World newspaper congress opens

Newspaper executives and editors gathered in India from around the world Tuesday heard calls to seek more payment for their content on the internet as they decried their industry's sharply falling advertising revenues.
'This is a critical moment in our industry. ... If we don't dare to take these first steps, no one else will,' said Andreas Wiele, board member and president of BILD Division and Magazines Axel Springer AG Germany.
He also said newspapers must demand of search engines 'fair share, fair search,' meaning that content providers should be compensated even for very short strings of content and the search results should not be manipulated unfairly against the original content providers.
The World Newspaper Congress in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad was attended by senior media executives including Les Hinton, the chief executive officer of Dow Jones & Co.; David Drummond, senior vice president and chief legal counsel of Google Inc.; and Antoine Vernholes, the international director of the French sports daily L'Equipe.
In North America PriceWaterhouse Coopers has predicted that by 2013, combined print and digital revenues will be less than print-only advertising revenues in 2008, said Timothy Balding, the Joint Chief Executive Officer of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, which organised the three-day conference that ends (today) Thursday.
'One thing is sure, unless we protect and commercially exploit our high value content, the journalistic standards so important to our readers and to society will no longer be financially viable,' he added in his world newspaper trends report.
But Balding said that despite predictions about the death of newspapers, 'they actually continue to grow, at least on the global scale.’

Bangladesh gets unusual kudos from NYT columnist

bdnews24.com — You don't see much coverage of Bangladesh in the US media. And when you do, it's usually a negative story—disaster, poverty, political turmoil.

Happily, in a welcome departure from that trend, Bangladesh got some unusual kudos this week from a reputed New York Times columnist for its impressive gains in social sectors like education and empowerment of women.

Describing his personal experience in an Op-ed piece last Thursday about how American tax dollars are misspent in developing countries in the name of bringing stability and prosperity and, in reality, what's happening on the ground, Nicholas Kristof, the Times columnist, cites an example of Pakistan.

"Since 9/11", he writes, "the United States has spent $15 billion in Pakistan, mostly on military support, and today Pakistan is more unstable than ever"

In contrast, he says, Bangladesh, which until 1971 was a part of Pakistan, has focused on education in a way that Pakistan never did. Bangladesh now has more girls in high school than boys. (In contrast, only 3 percent of Pakistani women in the tribal areas are literate.)
Those educated Bangladeshi women, Kristof continues, joined the labor force, laying the foundation for a garment industry and working in civil society groups like BRAC and Grameen Bank.

"That led to a virtuous spiral of development, jobs, lower birth rates, education and stability. That's one reason Al Qaeda is holed up in Pakistan, not in Bangladesh, and it's a reminder that education can transform societies", he writes.

Kristof's comments come in a broader context about how critical education is in transforming an underdeveloped society.

"When I travel in Pakistan, I see evidence that one group — Islamic extremists — believes in the transformative power of education. They pay for madrassas that provide free schooling and often free meals for students."

"They then offer scholarships for the best pupils to study abroad in Wahhabi madrassas before returning to become leaders of their communities. What I don't see on my trips is similar numbers of American-backed schools. It breaks my heart that we don't invest in schools as much as medieval, misogynist extremists".

In defense of his argument, Kristof warns that dispatching more troops to Afghanistan would be a monumental bet and probably a bad one, most likely a waste of lives and resources that might simply empower the Taliban.

In particular, he says, one of the most compelling arguments against more troops rests on this stunning trade-off: For the cost of a single additional American soldier stationed in Afghanistan for one year, we could build roughly 20 schools there.

"It's hard to do the calculation precisely, but for the cost of 40,000 troops over a few years — well, we could just about turn every Afghan into a Ph.D".

Of course, the defense industry and the hawks in the U.S. don't buy that. They argue that it's naïve to think that you can sprinkle a bit of education on a war-torn society. It's impossible to build schools now because the Taliban will blow them up.

To counter those hawks, Kristof says, it's still quite possible to operate schools in Afghanistan — particularly when there's a strong "buy-in" from the local community.

He cites various examples: Greg Mortenson, author of "Three Cups of Tea," has now built 39 schools in Afghanistan and 92 in Pakistan — and not one has been burned down or closed.

The aid organization CARE has 295 schools educating 50,000 girls in Afghanistan, and not a single one has been closed or burned by the Taliban. The Afghan Institute of Learning, another aid group, has 32 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with none closed by the Taliban (although local communities have temporarily suspended three for security reasons).

In short, there is still vast scope for greater investment in education, health and agriculture in Afghanistan. These are extraordinarily cheap and have a better record at stabilizing societies than military solutions, which, in fact, have a pretty dismal record.

"In Afghanistan, for example, we have already increased our troop presence by 40,000 troops since the beginning of last year, yet the result has not been the promised stability but only more casualties and a strengthened insurgency. If the last surge of 40,000 troops didn't help, why will the next one be so different?", he asks.

Kristof, however, acknowledges that schools are not a quick fix or silver bullet any more than troops are. "But we have abundant evidence that they can, over time, transform countries, and in the area near Afghanistan there's a nice natural experiment in the comparative power of educational versus military tools".

Quoting a Unicef report, the Times columnist argues that for roughly the same cost as stationing 40,000 American troops in Afghanistan for one year, we could educate the great majority of the 75 million children worldwide who are not getting even a primary education.

"We won't turn them into graduate students, but we can help them achieve literacy. Such a vast global education campaign would reduce poverty, cut birth rates, improve America's image in the world, promote stability and chip away at extremism".

Lifetime free flights for baby born on plane

AFP: A baby boy who made a surprise arrival on board an AirAsia flight this week will be given free flights for life with the budget carrier, as will his mother, the airline said Friday.

AirAsia said 31-year-old passenger Liew Siaw Hsia went into labour on Wednesday's flight from the northern island of Penang to Kuching on Borneo island.

The aircraft made an emergency diversion to the Malaysian capital but the baby arrived just before landing, delivered by a doctor who was on board and who was assisted by the airline's flight attendants.

"The baby was safely delivered when flight AK 6506 was approaching Kuala Lumpur for landing at 2,000 feet," the airline said in a statement, adding that mother and baby were taken to a nearby hospital following touchdown.

"To celebrate this momentous occasion, we decided to present both mother and child with free flights for life," said AirAsia's director of operations Moses Devanayagam after visiting them in hospital.
source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091023/od_afp/malaysiaairasiaairlineoffbeat

RAB detains, beats up New Age correspondent

The Rapid Action Battalion on Thursday had tortured severely New Age staff correspondent FM Masum keeping him in detention at the RAB 10 headquarters at Dhalpur in Dhaka for about 10 hours and a half.
The battalion men picked Masum up from his rented house at Jatrabari in Dhaka at noon and severely tortured him in public..read more..

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Income wrong tool to measure poverty: Sen

Press Trust of India . New Delhi
The way most governments measure poverty by basing it on income may be a flawed perception of well-being, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen argues in his new book.
Sen, a former Trinity master, economist, philosopher and mathematician, all rolled into one, in his latest book �The Idea of Justice� says the income approach to poverty, which considers people earning less than a certain amount annually as poor, is not an accurate measure of how well people live.
Instead the laureate gives precedence to one�s capability or the capacity that people have of choosing and leading their lives.
Based on the capability approach, he says, �Poverty will be much more intense than what can be deduced from the income date� due to variations in the distribution of wealth within the family.
For instance, if the family�s income is used disproportionately to advance the interests of only certain individuals, then the �aggregate family income� may not adequately reflect the deprivation of neglected members.
The link between resources and poverty is rather complex. �It is variable and deeply contingent on the characteristics of the respective people and the environment in which they live � both natural and social,� he notes.
Sen says income is not an indicator of one�s standard of living, the kinds of lifestyles that people can lead depend on many factors, including diversities in the physical environment, variations in social climate and differences in relational perspectives.
�Handicaps, such as age or disability or illness, reduce one�s ability to earn an income. But they also make it harder to convert income into capability, since an older, or more disabled have to work more to achieve the same functioning,� he adds.
Sen points out that different kinds of disadvantage related to capability deprivation can be a �critically important consideration� in understanding poverty and in preparing a public policy to tackle poverty.

Young generation urged to learn computer literature

The state minister for science and information communication technology, Yafez Osman, on Monday called on the young generation to learn computer literature to develop themselves in different fields of knowledge.
Young generation must learn computer literature for their development in different fields of knowledge, the state minister said.
Describing the teaching community as the architect of enlightened human beings, he said this community could play a very important role in providing computer education to the students.
The state minister was addressing a dissemination meeting for heads of educational institutions and assistant programmers and a three-day course on office management for assistant programmers in the auditorium of Bangladesh Computer Council at Agargaon in the city.
The science and ICT secretary, AKM Abdul Awal Majumder, addressed the inaugural function of the dissemination meeting as the special guest while BCC executive director Md Mahfuzur Rahman was in the chair.
The director of the project on computer training implementation programme in 128 education institutions of 64 districts Md Sarwar Mostafa Chowdhury, among others, addressed the function.
Yafez urged all to come forward to implement prime minister Sheikh Hasina�s call for building digital Bangladesh.
Terming computer literature an important tool for building digital Bangladesh by 2021, he said all people would have to be brought under computer education as the digital Bangladesh is for all.
The state minister said, �We are working to introduce Bangla version to mobile phones for ensuring access to information technology by all.�
Remarkable progress has been taken place in information technology across the globe, he said adding, �Now we have to take preparations to join the journey of technological advancement so that our new generation could make themselves an efficient workforce to survive in the world competition.

Sumaiya Shimu: Getting into the skin of a slum girl

Actress Sumaiya Shimu has earned plaudits from the TV audience for her portrayal of a girl from the slums of Dhaka in the ongoing drama serial called “Lalita.” Though raised in a slum, Lalita has high aspirations. She wants to break free of the incarceration of poverty and prejudice. The story revolves around Lalita's journey to freedom and narrates the different phases of her life -- from adolescence to married life.

The serial has been shot at 21 locations, from Kuril slum in Baridhara to streets in Tangail.

"What amazes me is the spirit and adaptability of this character," says Sumaiya. "Over 15/20 episodes of the serial, Lalita is in search of peace and her identity. However, in later episodes, she changes into a more assertive and mature person.”

Sumaiya also recalls her role in “Shopno Chura,” directed by Fazlur Rahman. "I really enjoyed playing the fun-loving, happy-go-lucky character. Positive response and warm wishes from viewers encouraged me and made that experience even more special," she says.

Other than "Lalita," Sumaiya Shimu will be appearing in TV plays this Eid like “Houseful Plus,” “Tritiyo Nayan,” “Manushta Onnorokom,” “Golok Dhandha,” “Projapotir Mon” and more.

In “Projapotir Mon,” Sumaiya plays the role of a down-to-earth girl named Khela. Another upcoming project is “A Journey by Love” -- a humorous tale of a flamboyant girl named Nabila (played by Sumaiya) who is forced into marriage by her family. Unable to take the pressure, she decides to escape. Shot in Maulvibazar, it's a fascinating tale of love found through trial and error. The eligible bachelor, Nabila is supposed to marry, is troubled at the prospect of leaving behind all his girlfriends on Facebook. He, too, decides to escape.

Sumaiya says her plan for this coming Eid-ul-Fitr is very hectic. Till the day before Eid, she would be busy shooting.

Sumaiya enjoys travelling, and says that exploring new places -- in the country of overseas -- with near and dear ones is always a rejuvenating experience.

Retro returns the styles that never died

She half slid half dragged herself along the snow and apparently that was choreography enough. Attire: light, transparent sari. Colour: Olive with excessively eye-catching polkas. Blouse: Short fitting sleeves, deep necked. Make-up: Natural tones with slightly accentuated eyes. Actress in question: Sharmila Tagore. Backdrop: 60s Hindi movie set.

All truth be told though, the setting could have been a 2009 Hindi movie set just as well as it could have been a pre-approved monsoon 2009 Dhaka couture line, save perhaps the print.

Point of emphasis: Fashions that were, fashions that left and fashions that came right back.

Having finally gotten to the crux of the issue, I suppose we can only hope to make sense, coherent, relevant sense from here on end. And with such honest intentions in mind, we'll start from the beginning, arranged in descending order of size and importance.

This being a publication of the East and since inspiration has been gathered from a smitten on-screen couple breaking into song and dance in the woods and snow (some things…never change) just beginnings would centre around sari culture- their transformations and restorations. Before much ado, it is important to understand that the 60s and 70s were the ages in which the most drastic changes were made from any one era to the next, be it in terms of clothing, music, mind frames or lifestyles. Suddenly engulfing waves of liberalism swept in and it was no longer important to maintain restrictions, in well, just about everything. It began to matter less what implications a certain outfit or mannerism had and utmost decency, in clothe and conduct, took a back seat to free will and fashion. Fewer eyebrows rose due to dual gender-involved raging social lives. Or maybe, the eyebrows still rose; no one cared.

With indifference came shorter lengths, barer limbs, louder colours and bolder moves (think dancing, for example) and the sari was no exception to the trend. See-through materials like georgette (a finer quality albeit) and chiffon with flowing tucks and pleats would settle on the body just as curves dictated, and one still would not be condemned in the house of religion or society. On a different note, the classy traditionals like katan and silk still held their weight, in rich colours, sparsely embellished bodies and intricately worked borders. Sounds familiar. Large prints have also made a strong return, saris included. And in vogue today, no different from a decade or four ago are generously sized kalkas, multi-coloured ball prints, black and white polka dots and psychedelic designs.

As far as blouses are concerned, we are back to a time where we have sense enough to realise that the blouse is a separate entity on its own. Bordered, embroidered, sequined or buttoned, also come back are boat necks, sleeveless and blouses with back closures.

Salwar kameez transformation in the 60s saw less change in material and more variety in cut and design. For starters, desired length was somewhere in between the ankle hugging styles of a bygone decade and the barely below waist designs that some still hold onto today. Settling just above the knees, the kameez, like the sari, was meant to raze inhibition altogether with preferred makes being completely fitting. Interestingly enough, kameez slits of the yesteryears amounted only to a couple of inches, usually stopping before reaching the mid-thigh area and for some, side slits were bypassed altogether with tiny substitutes being made in the rear. The perched on high heels, Legally Blonde Reese Witherspoon trot in the 60s and 70s, was thus, very resultant.

Just as there was innovation with the blouse, so rose in creativity designs for the salwar. From the short in length, fitting at the bottom salwars that are all the rage this season to embracing churidars, what they wore, well fits our taste as well, be it after a low key of 40 years.

And indeed, whatever part of the globe our supplement may see print in, some column space must be dedicated to Western wear as well. As a child, evergreen amusement stared back at me from a framed photograph of my father and uncle- body fitting shirt, straight pleat-less trousers, long unruly hair. This of course, inclined slightly towards the formals but they were the pictures with friends that were the real laugh riots. From red (beloved) bell-bottoms to yellow illusional shirts to face size sunglasses, being bold was clearly not a concern. Childhood passed and fifteen years down the line, the humour of these photographs is now lost on me…something in the streets of Dhaka rings a very loud bell.

Accessories. In abundance. Both then and now. What the accessories were or are will fall under a mutual banner, because like everything aforementioned, they too have found a way of creeping back into our lives and reinstating their flair. Large pearls, the size of mini ping pong balls strung into necklaces or smaller, regular sized pearls with a knot tied endwards (this is mandatory), chunky bracelets, hoop earrings, elegant watches, bright umbrellas, horn-rimmed sunglasses-there is little need to make use of imagination; one look into contemporary fashion magazines, one step into Dhaka's streets, on switch of TV channels and all these are evidently times of today.

And lastly, the sweet 60s and swinging 70s were a riot on hairstyles. Shaggy haired, 'earless' men (John Abraham is but evolution), gelled or oiled up, depending on decade, hairdos for women. Makeup however took, and takes, today a more toned down approach. Nude, natural tones with shimmering gloss, kohl lined eyes and art created with liner. Doe-eyed liner, after all, was the defining look of the Suchitra Sens and the Hema Malinis. Beauty statements were, for the first time, considered a complete package, with individual importance being paid to every small segment of one's appearance, from the drape of the aanchal to the shape of the bindi. Surprisingly (not), just as it is today.

Heard before as it may be, fashion moves in circles. Recurring, concentric circles. But then again, it is not just fashion, entire lifestyles are recurring.

To that extent, we have even held on to our music; music from previous decades, music from the greats, music that rocked generations before us. And in no small part, the current remix tradition is to be accredited for recreating and reestablishing past cultures into our beings.

Fashion, therefore, never dies. Occasionally it only chooses to take a back seat…temporary back seat.

Dancers take to the floor from April 23, Int’l Dance Day

Over the last six years, Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Shangstha (BNSS) has been celebrating the International Dance Day (April 29) with much festivity. This year the organisation has planned to commemorate the day with a weeklong programme, which will commence on April 23 at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

Noted danseuse and vice president of BNSS, Minu Haque, informed that after the formal inauguration in Dhaka, celebrations will take place in several cities such as in Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Bogra. Haque said that the decision to hold programmes throughout the country aims at interacting with the greater population and to generate mass interest in dance.

Approximately 1000 dance artistes (including several indigenous participants) from all parts of the country would perform at this year's celebration.

One of the highpoints of this year's programme is a dance fair featuring everything related to the art form. The fair will take place at the plaza of National Art Gallery, BSA.

Every year a UNESCO dignitary coveys a message to mark the day and this year will not be any exception. Other highlights of the festival would be a seminal on the present state of dance in the country and an award giving ceremony. Three lifetime achievement awards, named after legendary dance artistes -- Bulbul Chowdhury, G.A. Mannan and Gawhar Jamil -- will be conferred.

On April 29, the daylong programme will start with a colourful rally early in the morning and Haque hopes numerous cultural personalities from every sector will attend the rally.

Haque's own organisation Nrityadhara (she is the convener of Nrityadhara) is one of the front-liners to co-operate BNSS in successfully arranging the festival.

Michael Jackson to make ‘announcement’ in London

Michael Jackson may soon return to the stage, at least for a "special announcement."

The pop star has scheduled a news conference Thursday at London's O2 arena, the same venue where Prince sold out 21 nights in 2006, according to London's Outside Organisation.

Although the short statement announcing Jackson's news conference did not reveal any details, Britain's Sky News reported Wednesday that the 50-year-old King of Pop has agreed to a series of summer concerts at the O2.

Rumours have circulated for years about a possible Jackson concert comeback, just as speculation has abounded about his physical and financial health.

Jackson's reclusive lifestyle -- and a photo last year of him being pushed in a wheelchair -- created fertile ground for health rumours.

When a London tabloid reported in December that Jackson was battling a potentially fatal disease that required a life-saving lung transplant, his publicist responded that he was "in fine health" and that the story was "a total fabrication."

Jackson's financial troubles in the past year have included the near-foreclosure of his Neverland Ranch in California, which he later sold.

Jackson has not lived at Neverland since June 2005, after a Santa Barbara County jury found him not guilty of child molestation charges.