18-24 June 2010
05
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh factories asked to shut to save World Cup TV
Bangladeshi football fans block a road Bangladeshi authorities have asked factories across the capital Dhaka to shut during World Cup games so that power blackouts do not interrupt football fans watching the television. The two state-owned companies which supply electricity to the city made the request after power cuts during a match on Saturday triggered violent protests. When blackouts hit the Argentina-Nigeria game, angry fans went on the rampage, damaging scores of vehicles and vandalising more than a dozen electricity supply centres. "We have sent letters to all the factories operating in and around Dhaka to stop work between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm -- the peak hours -- when the matches are usually held," said Faridul Haq, head of Dhaka Power
Distribution Company. "It is our humble submission to them that they close factories so that we can divert the power to people watching the World Cup. We don't want to see repeat of Saturday's violence," he told AFP. The authorities have also stepped up security in power plants and distribution centres to prevent a repeat of enraged fans storming the premises and throwing rocks at officials. Haq said the plan should enable fans could watch key matches, especially those of Argentina and Brazil -- two teams which attract fanatical support in Bangladesh . "The World Cup is the biggest sporting event for Bangladesh fans, which is why we are taking this desperate step. The work stoppages at the factories will
also allow their workers to watch matches," he said. Bangladesh generates around 4,000 megawatts of power a day, far short of its 6,000 megawatt demand. Authorities try to manage the shortfall by rationing power supply nationwide, with blackouts every other hour. State-run Dhaka Electricity Supply Company (DESCO) sent similar letters to the factories, its chief Saleh Ahmed said. DESCO is also setting up widescreen televisions in its distribution centres so that fans can watch the matches on back-up supplies if there are power cuts. Dhaka police chief A.K.M Shahidul Haq has urged wealthy residents to set up wide-screen televisions powered by generators in open spaces.
Bangladesh calls up 1m mobile phone lessons In March the Guardian reveal that English lessons delivered to mobile phones in Bangladesh were accessed over 1m times in their first three months. The BBC World Service Trust says that its Janala project to provide English language lessons via mobile phones in Bangladesh has delivered more than 1m lessons in its first three months. The project was launched in November and offers weekly audio lessons and quizzes delivered to users' handsets. The three-minute lessons cost around 4 cents each. "We knew demand for English was strong in Bangladesh , but the response to Janala has been nothing short of phenomenal," said Sara Chamberlain, who runs the project's Bangladesh team. "The growth of mobile is clearly creating an opportunity to provide access to education in a way sim-
ply not possible before." Janala is part of an initiative funded by the UK Department for International Development to raise the language skills of 25 million people in Bangladesh by 2017.
Chinese vice president concludes Bangladesh tour In Dhaka on Tuesday, Xi met separately with the country's opposition leader, parliament speaker and president. In talks with Khaleda Zia, chairperson of Bangladesh 's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Xi lauded what Zia has done to promote the Sino-Bangladeshi relationship. He said China appreciates very much Bangladesh 's precious support on issues concerning China 's core interests like the issues of Taiwan , Tibet and Xinjiang. He said China supports Bangladesh 's economic development and will continue to do its best to help the south Asian country. Zia said China is a close and friendly neighbor of Bangladesh . " Bangladesh always regards China as an important strategic partner," she said. Talking with Bangladeshi Parliament Speaker Abdul Hamid, Xi spoke highly of the comprehensive development of bilateral relations since both countries established diplomatic relations 35 years ago. He reiterated China 's commitment to work with Bangladesh to push forward their comprehensive partnership of cooperation. He also called on the legislatures of both countries to further strengthen communication and promote mutual understanding. Hamid said the Sino-Bangladeshi
relationship is time-honored and all the parties in the Bangladeshi parliament support developing relations with China . In talks with President Zillur Rahman, Xi said the SinoBangladeshi relations have stood the test of changes in the world situation and continually move forward. "The cooperation in all areas is very fruitful and has brought real benefits to the two peoples and also plays an active role in maintaining regional stability, peace and development," he added. Xi said the two countries' decision to establish a "Closer Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation" last March showed the direction for further developing bilateral relationship. Rahman said Bangladesh and China maintain good relationship. He believed Xi's visit will greatly promote the friendship between the two peoples and push bilateral relationship to a new level. On Tuesday afternoon, Xi left Dhaka for Vientiane , capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for an official visit. In a written speech at the airport upon his arrival, Xi said China and Laos enjoy profound traditional friendship, and established a comprehensive strategic partnership last year. Laos is the second leg of Xi's four-nation trip on June 14-24, which will also take him to New Zealand and Australia .