Himu's Window

DHAKA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) rejected on Sunday a proposal by the state-run Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation or Petrobangla to raise natural gas prices to offset losses. "We decided not to raise natural gas prices proposed by the Petrobangla as the state firm is making profit by selling gas to the consumers," said Ghulam Rahman, chairman of the BERC. Bangladesh in 2003 formed BERC following suggestions by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to closely monitor, review and adjust country's administered oil, gas and electricity prices in accordance with the global prices. "Petrobangla proposed to raise gas prices by nearly 66 percent on average at consumer level to pay its bills to the international oil companies (IOCs), which we do not consider just and reasonable," Rahman told reporters. The outstanding bills of the IOCs until June 2008 is about $359 million, officials said. Foreign

Samrat T he lone Royal Bengal Tiger of Rajshahi Central Zoo Samrat died in his cage yesterday.Refuting allegations of poor care, zoo officials said the 17-year-old tiger died of old age related diseases.Samrat was weak during last three days and the tiger reduced its daily meal of 12kg meat, said zoo veterinary surgeon M Forhad Uddin. "Captive tigers usually live less than 20 years, the average lifespan of tigers in the wild," he said.Samrat was living without a companion since June, 1997, when he was brought to the zoo. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=65553

Liton warns others for taking the same road he rode before ! Rajshahi city Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, centre, introduces six Awami League nominees for constituencies in the district at a meeting of grassroots AL leaders yesterday as nomination deprived party leaders continue agitation. Photo: STAR R ajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who himself opposed party decision during the last RCC polls, yesterday said the protesters against the Awami League nominations for six seats in Rajshahi district will lose their right to do AL politics.“Sheikh Hasina's [AL chief] decision for nomination is the final. Those who are protesting should stop it immediately or they will have no right to do Awami League politics in future,” he said at the party's special workers' meeting at Rajshahi Zila Parishad auditorium.Rajshahi AL General Secretary Omar Faruk Chowdhury, also AL nominee for Rajshahi-1 constituency, chaired the meeting.A large AL faction led by dis

Awami League on Friday night changed its nominee for Rajshahi-2 constituency where Workers Party Politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha is seeking grand alliance ticket.Prof Abdul Khaleque, central AL adviser and former vice chancellor of Rajshahi University was given the party ticket replacing Mohila AL's central vice- president Akhtar Jahan.Party sources here said Prof Khaleque was selected by grassroots leaders for party ticket but the nomination went to Akhtar Jahan. Later, Khaleque was chosen again when Akhtar Jahan refused the party ticket as she would not be eligible to vie because of her government job at Rajshahi University.However, the change indicates denial of alliance ticket to Badsha, party sources said.But some senior leaders said still there is chances for Badsha to get ticket for Rajshahi-3. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=65578