ่ายต่าง “ผลัก” คนในสังคมให้เลือกข้าง เลือกฝั่ง
การอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจที่คาดกันว่าจะเป็นเวทีเพื่อหาความจริง หาคำตอบให้สังคม ที่สุดแล้วก็แค่เวทีทางการเมืองเวทีหนึ่งที่หาความจริงไม่ค่อยจะได้มากนัก และไม่มีคำตอบใด ๆ ให้กับสังคม
จึงต้องหากันต่อไปว่าแล้วใครล่ะที่ “ฆ่าประชาชน”.
วันแรกของ “ญัตติ” อภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจของพรรคเพื่อไทย ได้ทิ้ง “น้ำหนัก”ไว้กับเรื่องเหตุการณ์การสลายการชุมนุมของกลุ่มคนเสื้อแดง
คำถามใหญ่ที่พรรคเพื่อไทยพยายาม โยนและลากจูงสังคมไทยให้เดินตามคือ ใครคือไอ้โม่งที่ “ฆ่าประชาชน”
ต่างฝ่ายต่างโทษกัน แต่สิ่งที่สังคมได้รับกลับ “ตรงข้าม” เพราะ “ข้อมูล” ประกอบการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจที่ดูเอาจริงเอาจังตั้งกรรมการ 3 ฝ่ายขึ้นมาพิจารณานั้นไม่ใหม่และไม่เด็ดเท่าที่ควร
แต่ก็ยังไม่แน่ เพราะ “หมัดเด็ด”ของพรรคเพื่อไทยอยู่ที่ นายจตุพร พรหมพันธุ์ ส.ส.สัดส่วนพรรคเพื่อไทย ซึ่งรู้เรื่อง “กระบวนการคนเสื้อแดง” ดีที่สุดคนหนึ่ง
ก็จะไม่ให้รู้ดีได้อย่างไรในเมื่อเจ้าตัวเล่นเองกับมือ เป็นการ “เล่น” การเมืองทั้งเล่นในสภาผู้แทนราษฎรและเล่นนอกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร
เป็นการเล่นการเมืองยุคใหม่ที่ไม่เคยมีมาก่อน
“ท่วงทำนอง” ที่บรรดา ส.ส.พรรคเพื่อไทย เรียงหน้าอภิปราย นายอภิสิทธ์ เวชชาชีวะ นายกรัฐมนตรี และ นายสุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ รองนายกรัฐมนตรี ในฐานะประธาน ศอฉ. เป็นไปในลักษณะ “หนังม้วนเก่า” กล่าวคือ เอาเรื่องที่เกิดมาแล้วมาฉายใหม่แต่แทบน้อยคนนักจะ “แนะ” วิธีการออกจากปัญหาความขัดแย้ง
ขณะที่ฝ่ายค้าน “หนังม้วนเก่า” ฝ่ายรัฐบาลอย่างนายอภิสิทธิ์และนายสุเทพก็แทบไม่ต่างกัน คือ นำประเด็นที่เคยชี้แจงมาก่อนหน้านี้มาชี้แจงใหม่อีกครั้ง
สุดท้าย “สังคมไทย” ก็ยังงง เบลอ ๆ ไม่รู้ซะทีว่า ใครกันแน่ที่เป็นฝ่าย “ฆ่าประชาชน”
มีข้อน่าสังเกตอยู่ข้อหนึ่งว่า ทำไม รัฐบาลถึงไม่เร่งดำเนินการตั้งคณะกรรมการอิสระขึ้นมาสอบสวนข้อเท็จจริงที่เกิดขึ้นทั้งหมด
จริงอยู่แม้นายอภิสิทธิ์จะระบุมา ตลอดว่า กำลังอยู่ระหว่าง “ทาบทาม” ประธานคณะกรรมการฯ ซึ่งจะต้องเป็นกลางและเป็นที่ยอมรับของทุกฝ่าย
ล่าสุด นายอานันท์ ปันยารชุน อดีตนายกรัฐมนตรี ได้ออกมาปฏิเสธที่รับเป็นประธานคณะกรรมการฯ ชุดนี้แล้ว
หรือเหตุที่ “ล่าช้า” เพราะยังไม่ได้ตัวประธานคณะกรรมการฯ
ความขัดแย้งทางการเมืองที่เดินมา 3-4 ปี ทำให้สังคมไทย “ขาดแคลน” คนกลางเพื่อมาทำหน้าที่ “คลี่คลาย” เพราะต่างฝ่ายต่าง “ผลัก” คนในสังคมให้เลือกข้าง เลือกฝั่ง
การอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจที่คาดกันว่าจะเป็นเวทีเพื่อหาความจริง หาคำตอบให้สังคม ที่สุดแล้วก็แค่เวทีทางการเมืองเวทีหนึ่งที่หาความจริงไม่ค่อยจะได้มากนัก และไม่มีคำตอบใด ๆ ให้กับสังคม
จึงต้องหากันต่อไปว่าแล้วใครล่ะที่ “ฆ่าประชาชน”.
กลยุทธ์ 'งูเห่า' กับเกมเขี่ย 'เพื่อแผ่นดิน'
วันศุกร์ ที่ 04 มิถุนายน 2553 เวลา 0:00 น
มีคำถามว่า การ “งัดข้อ” ระหว่างกลุ่มการเมืองที่ร่วมรัฐบาลใน “พรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน” กับ “พรรคภูมิใจไทย” ซึ่งใช้การอภิปราย ไม่ไว้วางใจเป็น “จุดเริ่ม” นั้นจะกระทบต่อเสถียรภาพของรัฐบาล นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ นายกรัฐมนตรี หรือไม่
คำตอบคือ ไม่แน่ เพราะการเมืองคือเรื่องที่อะไร ๆ ก็เป็นไปได้ ที่เห็นอาจจะไม่ใช่ ที่ใช่อาจจะไม่เห็น โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งการเมืองไทยที่ “ลมหายใจ” ของนักการเมือง “ทั้งหายใจเข้าทั้งหายใจออก” ก็อยากจะเป็นรัฐบาลกันทั้งสิ้น
วันนี้ พรรคภูมิใจไทย ชัดเจนทันทีหลังถูกยกมือไม่ไว้วางใจจากกลุ่มการเมืองที่ร่วมรัฐบาลในพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน ด้วยการยื่นเงื่อนไข 7 วัน ให้นายอภิสิทธิ์ “ตัด” พรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน 32 เสียงออกจากรัฐบาล
ตัดพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินทิ้งนั้นในความหมายจริง ๆ คือ ตัดกลุ่มการเมืองในพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินที่มีปัญหาทิ้งไปซะมากกว่า โดยที่อาจจะมีกลุ่มการเมืองอื่นในพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินมาเข้าร่วม หรือดึงพรรคการเมืองที่ไม่ชัดเจนว่าจะร่วมรัฐบาลหรือเป็นฝ่ายค้าน อย่างพรรคประชาราชและพรรคมาตุภูมิมาแทน
หากติดตามการอภิปรายของ ร.ต.อ.เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง ประธานส.ส.พรรคเพื่อไทย จะพบว่า ช่วงหนึ่งระบุว่า “ข้อมูล” นี้มาจากรัฐมนตรีในพรรคร่วมรัฐบาลพรรคหนึ่ง
เหตุผลที่พรรคภูมิใจไทยเสนอเช่นนั้นเพราะวันนี้ในทางการเมืองพรรคนี้มี ส.ส.มากกว่าตัวเลขจริง ๆ คือ 32 เสียง แต่มีถึง 47 เสียง และเผลอ ๆ อาจจะมากกว่านั้นอีก การตัดพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินออกทั้งพรรคจึงไม่ได้หมายความว่าจะตัดไปทั้ง 32 คน ตรงข้ามอาจจะมีบางส่วนไหลกลับเข้ารัฐบาลเพียงแต่อาจจะเปลี่ยนหัวหน้ากลุ่มเท่านั้น
ปัจจุบันพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินมี 4 รัฐมนตรี ประกอบด้วย 2 รัฐมนตรีว่าการ 2 รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการ
อย่าลืมว่าการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจครั้ง ต่อไปจะมีขึ้นก็โน่นปีหน้า ที่สำคัญคือ รัฐบาลนายอภิสิทธิ์มีความจำเป็นอะไรอยู่บ้างที่จะ ต้องเป็นรัฐบาลเสียงข้างมากนอกจากการผ่านร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณปี 54
ที่สำคัญไปกว่านั้น นายสุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ รองนายกรัฐมนตรี ในฐานะ “ผู้จัดการ รัฐบาล” นั้น “มองตาก็รู้ใจ” กับ นายเนวิน ชิดชอบ ตัวจริงเสียงจริงพรรคภูมิใจไทย ถึงขนาดมีเสียงร่ำลือกันว่า ได้จับมือเป็นพันธมิตรกันทั้งในระหว่างการหาเสียงและหลังการเลือกตั้งที่จะมีขึ้นด้วย
“ขั้วทางการเมือง” ที่พลิกจนประชาธิปัตย์ได้เป็นรัฐบาล นายเนวินนั้นมี “บทบาท” สำคัญยิ่ง
แต่หากพรรคประชาธิปัตย์เลือกทางใดทางหนึ่งนั้นก็ใช่ว่าจะดี เพราะการเมืองคือเรื่องการต่อรอง ผ่านวันนี้ไปได้แล้ววันหน้าจะเอาอะไรไปต่อรองกับพรรคภูมิใจไทย
เป็นเบอร์ 1 แต่ต้องทำตามที่เบอร์ 2 ชี้นิ้วสั่ง
หักกันมาตอนแก้ไขรัฐธรรมนูญ คงไม่มีทางลืมกันได้ง่าย ๆ
ปรากฏการณ์การเมืองที่กลุ่มการเมืองไปทาง พรรคการเมืองไปอีกทาง นั่นคือ การเมืองแบบที่เราเรียกกันว่า “งูเห่า”
ดีดลูกคิดรางแก้วแล้ว หากจะให้รัฐนาวาอภิสิทธิ์อยู่รอดปลอดภัย นายสุเทพไม่มีทางให้เลือกมากนัก.
มีคำถามว่า การ “งัดข้อ” ระหว่างกลุ่มการเมืองที่ร่วมรัฐบาลใน “พรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน” กับ “พรรคภูมิใจไทย” ซึ่งใช้การอภิปราย ไม่ไว้วางใจเป็น “จุดเริ่ม” นั้นจะกระทบต่อเสถียรภาพของรัฐบาล นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ นายกรัฐมนตรี หรือไม่
คำตอบคือ ไม่แน่ เพราะการเมืองคือเรื่องที่อะไร ๆ ก็เป็นไปได้ ที่เห็นอาจจะไม่ใช่ ที่ใช่อาจจะไม่เห็น โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งการเมืองไทยที่ “ลมหายใจ” ของนักการเมือง “ทั้งหายใจเข้าทั้งหายใจออก” ก็อยากจะเป็นรัฐบาลกันทั้งสิ้น
วันนี้ พรรคภูมิใจไทย ชัดเจนทันทีหลังถูกยกมือไม่ไว้วางใจจากกลุ่มการเมืองที่ร่วมรัฐบาลในพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน ด้วยการยื่นเงื่อนไข 7 วัน ให้นายอภิสิทธิ์ “ตัด” พรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน 32 เสียงออกจากรัฐบาล
ตัดพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินทิ้งนั้นในความหมายจริง ๆ คือ ตัดกลุ่มการเมืองในพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินที่มีปัญหาทิ้งไปซะมากกว่า โดยที่อาจจะมีกลุ่มการเมืองอื่นในพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินมาเข้าร่วม หรือดึงพรรคการเมืองที่ไม่ชัดเจนว่าจะร่วมรัฐบาลหรือเป็นฝ่ายค้าน อย่างพรรคประชาราชและพรรคมาตุภูมิมาแทน
หากติดตามการอภิปรายของ ร.ต.อ.เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง ประธานส.ส.พรรคเพื่อไทย จะพบว่า ช่วงหนึ่งระบุว่า “ข้อมูล” นี้มาจากรัฐมนตรีในพรรคร่วมรัฐบาลพรรคหนึ่ง
เหตุผลที่พรรคภูมิใจไทยเสนอเช่นนั้นเพราะวันนี้ในทางการเมืองพรรคนี้มี ส.ส.มากกว่าตัวเลขจริง ๆ คือ 32 เสียง แต่มีถึง 47 เสียง และเผลอ ๆ อาจจะมากกว่านั้นอีก การตัดพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินออกทั้งพรรคจึงไม่ได้หมายความว่าจะตัดไปทั้ง 32 คน ตรงข้ามอาจจะมีบางส่วนไหลกลับเข้ารัฐบาลเพียงแต่อาจจะเปลี่ยนหัวหน้ากลุ่มเท่านั้น
ปัจจุบันพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินมี 4 รัฐมนตรี ประกอบด้วย 2 รัฐมนตรีว่าการ 2 รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการ
อย่าลืมว่าการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจครั้ง ต่อไปจะมีขึ้นก็โน่นปีหน้า ที่สำคัญคือ รัฐบาลนายอภิสิทธิ์มีความจำเป็นอะไรอยู่บ้างที่จะ ต้องเป็นรัฐบาลเสียงข้างมากนอกจากการผ่านร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณปี 54
ที่สำคัญไปกว่านั้น นายสุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ รองนายกรัฐมนตรี ในฐานะ “ผู้จัดการ รัฐบาล” นั้น “มองตาก็รู้ใจ” กับ นายเนวิน ชิดชอบ ตัวจริงเสียงจริงพรรคภูมิใจไทย ถึงขนาดมีเสียงร่ำลือกันว่า ได้จับมือเป็นพันธมิตรกันทั้งในระหว่างการหาเสียงและหลังการเลือกตั้งที่จะมีขึ้นด้วย
“ขั้วทางการเมือง” ที่พลิกจนประชาธิปัตย์ได้เป็นรัฐบาล นายเนวินนั้นมี “บทบาท” สำคัญยิ่ง
แต่หากพรรคประชาธิปัตย์เลือกทางใดทางหนึ่งนั้นก็ใช่ว่าจะดี เพราะการเมืองคือเรื่องการต่อรอง ผ่านวันนี้ไปได้แล้ววันหน้าจะเอาอะไรไปต่อรองกับพรรคภูมิใจไทย
เป็นเบอร์ 1 แต่ต้องทำตามที่เบอร์ 2 ชี้นิ้วสั่ง
หักกันมาตอนแก้ไขรัฐธรรมนูญ คงไม่มีทางลืมกันได้ง่าย ๆ
ปรากฏการณ์การเมืองที่กลุ่มการเมืองไปทาง พรรคการเมืองไปอีกทาง นั่นคือ การเมืองแบบที่เราเรียกกันว่า “งูเห่า”
ดีดลูกคิดรางแก้วแล้ว หากจะให้รัฐนาวาอภิสิทธิ์อยู่รอดปลอดภัย นายสุเทพไม่มีทางให้เลือกมากนัก.
ดูหนังโฆษณาก่อนจะได้ดูหนังจริง
วันศุกร์ ที่ 28 พฤษภาคม 2553 เวลา 0:00 น
ในการประชุมสภาผู้แทนราษฎรสมัยวิสามัญเพื่อพิจารณาร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปี 2553 วงเงิน 2.07 ล้านล้านบาท เป็นไปตามที่ “คอการเมือง” คาดไว้ กล่าวคือ
มี “เนื้อหา” เกี่ยวกับร่าง พ.ร.บ. งบประมาณ “น้อยมาก” ขณะที่เวลาของสภาผู้แทนราษฎรส่วนใหญ่ “วนเวียน” อยู่กับเหตุการณ์การชุมนุมของกลุ่มคนเสื้อแดงที่ยุติลง “ชั่วคราว” เมื่อวันที่ 19 พ.ค. ที่ผ่านมา
ไม่ว่าจะเป็น ข้อกล่าวหาที่ว่า ผู้ มาชุมนุมเป็นผู้ก่อการร้าย ขณะที่รัฐบาล ตอบโต้ว่า รัฐบาลไม่เคยกล่าวหาผู้ชุมนุม ที่ปราศจากอาวุธว่าเป็นผู้ก่อการร้าย แต่บอกว่ามีคนใช้อาวุธเพื่อสร้างสถานการณ์และก่อการร้าย
หรือข้อกล่าวหา รักทหารมากกว่ารักเกษตรกร โดยอ้างงบประมาณของกระทรวงกลาโหมที่เพิ่มมากขึ้น ขณะที่รัฐบาลตอบโต้ว่า เป็นการจัดสรรงบประมาณที่ไม่แตกต่างจากสมัยรัฐบาล นายสมัคร สุนทรเวช
แม้แต่ ร.ต.อ.เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง ประธาน ส.ส.พรรคเพื่อไทย ที่ไม่เน้นเรื่อง ร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณ แต่ไปเน้นเรื่อง “ข้อหา” ก่อการร้ายของ พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร ผู้ถูกออกหมายจับข้อหา “ก่อการร้าย”
“ในการเลือกตั้งครั้งหน้าพรรคเพื่อไทยจะชู พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ แน่นอน วันนี้อย่าสงสัยเพราะผมเป็นสาวกของ พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ”
น้ำหนักของการอภิปรายวันแรก จึงเน้นเนื้อหาของการชุมนุมโดยมีเรื่องงบประมาณเป็น “เครื่องเคียง”
ในทางการเมืองรู้กันว่า อย่างไรเสียร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณ ก็ต้องผ่านวาระ 1 คือวาระรับหลักการจนได้ เพราะรัฐบาลนั้นมีเสียงข้างมาก
แต่เรื่องที่ต้องพูดคือ สถานการณ์การชุมนุมที่เพิ่งผ่านมา
หวังจะเพิ่มหรือหวังจะลดอุณหภูมิทางการเมืองดูกันได้ไม่ยาก
ยิ่งมีการถ่ายทอดทางโทรทัศน์และวิทยุบางช่วงก็ยิ่งทำให้การแสดงมีมากกว่าการประชุมตามกระบวน การปกติ
เวทีนอกสภาถูกรื้อไปหมาด ๆ ทางเลือกจึงมีแค่เวทีในสภาผู้แทนราษฎรเท่านั้นที่จะได้แสดงบทบาท
มีข่าวว่า หลังการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจจบลง ผลจะเป็นอย่างไรก็ช่าง พรรคเพื่อไทยมีแผนจะเดินหน้าลงพื้นที่ภาคเหนือ ภาคอีสาน หาเสียงทางการเมืองทันที
“ปิดประตู” รัฐบาลไม่ให้เข้าพื้นที่ทันที
การพิจารณาร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณจึงเป็น “หนังตัวอย่าง” ที่ออกมาดึงอารมณ์ก่อนดู “หนังจริง” อย่างการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจซึ่งจะมีขึ้นในช่วงวันที่ 31 พ.ค.-1 มิ.ย. ที่จะถึงนี้.
ในการประชุมสภาผู้แทนราษฎรสมัยวิสามัญเพื่อพิจารณาร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปี 2553 วงเงิน 2.07 ล้านล้านบาท เป็นไปตามที่ “คอการเมือง” คาดไว้ กล่าวคือ
มี “เนื้อหา” เกี่ยวกับร่าง พ.ร.บ. งบประมาณ “น้อยมาก” ขณะที่เวลาของสภาผู้แทนราษฎรส่วนใหญ่ “วนเวียน” อยู่กับเหตุการณ์การชุมนุมของกลุ่มคนเสื้อแดงที่ยุติลง “ชั่วคราว” เมื่อวันที่ 19 พ.ค. ที่ผ่านมา
ไม่ว่าจะเป็น ข้อกล่าวหาที่ว่า ผู้ มาชุมนุมเป็นผู้ก่อการร้าย ขณะที่รัฐบาล ตอบโต้ว่า รัฐบาลไม่เคยกล่าวหาผู้ชุมนุม ที่ปราศจากอาวุธว่าเป็นผู้ก่อการร้าย แต่บอกว่ามีคนใช้อาวุธเพื่อสร้างสถานการณ์และก่อการร้าย
หรือข้อกล่าวหา รักทหารมากกว่ารักเกษตรกร โดยอ้างงบประมาณของกระทรวงกลาโหมที่เพิ่มมากขึ้น ขณะที่รัฐบาลตอบโต้ว่า เป็นการจัดสรรงบประมาณที่ไม่แตกต่างจากสมัยรัฐบาล นายสมัคร สุนทรเวช
แม้แต่ ร.ต.อ.เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง ประธาน ส.ส.พรรคเพื่อไทย ที่ไม่เน้นเรื่อง ร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณ แต่ไปเน้นเรื่อง “ข้อหา” ก่อการร้ายของ พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร ผู้ถูกออกหมายจับข้อหา “ก่อการร้าย”
“ในการเลือกตั้งครั้งหน้าพรรคเพื่อไทยจะชู พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ แน่นอน วันนี้อย่าสงสัยเพราะผมเป็นสาวกของ พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ”
น้ำหนักของการอภิปรายวันแรก จึงเน้นเนื้อหาของการชุมนุมโดยมีเรื่องงบประมาณเป็น “เครื่องเคียง”
ในทางการเมืองรู้กันว่า อย่างไรเสียร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณ ก็ต้องผ่านวาระ 1 คือวาระรับหลักการจนได้ เพราะรัฐบาลนั้นมีเสียงข้างมาก
แต่เรื่องที่ต้องพูดคือ สถานการณ์การชุมนุมที่เพิ่งผ่านมา
หวังจะเพิ่มหรือหวังจะลดอุณหภูมิทางการเมืองดูกันได้ไม่ยาก
ยิ่งมีการถ่ายทอดทางโทรทัศน์และวิทยุบางช่วงก็ยิ่งทำให้การแสดงมีมากกว่าการประชุมตามกระบวน การปกติ
เวทีนอกสภาถูกรื้อไปหมาด ๆ ทางเลือกจึงมีแค่เวทีในสภาผู้แทนราษฎรเท่านั้นที่จะได้แสดงบทบาท
มีข่าวว่า หลังการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจจบลง ผลจะเป็นอย่างไรก็ช่าง พรรคเพื่อไทยมีแผนจะเดินหน้าลงพื้นที่ภาคเหนือ ภาคอีสาน หาเสียงทางการเมืองทันที
“ปิดประตู” รัฐบาลไม่ให้เข้าพื้นที่ทันที
การพิจารณาร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณจึงเป็น “หนังตัวอย่าง” ที่ออกมาดึงอารมณ์ก่อนดู “หนังจริง” อย่างการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจซึ่งจะมีขึ้นในช่วงวันที่ 31 พ.ค.-1 มิ.ย. ที่จะถึงนี้.
ปิดตำนานหนุ่มมนุษย์รู
วันนี้ ( 4 มิ.ย.) พ.ต.ท.ทินกร เดชาเลิศ รอง ผกก.สส.สภ.อุทุมพรพิสัย จ.ศรีสะเกษ ได้รับแจ้งเหตุดินถล่มทับร่างคนเสียชีวิต บริเวณริมแม่น้ำมูล พื้นที่หมู่ 8 ต.รังแร้ง อ.อุทุมพรพิสัย จึงรีบไปตรวจสอบพบรูขนาดใหญ่ กว้าง 1 เมตร ลึก 1-3 เมตร ถูกขุดเป็นแนวยาวกว่า 30 เมตร จากริมฝั่งแม่น้ำมูลเข้าหาพื้นแผ่นดิน และมีหลุมขนาดใหญ่ยุบตัวลงไปทับร่างนายอัคณี ธรรมวัฒน์ อายุ 34 ปี อยู่บ้านเลขที่ 31 หมู่ 12 ต.ส้มป่อย อ.ราษีไศล จ.ศรีสะเกษ เสียชีวิตคาที่
สอบสวนนายมนูญ ธรรมวัฒน์ บิดาผู้ตายซึ่งเป็นผู้ใหญ่บ้าน เปิดเผยว่าลูกชายหายออกจากบ้านทุกวัน เป็นเวลานานกว่า 1 ปีแล้ว โดยทราบว่าชอบไปขุดรูอยู่ริมฝั่งน้ำ ตรงข้ามวัดบ้านส้มป่อยใหญ่ ซึ่งอยู่ในเขตบ้านโนนทราย อ.อุทุมพรพิสัย ตนเห็นว่าไม่ได้ไปสร้างความเดือนร้อนให้ใคร จึงปล่อยเลยตามเลยมานานกว่า 1 ปี แต่เมื่อคืนที่ผ่านมานายอัคณีไม่กลับมาบ้าน จึงเดินทางออกไปตามหา พบว่าบริเวณที่เกิดเหตุมีฝนตก ทำให้ดินทรุดตัวถล่มลงมาทับร่างลูกชายที่อยู่ในรูจนเสียชีวิต จึงเรียกเพื่อนบ้านไปช่วยกันขุดนำร่างออกมา เพื่อนำกลับไปบำเพ็ญกุศลตามประเพณีต่อไป.
ความรัก - หึง..เพราะเขามองหญิงอื่น - ผู้หญิง นะคะดอทคอม เว็บไซต์วาไรตี้สำหรับผู้หญิงทุกคน
หึง..เพราะเขามองหญิงอื่น
ยอมรับซะ เถอะว่า บางครั้งคุณสาว ๆ ทั้งหลายก็เกิดอาการหึงขึ้นมาเพราะว่าเขาชอบมองผู้หญิงอื่นเป็นประจำ ทั้งๆ ที่ปรกติอาจจะไม่ใช่คนขี้หึงขี้หวงขนาดว่าไม่ยอมให้เขากระดิกตัวทำอะไรเลย เต่สิ่งที่เราอาจจะต้องยอมรับอีกข้อว่า ผู้ชายส่วนใหญ่นั้นเขามียีนบางอย่างอยู่ในตัว ยีนที่ทำให้คอเขาเอียงไปมองหญิงสวย น่ารัก เซ็กซี่ ดูดี ฯลฯ ที่ผ่านเข้ามาในเรดาร์สายตาเสมอๆ ไม่ยกเว้นแม้ตอนที่อยู่กับเรา อาจจะไม่ใช่การหันไปมองแบบคอแทบหัก แต่แค่เหลือบแล แต่เพียงเท่านั้นก็ทำให้หญิงสาวอย่างเราๆ หลายคนเจ็บปวด ที่สำคัญก็คือว่า ตั้งแต่เริ่มต้นคบกันจนถึงแต่งงานแล้ว บางคนก็ยังเลิกนิสัยอย่างที่ว่าไม่ได้สักที
การหาคำตอบให้ได้ ว่าทำไมเขาถึงทำอย่างนั้น รวมทั้งการคาดคั้นให้เลิกเสียทีอาจจะเป็นเรื่องยากเหลือเกิน ทางออกสำหรับสาวๆ คือ หากว่าคราวหน้าระหว่างที่เดินจูงมือเราช็อปปิ้งอยู่นั้นสายตาของเขาก็ยังทำ หน้าที่แสกนผู้หญิงอื่นที่ผ่านไปมาตลอดโดยไม่เกรงใจเราสักนิดทำอย่างไรเรา จึงจะไม่รู้สึกรู้สม ไม่ปวดใจจี๊ด ไม่ชวนทะเลาะ ไม่หึงจนร้อนเป็นไฟ
ยอมรับซะ นิสัยผู้ชาย
เป็นธรรมดาที่ใครๆ ก็รักหรืออยากมองและชื่นชมของสวยๆ งามๆ หรือดึงดูดใจทั้งนั้น การที่เขามองหญิงอื่นอาจจะทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า เขาไม่รักหรือว่าตัวเราไม่ดึงดูดใจพอ อย่า…ไปคิดอย่างนั้นเลยปวดใจเปล่าๆ จริงๆ แล้วการมองหญิงอื่นของเขานั้น อาจจะไม่มีความหมายอะไรมากไปกว่าการชื่นชมของสวยงามเหมือนการชมงานศิลปะหรือ อะไรทำนองนั้น สำหรับผู้ชายบางคนนั้นเขาก็บอกว่า นิสัยนี้มันเป็นสิ่งที่ห้ามไม่ได้ เกิดขึ้นเอง เป็นธรรมชาติเหมือนกับการหายใจ คราวหลังหากเขามองคุณก็มองมั่ง แล้วคุยกับเขาตรงๆ ว่า เขามองทำไม มองตรงไหน เธอคนนั้นดึงดูดใจอย่างไร หรือคราวหน้าก็อาจจะเป็นคนชี้ชวนเขาก่อนก็ได้ว่าแล้วคนนี้ล่ะน่ารักไหม… คุยกันให้เป็นเรื่องธรรมดาสามัญไปซะ คุณอาจจะเข้าใจเขามากขึ้นระหว่างคุยกันคุณอาจจะให้บทเรียนเขาสักหน่อยมอง หญิงแบบไหนเรียกว่า “สุภาพ” แบบไหน “หยาบคาย”
มองต่อ หน้าดีกว่าแอบทำลับหลัง
คิดในแง่ดีว่า เขาก็แค่มองเท่านั้นแหละ ไม่ได้ทำอะไรมากกว่านั้นสักหน่อย (ขืนทำมากกว่านี้ก็เป็นเรื่องแน่เธอจ๋า…) หนุ่มหลายๆ คนบอกว่า พฤติกรรมเช่นนี้ของพวกเขาไม่มีความหมายอะไรก็แค่อยากมอง …หากสาวเราไม่ยอม รับไม่ได้สั่งห้ามมองหญิงอื่นเด็ดขาด เขาอาจจะทำเป็นไม่มองหญิงอื่นต่อหน้าคุณ แต่กลับไปแอบทำลับหลัง แล้วก็โกหก ปิดบังคุณไว้ เราจะเชื่อได้เหรอว่าลับหลังเราน่ะเขาจะแค่มองเท่านั้น เพราะฉะนั้นก็ปล่อยๆ ให้เขาชื่นชมและสังเกตสาวๆ รายทางด้วยสายตาไปเถอะ บางครั้งเราเองก็ไม่อยากให้เขารู้สึกว่า มีแฟนหรือแต่งงานแล้วเหมือนกับติดคุก เพราะทำอะไรก็ไม่ได้ ถ้าเขารู้สึกอย่างนั้นก็ยิ่งแย่ไปกันใหญ่ ที่ตามมาอาจจะเป็นปัญหาที่เกิดคาดทีเดียว …ใช่ไหมล่ะ
เหล่หนุ่ม คนอื่นบ้าง
ในเมื่อเขามองสาวๆ คนอื่นได้ พวกเราก็มีสิทธิที่จะมองหนุ่มที่ผ่านมาซ้ายขวาได้เหมือนกัน เพราะว่าผู้หญิงเราก็ชื่นชมสิ่งสวย ๆ งาม ๆ เหมือนกัน ไม่ว่าจะกล้ามเนื้อหน้าอก หรือมือที่แข็งแรง หรือรูปร่างดีๆ ในชุดแต่งกายที่เหมาะสมของหนุ่มๆ หรือหน้าตาหล่อๆ .. แค่มองเฉย ๆ นะไม่มีความหมายอะไรเหมือนกัน คราวนี้หนุ่มของคุณอาจจะหนาวๆ ร้อนๆ เป็นฝ่ายชวนทะเลาะเพราะความหึงก็ได้ .. คราว
ยอมรับซะ เถอะว่า บางครั้งคุณสาว ๆ ทั้งหลายก็เกิดอาการหึงขึ้นมาเพราะว่าเขาชอบมองผู้หญิงอื่นเป็นประจำ ทั้งๆ ที่ปรกติอาจจะไม่ใช่คนขี้หึงขี้หวงขนาดว่าไม่ยอมให้เขากระดิกตัวทำอะไรเลย เต่สิ่งที่เราอาจจะต้องยอมรับอีกข้อว่า ผู้ชายส่วนใหญ่นั้นเขามียีนบางอย่างอยู่ในตัว ยีนที่ทำให้คอเขาเอียงไปมองหญิงสวย น่ารัก เซ็กซี่ ดูดี ฯลฯ ที่ผ่านเข้ามาในเรดาร์สายตาเสมอๆ ไม่ยกเว้นแม้ตอนที่อยู่กับเรา อาจจะไม่ใช่การหันไปมองแบบคอแทบหัก แต่แค่เหลือบแล แต่เพียงเท่านั้นก็ทำให้หญิงสาวอย่างเราๆ หลายคนเจ็บปวด ที่สำคัญก็คือว่า ตั้งแต่เริ่มต้นคบกันจนถึงแต่งงานแล้ว บางคนก็ยังเลิกนิสัยอย่างที่ว่าไม่ได้สักที
การหาคำตอบให้ได้ ว่าทำไมเขาถึงทำอย่างนั้น รวมทั้งการคาดคั้นให้เลิกเสียทีอาจจะเป็นเรื่องยากเหลือเกิน ทางออกสำหรับสาวๆ คือ หากว่าคราวหน้าระหว่างที่เดินจูงมือเราช็อปปิ้งอยู่นั้นสายตาของเขาก็ยังทำ หน้าที่แสกนผู้หญิงอื่นที่ผ่านไปมาตลอดโดยไม่เกรงใจเราสักนิดทำอย่างไรเรา จึงจะไม่รู้สึกรู้สม ไม่ปวดใจจี๊ด ไม่ชวนทะเลาะ ไม่หึงจนร้อนเป็นไฟ
ยอมรับซะ นิสัยผู้ชาย
เป็นธรรมดาที่ใครๆ ก็รักหรืออยากมองและชื่นชมของสวยๆ งามๆ หรือดึงดูดใจทั้งนั้น การที่เขามองหญิงอื่นอาจจะทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า เขาไม่รักหรือว่าตัวเราไม่ดึงดูดใจพอ อย่า…ไปคิดอย่างนั้นเลยปวดใจเปล่าๆ จริงๆ แล้วการมองหญิงอื่นของเขานั้น อาจจะไม่มีความหมายอะไรมากไปกว่าการชื่นชมของสวยงามเหมือนการชมงานศิลปะหรือ อะไรทำนองนั้น สำหรับผู้ชายบางคนนั้นเขาก็บอกว่า นิสัยนี้มันเป็นสิ่งที่ห้ามไม่ได้ เกิดขึ้นเอง เป็นธรรมชาติเหมือนกับการหายใจ คราวหลังหากเขามองคุณก็มองมั่ง แล้วคุยกับเขาตรงๆ ว่า เขามองทำไม มองตรงไหน เธอคนนั้นดึงดูดใจอย่างไร หรือคราวหน้าก็อาจจะเป็นคนชี้ชวนเขาก่อนก็ได้ว่าแล้วคนนี้ล่ะน่ารักไหม… คุยกันให้เป็นเรื่องธรรมดาสามัญไปซะ คุณอาจจะเข้าใจเขามากขึ้นระหว่างคุยกันคุณอาจจะให้บทเรียนเขาสักหน่อยมอง หญิงแบบไหนเรียกว่า “สุภาพ” แบบไหน “หยาบคาย”
มองต่อ หน้าดีกว่าแอบทำลับหลัง
คิดในแง่ดีว่า เขาก็แค่มองเท่านั้นแหละ ไม่ได้ทำอะไรมากกว่านั้นสักหน่อย (ขืนทำมากกว่านี้ก็เป็นเรื่องแน่เธอจ๋า…) หนุ่มหลายๆ คนบอกว่า พฤติกรรมเช่นนี้ของพวกเขาไม่มีความหมายอะไรก็แค่อยากมอง …หากสาวเราไม่ยอม รับไม่ได้สั่งห้ามมองหญิงอื่นเด็ดขาด เขาอาจจะทำเป็นไม่มองหญิงอื่นต่อหน้าคุณ แต่กลับไปแอบทำลับหลัง แล้วก็โกหก ปิดบังคุณไว้ เราจะเชื่อได้เหรอว่าลับหลังเราน่ะเขาจะแค่มองเท่านั้น เพราะฉะนั้นก็ปล่อยๆ ให้เขาชื่นชมและสังเกตสาวๆ รายทางด้วยสายตาไปเถอะ บางครั้งเราเองก็ไม่อยากให้เขารู้สึกว่า มีแฟนหรือแต่งงานแล้วเหมือนกับติดคุก เพราะทำอะไรก็ไม่ได้ ถ้าเขารู้สึกอย่างนั้นก็ยิ่งแย่ไปกันใหญ่ ที่ตามมาอาจจะเป็นปัญหาที่เกิดคาดทีเดียว …ใช่ไหมล่ะ
เหล่หนุ่ม คนอื่นบ้าง
ในเมื่อเขามองสาวๆ คนอื่นได้ พวกเราก็มีสิทธิที่จะมองหนุ่มที่ผ่านมาซ้ายขวาได้เหมือนกัน เพราะว่าผู้หญิงเราก็ชื่นชมสิ่งสวย ๆ งาม ๆ เหมือนกัน ไม่ว่าจะกล้ามเนื้อหน้าอก หรือมือที่แข็งแรง หรือรูปร่างดีๆ ในชุดแต่งกายที่เหมาะสมของหนุ่มๆ หรือหน้าตาหล่อๆ .. แค่มองเฉย ๆ นะไม่มีความหมายอะไรเหมือนกัน คราวนี้หนุ่มของคุณอาจจะหนาวๆ ร้อนๆ เป็นฝ่ายชวนทะเลาะเพราะความหึงก็ได้ .. คราว
3 hours after this picture was taken, cheating Corrie star Jack Shepherd got this girl pregnant
CORONATION Street star Jack P Shepherd has been DUMPED by his heartbroken partner after getting this girl PREGNANT in a one-night stand.
The cheat - who plays evil David Platt in the ITV1 soap - bedded Sammy Milewski after LYING to her that he had split from devoted Lauren Shippey, the mother of his year-old daughter Nyla.
The day after his infidelity the 22-year-old rat even gave an interview about his love for Lauren, gushing: "It's worked out perfectly. I love being a dad and I can't imagine life without Nyla."
Yesterday tearful Lauren kicked him out of their £400,000 home when he CONFESSED to getting Sammy pregnant... but only after Corrie bosses WARNED him that the News of the World was about to expose his secret.
Last night promotions girl Sammy, 25, revealed how Shepherd turned his back on her when she learned she was expecting his child. "He said the baby would ruin his life," said Sammy, pictured above partying with the actor only three hours before he bedded her. "I told him I didn't want to wreck his life but I couldn't have an abortion and wreck mine.
"When we met he told me he was single - and I thought he was a great down-to-earth guy. Now I realise he is just an immature prat. I've even had one of his friends on at me - pressuring me to have a termination. But I won't do it."
Promotions girl Sammy met Shepherd on April 17 as he drank in the trendy Oracle Bar in his home city Leeds with a mutual pal of theirs, Scott Graham.
"Scott mixes with a lot of actors," says Sammy, who was there with a group of friends. "I'd met him when he was at a Barnsley club with Ryan Thomas (Corrie's Jason Grimshaw). This night he was with Jack who I'd never met."
Also present was 25-year-old Ryan's brother Adam who plays Adam Barton in Emmerdale. "Jack was clearly adoring being the centre of attention and I thought he looked a bit arrogant," says Sammy. But when she was introduced to the 5ft 7in tall Corrie star, he turned on the charm. "He was giving me advice on agents and acting," says the wannabe actress from Rotherham, South Yorks. "He seemed sweet. He bought me a drink and we danced - but when we returned to the bar he tried to kiss me.
"I told him to get lost because I thought he had a girlfriend. I'd seen them in All Star Mr and Mrs on TV saying how happy they were. But Jack said, 'We split up ages ago'. He kept trying to kiss me and I gave in.
"I thought that if he WAS in a relationship then he wouldn't kiss me in public, so I believed him. One of my mates even took a picture of us and he didn't mind. He was a good kisser.
"I took my shoes off to be the same size as him which he took in good spirit. It got steamy. He bought us shot drinks and I was a bit tipsy."
Jack asked her back to a party at Adam's place. Sammy says: "He promised my friends he'd look after me." Once they got into the plush flat, they quickly moved to the bedroom. Sammy says: "We got onto the bed. Jack had a condom and we started to have sex. Halfway through the condom split. We did it again without protection, but Jack wasn't careful like he said he would be."
Afterwards, Sammy felt ashamed for having sex with him so quickly. "I haven't had a one night stand since I was a teenager and I felt bad," she says.
"I told Jack I wanted to go home straight away. He told me to call him and we kissed goodbye."
Later Sammy texted Jack. "I said, 'Thanks for last night'. I didn't want to seem a cow for running out on him. He replied, 'It's ok hun, hope you get home safe'." The following day the interview with Jack talking about his love for Lauren appeared. Shepherd has always spoken adoringly about the make-up artist he met eight years ago. "I don't think I'd ever cheat," he added.
Sammy didn't see the article and didn't think about Jack until three weeks later when she missed her period. She bought a pregnancy testing kit - and it was positive.
"I tried to call Jack but he'd changed his number," says Sammy. "So I rang Scott to get him to ring me. I was in a panic, in tears. My immediate reaction was to have a termination. I'd dreamed of having a baby with a man I love, not like this."
The following day Jack rang and Sammy told him she was thinking of an abortion. "I told him I'd booked an appointment to sort it and he was lovely," she says. "He said he had one child and didn't want another one."
But when she had a scan and saw the little life in her womb, Sammy changed her mind. "It was a living human being, my baby on the screen and for the first time it hit home," she says. "This wasn't just a thing I could kill - this was my child. My mum said she'd support me and I decided I had to do the right thing.
"So when Jack rang me the next day I told him I'd changed my mind and he said, 's**t'. He said I was going to ruin his life.
"He told me he was back with his girlfriend although he had been single when we met. I said I didn't expect him to be involved. But I don't believe he ever split up with Lauren.
"Jack said, 'I am s*****ing it, you can't do this to me, you are going to destroy me'. He said he'd get sacked from Coronation Street. We were on the phone for ages but a lot of the time he just kept saying, 'S**t!'."
Jack's Corrie character David is renowned for being evil - he has tried to murder his mum, caused his niece to take ecstasy and been sent to prison.
Now David has viewers gripped with his plan to pay a fake witness to stop his mother Gail being sent to prison for life for murder.
Sammy has only heard from Jack twice since that first phone call. "He just wanted to know if I'd told anybody. It was clear he was upset. He said his life was in limbo." Since then Sammy has received a barrage of abuse from Scott, 22, via Facebook.
"Scott said the baby was only a seed and I should get rid of it. He said I'd planned it. But I'd never have sex with a man who is famous just to have a baby, I'm not thick. It was a mistake made by both of us.
"I'm speaking out now because I am sick of Jack turning his back on me."
A Coronation Street spokeswoman told us: "This is a personal situation which Jack is dealing with." After telling all to Lauren, 22, the dumped star has been forced to move in with a friend in Manchester while she took Nyla to stay with her parents in Leeds.
A friend of Jack's said: "Lauren didn't mess about. She kicked him out straight away. She said she could not bear to be under the same roof.
"It's too early to say whether the split is permanent. Lauren feels completely betrayed. The thing she can't get over is that Jack is having a child with another woman. Jack is in bits. He he is terrified of losing Lauren, and it's not looking good."
The cheat - who plays evil David Platt in the ITV1 soap - bedded Sammy Milewski after LYING to her that he had split from devoted Lauren Shippey, the mother of his year-old daughter Nyla.
The day after his infidelity the 22-year-old rat even gave an interview about his love for Lauren, gushing: "It's worked out perfectly. I love being a dad and I can't imagine life without Nyla."
Yesterday tearful Lauren kicked him out of their £400,000 home when he CONFESSED to getting Sammy pregnant... but only after Corrie bosses WARNED him that the News of the World was about to expose his secret.
Last night promotions girl Sammy, 25, revealed how Shepherd turned his back on her when she learned she was expecting his child. "He said the baby would ruin his life," said Sammy, pictured above partying with the actor only three hours before he bedded her. "I told him I didn't want to wreck his life but I couldn't have an abortion and wreck mine.
"When we met he told me he was single - and I thought he was a great down-to-earth guy. Now I realise he is just an immature prat. I've even had one of his friends on at me - pressuring me to have a termination. But I won't do it."
Promotions girl Sammy met Shepherd on April 17 as he drank in the trendy Oracle Bar in his home city Leeds with a mutual pal of theirs, Scott Graham.
"Scott mixes with a lot of actors," says Sammy, who was there with a group of friends. "I'd met him when he was at a Barnsley club with Ryan Thomas (Corrie's Jason Grimshaw). This night he was with Jack who I'd never met."
Also present was 25-year-old Ryan's brother Adam who plays Adam Barton in Emmerdale. "Jack was clearly adoring being the centre of attention and I thought he looked a bit arrogant," says Sammy. But when she was introduced to the 5ft 7in tall Corrie star, he turned on the charm. "He was giving me advice on agents and acting," says the wannabe actress from Rotherham, South Yorks. "He seemed sweet. He bought me a drink and we danced - but when we returned to the bar he tried to kiss me.
"I told him to get lost because I thought he had a girlfriend. I'd seen them in All Star Mr and Mrs on TV saying how happy they were. But Jack said, 'We split up ages ago'. He kept trying to kiss me and I gave in.
"I thought that if he WAS in a relationship then he wouldn't kiss me in public, so I believed him. One of my mates even took a picture of us and he didn't mind. He was a good kisser.
"I took my shoes off to be the same size as him which he took in good spirit. It got steamy. He bought us shot drinks and I was a bit tipsy."
Jack asked her back to a party at Adam's place. Sammy says: "He promised my friends he'd look after me." Once they got into the plush flat, they quickly moved to the bedroom. Sammy says: "We got onto the bed. Jack had a condom and we started to have sex. Halfway through the condom split. We did it again without protection, but Jack wasn't careful like he said he would be."
Afterwards, Sammy felt ashamed for having sex with him so quickly. "I haven't had a one night stand since I was a teenager and I felt bad," she says.
"I told Jack I wanted to go home straight away. He told me to call him and we kissed goodbye."
Later Sammy texted Jack. "I said, 'Thanks for last night'. I didn't want to seem a cow for running out on him. He replied, 'It's ok hun, hope you get home safe'." The following day the interview with Jack talking about his love for Lauren appeared. Shepherd has always spoken adoringly about the make-up artist he met eight years ago. "I don't think I'd ever cheat," he added.
Sammy didn't see the article and didn't think about Jack until three weeks later when she missed her period. She bought a pregnancy testing kit - and it was positive.
"I tried to call Jack but he'd changed his number," says Sammy. "So I rang Scott to get him to ring me. I was in a panic, in tears. My immediate reaction was to have a termination. I'd dreamed of having a baby with a man I love, not like this."
The following day Jack rang and Sammy told him she was thinking of an abortion. "I told him I'd booked an appointment to sort it and he was lovely," she says. "He said he had one child and didn't want another one."
But when she had a scan and saw the little life in her womb, Sammy changed her mind. "It was a living human being, my baby on the screen and for the first time it hit home," she says. "This wasn't just a thing I could kill - this was my child. My mum said she'd support me and I decided I had to do the right thing.
"So when Jack rang me the next day I told him I'd changed my mind and he said, 's**t'. He said I was going to ruin his life.
"He told me he was back with his girlfriend although he had been single when we met. I said I didn't expect him to be involved. But I don't believe he ever split up with Lauren.
"Jack said, 'I am s*****ing it, you can't do this to me, you are going to destroy me'. He said he'd get sacked from Coronation Street. We were on the phone for ages but a lot of the time he just kept saying, 'S**t!'."
Jack's Corrie character David is renowned for being evil - he has tried to murder his mum, caused his niece to take ecstasy and been sent to prison.
Now David has viewers gripped with his plan to pay a fake witness to stop his mother Gail being sent to prison for life for murder.
Sammy has only heard from Jack twice since that first phone call. "He just wanted to know if I'd told anybody. It was clear he was upset. He said his life was in limbo." Since then Sammy has received a barrage of abuse from Scott, 22, via Facebook.
"Scott said the baby was only a seed and I should get rid of it. He said I'd planned it. But I'd never have sex with a man who is famous just to have a baby, I'm not thick. It was a mistake made by both of us.
"I'm speaking out now because I am sick of Jack turning his back on me."
A Coronation Street spokeswoman told us: "This is a personal situation which Jack is dealing with." After telling all to Lauren, 22, the dumped star has been forced to move in with a friend in Manchester while she took Nyla to stay with her parents in Leeds.
A friend of Jack's said: "Lauren didn't mess about. She kicked him out straight away. She said she could not bear to be under the same roof.
"It's too early to say whether the split is permanent. Lauren feels completely betrayed. The thing she can't get over is that Jack is having a child with another woman. Jack is in bits. He he is terrified of losing Lauren, and it's not looking good."
JOSE DEMANDS LAMPARD IS PART OF KAKA DEAL
JOSE MOURINHO has told Chelsea they can have Kaka - but only if Real Madrid get Frank Lampard in return.
Carlo Ancelotti is desperate to bring Kaka to Stamford Bridge after building a close relationship with him during their time together at AC Milan.
And Roman Abramovich has made it clear to Ancelotti the money is there for the Brazilian superstar.
Chelsea even sent their head scout out to Brazil's World Cup training camp to check on Kaka's fitness.
But Mourinho's arrival in Madrid has added a new dimension to the negotiations. The former Chelsea boss has already publicly admitted he would like to bring both Lampard and Ashley Cole to Spain and would use Kaka as bait.
Kaka endured a difficult first season at the Bernabeu and some Real insiders believe he is unlikely to be suited by Mourinho's management style.
Mourinho might be the highest-paid manager in the world but he will not have access to the same funds that were available last summer when Real splashed out on £250million worth of new talent.
Much of that cash was borrowed and Real are not in a position to repeat the trick this close season.
That is why he will have to wheel and deal - and Kaka, 28, could be his most useful bargaining chip.
Lampard was close to switching to Inter Milan two years ago but Abramovich stepped in with a new contract to keep the England star at Chelsea.
An offer from Jose would give Lampard, 31, a major dilemma. He has long harboured thoughts of a spell abroad but leaving his family - and Stamford Bridge - would be a major wrench.
Chelsea are in no mood to make life easy for Mourinho and would prefer a straight cash deal for Kaka with Abramovich happy to authorise an offer in the region of £50m.
It would then depend on how badly Kaka wants to renew his relationship with Ancelotti because Mourinho has made it clear he will not keep any player who is unsettled - including the man Madrid paid £60m for last summer.
Carlo Ancelotti is desperate to bring Kaka to Stamford Bridge after building a close relationship with him during their time together at AC Milan.
And Roman Abramovich has made it clear to Ancelotti the money is there for the Brazilian superstar.
Chelsea even sent their head scout out to Brazil's World Cup training camp to check on Kaka's fitness.
But Mourinho's arrival in Madrid has added a new dimension to the negotiations. The former Chelsea boss has already publicly admitted he would like to bring both Lampard and Ashley Cole to Spain and would use Kaka as bait.
Kaka endured a difficult first season at the Bernabeu and some Real insiders believe he is unlikely to be suited by Mourinho's management style.
Mourinho might be the highest-paid manager in the world but he will not have access to the same funds that were available last summer when Real splashed out on £250million worth of new talent.
Much of that cash was borrowed and Real are not in a position to repeat the trick this close season.
That is why he will have to wheel and deal - and Kaka, 28, could be his most useful bargaining chip.
Lampard was close to switching to Inter Milan two years ago but Abramovich stepped in with a new contract to keep the England star at Chelsea.
An offer from Jose would give Lampard, 31, a major dilemma. He has long harboured thoughts of a spell abroad but leaving his family - and Stamford Bridge - would be a major wrench.
Chelsea are in no mood to make life easy for Mourinho and would prefer a straight cash deal for Kaka with Abramovich happy to authorise an offer in the region of £50m.
It would then depend on how badly Kaka wants to renew his relationship with Ancelotti because Mourinho has made it clear he will not keep any player who is unsettled - including the man Madrid paid £60m for last summer.
LIVERPOOL CONFIRM BENITEZ DEPARTURE
LIVERPOOL have confirmed they have parted company with manager Rafa Benitez by mutual consent.
The Spaniard has agreed a settlement package, believed to be in the region of £6million, after six years at the Anfield helm.
Although he guided the Reds to Champions League glory in his first season in charge, last term was an abject failure for his team when they failed to even qualify for the competition.
With doubts over the future of star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, the club have decided the best option is to change the manager during the close season.
Benitez, 50, has been linked with the Inter Milan position vacated by Jose Mourinho after the former Chelsea boss jumped ship for Real Madrid in the wake of his latest European triumph.
"It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC," Benitez said in a statement on the club's official website.
"I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.
"I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
"Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone."
Ambassador Kenny Dalglish and managing director Christian Purslow are to lead the hunt for a successor with a number of names already believed to be in the frame.
Dalglish is narrow favourite to take over the reins himself ahead of Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson.
Reds chairman Martin Broughton added: "Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but, after a disappointing season, both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned."
The Spaniard has agreed a settlement package, believed to be in the region of £6million, after six years at the Anfield helm.
Although he guided the Reds to Champions League glory in his first season in charge, last term was an abject failure for his team when they failed to even qualify for the competition.
With doubts over the future of star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, the club have decided the best option is to change the manager during the close season.
Benitez, 50, has been linked with the Inter Milan position vacated by Jose Mourinho after the former Chelsea boss jumped ship for Real Madrid in the wake of his latest European triumph.
"It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC," Benitez said in a statement on the club's official website.
"I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.
"I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
"Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone."
Ambassador Kenny Dalglish and managing director Christian Purslow are to lead the hunt for a successor with a number of names already believed to be in the frame.
Dalglish is narrow favourite to take over the reins himself ahead of Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson.
Reds chairman Martin Broughton added: "Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but, after a disappointing season, both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned."
Israel resists international probe into Gaza ship raid
JERUSALEM, June 3: Israel on Thursday resisted calls for an international inquiry to investigate its lethal seizure of a Turkish ship bound for blockaded Gaza, reports Reuters.
The United States, less outspoken than most of Israel''s enemies and friends since nine people on the Mavi Marmara were killed on Monday, backed calls from the European Union, Turkey and the United Nations for some form of international inquiry.
US Vice President Joe Biden suggested an Israeli probe with international involvement.
Turkish and foreign pro-Palestinian activists arrived to a hero''s welcome in Istanbul from the government and levelled charges of "war crimes" and unjustified killings at the Israeli marines who stormed the cruise liner Mavi Marmara and five other ships in international waters under cover of dark.
The allegations, coming after activists were released from Israeli custody, were not possible to verify immediately.
Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, speaking on Army Radio, said "there is a need for an investigation to draw lessons," an apparent reference to a narrow Israeli inquiry into the operational details of the commando raid.
"As far as we are concerned there is no need for a commission of inquiry," he said, using Israel''s term for a state panel, usually led by a judge, that would look into all aspects of the operation, including decisions made by political leaders.
Steinitz made no mention of any international participation.
Israelis have been shocked by military video of commandos being winched onto the ship''s deck from helicopters only to be outnumbered and set upon with sticks by activists.
Officers say their men opened fire to save their lives and that two of the ship passengers shot at them with pistols seized from marines.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unrepentant defence of the four-year-old blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in a televised address on Wednesday, lambasting European and other governments for "hypocrisy" in challenging Israel''s efforts to prevent the Iranian-backed Islamists from arming.
He made no mention in his speech of any investigation.
Political sources in Israel said the issue for the government now was not whether to launch an inquiry but what kind would satisfy the very different demands of Israeli public opinion and that of the international community.
The Foreign Ministry dismissed a vote by the United Nations Human Rights Council, a forum Israel says is deeply biased against it, to form an independent fact-finding mission to look into what it called violations of international law.
Israel was stung by a UN inquiry into the three-week offensive it launched in the Gaza Strip in December 2008 which found evidence its forces committed war crimes, allegations Israeli leaders denied.
Three Turkish planes brought some of a total of about 700 people detained on the convoy from Tel Aviv to Turkey. They also carried the simple wooden coffins of the nine killed.
Their identities are still uncertain, though Israel has said it believes most of them were Turks.
"We''ve been scared, frightened, kidnapped and attacked with battleships," said Mustafa Ahmet from Britain.
As activists disembarked they lifted their arms in defiance, but afterwards some were overcome with emotion and wept.
Several accused the Israeli army of destroying evidence: "The soldiers shot a doctor who wanted to surrender and they threw dead bodies into the sea," said Bulent Yildirim, chairman of IHH, the Islamic charity which organised the convoy.
Kevin Ovenden of Britain said a man who had pointed a camera at the soldiers was shot dead through the forehead.
Many of those waiting at Istanbul''s Ataturk airport carried Palestinian flags and bore slogans such as "murderer Israel."
The killings of Turks onboard the flotilla has brought the already strained relationship between the Jewish state and Turkey''s Islamist-leaning government close to breaking point.
Turkey recalled its ambassador and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, charging Israel with "state terrorism" has called for those responsible for the deaths to be punished.
Arab states will ask the UN Security Council to demand an end to Israel''s blockade of Gaza, the Arab League chief said.
The Council, with Israel''s ally the United States holding a veto, is unlikely to do that, although Western powers have been discussing how to pressure Israel to do more to let in supplies for the benefit of the 1.5 million people stuck in the enclave.
"Once again, Israel faces hypocrisy and a biased rush to judgement," Netanyahu said.
"The international community cannot afford an Iranian port on the Mediterranean ... The same countries that are criticising us today, should know that they could be targeted tomorrow."
Egypt opened its Rafah border crossing to Gaza indefinitely on Wednesday-a step seen as an attempt by Cairo to deflect criticism of its role in imposing the Gaza blockade on Hamas, which is allied with Egypt''s main Islamist opposition.
U.S. Vice President Biden on Wednesday backed Israel''s right to board ships bound for Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling, but said Washington was concerned about the plight of people there.
"Israel has an absolute right to deal with its security interest," Biden told PBS television. He stressed President Barack Obama''s support for an impartial investigation.
"It''s legitimate for Israel to say, ''I don''t know what''s on that ship. These guys are dropping eight -- 3,000 rockets on my people,''" he said, referring to Hamas.
But Biden said the United States also needed to "put as much pressure and as much cajoling on Israel as we can" to allow in aid shipments such as building materials.
He said an Israeli investigation with international involvement might resemble this year''s probe in South Korean into the sinking of a warship, now blamed on North Korea.
The United States, less outspoken than most of Israel''s enemies and friends since nine people on the Mavi Marmara were killed on Monday, backed calls from the European Union, Turkey and the United Nations for some form of international inquiry.
US Vice President Joe Biden suggested an Israeli probe with international involvement.
Turkish and foreign pro-Palestinian activists arrived to a hero''s welcome in Istanbul from the government and levelled charges of "war crimes" and unjustified killings at the Israeli marines who stormed the cruise liner Mavi Marmara and five other ships in international waters under cover of dark.
The allegations, coming after activists were released from Israeli custody, were not possible to verify immediately.
Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, speaking on Army Radio, said "there is a need for an investigation to draw lessons," an apparent reference to a narrow Israeli inquiry into the operational details of the commando raid.
"As far as we are concerned there is no need for a commission of inquiry," he said, using Israel''s term for a state panel, usually led by a judge, that would look into all aspects of the operation, including decisions made by political leaders.
Steinitz made no mention of any international participation.
Israelis have been shocked by military video of commandos being winched onto the ship''s deck from helicopters only to be outnumbered and set upon with sticks by activists.
Officers say their men opened fire to save their lives and that two of the ship passengers shot at them with pistols seized from marines.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unrepentant defence of the four-year-old blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in a televised address on Wednesday, lambasting European and other governments for "hypocrisy" in challenging Israel''s efforts to prevent the Iranian-backed Islamists from arming.
He made no mention in his speech of any investigation.
Political sources in Israel said the issue for the government now was not whether to launch an inquiry but what kind would satisfy the very different demands of Israeli public opinion and that of the international community.
The Foreign Ministry dismissed a vote by the United Nations Human Rights Council, a forum Israel says is deeply biased against it, to form an independent fact-finding mission to look into what it called violations of international law.
Israel was stung by a UN inquiry into the three-week offensive it launched in the Gaza Strip in December 2008 which found evidence its forces committed war crimes, allegations Israeli leaders denied.
Three Turkish planes brought some of a total of about 700 people detained on the convoy from Tel Aviv to Turkey. They also carried the simple wooden coffins of the nine killed.
Their identities are still uncertain, though Israel has said it believes most of them were Turks.
"We''ve been scared, frightened, kidnapped and attacked with battleships," said Mustafa Ahmet from Britain.
As activists disembarked they lifted their arms in defiance, but afterwards some were overcome with emotion and wept.
Several accused the Israeli army of destroying evidence: "The soldiers shot a doctor who wanted to surrender and they threw dead bodies into the sea," said Bulent Yildirim, chairman of IHH, the Islamic charity which organised the convoy.
Kevin Ovenden of Britain said a man who had pointed a camera at the soldiers was shot dead through the forehead.
Many of those waiting at Istanbul''s Ataturk airport carried Palestinian flags and bore slogans such as "murderer Israel."
The killings of Turks onboard the flotilla has brought the already strained relationship between the Jewish state and Turkey''s Islamist-leaning government close to breaking point.
Turkey recalled its ambassador and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, charging Israel with "state terrorism" has called for those responsible for the deaths to be punished.
Arab states will ask the UN Security Council to demand an end to Israel''s blockade of Gaza, the Arab League chief said.
The Council, with Israel''s ally the United States holding a veto, is unlikely to do that, although Western powers have been discussing how to pressure Israel to do more to let in supplies for the benefit of the 1.5 million people stuck in the enclave.
"Once again, Israel faces hypocrisy and a biased rush to judgement," Netanyahu said.
"The international community cannot afford an Iranian port on the Mediterranean ... The same countries that are criticising us today, should know that they could be targeted tomorrow."
Egypt opened its Rafah border crossing to Gaza indefinitely on Wednesday-a step seen as an attempt by Cairo to deflect criticism of its role in imposing the Gaza blockade on Hamas, which is allied with Egypt''s main Islamist opposition.
U.S. Vice President Biden on Wednesday backed Israel''s right to board ships bound for Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling, but said Washington was concerned about the plight of people there.
"Israel has an absolute right to deal with its security interest," Biden told PBS television. He stressed President Barack Obama''s support for an impartial investigation.
"It''s legitimate for Israel to say, ''I don''t know what''s on that ship. These guys are dropping eight -- 3,000 rockets on my people,''" he said, referring to Hamas.
But Biden said the United States also needed to "put as much pressure and as much cajoling on Israel as we can" to allow in aid shipments such as building materials.
He said an Israeli investigation with international involvement might resemble this year''s probe in South Korean into the sinking of a warship, now blamed on North Korea.
CMP chief transferred
The government has replaced Chittagong Metropolitan Police chief Mohammed Moniruzzaman with addition Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Mohammed Abul Kashem, reports bdnews24.com.
The home ministry announced the shuffle in an order on Thursday.
Another 35 top police officers have also been transferred in the shake-up.
The home ministry announced the shuffle in an order on Thursday.
Another 35 top police officers have also been transferred in the shake-up.
Coral atolls hold on despite sea-level rise
WELLINGTON, June 3: Some South Pacific coral atolls have held their own or even grown in size over the past 60 years despite rising sea levels, newly published research showed Thursday, reports AP.
Some scientists have worried for years that many of the tiny, low-lying islands throughout the South Pacific will eventually disappear under rising sea levels.
But two researchers who measured 27 islands where local sea levels have risen 4.8 inches (120 millimeters) - an average of 0.08 inch (2 millimeters) a year - over the past 60 years, found just four had diminished in size.
The reason: Coral islands respond to changes in weather patterns and climate, with coral debris eroded from encircling reefs pushed up onto the islands'' coasts by winds and waves.
Professor Paul Kench of Auckland University''s environment school and coastal process expert Arthur Webb of the Fiji-based South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission, used historical aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images to study changes in the land area of the islands.
While four had gotten smaller, the other 23 had either stayed the same or grown bigger, according to the research published in the scientific journal Global and Planetary Change. The shape-shifting islands changed their size through what the pair describe as ocean shoreline displacement toward their lagoons, lagoon shoreline growth or extensions to the ends of elongated islands.
Kench said it had been assumed that islands would "sit there and drown" as sea levels rise. But as the sea level goes up, the islands start responding.
"They''re not all growing, they''re changing. They''ve always changed ... but the consistency (with which) some of them have grown is a little surprising," he told The Associated Press on Thursday. Tuvalu, a coral island group that climate change campaigners have repeatedly predicted will be drowned by rising seas, has its highest point just 14 feet (4.5 meters) above sea level. The researchers found seven of its nine islands had grown by more than 3 percent on average over the past 60 years.
In 1972, Cyclone Bebe dumped 346 acres (140 hectares) of sediment on the eastern reef of Tuvalu, increasing the area of Funafuti, the main island, by 10 percent. Another island, Funamanu, gained 1.1 acres (0.44 hectares) or nearly 30 percent of its previous area.
A similar trend was found in Kiribati, where three main islands also "grew." Betio expanded by 30 percent (89 acres or 36 hectares), Bairiki by 16.3 percent (14 acres or 5.8 hectares), and Nanikai by 12.5 percent (2 acres, or 0.8 hectares).
On World Environment Day in 2008, Kiribati President Anote Tong warned parts of his island nation were already being submerged, forcing some of Kiribati''s 94,000 people living in shoreline village communities to be relocated from century-old sites.
Worst case scenarios showed Kiribati would disappear into the sea within a century, he said at the time.
But Kench said the study shows the islands are coping with sea-level change, with higher waves and water depth supplying sand and gravel from coral reefs.
"In other words, they (the islands) are slowly moving ... migrating across their reef platforms," he said. "As the sea-level conditions and wave conditions are changing, the islands are adjusting to that."
But he warned an accelerated rate of sea-level rise could be "the critical environmental threat to the small island nations," with "a very rapid rate of island destruction" possible from a water depth beyond a certain threshold. That threshold currently is unknown.
Australian sea level oceanographer John Hunter said the findings "are good news and not a surprise."
"Coral islands can keep up with some sea-level rise, but (there''s also) ocean warming ... and ocean acidification ... that are certainly problematic for the corals. Sea-level rise can actually make the islands grow - as it apparently is doing," said Hunter, who did not participate in the study.
While coral might adjust to ocean warming, ocean acidification "will probably be the death knell of the coral reefs," leaving coastal management by humans as the only way of retaining and rebuilding atolls, said Hunter, a researcher at the University of Tasmania''s Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center.
Commenting on the findings, New Scientist magazine noted, "Erosion of island shorelines must be reconsidered in the context of physical adjustments of the entire island shoreline, as erosion may be balanced by progradation on other sectors of shorelines."
Some scientists have worried for years that many of the tiny, low-lying islands throughout the South Pacific will eventually disappear under rising sea levels.
But two researchers who measured 27 islands where local sea levels have risen 4.8 inches (120 millimeters) - an average of 0.08 inch (2 millimeters) a year - over the past 60 years, found just four had diminished in size.
The reason: Coral islands respond to changes in weather patterns and climate, with coral debris eroded from encircling reefs pushed up onto the islands'' coasts by winds and waves.
Professor Paul Kench of Auckland University''s environment school and coastal process expert Arthur Webb of the Fiji-based South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission, used historical aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images to study changes in the land area of the islands.
While four had gotten smaller, the other 23 had either stayed the same or grown bigger, according to the research published in the scientific journal Global and Planetary Change. The shape-shifting islands changed their size through what the pair describe as ocean shoreline displacement toward their lagoons, lagoon shoreline growth or extensions to the ends of elongated islands.
Kench said it had been assumed that islands would "sit there and drown" as sea levels rise. But as the sea level goes up, the islands start responding.
"They''re not all growing, they''re changing. They''ve always changed ... but the consistency (with which) some of them have grown is a little surprising," he told The Associated Press on Thursday. Tuvalu, a coral island group that climate change campaigners have repeatedly predicted will be drowned by rising seas, has its highest point just 14 feet (4.5 meters) above sea level. The researchers found seven of its nine islands had grown by more than 3 percent on average over the past 60 years.
In 1972, Cyclone Bebe dumped 346 acres (140 hectares) of sediment on the eastern reef of Tuvalu, increasing the area of Funafuti, the main island, by 10 percent. Another island, Funamanu, gained 1.1 acres (0.44 hectares) or nearly 30 percent of its previous area.
A similar trend was found in Kiribati, where three main islands also "grew." Betio expanded by 30 percent (89 acres or 36 hectares), Bairiki by 16.3 percent (14 acres or 5.8 hectares), and Nanikai by 12.5 percent (2 acres, or 0.8 hectares).
On World Environment Day in 2008, Kiribati President Anote Tong warned parts of his island nation were already being submerged, forcing some of Kiribati''s 94,000 people living in shoreline village communities to be relocated from century-old sites.
Worst case scenarios showed Kiribati would disappear into the sea within a century, he said at the time.
But Kench said the study shows the islands are coping with sea-level change, with higher waves and water depth supplying sand and gravel from coral reefs.
"In other words, they (the islands) are slowly moving ... migrating across their reef platforms," he said. "As the sea-level conditions and wave conditions are changing, the islands are adjusting to that."
But he warned an accelerated rate of sea-level rise could be "the critical environmental threat to the small island nations," with "a very rapid rate of island destruction" possible from a water depth beyond a certain threshold. That threshold currently is unknown.
Australian sea level oceanographer John Hunter said the findings "are good news and not a surprise."
"Coral islands can keep up with some sea-level rise, but (there''s also) ocean warming ... and ocean acidification ... that are certainly problematic for the corals. Sea-level rise can actually make the islands grow - as it apparently is doing," said Hunter, who did not participate in the study.
While coral might adjust to ocean warming, ocean acidification "will probably be the death knell of the coral reefs," leaving coastal management by humans as the only way of retaining and rebuilding atolls, said Hunter, a researcher at the University of Tasmania''s Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center.
Commenting on the findings, New Scientist magazine noted, "Erosion of island shorelines must be reconsidered in the context of physical adjustments of the entire island shoreline, as erosion may be balanced by progradation on other sectors of shorelines."
Aug 21 attack probe CID gets another 2 months
A Dhaka court has given the CID another two months to investigate the Aug 21 2004 grenade attack on a Awami League rally in Dhaka, which killed 24 people including Ivy Rahman, a senior party leader, reports bdnews24.com.
Sheikh Hasina, then the opposition leader, was among those injured in the attack.
Metropolitan sessions judge Ismail Hossain on Thursday fixed Aug 3 for submission of an investigation report on a time-extension motion filed by the Criminal Investigation Department.
CID''s Abdul Kahhar Akand, the investigation officer in this case, filed the petition seeking three more months.
Public prosecutor Shah Alam Talukder told bdnews24.com that the judge granted the extension as the probe was still in progress.
It is the fourth extension given since investigations were reopened into the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally, he added.
On August 3 last year, Md Masdar Hossain, the then judge of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal 1, had initially directed further investigations after taking statements of some 61 witnesses.
Two cases were originally filed in connection with the grenade attack, one for killings and the other for use of explosives.
On October 14 last year, the cases were transferred to the metropolitan sessions judge''s court and the CID was given another extension.
Investigation into the case did not proceed due allegedly to the reluctance of the BNP government, which was in power. The Awami League accused the previous BNP administration of attempting to derail the case through different means including recording of false statements from witnesses.
After BNP''s tenure was over, new investigations were ordered and on June 11 last year police pressed charges against 22 people.
BNP leader Nasiruddin Pintu and JMB leader Mufti Hannan were among the accused. BNP''s former state minister for home, Lutfozzaman Babar, now in jail, was also recently shown arrested in connection with the grenade attack.
Sheikh Hasina, then the opposition leader, was among those injured in the attack.
Metropolitan sessions judge Ismail Hossain on Thursday fixed Aug 3 for submission of an investigation report on a time-extension motion filed by the Criminal Investigation Department.
CID''s Abdul Kahhar Akand, the investigation officer in this case, filed the petition seeking three more months.
Public prosecutor Shah Alam Talukder told bdnews24.com that the judge granted the extension as the probe was still in progress.
It is the fourth extension given since investigations were reopened into the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally, he added.
On August 3 last year, Md Masdar Hossain, the then judge of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal 1, had initially directed further investigations after taking statements of some 61 witnesses.
Two cases were originally filed in connection with the grenade attack, one for killings and the other for use of explosives.
On October 14 last year, the cases were transferred to the metropolitan sessions judge''s court and the CID was given another extension.
Investigation into the case did not proceed due allegedly to the reluctance of the BNP government, which was in power. The Awami League accused the previous BNP administration of attempting to derail the case through different means including recording of false statements from witnesses.
After BNP''s tenure was over, new investigations were ordered and on June 11 last year police pressed charges against 22 people.
BNP leader Nasiruddin Pintu and JMB leader Mufti Hannan were among the accused. BNP''s former state minister for home, Lutfozzaman Babar, now in jail, was also recently shown arrested in connection with the grenade attack.
Plan to set up safari park in Gazipur
The government has revealed plans to set up a safari park named after the country''s founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at the reserved forest area in Gazipur, the Bhawal National Park, in an effort to maintain the environment of the area''s unique coppice shal forest (shalbon), reports UNB.
State Minister for Environment and Forest Dr Hasan Mahmud made an announcement to this effect at a press conference on the occasion of the ''World Environment Day'' at his office on Thursday noon.
He said the Bangabandhu Safari Park will be established over an area of 4,000 acres in Gazipur to sustain the shal forest, apart from creating a place for city dwellers to enjoy some leisure time just outside the capital.
Bhawal National Park covers an area of over 5000 hectares in Gazipur, 40 km north of the capital. The area was once noted for being home to various species of wildlife, most of which have now disappeared.
The area was also mostly covered by forest once, with the unique shal (shorea robusta) being the dominant species. However, over the last 50 years, illegal deforestation has meant the forest cover too has dwindled, leaving an area of only 600 sq km intact, according to a 2007 study by the Asiatic Society.
"Once we establish the park, we will be able to salvage the heritage of the Shalbon from the clutches of land grabbers," he said.
Reply to a query about the present condition of the Gazipur forest, Dr Hasan said the government has been informed that a quarter is trying to grab the forest to establish industries there at the expense of the forest.
"We will take stern action against the forest grabbers, no matter how strong they are," he vowed.
Referring to Dhaka as one of the most highly polluted cities in the world, he said the city did not get polluted in a day, rather it has happened over several decades.
The Minister said the government has taken a pilot project to change the habits of the city dwellers to ensure the environment of the cities.
"The pilot project will be started within two months in Dhaka and Chittagong in managing the housing wastes. Dhaka and Chittagong City Corporations will assist the project," he added.
About the present state of the country''s tannery industry, Dr Hasan said that the tannery industry is directly responsible for polluting the country''s rivers.
He said that the government has already declared the city''s surrounding rivers as ''Ecologically Critical Areas'' and has taken comprehensive measures to shift the tannery industry outside the capital to save the rivers.
Referring to air pollution in major cities, the State Minster said that his department has also undertaken plans to reduce air pollution of the cities through round-the-clock monitoring system.
"We have to consider all the people of the country, apart from Dhaka. Three air monitoring stations will be set up in the capital soon and similar stations will be installed at district-level gradually," he said.
Reply to another query about the country''s ship-breaking sector, Dr Hasan said the government does not want to close down the sector, but wants to minimize the amount of pollution it creates by implementing a comprehensive policy.
"We have already formulated a policy regarding the ship breaking industry. No ship breaking company can start work without the approval of the Environment Department," he said.
Referring to the government initiatives in adaptation of global climate change, Dr Hasan said that the government has already set up ''focal points'' at the 12 ministries to address the climate change issue.
"We have formulated the ''Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action plan'' and set up a ''Climate Change Unit'' under the ministry to look into this matter," he said.
State Minister for Environment and Forest Dr Hasan Mahmud made an announcement to this effect at a press conference on the occasion of the ''World Environment Day'' at his office on Thursday noon.
He said the Bangabandhu Safari Park will be established over an area of 4,000 acres in Gazipur to sustain the shal forest, apart from creating a place for city dwellers to enjoy some leisure time just outside the capital.
Bhawal National Park covers an area of over 5000 hectares in Gazipur, 40 km north of the capital. The area was once noted for being home to various species of wildlife, most of which have now disappeared.
The area was also mostly covered by forest once, with the unique shal (shorea robusta) being the dominant species. However, over the last 50 years, illegal deforestation has meant the forest cover too has dwindled, leaving an area of only 600 sq km intact, according to a 2007 study by the Asiatic Society.
"Once we establish the park, we will be able to salvage the heritage of the Shalbon from the clutches of land grabbers," he said.
Reply to a query about the present condition of the Gazipur forest, Dr Hasan said the government has been informed that a quarter is trying to grab the forest to establish industries there at the expense of the forest.
"We will take stern action against the forest grabbers, no matter how strong they are," he vowed.
Referring to Dhaka as one of the most highly polluted cities in the world, he said the city did not get polluted in a day, rather it has happened over several decades.
The Minister said the government has taken a pilot project to change the habits of the city dwellers to ensure the environment of the cities.
"The pilot project will be started within two months in Dhaka and Chittagong in managing the housing wastes. Dhaka and Chittagong City Corporations will assist the project," he added.
About the present state of the country''s tannery industry, Dr Hasan said that the tannery industry is directly responsible for polluting the country''s rivers.
He said that the government has already declared the city''s surrounding rivers as ''Ecologically Critical Areas'' and has taken comprehensive measures to shift the tannery industry outside the capital to save the rivers.
Referring to air pollution in major cities, the State Minster said that his department has also undertaken plans to reduce air pollution of the cities through round-the-clock monitoring system.
"We have to consider all the people of the country, apart from Dhaka. Three air monitoring stations will be set up in the capital soon and similar stations will be installed at district-level gradually," he said.
Reply to another query about the country''s ship-breaking sector, Dr Hasan said the government does not want to close down the sector, but wants to minimize the amount of pollution it creates by implementing a comprehensive policy.
"We have already formulated a policy regarding the ship breaking industry. No ship breaking company can start work without the approval of the Environment Department," he said.
Referring to the government initiatives in adaptation of global climate change, Dr Hasan said that the government has already set up ''focal points'' at the 12 ministries to address the climate change issue.
"We have formulated the ''Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action plan'' and set up a ''Climate Change Unit'' under the ministry to look into this matter," he said.
HC serves showcause notice to JU VC
JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, June 3: The High Court on Thursday ordered Prof. Sharif Enamul Kabir, Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, and Mr Abu Bakar Siddique, Acting Registrar of JU, to appear before the Court on 10 June and show cause as to why proceedings for contempt of Court should not be drawn up against them, reports UNB.
The orders were issued in a petition filed by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) against JU officials for violating the provisions of the High Court''s Directives on Sexual Harassment Guidelines (DSHG).
Under Clause 8(a) and 10(iii) of the DSHG, the
concerned authorities have to keep the full identity of a complainant under secrecy until the allegation is proved.
But authorities of JU have violated the rules by publishing an advertisement signed by JU Registrar, in several national newspapers on 27 April 2010, referring to the name of the complainant. This is while an investigation is being currently conducted into allegations of sexual harassment against a university teacher by a five-member Complaints Committee headed by a senior woman teacher of the University.
ASK filed a petition to the High Court in this regard on June 2.
The orders were issued in a petition filed by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) against JU officials for violating the provisions of the High Court''s Directives on Sexual Harassment Guidelines (DSHG).
Under Clause 8(a) and 10(iii) of the DSHG, the
concerned authorities have to keep the full identity of a complainant under secrecy until the allegation is proved.
But authorities of JU have violated the rules by publishing an advertisement signed by JU Registrar, in several national newspapers on 27 April 2010, referring to the name of the complainant. This is while an investigation is being currently conducted into allegations of sexual harassment against a university teacher by a five-member Complaints Committee headed by a senior woman teacher of the University.
ASK filed a petition to the High Court in this regard on June 2.
Ashraf urges BNP not to boycott JS
LGRD minister Syed Ashraful Islam has urged the main opposition BNP to do away with the practice of boycotting parliament, reports bdnews24.com.
Also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, Syed Ashraf was evidently referring to the opposition''s two walkouts on the first day of the budget session when he was speaking to reporters in his office at the Secretariat.
The second day''s session began on Thursday with the opposition absent in the parliament.
Walking out of the parliament and boycotting its sessions have become part of Bangladesh''s political culture.
The opposition can choose to walk out in protest or to press for their demands.
But its use should be reasonable and within the parliamentary practice.
Ashraf had just come from a meeting of his ministry''s monthly ADP review.
He had asked the Dhaka MPs to help the government reclaim the canals of the city.
Asked about the closure of Daily Amar Desh and the arrest of its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, the Awami League spokesperson said that the government had not taken any measures against the media.
The closure was a result of the newspaper''s publisher filing a fraud case against his acting editor.
The district administration took the necessary measures.
There is no scope for anyone to blame the government about this.
Referring to a Jamaat-e-Islami leaders commenting that the war crimes trial would vanish into thin air, Syed Ashraf said their comments would not be able to derail or obstruct the trial process.
The trial will start exactly when it is supposed to.
Also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, Syed Ashraf was evidently referring to the opposition''s two walkouts on the first day of the budget session when he was speaking to reporters in his office at the Secretariat.
The second day''s session began on Thursday with the opposition absent in the parliament.
Walking out of the parliament and boycotting its sessions have become part of Bangladesh''s political culture.
The opposition can choose to walk out in protest or to press for their demands.
But its use should be reasonable and within the parliamentary practice.
Ashraf had just come from a meeting of his ministry''s monthly ADP review.
He had asked the Dhaka MPs to help the government reclaim the canals of the city.
Asked about the closure of Daily Amar Desh and the arrest of its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, the Awami League spokesperson said that the government had not taken any measures against the media.
The closure was a result of the newspaper''s publisher filing a fraud case against his acting editor.
The district administration took the necessary measures.
There is no scope for anyone to blame the government about this.
Referring to a Jamaat-e-Islami leaders commenting that the war crimes trial would vanish into thin air, Syed Ashraf said their comments would not be able to derail or obstruct the trial process.
The trial will start exactly when it is supposed to.
A rare gesture
I have no more expectations in life." That was the only sentence uttered by Ramiza Khatun, an octogenarian beggar, after she met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday, reports UNB.
Ramiza Khatun, who scrapes a living by begging on the city streets, came to meet the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister''s Office (PMO) following a news story carried by Bengali daily Kaler Kantho.
The new Bengali daily on June 2 published a front-page story that Ramiza Khatun''s late husband, Hasmat Ali, who used to be a van driver, bought a piece of land in 2003 and registered the land in the name of Sheikh Hasina.
Prime Minister''s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad disclosed the ownership of the land will now be transferred to Ramiza Khatun.
On Ramiza''s arrival at the Prime Minister''s room in the PMO, the Hasina hugged Ramiza with rare emotion.
"From now onwards, I myself will take care of you," Hasina told Ramiza.
As per the Prime Minister''s directive, the government will soon set up a home for Ramiza on the land her husband bought.
"A farm full of pet animals like cows, ducks and hens will also be set up for Ramiza Khatun," said Abul Kalam Azad.
Besides, the Prime Minister further said that from now on, the government will bear all the expenses for medical treatment of Ramiza Khatun.
The Prime Minister also donated an amount of cash to Ramiza on the occasion.
According to the Kaler Kantho report, Hasmat Ali through his hard-earned money bought 6.45 decimals land on February 22, 2003 at Kharua Barail village of Rawna Union under Gafurgaon Upazila in Mymensingh district.
Hasmat, who died at the age of 80 in 2004, bought the land for Sheikh Hasina as he used to think of Hasina as an "orphan" after the tragic killings of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mother Fazilatunnesa Mujib, along with most of her other family members, on August 15, 1975.
After Bangabandhu''s death, Hasmat Ali and Ramiza Khatun came to the capital and started to live in Agargaon slum.
According to the report, Hasmat Ali used to say the Razakars had killed Bangabandhu, leaving Sheikh Hasina as an "orphan".
"He (Hasmat Ali) would always say he must do something for Sheikh Hasina," Ramiza was quoted as saying by the daily.
After Hasmat Ali died in 2004, Ramiza was compelled to live through begging, as her only son did not take his struggling mother with his family.
Unfortunately, the person from whom Hasmat Ali bought the land for Sheikh Hasina later grabbed the land.
Prime Minister Hasina, during the meet with Ramiza, ordered the authorities concerned to rescue the land and register it in the name of Ramiza.
The news story of the Bengali daily also had written that Ramiza is now suffering from various complicated diseases and old age complications.
Soon after reading the news report, the Prime Minister directed her officials to ensure modern treatment for Ramiza.
From then onwards, Ramiza has been undergoing treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.
Writer of the news story Haider Ali and BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof.
Dr Pran Gopal Datta were also present.
Ramiza Khatun, who scrapes a living by begging on the city streets, came to meet the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister''s Office (PMO) following a news story carried by Bengali daily Kaler Kantho.
The new Bengali daily on June 2 published a front-page story that Ramiza Khatun''s late husband, Hasmat Ali, who used to be a van driver, bought a piece of land in 2003 and registered the land in the name of Sheikh Hasina.
Prime Minister''s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad disclosed the ownership of the land will now be transferred to Ramiza Khatun.
On Ramiza''s arrival at the Prime Minister''s room in the PMO, the Hasina hugged Ramiza with rare emotion.
"From now onwards, I myself will take care of you," Hasina told Ramiza.
As per the Prime Minister''s directive, the government will soon set up a home for Ramiza on the land her husband bought.
"A farm full of pet animals like cows, ducks and hens will also be set up for Ramiza Khatun," said Abul Kalam Azad.
Besides, the Prime Minister further said that from now on, the government will bear all the expenses for medical treatment of Ramiza Khatun.
The Prime Minister also donated an amount of cash to Ramiza on the occasion.
According to the Kaler Kantho report, Hasmat Ali through his hard-earned money bought 6.45 decimals land on February 22, 2003 at Kharua Barail village of Rawna Union under Gafurgaon Upazila in Mymensingh district.
Hasmat, who died at the age of 80 in 2004, bought the land for Sheikh Hasina as he used to think of Hasina as an "orphan" after the tragic killings of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mother Fazilatunnesa Mujib, along with most of her other family members, on August 15, 1975.
After Bangabandhu''s death, Hasmat Ali and Ramiza Khatun came to the capital and started to live in Agargaon slum.
According to the report, Hasmat Ali used to say the Razakars had killed Bangabandhu, leaving Sheikh Hasina as an "orphan".
"He (Hasmat Ali) would always say he must do something for Sheikh Hasina," Ramiza was quoted as saying by the daily.
After Hasmat Ali died in 2004, Ramiza was compelled to live through begging, as her only son did not take his struggling mother with his family.
Unfortunately, the person from whom Hasmat Ali bought the land for Sheikh Hasina later grabbed the land.
Prime Minister Hasina, during the meet with Ramiza, ordered the authorities concerned to rescue the land and register it in the name of Ramiza.
The news story of the Bengali daily also had written that Ramiza is now suffering from various complicated diseases and old age complications.
Soon after reading the news report, the Prime Minister directed her officials to ensure modern treatment for Ramiza.
From then onwards, Ramiza has been undergoing treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.
Writer of the news story Haider Ali and BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof.
Dr Pran Gopal Datta were also present.
Storm hits five districts: One killed, 50 injured
A woman was killed, over 50 people were injured and over 1200 thatched houses damaged as storm swept over Sherpur, Brahmanbaria, Chapainwabganj and Jamalpur and Habiganj districts on Wednesday and Thursday, reports UNB.
In Habiganj, A woman was killed in lightning strike and 12 people were injured during a storm at Lakhai upazila of the district Thursday afternoon.
Witnesses said Parvin Akther,35, was killed as thunderbolt struck her at Sajan village of the upazila.
Around 250 houses were damaged and over 100 trees were uprooted when the storm lashed the upazila.
In Sherpur, at least 20 people were injured and over 400 houses were damaged and a violent storm lashed 12 villages of five unions early Thursday.
The worst affected areas are Lataria, Bamonerchar of Charshekhpur union, Nalbaid and Namapara of Charmucharia union, Goalpara, Betmari and Ghughurakandi of Kamarerchar union and Charpakkhimari union.
Two poles of 33 KV transmission line of PDB broke down during the storm that stopped power supply in Shajabarkhila area of Sherpur town.
UNO Kamal Hossain and Ilias Uddin, chairman of sadar upazila, visited the damaged areas.
In Brahmanbaria, at least 15 people were injured and over 150 thatched houses damaged as a storm lashed Dharmondal village of Nasirnagar upazila Thursday morning.
Upazila administration sources said the storm lasted for few minutes and damaged 120 kutcha houses fully and another 30 partially.
The injured were admitted to Nasirnagar health complex and Habiganj hospital.
UNO and district relief and rehabilitation officer visited the damaged area.
houses were damaged in a storm in Gomostapur upazila of the district on Wednesday night.
UNO Sajjadul Hasan said the storm swept over the upazila at 9pm and damaged houses, uprooted trees and electric poles.
Besides, a storm lashed Dangdhara union of Dewanganj upazila leaving five people injured and over 50 houses damaged.
Witnesses said the five people were injured in house collapse during the storm at Bagharchar and Tengramari villages.
In Habiganj, A woman was killed in lightning strike and 12 people were injured during a storm at Lakhai upazila of the district Thursday afternoon.
Witnesses said Parvin Akther,35, was killed as thunderbolt struck her at Sajan village of the upazila.
Around 250 houses were damaged and over 100 trees were uprooted when the storm lashed the upazila.
In Sherpur, at least 20 people were injured and over 400 houses were damaged and a violent storm lashed 12 villages of five unions early Thursday.
The worst affected areas are Lataria, Bamonerchar of Charshekhpur union, Nalbaid and Namapara of Charmucharia union, Goalpara, Betmari and Ghughurakandi of Kamarerchar union and Charpakkhimari union.
Two poles of 33 KV transmission line of PDB broke down during the storm that stopped power supply in Shajabarkhila area of Sherpur town.
UNO Kamal Hossain and Ilias Uddin, chairman of sadar upazila, visited the damaged areas.
In Brahmanbaria, at least 15 people were injured and over 150 thatched houses damaged as a storm lashed Dharmondal village of Nasirnagar upazila Thursday morning.
Upazila administration sources said the storm lasted for few minutes and damaged 120 kutcha houses fully and another 30 partially.
The injured were admitted to Nasirnagar health complex and Habiganj hospital.
UNO and district relief and rehabilitation officer visited the damaged area.
houses were damaged in a storm in Gomostapur upazila of the district on Wednesday night.
UNO Sajjadul Hasan said the storm swept over the upazila at 9pm and damaged houses, uprooted trees and electric poles.
Besides, a storm lashed Dangdhara union of Dewanganj upazila leaving five people injured and over 50 houses damaged.
Witnesses said the five people were injured in house collapse during the storm at Bagharchar and Tengramari villages.
28th BCS results published
The government published results of the 28th Bangladesh Civil Service examinations on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com.
Some 2,190 candidates have been recommended for various cadres, said the Public Service Commission PRO, Mir Mosharraf Hossain.
As many as 5,105 candidates passed in non-cadre category, while 5,783 candidates took oral exams in various cadres.
The results will not be available at the PSC office but they will be put up on its website, www.bpsc.gov.bd, around 8pm.
Over one lakh candidates took the preliminary exams on Nov 28, 2008 for 1,720 posts in different cadres.
The number of cadres has been raised before the final results were out.
Results of preliminary exams were published on Feb 1, 2009.
As many as 11,785 candidates sat for the month-long written examinations that started on Apr 30, 2009. Results were out on Sept 2 that year.
Of them 5,881 candidates passed the written exams-2,426 in general cadre, 1,862 in technical cadre and 1,593 in both general and technical cadres.
The oral exams ended last November.
Some 2,190 candidates have been recommended for various cadres, said the Public Service Commission PRO, Mir Mosharraf Hossain.
As many as 5,105 candidates passed in non-cadre category, while 5,783 candidates took oral exams in various cadres.
The results will not be available at the PSC office but they will be put up on its website, www.bpsc.gov.bd, around 8pm.
Over one lakh candidates took the preliminary exams on Nov 28, 2008 for 1,720 posts in different cadres.
The number of cadres has been raised before the final results were out.
Results of preliminary exams were published on Feb 1, 2009.
As many as 11,785 candidates sat for the month-long written examinations that started on Apr 30, 2009. Results were out on Sept 2 that year.
Of them 5,881 candidates passed the written exams-2,426 in general cadre, 1,862 in technical cadre and 1,593 in both general and technical cadres.
The oral exams ended last November.
UN misinterpreted Tehran lab tests: Iran
TEHRAN (Iran), June 3: Iran''s atomic energy chief claimed on Thursday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog misunderstood the nature of the experiments at a Tehran laboratory mentioned in the agency''s latest report, reports AP.
The report underscored the West''s concerns about Iranian nuclear ambitions and came as the U.N. Security Council inches toward imposing a new round of sanctions on Tehran for refusing to suspend its nuclear enrichment.
Ali Akbar Salehi said the International Atomic Energy Agency''s report earlier this week made a "misinterpretation" in a reference about pyroprocessing - a procedure that can be used to purify uranium metal used in nuclear warheads.
Salehi, according to the semiofficial Isna news agency, said the Tehran lab experiments deal with uranium production, not pyroprocessing.
"The experiments have no relation to pyroprocessing," he said. "We believe the agency used this false report about a process that has not yet taken place, with the purpose of influencing public opinion."
Salehi stressed such "mistakes" would backfire and only damage IAEA''s reputation.
He added that the Tehran lab experiments sought to produce uranium metal from depleted uranium, which is an effective shield against harmful radiation. Salehi said Iran has plentiful stocks of depleted uranium but didn''t elaborate on the source of the material. In January, Iran told the IAEA it had carried out pyroprocessing experiments, prompting a request from the agency for more information - but then backtracked in March and denied conducting such activities.
IAEA experts last month revisited the site - the Jabr Ibn Jayan Multipurpose Research Laboratory in Tehran - only to establish "that the electrochemical cell had been removed" from the unit used in the experiments, according to the report.
Salehi said this was "not correct" and that Iran did not remove any equipment from the lab. He didn''t elaborate but Isna quoted him as saying Iran would provide the IAEA with evidence at an unspecified later date.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iranian''s envoy to the IAEA headquarters in Vienna already criticized the report in comments made Wednesday in the Austrian capital.
The U.S. and its allies are concerned Iran''s program strives to make nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies and says uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes only, such as energy production.
The report underscored the West''s concerns about Iranian nuclear ambitions and came as the U.N. Security Council inches toward imposing a new round of sanctions on Tehran for refusing to suspend its nuclear enrichment.
Ali Akbar Salehi said the International Atomic Energy Agency''s report earlier this week made a "misinterpretation" in a reference about pyroprocessing - a procedure that can be used to purify uranium metal used in nuclear warheads.
Salehi, according to the semiofficial Isna news agency, said the Tehran lab experiments deal with uranium production, not pyroprocessing.
"The experiments have no relation to pyroprocessing," he said. "We believe the agency used this false report about a process that has not yet taken place, with the purpose of influencing public opinion."
Salehi stressed such "mistakes" would backfire and only damage IAEA''s reputation.
He added that the Tehran lab experiments sought to produce uranium metal from depleted uranium, which is an effective shield against harmful radiation. Salehi said Iran has plentiful stocks of depleted uranium but didn''t elaborate on the source of the material. In January, Iran told the IAEA it had carried out pyroprocessing experiments, prompting a request from the agency for more information - but then backtracked in March and denied conducting such activities.
IAEA experts last month revisited the site - the Jabr Ibn Jayan Multipurpose Research Laboratory in Tehran - only to establish "that the electrochemical cell had been removed" from the unit used in the experiments, according to the report.
Salehi said this was "not correct" and that Iran did not remove any equipment from the lab. He didn''t elaborate but Isna quoted him as saying Iran would provide the IAEA with evidence at an unspecified later date.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iranian''s envoy to the IAEA headquarters in Vienna already criticized the report in comments made Wednesday in the Austrian capital.
The U.S. and its allies are concerned Iran''s program strives to make nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies and says uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes only, such as energy production.
1killed, 5 hurt in Pabna AL clash
PABNA, June 3: One person was killed and five others were injured as two groups of Awami League activists clashed at Tebunia of Pabna on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com.
Three people have been arrested after the incident.
The victim has been identified as Abul Kashem, 40.
Pabna Sadar police chief Matiar Rahman told bdnews24.com that local Awami League leaders Mohammad Ali and Hasibur Rahman Hasu had been in a dispute over appointment of labourers at a seed storage.
The clash erupted when Ali''s men beat up two workers loyal to Hasu at about 8am, he said. They also killed Hasu''s elder brother Abul Kashem with sharp weapons.
The injured people were admitted to Pabna General Hospital. Among them, Muktar Hossain, 40, and Abdul Hannan, 35, had critical injuries.
Pabna police superintendent Jamil Ahmed visited the spot. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.
Three people have been arrested after the incident.
The victim has been identified as Abul Kashem, 40.
Pabna Sadar police chief Matiar Rahman told bdnews24.com that local Awami League leaders Mohammad Ali and Hasibur Rahman Hasu had been in a dispute over appointment of labourers at a seed storage.
The clash erupted when Ali''s men beat up two workers loyal to Hasu at about 8am, he said. They also killed Hasu''s elder brother Abul Kashem with sharp weapons.
The injured people were admitted to Pabna General Hospital. Among them, Muktar Hossain, 40, and Abdul Hannan, 35, had critical injuries.
Pabna police superintendent Jamil Ahmed visited the spot. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.
HC orders 4 cops to be closed
The High Court on Thursday ordered the government and the police to suspend four policemen for a death in custody, reports bdnews24.com.
The court also asked the police and the government to take legal measures against Nurul Alam, Fahim Haider, Dulal Chandra and Mizanur Rahman in line with the service law.
The bench of justices A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Mohammed Delwar Hossain gave the verdict on a petition by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organisation.
The inspector general of police was asked to inform the court whether the order was obeyed.
The court also asked the government and the police to explain why they should not be ordered to ensure public security.
Manzil Morshed, the counsel for the petitioner, said at the hearing that according to media reports on May 21, 2006, medical representative Saidur Rahman was killed in police custody in Gaibandha.
A citizens committee in Gaibandha filed a murder case against four police officials, who sought bail in the High Court.
Morshed said the four officials had been performing their duties even though they were facing criminal charges and pointed out that they could pose threat to public security.
He said the four policemen were not even suspended from their duties temporarily although the law provides or such action.
Deputy attorney general Nazrul Islam Talukder argued for the defence.
The court also asked the police and the government to take legal measures against Nurul Alam, Fahim Haider, Dulal Chandra and Mizanur Rahman in line with the service law.
The bench of justices A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Mohammed Delwar Hossain gave the verdict on a petition by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organisation.
The inspector general of police was asked to inform the court whether the order was obeyed.
The court also asked the government and the police to explain why they should not be ordered to ensure public security.
Manzil Morshed, the counsel for the petitioner, said at the hearing that according to media reports on May 21, 2006, medical representative Saidur Rahman was killed in police custody in Gaibandha.
A citizens committee in Gaibandha filed a murder case against four police officials, who sought bail in the High Court.
Morshed said the four officials had been performing their duties even though they were facing criminal charges and pointed out that they could pose threat to public security.
He said the four policemen were not even suspended from their duties temporarily although the law provides or such action.
Deputy attorney general Nazrul Islam Talukder argued for the defence.
War crime trail International community urged to provide info
Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed Thursday urged the international community to provide their own information about the country''s Great War of Liberation in 1971 for helping the Bangladesh government in holding the trial of crimes against humanity, reports BSS.
"Information on war of liberation, which are being preserved at different archives and libraries across the globe would make the trial against humanity during the Liberation War more transparent," he said.
The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister made the remark while speaking at the ''Review Conference of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court'' in Kampala, Uganda, according to a message received in the city Thursday.
Barrister Shafique said Bangladesh government has taken initiatives of holding the trial of the criminals those were involved in various human rights violation activities including genocide and other war crimes during 1971 as per its election pledge.
Mentioning that the government has firmly committed to maintain transparency and international standard of the trial, the Minister said the government has brought some amendments in the ''International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973'' for keeping the international standard in the trial.
"The accused persons of the trial can recruit lawyers as per their choices and can also make appeal at the appellate division of the Supreme Court," he said.
Later, the Bangladesh Law Minister called on Attorney General and Justice and Parliamentary Minister of Uganda Dr Khiddu Makubuya.
He also met with high officials of the Ugandan local government and visited some projects operated by Bangladeshi NGO BRAC.
"Information on war of liberation, which are being preserved at different archives and libraries across the globe would make the trial against humanity during the Liberation War more transparent," he said.
The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister made the remark while speaking at the ''Review Conference of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court'' in Kampala, Uganda, according to a message received in the city Thursday.
Barrister Shafique said Bangladesh government has taken initiatives of holding the trial of the criminals those were involved in various human rights violation activities including genocide and other war crimes during 1971 as per its election pledge.
Mentioning that the government has firmly committed to maintain transparency and international standard of the trial, the Minister said the government has brought some amendments in the ''International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973'' for keeping the international standard in the trial.
"The accused persons of the trial can recruit lawyers as per their choices and can also make appeal at the appellate division of the Supreme Court," he said.
Later, the Bangladesh Law Minister called on Attorney General and Justice and Parliamentary Minister of Uganda Dr Khiddu Makubuya.
He also met with high officials of the Ugandan local government and visited some projects operated by Bangladeshi NGO BRAC.
Plans to add 9426 mw power to nat''l grid by 2015
The process of setting up 1,000 MW to 1,200 MW quick rental power stations is going on to keep power shortage at a tolerable level in 2010 and 2011, reports BSS.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Enamul Haque said this in the House Thursday while replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench lawmaker Shafiqul Azam Chowdhury.
"These plants can be set up quickly for generating power for three to five years," he said and told another questioner Begum Nilufar Chowdhury Moni that the government took plans to add 9,426 MW power to the national grid by 2015.
Besides setting up gas based plants, power stations would be set up based on coal, diesel and furnace oil and dual fuel and renewable oil in view of crisis of gas in the country, he added.
Under short, mid and long-term plans, a total of 792 MW power would be added to the national grid this year through public and private sectors, Haque said adding that another 920 MW would be added in 2011, 2,269 MW in 2012, 1,675 MW in 2013, 1,170 MW in 2014 and 2,600 MW in 2015.
Besides setting up new plants, the State Minister said plans have been undertaken to renovate and rehabilitate the old ones and save electricity through demand side management. The government has undertaken plans to import electricity from the neighboring countries under inter-state cooperation.
He also said that 100 MW power would be added to the national grid through renovating and rehabilitating the old power stations, 50 MW from 3rd unit and 50 MW from 4th unit of Karnaphuli hydro- electric plant. Besides, measures have been taken to increase power generation by renovating and rehabilitating other public sector plants in phases.
In reply to a query from Begum Mahjabin Morshed, Haque said
the fuel oil price depends on the price in the international market. "If price in the international market falls, then reduction in price for the same in the domestic market would be considered," he added.
In reply to another query from Shahin Monwara Haque, he said
there is no crisis of gas in North Bengal.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Enamul Haque said this in the House Thursday while replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench lawmaker Shafiqul Azam Chowdhury.
"These plants can be set up quickly for generating power for three to five years," he said and told another questioner Begum Nilufar Chowdhury Moni that the government took plans to add 9,426 MW power to the national grid by 2015.
Besides setting up gas based plants, power stations would be set up based on coal, diesel and furnace oil and dual fuel and renewable oil in view of crisis of gas in the country, he added.
Under short, mid and long-term plans, a total of 792 MW power would be added to the national grid this year through public and private sectors, Haque said adding that another 920 MW would be added in 2011, 2,269 MW in 2012, 1,675 MW in 2013, 1,170 MW in 2014 and 2,600 MW in 2015.
Besides setting up new plants, the State Minister said plans have been undertaken to renovate and rehabilitate the old ones and save electricity through demand side management. The government has undertaken plans to import electricity from the neighboring countries under inter-state cooperation.
He also said that 100 MW power would be added to the national grid through renovating and rehabilitating the old power stations, 50 MW from 3rd unit and 50 MW from 4th unit of Karnaphuli hydro- electric plant. Besides, measures have been taken to increase power generation by renovating and rehabilitating other public sector plants in phases.
In reply to a query from Begum Mahjabin Morshed, Haque said
the fuel oil price depends on the price in the international market. "If price in the international market falls, then reduction in price for the same in the domestic market would be considered," he added.
In reply to another query from Shahin Monwara Haque, he said
there is no crisis of gas in North Bengal.
ADB to give $266 m for gas sector development
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement with the government of Bangladesh to provide $266 million in loans to help the country address its natural gas supply constraints, and thus spur economic growth and reduce poverty, reports UNB.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and ADB country director for Bangladesh Thevakumar Kandiah signed the loan agreement on behalf of the two sides at a ceremony at NEC-2 on Thursday.
The loan assistance under the ''Bangladesh Natural Gas Access Improvement Project'' will be used to build new gas transmission and distribution pipelines to meet growing demand and expand coverage to less developed areas in the southwest. The main objective of the project is to expand capacity and improve efficiency in natural gas production, transmission, and distribution systems.
The project will install compressors and metering systems to boost reliability, improve safety and strengthen the management of gas supply and demand. The project will also help improve supply efficiency by developing four new wells and installing gas processing plants at the Titas gas field to increase gas production by 120 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).
The state-owned Petrobangla and some of its companies including Gas Transm-ission Company Ltd (GTCL), Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd (BGFC), Sundarban Distribution Company Ltd (SDC) and Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd under the Energy Division will implement the project tenured from 2010 to 2015.
Around 200,000 new households in the southwest, along with 1,400 industrial and commercial establishments will receive gas as a result of the expanded distribution network.
Of the total estimated project cost of US $ 542 million, ADB will extend US $ 266 million ($261 million as Ordinary Capital Resources loan & $5 million concessional loan (ADF) to Bangladesh. In addition, the government of Korea (Export Import Bank of Korea) is expected to provide $45 million. The government of Bangladesh will provide the remaining amount of $231 million in equity and loans.
Among the schemes, the ADB will provide US$ 173 million for implementing the Ashuganj and Elenga compressor projects, key elements in the gas sector which are expected to boost gas flow across the country and provide some relief to the industry and power sectors in particular.
The officials said that for the last couple of years, the drop in pressure of the gas supply has been a major problem for different industries as well as power plants in different areas of the country.
Many industries and power plants in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Sylhet, Baghabari and Chittagong have complained that the pressure of the gas supply is not adequate, and that has allowed them to utilize as little as only half their production capacities.
The Petrobangla officials said the pressure in gas transmission dropped at different points for lack of compressors. Even many fields, which are capable of enhancing production, could not utilize their capacities due to compressor-related limitations.
"When all the three gas compressors will be installed, the pressure will improve to 1000 pounds per square inch (PPI) and finally, this will improve the overall gas supply situation," said one Petrobangla official. This will facilitate an additional 300 MMCFD gas from different fields, he added.
Originally, a project was undertaken three years back to install three compressors at Muchai, Ashuganj and Elenga. For the three compressors, the government had sought $150 million from ADB, but initially the lending agency agreed to provide only $55 million. But after protracted negotiations, the donor agency finally agreed to raise the loan amount for the compressor project, a key component of the whole package.
One of the three compressors is now being installed at Muchai with the financial support of the US oil company Chevron under the framework of its production sharing contract (PSC) with the government.
The ADB loan has a maturity of 32 years, including a grace period of 8 years, with an interest rate of 1 percent during the grace period and 1.5 percent thereafter. On the other hand, the interest rate for the OCR loan is LIBOR (the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate, a daily
reference based on the interest rates at which banks borrow unsecured
funds from other banks) + 0.60 percent and in the case commitment charge is 0.15 percent.
Speaking on the occasion, ADB country director Kandiah said that two basic features of the project are improving the efficiency of the existing gas transmission network and also improving the supply of gas.
Sundarban Gas Co Ltd. a newly formed distribution affiliate of state-owned Petrobangla will enter into contracts with private firms for the operation, maintenance, metering and billing of gas supplied to consumers in the southwest from 2012.
It may be mentioned that ADB''s total of loans sanctioned to Bangladesh stands at over $10 billion. The development assistance of ADB mainly focus on the power, energy, local government, transport, education, agriculture, water resources and governance sectors of Bangladesh.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and ADB country director for Bangladesh Thevakumar Kandiah signed the loan agreement on behalf of the two sides at a ceremony at NEC-2 on Thursday.
The loan assistance under the ''Bangladesh Natural Gas Access Improvement Project'' will be used to build new gas transmission and distribution pipelines to meet growing demand and expand coverage to less developed areas in the southwest. The main objective of the project is to expand capacity and improve efficiency in natural gas production, transmission, and distribution systems.
The project will install compressors and metering systems to boost reliability, improve safety and strengthen the management of gas supply and demand. The project will also help improve supply efficiency by developing four new wells and installing gas processing plants at the Titas gas field to increase gas production by 120 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).
The state-owned Petrobangla and some of its companies including Gas Transm-ission Company Ltd (GTCL), Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd (BGFC), Sundarban Distribution Company Ltd (SDC) and Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd under the Energy Division will implement the project tenured from 2010 to 2015.
Around 200,000 new households in the southwest, along with 1,400 industrial and commercial establishments will receive gas as a result of the expanded distribution network.
Of the total estimated project cost of US $ 542 million, ADB will extend US $ 266 million ($261 million as Ordinary Capital Resources loan & $5 million concessional loan (ADF) to Bangladesh. In addition, the government of Korea (Export Import Bank of Korea) is expected to provide $45 million. The government of Bangladesh will provide the remaining amount of $231 million in equity and loans.
Among the schemes, the ADB will provide US$ 173 million for implementing the Ashuganj and Elenga compressor projects, key elements in the gas sector which are expected to boost gas flow across the country and provide some relief to the industry and power sectors in particular.
The officials said that for the last couple of years, the drop in pressure of the gas supply has been a major problem for different industries as well as power plants in different areas of the country.
Many industries and power plants in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Sylhet, Baghabari and Chittagong have complained that the pressure of the gas supply is not adequate, and that has allowed them to utilize as little as only half their production capacities.
The Petrobangla officials said the pressure in gas transmission dropped at different points for lack of compressors. Even many fields, which are capable of enhancing production, could not utilize their capacities due to compressor-related limitations.
"When all the three gas compressors will be installed, the pressure will improve to 1000 pounds per square inch (PPI) and finally, this will improve the overall gas supply situation," said one Petrobangla official. This will facilitate an additional 300 MMCFD gas from different fields, he added.
Originally, a project was undertaken three years back to install three compressors at Muchai, Ashuganj and Elenga. For the three compressors, the government had sought $150 million from ADB, but initially the lending agency agreed to provide only $55 million. But after protracted negotiations, the donor agency finally agreed to raise the loan amount for the compressor project, a key component of the whole package.
One of the three compressors is now being installed at Muchai with the financial support of the US oil company Chevron under the framework of its production sharing contract (PSC) with the government.
The ADB loan has a maturity of 32 years, including a grace period of 8 years, with an interest rate of 1 percent during the grace period and 1.5 percent thereafter. On the other hand, the interest rate for the OCR loan is LIBOR (the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate, a daily
reference based on the interest rates at which banks borrow unsecured
funds from other banks) + 0.60 percent and in the case commitment charge is 0.15 percent.
Speaking on the occasion, ADB country director Kandiah said that two basic features of the project are improving the efficiency of the existing gas transmission network and also improving the supply of gas.
Sundarban Gas Co Ltd. a newly formed distribution affiliate of state-owned Petrobangla will enter into contracts with private firms for the operation, maintenance, metering and billing of gas supplied to consumers in the southwest from 2012.
It may be mentioned that ADB''s total of loans sanctioned to Bangladesh stands at over $10 billion. The development assistance of ADB mainly focus on the power, energy, local government, transport, education, agriculture, water resources and governance sectors of Bangladesh.
Police quiz Mahmudur at jail gate
Police have questioned recently closed Amar Desh newspaper''s acting editor Mahmudur Rahman at the jail gate for just over half an hour in a case accusing him of assault on police, reports bdnews24.com.
Tejgaon police sub-inspector Rezaul Islam questioned him from 12:55pm until 1:28pm on Thursday.
Police did not divulge the details of the interrogation for the sake of investigation.
The case was filed early on Wednesday.
Mahmudur along with deputy editor and chief correspondent Syed Abdal Ahmed, reporters Sanjeeb Chowdhury, Jahed Chowdhury, Alauddin Arif, peon Saiful and another 100 unidentified people were made the defendants in the case.
A magistrate''s court later on that day sent him to jail and asked police to question him at the jail gate by the next three days. It dismissed the police request to remand Mahmudur in custody for five days on the charges.
Mahmudur however secured bail from the court in another case filed by the closed BNP-leaning Bengali-language newspaper''s publisher on Tuesday night, charging him with fraud.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Appellate Division ordered Mahmudur, publisher Hashmat Ali Hashu and three others to appear in court on July 5 in relation to a contempt of court petition.
Police early on Wednesday morning, hours after the government closed the BNP-leaning daily, stormed the newspaper office and arrested Mahmudur on fraud charges levelled by its publisher Hashmat Ali Hashu. Earlier on Tuesday night, the government closed Amar Desh and sealed off its press.
They later filed a case against Mahmudur and other journalists of the newspaper on charges of assault on police officials and obstruction of duty.
Mahmudur''s lawyers including Masud Ahmed Talukder and Sanaullah Miah told the court that sections of the fraud and defamation suits permitted bail.
So, the assault on police case was filed intentionally to put him behind bars since the charges in this case were not bailable, the defendant''s lawyers argued.
They said neither Mahmudur nor his people obstructed the police much less assaulting them. He was arrested to gag the press and stifle the right of freedom of speech.
Shah Alam Talukder, additional public prosecutor of the Metropolitan Sessions Judges'' Court, Khandaker Abdul Mannan and other pro-Awami League lawyers opposed the bail petition.
The prosecution counsels said Hashmat had applied to withdraw himself as publisher on Oct 11 last year. The district commissioner gave orders on Oct 26 to that effect but Mahmudur was illegally using publisher Hashu''s name in the printer''s line to save his skin.
Tejgaon Police sub-inspector Mohammed Shafiqul filed the assault case early in the morning. Tejgaon police chief Farman Ali told bdnews24.com that the suspects were charged with beating up police officials and obstructing them from doing their job.
Police early on Wednesday morning stormed the Amar Desh newspaper office and arrested Mahmudur, hours after the government closed the BNP-leaning daily.
Mahmudur was the energy adviser to ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia and executive chairman of the Board of Investment during the BNP-led government.
He took over the management of the newspaper in 2008. Later he sent a letter to the deputy commissioner for serving the paper as the editor and had been the acting editor of the newspaper since.
Before that, Hashu, the brother of Mosaddak Ali Falu, former political secretary to ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia, used to publish the daily.
UNB adds: Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), based in Hong Kong, on Thursday urged the Bangladesh government to stop "repression of freedom of expression" and release the detained media-professionals.
AHRC in a statement narrated in details how daily ''Amar Desh'' was shut down and its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman arrested on June 1, saying that the process applied by the Bangladesh government in this case "shows an extreme arbitrariness."
"This includes the sealing off of the newspaper and its printing presses; the hurried cancellation of the declaration after the alleged arbitrary detention of Mr. Hashmat Ali; the forced signatures on prepared draft statements; the complaints, arrest and detention of Mahmudur Rahman."
Tejgaon police sub-inspector Rezaul Islam questioned him from 12:55pm until 1:28pm on Thursday.
Police did not divulge the details of the interrogation for the sake of investigation.
The case was filed early on Wednesday.
Mahmudur along with deputy editor and chief correspondent Syed Abdal Ahmed, reporters Sanjeeb Chowdhury, Jahed Chowdhury, Alauddin Arif, peon Saiful and another 100 unidentified people were made the defendants in the case.
A magistrate''s court later on that day sent him to jail and asked police to question him at the jail gate by the next three days. It dismissed the police request to remand Mahmudur in custody for five days on the charges.
Mahmudur however secured bail from the court in another case filed by the closed BNP-leaning Bengali-language newspaper''s publisher on Tuesday night, charging him with fraud.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Appellate Division ordered Mahmudur, publisher Hashmat Ali Hashu and three others to appear in court on July 5 in relation to a contempt of court petition.
Police early on Wednesday morning, hours after the government closed the BNP-leaning daily, stormed the newspaper office and arrested Mahmudur on fraud charges levelled by its publisher Hashmat Ali Hashu. Earlier on Tuesday night, the government closed Amar Desh and sealed off its press.
They later filed a case against Mahmudur and other journalists of the newspaper on charges of assault on police officials and obstruction of duty.
Mahmudur''s lawyers including Masud Ahmed Talukder and Sanaullah Miah told the court that sections of the fraud and defamation suits permitted bail.
So, the assault on police case was filed intentionally to put him behind bars since the charges in this case were not bailable, the defendant''s lawyers argued.
They said neither Mahmudur nor his people obstructed the police much less assaulting them. He was arrested to gag the press and stifle the right of freedom of speech.
Shah Alam Talukder, additional public prosecutor of the Metropolitan Sessions Judges'' Court, Khandaker Abdul Mannan and other pro-Awami League lawyers opposed the bail petition.
The prosecution counsels said Hashmat had applied to withdraw himself as publisher on Oct 11 last year. The district commissioner gave orders on Oct 26 to that effect but Mahmudur was illegally using publisher Hashu''s name in the printer''s line to save his skin.
Tejgaon Police sub-inspector Mohammed Shafiqul filed the assault case early in the morning. Tejgaon police chief Farman Ali told bdnews24.com that the suspects were charged with beating up police officials and obstructing them from doing their job.
Police early on Wednesday morning stormed the Amar Desh newspaper office and arrested Mahmudur, hours after the government closed the BNP-leaning daily.
Mahmudur was the energy adviser to ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia and executive chairman of the Board of Investment during the BNP-led government.
He took over the management of the newspaper in 2008. Later he sent a letter to the deputy commissioner for serving the paper as the editor and had been the acting editor of the newspaper since.
Before that, Hashu, the brother of Mosaddak Ali Falu, former political secretary to ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia, used to publish the daily.
UNB adds: Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), based in Hong Kong, on Thursday urged the Bangladesh government to stop "repression of freedom of expression" and release the detained media-professionals.
AHRC in a statement narrated in details how daily ''Amar Desh'' was shut down and its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman arrested on June 1, saying that the process applied by the Bangladesh government in this case "shows an extreme arbitrariness."
"This includes the sealing off of the newspaper and its printing presses; the hurried cancellation of the declaration after the alleged arbitrary detention of Mr. Hashmat Ali; the forced signatures on prepared draft statements; the complaints, arrest and detention of Mahmudur Rahman."
BNP keeps off JS to protest remarks against Khaleda
Opposition BNP did not turn up in Parliament on Thursday as ''indecent'' remarks were made against Khaleda Zia in the House by the Information Minister on Wednesday, according to the opposition chief whip, reports UNB.
BNP lawmakers joined first day of the fifth session (budget session) on Wednesday and staged a walkout protesting the cancellation of the declaration of Bengali daily Amar Desh and the arrest of its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.
Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque told UNB on Thursday evening that Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, without mentioning the reasoning behind the closing down of Amar Desh and arrest of its editor Mahmudur Rahman, rather spoke against Khaleda Zia using ''indecent'' language in the House on Wednesday.
"So we did not go to Parliament today," he said.
He said the Information Minister stated in the House that he does not know anything about the shutdown of the daily.
After the question hour on Wednesday, Zainul said on a point of order that they have protested the closing down of the daily, and the arrest of its acting editor, but the Information Minister was unable to give a coherent reply.
He further said the Speaker could have given BNP the floor to speak about the shutdown of the daily before the beginning of the question hour, but he didn''t.
The opposition chief whip demanded release of the Amar Desh editor and withdrawal of the cancellation of declaration of Amar Desh.
Farroque said his party''s just demands which were made earlier, including an end to the indecent remarks against late president Ziaur Rahman, BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her family, allowing Begum Zia''s personal physician and staff to enter her Dhaka cantonment residence, and allowing the minutes of the daily Parliament sessions to be sent to her residence.
Earlier, BNP was undecided about joining the ongoing fifth session, but decided to do so on Wednesday to raise their voices against the closing down of Amar Desh on Tuesday, and drum up people''s support against the government''s action from Parliament.
BNP lawmakers joined first day of the fifth session (budget session) on Wednesday and staged a walkout protesting the cancellation of the declaration of Bengali daily Amar Desh and the arrest of its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.
Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque told UNB on Thursday evening that Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, without mentioning the reasoning behind the closing down of Amar Desh and arrest of its editor Mahmudur Rahman, rather spoke against Khaleda Zia using ''indecent'' language in the House on Wednesday.
"So we did not go to Parliament today," he said.
He said the Information Minister stated in the House that he does not know anything about the shutdown of the daily.
After the question hour on Wednesday, Zainul said on a point of order that they have protested the closing down of the daily, and the arrest of its acting editor, but the Information Minister was unable to give a coherent reply.
He further said the Speaker could have given BNP the floor to speak about the shutdown of the daily before the beginning of the question hour, but he didn''t.
The opposition chief whip demanded release of the Amar Desh editor and withdrawal of the cancellation of declaration of Amar Desh.
Farroque said his party''s just demands which were made earlier, including an end to the indecent remarks against late president Ziaur Rahman, BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her family, allowing Begum Zia''s personal physician and staff to enter her Dhaka cantonment residence, and allowing the minutes of the daily Parliament sessions to be sent to her residence.
Earlier, BNP was undecided about joining the ongoing fifth session, but decided to do so on Wednesday to raise their voices against the closing down of Amar Desh on Tuesday, and drum up people''s support against the government''s action from Parliament.
PM seeks more US investment
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the United States to invest in Bangladesh in larger volume and laid emphasis on more US cooperation in energy and power sectors, reports UNB.
The request came when US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty called on the Prime Minister at her office in the morning.
The Prime Minister informed the US envoy about her government''s strong stand on alleviating poverty, which is the main enemy of the South Asian region, and against terrorism.
She said that terrorism and militancy will not be allowed in Bangladesh and her government is very much firm in this regard.
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed the reporters after the meeting.
Hasina and Moriarty discussed in details the issues of mutual interest and hoped that the existing friendly relations between the two countries will be further strengthened in future.
They also discussed the exploration of gas and coal in the country and the Prime Minister sought US cooperation in this regard.
She mentioned that communal harmony is prevailing in the country and the minority community is enjoying equal rights.
Hasina said that the human rights situation is at the desired level and the government puts highest emphasis on the religious harmony. "We are committed to secure human rights in the country."
She said that the government is working hard for strengthening the parliamentary democracy in the country. "The opposition is provided with immense scope in the parliament to have their say."
The Prime Minister said that the present government believes in press freedom and the press in the country is "enjoying highest freedom at present."
The request came when US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty called on the Prime Minister at her office in the morning.
The Prime Minister informed the US envoy about her government''s strong stand on alleviating poverty, which is the main enemy of the South Asian region, and against terrorism.
She said that terrorism and militancy will not be allowed in Bangladesh and her government is very much firm in this regard.
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed the reporters after the meeting.
Hasina and Moriarty discussed in details the issues of mutual interest and hoped that the existing friendly relations between the two countries will be further strengthened in future.
They also discussed the exploration of gas and coal in the country and the Prime Minister sought US cooperation in this regard.
She mentioned that communal harmony is prevailing in the country and the minority community is enjoying equal rights.
Hasina said that the human rights situation is at the desired level and the government puts highest emphasis on the religious harmony. "We are committed to secure human rights in the country."
She said that the government is working hard for strengthening the parliamentary democracy in the country. "The opposition is provided with immense scope in the parliament to have their say."
The Prime Minister said that the present government believes in press freedom and the press in the country is "enjoying highest freedom at present."
Facebook may be unblocked
News Report
The most popular social networking website might be unblocked for users across the country in a short time, an official of the ministry concerned said.
Bangladesh already received feedback from the Facebook authorities on removing offensive items from the website, which will help Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to lift the ban on the Facebook soon, Zia Ahmed, chairman of BTRC said.
The authorities have almost removed offensive contents after complaints from side, he said.
“I look forward to learning more about your local standards and working together to promote safe
use of Facebook in Bangladesh,” Joe Sullivan, chief security officer of Facebook was quoted by Ahmed as saying.
“My team is responsible for managing law enforcement relations on Facebook and promoting a safe experience on the site for our users. I can be your main point of contact as we work through and establish detailed processes for removing troubling content in the future,” Sullivan said in the mail.
This is the first reply from the Facebook to Bangladesh after the site was blocked in the country.
The BTRC chairman said already some offensive links have been removed, but some are still there.
“As we have now a channel to communicate with the Facebook team, I believe everything will be solved within a short time,” he pointed out.
Around nine lakh Facebook users in Bangladesh remain offline since Saturday after the government temporarily blocked access to the popular social networking website.
The decision came after the arrest of a Facebook user for uploading satiric images of some leading politicians including the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. BTRC said the largest social networking website was blocked also for hosting of some anti-religious and pornographic links by users across the globe.
Soon after the news of Facebook block, hundreds of Dhaka University students took to the campus streets May 30 to protest the government temporarily shutting down the website. They called the decision a contradiction to the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision and “interference with the right of expression”.
The BTRC official said Facebook authorities admitted some of the contents violated Bangladesh law. Pakistan, Iran, Vietnam, Syria and China also temporarily blocked the popular site
Users in Bangladesh generally used this networking site to share personal details with friends.
The most popular social networking website might be unblocked for users across the country in a short time, an official of the ministry concerned said.
Bangladesh already received feedback from the Facebook authorities on removing offensive items from the website, which will help Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to lift the ban on the Facebook soon, Zia Ahmed, chairman of BTRC said.
The authorities have almost removed offensive contents after complaints from side, he said.
“I look forward to learning more about your local standards and working together to promote safe
use of Facebook in Bangladesh,” Joe Sullivan, chief security officer of Facebook was quoted by Ahmed as saying.
“My team is responsible for managing law enforcement relations on Facebook and promoting a safe experience on the site for our users. I can be your main point of contact as we work through and establish detailed processes for removing troubling content in the future,” Sullivan said in the mail.
This is the first reply from the Facebook to Bangladesh after the site was blocked in the country.
The BTRC chairman said already some offensive links have been removed, but some are still there.
“As we have now a channel to communicate with the Facebook team, I believe everything will be solved within a short time,” he pointed out.
Around nine lakh Facebook users in Bangladesh remain offline since Saturday after the government temporarily blocked access to the popular social networking website.
The decision came after the arrest of a Facebook user for uploading satiric images of some leading politicians including the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. BTRC said the largest social networking website was blocked also for hosting of some anti-religious and pornographic links by users across the globe.
Soon after the news of Facebook block, hundreds of Dhaka University students took to the campus streets May 30 to protest the government temporarily shutting down the website. They called the decision a contradiction to the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision and “interference with the right of expression”.
The BTRC official said Facebook authorities admitted some of the contents violated Bangladesh law. Pakistan, Iran, Vietnam, Syria and China also temporarily blocked the popular site
Users in Bangladesh generally used this networking site to share personal details with friends.
25 bodies recovered from debris
Rescuers officially ended their salvage operation Thursday morning with the removal of all debris from the collapsed five-storey building in city''s Begunbari, reports UNB.
When contacted, Deputy Director of Fire Services and Civil Defense Abdur Rashid said they completed their operational task with the recovery of 25 bodies after all the rubbles were removed at about 10:45 am.
"We also rescued six people with injuries since the rescue operation started Tuesday night," he said.
The 25 recovered bodies were of 11 women, four minor boys, three minor girls and seven men.
One Sohel, hailing from Jamalpur, claimed that his brother Jewel has been missing since the building had collapsed.
He said Jewel, who worked at a garments factory, was residing at a small makeshift shanty besides the collapsed building.
The 5-storey building at Sounth Begunbari collapsed on several tin-shed houses at about 10:40pm on Tuesday night.
Several units of Fire Brigade rushed to the spot to start rescue operation immediately after the incident.
About 100 members of Bangladesh Army, including one platoon from 16 Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB) and one platoon from 2 Engineer Battalion, joined the rescue operation from Tuesday midnight.
Meanwhile, The government has formed a five-member committee to investigate the Begunbari incident two days ago.
This committee has been asked to probe how a five-storey building toppled at one of its sides completely off its base.
Public relation officer of the public works ministry Mofakkarul Iqbal asked the committee to submit the findings within a week.
Housing and public works ministry on Thursday formed the committee headed by Zillur Rahman, the ministry''s joint secretary.
Deputy secretary Sheikh Mizanur Rahman was appointed the member secretary.
The other members of the committee include a representative from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK), one from the public works department and a representative from architecture department.
The committee is set to start investigations from Friday and has been asked to complete it within three days, said Mofakkarul.
There were 25 confirmed deaths as rescue operations were halted on Thursday morning.
The building had fallen on a number of tin-shed shanties and most of the dead had lived there.
When contacted, Deputy Director of Fire Services and Civil Defense Abdur Rashid said they completed their operational task with the recovery of 25 bodies after all the rubbles were removed at about 10:45 am.
"We also rescued six people with injuries since the rescue operation started Tuesday night," he said.
The 25 recovered bodies were of 11 women, four minor boys, three minor girls and seven men.
One Sohel, hailing from Jamalpur, claimed that his brother Jewel has been missing since the building had collapsed.
He said Jewel, who worked at a garments factory, was residing at a small makeshift shanty besides the collapsed building.
The 5-storey building at Sounth Begunbari collapsed on several tin-shed houses at about 10:40pm on Tuesday night.
Several units of Fire Brigade rushed to the spot to start rescue operation immediately after the incident.
About 100 members of Bangladesh Army, including one platoon from 16 Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB) and one platoon from 2 Engineer Battalion, joined the rescue operation from Tuesday midnight.
Meanwhile, The government has formed a five-member committee to investigate the Begunbari incident two days ago.
This committee has been asked to probe how a five-storey building toppled at one of its sides completely off its base.
Public relation officer of the public works ministry Mofakkarul Iqbal asked the committee to submit the findings within a week.
Housing and public works ministry on Thursday formed the committee headed by Zillur Rahman, the ministry''s joint secretary.
Deputy secretary Sheikh Mizanur Rahman was appointed the member secretary.
The other members of the committee include a representative from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK), one from the public works department and a representative from architecture department.
The committee is set to start investigations from Friday and has been asked to complete it within three days, said Mofakkarul.
There were 25 confirmed deaths as rescue operations were halted on Thursday morning.
The building had fallen on a number of tin-shed shanties and most of the dead had lived there.
วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 27 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553
Monday's Connector: Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton was infamously dubbed the celebrity that became famous by simply doing nothing, but after a few years in the limelight, the hotel heiress hasn't let her fame go to waste.
Paris Hilton is your Connector of the Day.
Since breaking out as a target for photographers and magazine editors, the 29-year-old American has already had the opportunity to star in her very own television series, create her own line of perfume and even record an album.
Part of the famed family that founded Hilton hotels, Paris has been no stranger to the spotlight.
At an early age, Paris was friends with socialites including Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian - one of which she later starred in a reality show called "The Simple Life."
Paris has also had the opportunity to star in films including "House of Wax" and "The Hilz".
But while Paris has been a well-known personality on the celebrity circuit, she has shifted her focus from the red carpe to working with charitable organizations.
Most recently, Paris has teamed up with a charity called "Songs for Soldiers" which aims to provide every American service member in active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq, with a MP3 music player.
Paris was named the celebrity ambassador for the organization and said that once the goal is reached that she hopes to be part of a trip overseas to deliver the music players.
Each player will be pre-loaded with a number of songs from artists that have donated their music.
Here's your chance to quiz Paris Hilton on this interesting project.
Please leave your questions below and be sure to include where you're writing from.
You can also send in your questions through iReport by clicking here.
Paris Hilton is your Connector of the Day.
Since breaking out as a target for photographers and magazine editors, the 29-year-old American has already had the opportunity to star in her very own television series, create her own line of perfume and even record an album.
Part of the famed family that founded Hilton hotels, Paris has been no stranger to the spotlight.
At an early age, Paris was friends with socialites including Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian - one of which she later starred in a reality show called "The Simple Life."
Paris has also had the opportunity to star in films including "House of Wax" and "The Hilz".
But while Paris has been a well-known personality on the celebrity circuit, she has shifted her focus from the red carpe to working with charitable organizations.
Most recently, Paris has teamed up with a charity called "Songs for Soldiers" which aims to provide every American service member in active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq, with a MP3 music player.
Paris was named the celebrity ambassador for the organization and said that once the goal is reached that she hopes to be part of a trip overseas to deliver the music players.
Each player will be pre-loaded with a number of songs from artists that have donated their music.
Here's your chance to quiz Paris Hilton on this interesting project.
Please leave your questions below and be sure to include where you're writing from.
You can also send in your questions through iReport by clicking here.
(CNN) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross is defending its practice of providing medical training and basic medical supplies to the Taliba
Kingston, Jamaica (CNN) -- Police in Jamaica have more than 500 people in custody, the government said Wednesday, after a failed attempt to arrest a suspected drug kingpin resulted in violence that left dozens of people dead.
Some semblance of calm appeared to have taken hold in Kingston, though, after four days of gun battles between security forces and supporters of the alleged drug lord.
No murders were recorded in the capital overnight, and although there were "a number of shooting incidents," security forces were able to "repel" them, the government said Wednesday.
Security forces are "processing" people who have been detained, with students and young people getting first priority, the government said.
"The Security Forces are also helping residents of Tivoli Gardens" -- the neighborhood where much of the violence took place -- "taking those needing medical care to hospitals. Medication is also being provided to residents," the government said.
Separately, Jamaica's prime minister Wednesday rejected allegations that he was "a known criminal affiliate" of the suspected drug lord at the center of the incident, calling the claims "libellous," "scurrilous" and "malicious."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding "categorically denied, and dismissed as extremely offensive, reports on the US-ABC network which describe him as 'a known criminal affiliate of hunted drug lord,' Christopher 'Dudus' Coke," the government said in a statement.
"Mr. Golding says he is also outraged by an article in The Independent, a UK newspaper, that the 'drug gang was on [the] payroll of Jamaican prime minister.' He said both publications, by seeking to link him personally with the alleged drug kingpin, were clearly part of a conspiracy to undermine the duly elected government of Jamaica," the statement continued.
"The reports have made damaging and libellous assertions and he repudiated the scurrilous and malicious reporting, which he said must be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves," it said.
ABC News stands by its reporting, Senior Vice President Jeffrey Schneider told CNN by e-mail. The Independent did not immediately respond to CNN questions about Golding's statement.
Coke was charged last year in U.S. federal court with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and with conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms.
The street battles have taken place in the Kingston neighborhoods of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town, officials said. The violence has affected ordinary people living in the area, which now has a "post-9/11" air, one local told CNN by phone.
"The daytime really isn't a problem, but the night can be. Your rights are reduced after 6 p.m. The police can stop you for virtually any reason. It's a similar situation to after "the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States," a Kingston florist said Wednesday.
"I wouldn't say I'm afraid," said the woman, who asked that neither she nor her shop be named. But, she said, "You don't know exactly what is happening."
Are you there? Send stories and images to iReport
Another woman said that the front of her house had been "shot up" and that police had taken away her nephew and grandson for questioning. They did not say how long her relatives would be detained.
Violet Dias, an American citizen from New York, said a day earlier that she was locked down in her house because of the assault.
"We can't even look out," she told CNN by phone Tuesday. "We have no food. We can't get anything to eat."
Dias, an amputee and an asthmatic, is due to return to the United States on June 14.
The government said those killed were mostly males, and their bodies were recovered from areas close to barricades, building entrances and gullies coursing through Tivoli Gardens.
Security forces have confiscated firearms, ammunition, binoculars, army fatigues and ballistic vests and are conducting searches, the government said.
The fighting has paralyzed the metropolis.
Prime Minister Golding has declared a state of emergency in some parts of Kingston. Schools are closed in the capital, and at one point, some flights were canceled, U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.
Coke maintains a heroic reputation in the Kingston slums, with some people comparing him to Robin Hood, Jesus and one-time Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar.
That's because he has helped the community by handing out food, sending children to school and building medical centers.
Experts: Accused Jamaican drug lord akin to Robin Hood
But drug enforcement officials say he deserves to be classified as one of the world's most dangerous drug lords.
"He is the head of an organization, a cartel, or a syndicate that has a global impact and also has a direct impact on the United States," said Michael Braun, a former chief of operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Coke's whereabouts are unclear.
He was charged in August 2009 by the U.S. attorney's office in New York, which accused him of leading an international criminal syndicate known as the "Shower Posse."
CNN's Jeanne Meserve and Ben Brumfield and journalist Kirk Abrahams contributed to this report.
Some semblance of calm appeared to have taken hold in Kingston, though, after four days of gun battles between security forces and supporters of the alleged drug lord.
No murders were recorded in the capital overnight, and although there were "a number of shooting incidents," security forces were able to "repel" them, the government said Wednesday.
Security forces are "processing" people who have been detained, with students and young people getting first priority, the government said.
"The Security Forces are also helping residents of Tivoli Gardens" -- the neighborhood where much of the violence took place -- "taking those needing medical care to hospitals. Medication is also being provided to residents," the government said.
Separately, Jamaica's prime minister Wednesday rejected allegations that he was "a known criminal affiliate" of the suspected drug lord at the center of the incident, calling the claims "libellous," "scurrilous" and "malicious."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding "categorically denied, and dismissed as extremely offensive, reports on the US-ABC network which describe him as 'a known criminal affiliate of hunted drug lord,' Christopher 'Dudus' Coke," the government said in a statement.
"Mr. Golding says he is also outraged by an article in The Independent, a UK newspaper, that the 'drug gang was on [the] payroll of Jamaican prime minister.' He said both publications, by seeking to link him personally with the alleged drug kingpin, were clearly part of a conspiracy to undermine the duly elected government of Jamaica," the statement continued.
"The reports have made damaging and libellous assertions and he repudiated the scurrilous and malicious reporting, which he said must be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves," it said.
ABC News stands by its reporting, Senior Vice President Jeffrey Schneider told CNN by e-mail. The Independent did not immediately respond to CNN questions about Golding's statement.
Coke was charged last year in U.S. federal court with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and with conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms.
The street battles have taken place in the Kingston neighborhoods of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town, officials said. The violence has affected ordinary people living in the area, which now has a "post-9/11" air, one local told CNN by phone.
"The daytime really isn't a problem, but the night can be. Your rights are reduced after 6 p.m. The police can stop you for virtually any reason. It's a similar situation to after "the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States," a Kingston florist said Wednesday.
"I wouldn't say I'm afraid," said the woman, who asked that neither she nor her shop be named. But, she said, "You don't know exactly what is happening."
Are you there? Send stories and images to iReport
Another woman said that the front of her house had been "shot up" and that police had taken away her nephew and grandson for questioning. They did not say how long her relatives would be detained.
Violet Dias, an American citizen from New York, said a day earlier that she was locked down in her house because of the assault.
"We can't even look out," she told CNN by phone Tuesday. "We have no food. We can't get anything to eat."
Dias, an amputee and an asthmatic, is due to return to the United States on June 14.
The government said those killed were mostly males, and their bodies were recovered from areas close to barricades, building entrances and gullies coursing through Tivoli Gardens.
Security forces have confiscated firearms, ammunition, binoculars, army fatigues and ballistic vests and are conducting searches, the government said.
The fighting has paralyzed the metropolis.
Prime Minister Golding has declared a state of emergency in some parts of Kingston. Schools are closed in the capital, and at one point, some flights were canceled, U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.
Coke maintains a heroic reputation in the Kingston slums, with some people comparing him to Robin Hood, Jesus and one-time Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar.
That's because he has helped the community by handing out food, sending children to school and building medical centers.
Experts: Accused Jamaican drug lord akin to Robin Hood
But drug enforcement officials say he deserves to be classified as one of the world's most dangerous drug lords.
"He is the head of an organization, a cartel, or a syndicate that has a global impact and also has a direct impact on the United States," said Michael Braun, a former chief of operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Coke's whereabouts are unclear.
He was charged in August 2009 by the U.S. attorney's office in New York, which accused him of leading an international criminal syndicate known as the "Shower Posse."
CNN's Jeanne Meserve and Ben Brumfield and journalist Kirk Abrahams contributed to this report.
Red Cross defends helping Taliban treat casualties
(CNN) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross is defending its practice of providing medical training and basic medical supplies to the Taliban in Afghanistan -- saying it is in line with the ICRC's mandate not to discriminate between different sides in a conflict.
In the latest situation report issued Tuesday, the Red Cross disclosed that in April its workers "reached over 100 Afghan security personnel, over 70 members of the armed opposition, taxi drivers involved in the transport of wounded people, first-aiders and its own staff."
That prompted plenty of quizzical and some critical comments in the international media and among bloggers -- and some grumbling among Afghan officials.
But an ICRC spokesman in Geneva said the practice is consistent with its obligation of neutrality and its mandate to provide assistance to all sides in conflict.
The ICRC says it provides a three-day course that includes lessons in international humanitarian law, practical work with bandages and other basic medical techniques.
It says the course is also a chance to remind all sides about respect for civilians and proper treatment of detainees.
Some critics have drawn a distinction between providing medical care to the wounded and training insurgents to do so. But the ICRC says it has provided similar training in Darfur, Sudan and to Hamas members in Gaza.
ICRC spokesman Christian Cardon says it has been providing such training in Afghanistan for about four years to the Taliban as well as to Afghan police and civilian first-aiders. He added that the ICRC was not training the Taliban in surgical skills; the focus was on stabilizing those injured.
The ICRC says that roadblocks, fighting and mines have made access to hospitals very difficult -- especially in provinces like Helmand and Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan.
The International Security Assistance Force says it has no issues with Red Cross workers training insurgents in medical care.
"We recognize the need for their work to be executed impartially -- and it's precisely for this reason that they are able to gain the access that they do," Lt. Col. Joseph T Breasseale told CNN. "One of the litany of things that separates the international coalition from the Taliban is that we have frequently provided first aid to injured Taliban fighters and we will continue to do so."
The ICRC says the three-day first-aid courses are a small part of its program in Afghanistan. In April it conducted a war surgery workshop for dozens of doctors, and supported the regional hospital in Kandahar in performing almost 1,000 operations.
The ICRC says it has 1,500 national and 140 international staff in Afghanistan.
In the latest situation report issued Tuesday, the Red Cross disclosed that in April its workers "reached over 100 Afghan security personnel, over 70 members of the armed opposition, taxi drivers involved in the transport of wounded people, first-aiders and its own staff."
That prompted plenty of quizzical and some critical comments in the international media and among bloggers -- and some grumbling among Afghan officials.
But an ICRC spokesman in Geneva said the practice is consistent with its obligation of neutrality and its mandate to provide assistance to all sides in conflict.
The ICRC says it provides a three-day course that includes lessons in international humanitarian law, practical work with bandages and other basic medical techniques.
It says the course is also a chance to remind all sides about respect for civilians and proper treatment of detainees.
Some critics have drawn a distinction between providing medical care to the wounded and training insurgents to do so. But the ICRC says it has provided similar training in Darfur, Sudan and to Hamas members in Gaza.
ICRC spokesman Christian Cardon says it has been providing such training in Afghanistan for about four years to the Taliban as well as to Afghan police and civilian first-aiders. He added that the ICRC was not training the Taliban in surgical skills; the focus was on stabilizing those injured.
The ICRC says that roadblocks, fighting and mines have made access to hospitals very difficult -- especially in provinces like Helmand and Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan.
The International Security Assistance Force says it has no issues with Red Cross workers training insurgents in medical care.
"We recognize the need for their work to be executed impartially -- and it's precisely for this reason that they are able to gain the access that they do," Lt. Col. Joseph T Breasseale told CNN. "One of the litany of things that separates the international coalition from the Taliban is that we have frequently provided first aid to injured Taliban fighters and we will continue to do so."
The ICRC says the three-day first-aid courses are a small part of its program in Afghanistan. In April it conducted a war surgery workshop for dozens of doctors, and supported the regional hospital in Kandahar in performing almost 1,000 operations.
The ICRC says it has 1,500 national and 140 international staff in Afghanistan.
Homegrown terrorist threat to be part of National Security Strategy
Washington (CNN) -- When the Obama administration unveils its National Security Strategy Thursday, it will be the first time a president explicitly recognizes the threat posed to the country by radicalized individuals at home.
"For the first time since 9/11, the NSS integrates homeland security and national security," according to highlights of the plan given to CNN by a senior administration official said.
The security strategy acts as a blueprint for how the White House intends to protect Americans. In the past, it has focused mostly on international threats. But National Security Adviser John Brennan explained Wednesday that a spate of terror-related plots in the United States recently prompted the Obama administration to include homegrown terrorism in the document.
"Such a strategy must begin with the recognition that a clear-eyed understanding of our strategic environment -- the world as it is today -- is necessary to shape the world that we seek," according to a summary of the plan.
"Currently, the United States is focused on completing a responsible transition in Iraq, succeeding in Afghanistan, and defeating al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates, while moving our economy from deep recession to enduring recovery. Even as we confront these crises, our national strategy must take a longer view. We must adapt and lead in a rapidly changing, interconnected world in which interests of nations and peoples are increasingly shared."
Homegrown terrorism represents a new phase of the terrorist threat, officials said.
Earlier this month, Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad was charged with trying to detonate a car bomb in New York's bustling district of Times Square.
U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan is suspected of fatally shooting 13 people at Fort Hood in November.
Colorado resident Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan national, pleaded guilty in February for conspiring to detonate explosives in the New York subway system.
David Headley, an American citizen from Chicago, Illinois, is accused of providing surveillance in the Mumbai, India, terrorist attacks that killed 160 people.
"We've seen an increasing number of individuals here in the United States become captivated by extremist ideology or causes," Brennan said. "We have seen individuals, including U.S. citizens armed with their U.S. passports, travel easily to extremist safe havens, return to America, their deadly plans disrupted by coordinated intelligence and law enforcement."
Brennan, who made his comments at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that as the United States has strengthened its defenses against massive attacks like 9/11, al Qaeda has shown itself to be a "resilient, resourceful and determined enemy."
Brennan said al Qaeda is recruiting individuals with little training, attempting relatively unsophisticated attacks and seeking people living in the United States to launch such attacks.
"They are seeking foot soldiers who might slip through our defense," Brennan said. "As our enemy adapts and evolves their tactics, so must we constantly adapt and evolve ours."
Brennan did not provide any specific details about the president's strategy for combating al Qaeda and its affiliates, but said it "will require a broad, sustained and integrated campaign that harnesses every tool of American power, military and civilian, kinetic and diplomatic."
The strategy is built around protecting "four enduring U.S. national interests -- security, prosperity, values, and international order."
In order to achieve this, it must strengthen U.S. institutions, values, and infrastructure -- such as education, energy, science and technology, and health care.
It calls for strong diplomatic efforts internationally and galvanizing "collective action to address the share global challenges of our time."
"Engagement begins with our friends and allies -- active partners in advancing common interests. We will continue to deepen our partnerships with increasingly active centers of influence -- cooperating when we can, and differing when we must.
"With adversarial regimes, engagement provides us a means of testing intentions, giving governments the opportunity to change course, and mobilizing international coalitions."
The strategy calls for updating "all of the tools of American power, and work with our allies and partners to do the same."
"These tools include those in the fields of defense, diplomatic, development, homeland security, the rule of law, intelligence, and strategic communications, as well as support the participation of the American people and private sector. We are working to strengthen each of these tools, but also to integrate them through coordinated planning and capacity building in key areas," the strategy said.
"For the first time since 9/11, the NSS integrates homeland security and national security," according to highlights of the plan given to CNN by a senior administration official said.
The security strategy acts as a blueprint for how the White House intends to protect Americans. In the past, it has focused mostly on international threats. But National Security Adviser John Brennan explained Wednesday that a spate of terror-related plots in the United States recently prompted the Obama administration to include homegrown terrorism in the document.
"Such a strategy must begin with the recognition that a clear-eyed understanding of our strategic environment -- the world as it is today -- is necessary to shape the world that we seek," according to a summary of the plan.
"Currently, the United States is focused on completing a responsible transition in Iraq, succeeding in Afghanistan, and defeating al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates, while moving our economy from deep recession to enduring recovery. Even as we confront these crises, our national strategy must take a longer view. We must adapt and lead in a rapidly changing, interconnected world in which interests of nations and peoples are increasingly shared."
Homegrown terrorism represents a new phase of the terrorist threat, officials said.
Earlier this month, Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad was charged with trying to detonate a car bomb in New York's bustling district of Times Square.
U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan is suspected of fatally shooting 13 people at Fort Hood in November.
Colorado resident Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan national, pleaded guilty in February for conspiring to detonate explosives in the New York subway system.
David Headley, an American citizen from Chicago, Illinois, is accused of providing surveillance in the Mumbai, India, terrorist attacks that killed 160 people.
"We've seen an increasing number of individuals here in the United States become captivated by extremist ideology or causes," Brennan said. "We have seen individuals, including U.S. citizens armed with their U.S. passports, travel easily to extremist safe havens, return to America, their deadly plans disrupted by coordinated intelligence and law enforcement."
Brennan, who made his comments at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that as the United States has strengthened its defenses against massive attacks like 9/11, al Qaeda has shown itself to be a "resilient, resourceful and determined enemy."
Brennan said al Qaeda is recruiting individuals with little training, attempting relatively unsophisticated attacks and seeking people living in the United States to launch such attacks.
"They are seeking foot soldiers who might slip through our defense," Brennan said. "As our enemy adapts and evolves their tactics, so must we constantly adapt and evolve ours."
Brennan did not provide any specific details about the president's strategy for combating al Qaeda and its affiliates, but said it "will require a broad, sustained and integrated campaign that harnesses every tool of American power, military and civilian, kinetic and diplomatic."
The strategy is built around protecting "four enduring U.S. national interests -- security, prosperity, values, and international order."
In order to achieve this, it must strengthen U.S. institutions, values, and infrastructure -- such as education, energy, science and technology, and health care.
It calls for strong diplomatic efforts internationally and galvanizing "collective action to address the share global challenges of our time."
"Engagement begins with our friends and allies -- active partners in advancing common interests. We will continue to deepen our partnerships with increasingly active centers of influence -- cooperating when we can, and differing when we must.
"With adversarial regimes, engagement provides us a means of testing intentions, giving governments the opportunity to change course, and mobilizing international coalitions."
The strategy calls for updating "all of the tools of American power, and work with our allies and partners to do the same."
"These tools include those in the fields of defense, diplomatic, development, homeland security, the rule of law, intelligence, and strategic communications, as well as support the participation of the American people and private sector. We are working to strengthen each of these tools, but also to integrate them through coordinated planning and capacity building in key areas," the strategy said.
So far, so good for 'top kill' procedure, Coast Guard admiral says
There's no end in sight for the situation in the Gulf of Mexico. Anderson Cooper reports live tonight from the region as BP attempts to stop the leak. Watch "AC360°" tonight at 10 ET on CNN for the latest on stopping the leak.
Venice, Louisiana (CNN) -- BP's "top kill" procedure is going as planned and according to expectations, U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the government's point man in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response, said Thursday.
In response, a BP official told CNN, "We appreciate the optimism, but the top kill operation is continuing through the day today -- that hasn't changed. We don't anticipate being able to say anything definitive on that until later today."
"The top kill operation began Wednesday afternoon, with drilling mud being applied to the well at a rate of up to 65 barrels per minute. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry, the federal on-scene coordinator, was reluctant to draw conclusions.
"While we're very encouraged by some aspects of this procedure, I don't want to express optimism until I know for sure that we've secured the well and the leak has stopped," she told reporters.
Venice, Louisiana (CNN) -- BP's "top kill" procedure is going as planned and according to expectations, U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the government's point man in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response, said Thursday.
In response, a BP official told CNN, "We appreciate the optimism, but the top kill operation is continuing through the day today -- that hasn't changed. We don't anticipate being able to say anything definitive on that until later today."
"The top kill operation began Wednesday afternoon, with drilling mud being applied to the well at a rate of up to 65 barrels per minute. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry, the federal on-scene coordinator, was reluctant to draw conclusions.
"While we're very encouraged by some aspects of this procedure, I don't want to express optimism until I know for sure that we've secured the well and the leak has stopped," she told reporters.
Britain and France reject EU bank levy plan
(FT) -- Britain and France are at odds with other European Union countries over plans to insure against future bank failures, in another sign of the problems in trying to forge a common response to the bloc's economic woes.
Michel Barnier, EU internal market commissioner, set out proposals for member states to form national funds to help wind up or reorganise failing banks, funded by a levy on the financial sector.
London immediately rejected the idea, arguing it would introduce "moral hazard" and encourage banks to think the levy was an insurance premium that entitled them to help if they got into trouble. French officials said Paris had similar concerns. George Osborne, chancellor, insisted his proposed bank levy, which could be unveiled in his first Budget on June 22, would go straight into the Treasury's depleted coffers.
"The purpose of the bank levy is to raise money for general expenditure purposes," he said. A French finance ministry official said privately that Paris supported the principle of a tax, but did not want to create a standalone "resolution" fund.
How will Europe's bank levy work?
German government officials suggested Franco-British concerns about moral hazard might have more to do with both countries needing cash from a bank levy to ease strained budgets.
Finance ministry officials in Berlin said the package appeared to be "moving in the right direction". Wolfgang Schäuble, finance minister, wants German banks to pay about €1bn (£847m) per year into a separate fund to wind down troubled banks.
Mr Barnier's proposals are an attempt by the European Commission to create a collective response to the banking crisis and to show that it is ready to deal with the prospect of a second-round shock affecting the EU banking sector.
He claims to have devised a scheme that would not bail out failing banks or spare shareholders or creditors, but that could, for example, provide temporary guarantees or finance a "good bank, bad bank" split. "It is not acceptable that taxpayers should continue to bear the heavy cost of rescuing the banking sector - they should not be in the front line," he said.
His plan, will be discussed by EU leaders next month. Brussels hopes for sufficient endorsement to allow it to push the "bank resolution fund" idea at a G20 meeting at the end of June.
There is growing global agreement on the need for a bank levy. But Tim Geithner, US Treasury secretary, said in London that different countries were likely to implement it in different ways: "It's not going to be perfectly uniform."
Michel Barnier, EU internal market commissioner, set out proposals for member states to form national funds to help wind up or reorganise failing banks, funded by a levy on the financial sector.
London immediately rejected the idea, arguing it would introduce "moral hazard" and encourage banks to think the levy was an insurance premium that entitled them to help if they got into trouble. French officials said Paris had similar concerns. George Osborne, chancellor, insisted his proposed bank levy, which could be unveiled in his first Budget on June 22, would go straight into the Treasury's depleted coffers.
"The purpose of the bank levy is to raise money for general expenditure purposes," he said. A French finance ministry official said privately that Paris supported the principle of a tax, but did not want to create a standalone "resolution" fund.
How will Europe's bank levy work?
German government officials suggested Franco-British concerns about moral hazard might have more to do with both countries needing cash from a bank levy to ease strained budgets.
Finance ministry officials in Berlin said the package appeared to be "moving in the right direction". Wolfgang Schäuble, finance minister, wants German banks to pay about €1bn (£847m) per year into a separate fund to wind down troubled banks.
Mr Barnier's proposals are an attempt by the European Commission to create a collective response to the banking crisis and to show that it is ready to deal with the prospect of a second-round shock affecting the EU banking sector.
He claims to have devised a scheme that would not bail out failing banks or spare shareholders or creditors, but that could, for example, provide temporary guarantees or finance a "good bank, bad bank" split. "It is not acceptable that taxpayers should continue to bear the heavy cost of rescuing the banking sector - they should not be in the front line," he said.
His plan, will be discussed by EU leaders next month. Brussels hopes for sufficient endorsement to allow it to push the "bank resolution fund" idea at a G20 meeting at the end of June.
There is growing global agreement on the need for a bank levy. But Tim Geithner, US Treasury secretary, said in London that different countries were likely to implement it in different ways: "It's not going to be perfectly uniform."
(CNN) -- The death toll rose to seven Thursday from a bombing outside a planned performance by a dance company in Russia, officials said.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in Indian Ocean last year plead for their release
Paul and Rachel Chandler say new UK PM must clarify if he will work for their release
Local journalist interviewed couple in rural location in Somalia last week
RELATED TOPICS
Somali Pirates
United Kingdom
Seychelles
(CNN) -- A British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean last year said in a videotaped message they "desperately need" new British Prime Minister David Cameron to clarify whether he will work to secure their release.
Paul and Rachel Chandler, from Kent in southern England, were taken from their yacht near the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean in October.
A local journalist interviewed the couple in a rural location in Somalia last week, according to CNN affiliate ITN. The journalist paid no money to the pirates, who stood behind the camera during the interview, ITN reported.
"As you can see, we've lost a lot of weight and a lot of fitness, but otherwise we're not physically ill," Paul Chandler said.
"We're coping and we're resigned to our situation, and we're trying to make the best of it and keep ourselves well," Rachel Chandler said.
The couple said they were separated from each other earlier this year but reunited seven weeks ago. They are able to listen to a radio, they said, so they know about the recent British election that brought Cameron into office.
"We desperately need him to make a definitive public statement of the governments attitude to us," Paul Chandler said. "We're two British citizens, we've been kidnapped in the Seychelles -- it was a perfectly safe place to be. If the government is not prepared to help, then they must say so because the gangsters' expectations and hopes have been raised."
The British Foreign Office released a statement late Wednesday saying consular officials are in close touch with the Chandlers and urging the kidnappers to let them go.
"Paul and Rachel Chandler are innocent tourists," the statement said. "The U.K. government's policy of not making or facilitating substantive concessions to hostage-takers, including the payment of ransoms, is long-standing and clear. This has been the policy of successive governments and has not changed."
The captors initially demanded a ransom of $7 million, but the British government refused to pay. Paul Chandler said it is not correct to call their kidnappers pirates.
"This is absolutely not piracy. It mustn't be reported as such. It's kidnapping and extortion and even torture," he said. He didn't elaborate on the torture claim other than to say the separation from his wife of 30 years had been "real torture."
Said Rachel Chandler, "Simply not knowing what was happening and whether we would be together again, when, where each other was, was real torture -- mental torture."
She said the kidnappers regard the pair as "just animals."
"We've been kept caged up like animals," she said. "They don't care about our feelings and our family and our lives, and what they've taken. They don't care whose lives they ruin. They just want the money."
British Royal Navy ships and other military vessels patrolling the dangerous waters off East Africa have become a "laughing stock" because they "can't do anything" to stop the piracy, Paul Chandler said.
His wife said they take strength thinking about their family back home.
"We are being strong for them because they keep us going, knowing that they are there supporting us," Rachel Chandler said. "We know that they are doing their best. It's been seven months and we know that they must have been suffering alongside us, and we care about them very much."
British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in Indian Ocean last year plead for their release
Paul and Rachel Chandler say new UK PM must clarify if he will work for their release
Local journalist interviewed couple in rural location in Somalia last week
RELATED TOPICS
Somali Pirates
United Kingdom
Seychelles
(CNN) -- A British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean last year said in a videotaped message they "desperately need" new British Prime Minister David Cameron to clarify whether he will work to secure their release.
Paul and Rachel Chandler, from Kent in southern England, were taken from their yacht near the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean in October.
A local journalist interviewed the couple in a rural location in Somalia last week, according to CNN affiliate ITN. The journalist paid no money to the pirates, who stood behind the camera during the interview, ITN reported.
"As you can see, we've lost a lot of weight and a lot of fitness, but otherwise we're not physically ill," Paul Chandler said.
"We're coping and we're resigned to our situation, and we're trying to make the best of it and keep ourselves well," Rachel Chandler said.
The couple said they were separated from each other earlier this year but reunited seven weeks ago. They are able to listen to a radio, they said, so they know about the recent British election that brought Cameron into office.
"We desperately need him to make a definitive public statement of the governments attitude to us," Paul Chandler said. "We're two British citizens, we've been kidnapped in the Seychelles -- it was a perfectly safe place to be. If the government is not prepared to help, then they must say so because the gangsters' expectations and hopes have been raised."
The British Foreign Office released a statement late Wednesday saying consular officials are in close touch with the Chandlers and urging the kidnappers to let them go.
"Paul and Rachel Chandler are innocent tourists," the statement said. "The U.K. government's policy of not making or facilitating substantive concessions to hostage-takers, including the payment of ransoms, is long-standing and clear. This has been the policy of successive governments and has not changed."
The captors initially demanded a ransom of $7 million, but the British government refused to pay. Paul Chandler said it is not correct to call their kidnappers pirates.
"This is absolutely not piracy. It mustn't be reported as such. It's kidnapping and extortion and even torture," he said. He didn't elaborate on the torture claim other than to say the separation from his wife of 30 years had been "real torture."
Said Rachel Chandler, "Simply not knowing what was happening and whether we would be together again, when, where each other was, was real torture -- mental torture."
She said the kidnappers regard the pair as "just animals."
"We've been kept caged up like animals," she said. "They don't care about our feelings and our family and our lives, and what they've taken. They don't care whose lives they ruin. They just want the money."
British Royal Navy ships and other military vessels patrolling the dangerous waters off East Africa have become a "laughing stock" because they "can't do anything" to stop the piracy, Paul Chandler said.
His wife said they take strength thinking about their family back home.
"We are being strong for them because they keep us going, knowing that they are there supporting us," Rachel Chandler said. "We know that they are doing their best. It's been seven months and we know that they must have been suffering alongside us, and we care about them very much."
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