| Front Page | 
AL hems in Hawa Bhaban today
The last 10 days in the countdown to an opposition-set deadline for the government's fall begins today with Awami League's front organisations laying siege to Hawa Bhaban and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD)
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Judge Shahidur axed
High Court Additional Judge Syed Shahidur Rahman was removed from office yesterday in the first ever verdict of the Supreme Judicial Council on a judge's gross misconduct.
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Saifur visits WB, IMF HQs for positive report
Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman is now in the USA on a one-week mission, mainly to persuade the World Bank (WB) into not making a negative report on Bangladesh in the upcoming Bangladesh DevelopmentForum
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US funds drying up for graft
US aid to Bangladesh is drying up due to corruption and the absence of transparency in project implementation, a high US government official said yesterday.
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16 killed as militants target Indian polls
Militants set off mines and fired at polling stations killing 16 people and injuring 44 others, as an estimated 45 percent of 175 million voters yesterday exercised their franchise in the first phaseof
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Hawa Bhaban men nonchalant, will play cricket today
Men at Hawa Bhaban seemed unperturbed by today's opposition programme to besiege the much-talked-about 'alternate power centre of the government', and will play cricket at a nearby field today.
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Floods keep wreaking havoc in northeast
Flash floods in six northeastern and central districts worsened or remained unchanged yesterday as torrential rains led to swelling of rivers in the region, inundating vast areas and damaging crops, reports
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Asian countries pledge to stand firm in Iraq
Asian countries with troops in Iraq stood firm as Spain and Honduras prepared to pull out, but resolve was tempered by fears the withdrawals could spark a domino effect among US allies as violence raged
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Dhaka, Delhi should have common plan to face quota-free regime
Bangladesh and India should work out a common strategy to face challenges in the garment sector in a quota free regime after 2004, observed visiting Indian Textile Secretary SB Mahapatra.
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Cops club Nagorik Andolon men in front of Proshika
Police clubbed activists at a rally of Oikyabaddha Nagorik Andolon (ONA) in front of Proshika's head office in Mirpur yesterday and arrested at least 40 of its staff, including a deputy director.
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Better plan needed to pull the poor above the line: Experts
Experts at a workshop yesterday called for better planning and broader programmes to tackle urban poverty as projections have it that half of the country's population will be living in urban areas bythe
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RU teachers go on strike
Rajshahi University Teachers' Association (Ruta) started an indefinite strike yesterday protesting the 'controversial' appointment of 544 employees.
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Businessman killed in Moghbazar
Unidentified assailants gunned down a businessman near Bishal Centre in Moghbazar last night.
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Govt won't allow anarchy in the name of political programmes
The home ministry in a press note yesterday urged all concerned to refrain from any kind of activities which would deteriorate law and order situation and disrupt normal life.
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Extension is to offset dearth of matured judges, says Moudud
Law Minister Moudud Ahmed yesterday said the retirement age of Supreme Court judges was extended by two years to make sure the higher court does not run short of skilled and experienced judges.
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Mob lynches 2 muggers at Wari
A mob beat dead two muggers at Wari in Sutrapur yesterday after catching them in the act of mugging a woman.
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Taiwan Trade Centre opening cancelled
The management of Taiwan Trade Centre in Dhaka yesterday called off the centre's formal inauguration amid an aggravating row between Dhaka and Beijing over the issue.
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Ershad Shikdar to be hanged on May 10
The authorities have decided to hang notorious criminal Ershad Shikdar on May 10 after his mercy petition was turned down by President Iajuddin Ahmed.
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BSF pushes 42 in
Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) pushed in 42 Bengali-speaking Indians including women and children through Keragachhi, a village bordering India in Kalaroa upazila on Sunday and Monday nights, said
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Hasina alleges intimidation of opposition workers
Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday alleged the ruling alliance-backed cadres along with police and intelligence agency men went door to door to intimidate opposition workers in the capital
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No abandoned Bangladeshi found in Baghdad
The government could not trace any Bangladeshi worker stranded in Baghdad after running a check through Bangladesh embassies in Jordan and Kuwait.
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Ctg tele-link snapped for 18 hours
Telecommunications link of the port city with other parts of the country remained snapped for over 18 hours since early yesterday.
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50-bed burn unit opens at DMCH
The Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) finally opened its full-fledged burn unit yesterday, marking a turning point in the management of plastic surgery and burn injuries.
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Second man of NBCP dies in Khulna
The second in the line of command of outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP), arrested Monday, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) yesterday.
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Dhaka slams Israel's killing of Rantisi
Bangladesh has strongly condemned and denounced the cowardly killing of Sheikh Abdel Aziz Al Rantisi by Israel in Gaza.
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JS body for higher defence budget
A parliamentary body yesterday asked the government to give defence budget top priority in the next fiscal 2004-2005 to modernise the armed forces and termed the fund for this year inadequate.
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Arms, army uniforms found in Bandarban
Members of armed forces Sunday retrieved two firearms, bullets and some military uniforms in the deep forest of Bandarban.
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| Business |
SEC suspends broker, forms probe body
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday suspended a member of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) for violating trading rules in a 'suspicious' transaction by an Uttara Bank sponsor director.
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Call for diversification of jute products
The council of International Jute Study Group (IJSG) in its fifth session in Dhaka yesterday underscored the need for increasing the number of member countries and making vigorous efforts towards diversification
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Corruption, governance key obstacles to attracting FDI
Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Matsushiro Horiguchi has singled out governance as the major obstacle to wooing foreign investment in Bangladesh.
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StanChart donates Tk 1m to Islamia Eye Hospital
Standard Chartered Bank donated Tk 1 million to Islamia Eye Hospital (IEH) for the benefit of cataract patients, who receive treatment in the Standard Chartered Operation Theatre and Standard Chartered
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Anwar calls for setting up agro-based industries
Growers suffer for non-establish-ment of agro-based industries and lack of adequate preservation facilities for perishable agricultural products, Agriculture Minister MK Anwar said yesterday.
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HSBC to extend loan to buyers of Volvo vehicles
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in Bangladesh will provide car loans to the customers of A-1 Motors Limited, the sole distributor of Volvo vehicles in Bangladesh, at a preferential
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Shareholders' deal signed to set up cardiac hospital
ABSCO Limited, Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (JBFH), Nitol Insurance Company Ltd, Popular Diagnostic Centre Ltd and Dekko Garments Ltd have signed a shareholders' agreement to set up a modern cardiac
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Britain, India to set up metal industry at Mongla EPZ
Britain and India will jointly invest US $ 3.125 million to set up a metal industry in Mongla Export Processing Zone.
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WB warns of interest-rate menace to poor nations
The world faces a rising risk of an interest-rate shock, which could jolt poorer countries now reaping the benefits of rapid global growth, the World Bank warned Monday.
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| Sports |
Cricket:
Faisal saves Bashundhara
Faisal Hossain celebrated his national call-up with a vital unbeaten knock as Bashundhara Group recovered from a bumpy start to post a five-wicket victory against BADC Krira Sangha in the opening match
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Football:
Al Shabb keep Reds waiting
Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra's bid to win their first match came unstuck against Yemen's Al Shabb Ibb who twice came from behind to record a 3-2 victory in an AFC Cup Group A match at the Sher-e-Bangla
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Cricket:
Buchanan backs Muralitharan
Cricket should stop jumping on Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Mura-litharan and start learning from him, Australian coach John Buchanan said on Tuesday.
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Cricket:
Thank you Taibu
Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 12 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method) in the first one-day international in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
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Football:
Holding breath with Diego
Argentina's Diego Maradona, one of the most gifted players in soccer history, showed a slight improvement in his condition by Monday night, 24 hours after he was put in intensive care with heart and breathing
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Football:
New Becks style in town
Beleagured England soccer captain David Beckham stepped out with his wife Victoria at a showbiz bash in London on Monday with Becks sporting a newly-shaven head.
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Football:
Porto more than a handful
Most bookmakers have Deportivo La Coruna as the Champions League favourites but Porto will be trying to upset the odds when they play host to them in their semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday.
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Football:
Raneiri questions Roman wisdom
Manager Claudio Ranieri has launched a strong attack on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, saying the Russian tycoon knows nothing about football and wanted to sack him from the moment he took control.
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Cricket:
No Broad
Match referee Chris Broad will not officiate in the forthcoming series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced.
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Maradona improving
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona is expected to be taken off his artificial respirator on Wednesday as he battles heart and breathing problems.
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Cricket:
Ispahani's small target
Salman Ispahani, managing director of MM Ispahani Limited, was expecting his side record at least one victory in the Corporate Cricket League (CCL) that kicked off on Tuesday.
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Bank Asia reward star employees
Bank Asia yesterday rewarded its employees and national cricketers Khaled Mahmud and Tareq Aziz for their performance in Bangladesh's one-day international series against Zimbabwe last month.
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Cricket:
T&T receives King Brian
Trinidad welcomed West Indies captain Brian Lara home on Monday, making him a sporting ambassador in honour of his world record Test score of 400 not out.
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Hockey:
Bangladesh draw against China
Bangladesh made an impressive start in the 5th Under-21 Asia Cup hockey tournament as they ran away with a 2-2 draw against formidable China in their opening match in Karachi yesterday.
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Cricket:
CJKS-Ispahani cricket
City Corporation Ekadas recorded a six-wicket win over Shatabdi Gosthi in the CJKS-Ispahani Premier Division Cricket League at the MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.
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Volleyball:
Nat'l youth v'ball
Jessore and Rajshahi DSAs were set to play in the final of the City Bank National Youth Volleyball Championship after their identical 3-0 wins against respective rivals at the volleyball court yesterday.
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Chess:
Parag takes solo lead
Mehdi Hasan Parag took a solo lead after end of the sixth round of the 25th national junior chess championship at the BCF auditorium yesterday. Nahid Parvez was in second place with 5.5 points.
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| Metropolitan |
Jubo League threatens to lay siege to PM's residence
Leaders of Awami Jubo League, the youth front of the main opposition Awami League, yesterday threatened to lay siege to cantonment residence of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia if BNP's student wing Jatiyatabadi
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Reception to women FFs
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday called upon all freedom fighters to come under one umbrella for the restoration of the spirit of the liberation war.
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| National |
Row at Pirojpur law and order body meeting
Ruling BNP Whip Shahidul Huq Jamal at a meeting of Pirojpur district law and order committee meeting on Saturday asked the district administration and police to "ensure victory" of ruling party-backed
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Hartal observed to press for reopening of Rangpur Sugar Mills
A day-long hartal was observed in Gaubandha district yesterday for reopening of the Rangpur Sugar Mills.
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SUST students to announce fresh programme today
About 2000 students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) brought out a big procession and held a meeting on the campus on Monday demanding punishment to the culprits who sexually abused
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3 units of Ashuganj power plant not operating
Three units of Ashugonj power station are not operating.
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Fund crisis halts it halfway
The Rakhain Women Market in Kuakata sea beach has opened the door to better life for Rakhain community people by boosting local handicrafts production.
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Tender manipulation by pro-BNP contractors alleged
Tender manipulation by pro-BNP contractors prevented the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) contractors from buying and dropping schedules for 1.06 crore taka road development work.
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Schoolgirl abducted
A girl was abducted by an unidentified gang at Degreechar village in Daulatpur upazila on Sunday night.
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S-W region a death valley: Inu
Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu) president Hasanul Haq Inu has termed the southwestern region as a death valley being ruled by outlaws.
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Five die of diarrhoea in Gopalganj
Diarrhoea killed five children and attacked over 100 people in Gopalganj Sadar upazila in the last ten days.
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Rough sea idles fishermen in southern coast
Thousands of fishermen in southern coastal areas are sitting idle for about a week as the sea is rough.
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BCL leader killed in Pabna
Former president of Sujanagar upazila unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Aminul Islam Bakku, 35,was stabbed to death by unknown assailants early Monday.
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| Point-Counterpoint |
'The resilience and energy of Bangladeshis amaze me'
Peter Bell, President of Care, USA, has long been a friend of Bangladesh.
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| Culture |
Using folk motifs with flamboyance
At the recent opening of Uttam Ghosh's fifth painting venture at the Karmranga art gallery, Sayeed Ahmed, the well-known theatre personality praised the artist ad lib.
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Samina Chowdhury: Prolific singer
Meet Samina Chowdhury. Her recently released album Phul phote phul jhare, a compilation of her most popular songs, has had a tremendous feedback from the audience.
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Suborna and Faridee strike again!
Good news for the viewers who miss their favourite actor duo Suborna-Faridee on the small screen .
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Gaon Geramer Kissa on VCD
It is good news for Bangladeshi expatriates that the original prints of Bangla dramas and Telefilms are now available in the market.
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| General |
PM assures steps for govt-NGO partnership
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday assured that more steps would be taken to consolidate the government-NGO partnership in various areas of national activity, including spread of education.
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President calls for eliminating digital divide
President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday called for a concerted effort by all concerned including the government, non-government and donor agencies to eliminate digital divide.
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'Ensure rights of the elderly'
With the nuclear family fast replacing the joint family, the elderly aged over 60 years are getting isolated from the mainstream of the society gradually, speakers said at a press conference yesterday.
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2 die, 3 hurt in city road crashes
A truck helper was killed and three others injured as an inter-city train rammed a rail line-stuck truck at Kurmitola, a passenger bus ran over a rickshaw-puller at Sabujbagh while a construction worker
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SUST syndicate expels JCD man
The syndicate of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has expelled a JCD cadre on charge of sexual abuse of a girl student.
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New UNDP programme in CHT
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the first time took an initiative to build confidence and promote coherence among the divergent ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
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Judicial probe demanded
The Alternative Political Stream yesterday demanded judicial inquiry into the recent huge arms haul in Chittagong and punishment to those involved in the gunrunning.
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Sheraton Hotel changes entry and exit gates
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel has changed its entry and exit gates and the basement parking to ease traffic situation, says a press release.
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HC rejects UNB petition
The High Court Division has rejected a writ petition filed by United News of Bangladesh (UNB) against the judgement and order of the Chairman of the First Labour Court and Authority under the Paymentof
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Obituary
Alhaj Azim Sharif, a renowned businessman and former senior vice-president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, died of a heart attack at a local hospital yesterday evening at the age of 71.
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| International |
Voters struggle with EVMs even in Andhra
Andhra Pradesh voters' tryst with technology had its share of hiccups yesterday with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) developing technical snag at several polling stations across ten districts delaying
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Vajpayee faces friend-turned foe in polls
It now appears certain that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's main challenger from his traditional parliamentary constituency of Lucknow will be none other than his friend-turned-political foe and
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US, Israel under fire at UN
The United States and Israel came under fire at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council Monday requested by Arab nations furious over Israel's killing of a Palestinian militant leader.
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Jordan king puts off Bush, Powell talks
Jordan's King Abdullah postponed a meeting with President Bush schedule for today, citing concerns about Washington's position on the Middle East peace process, officials said Monday.
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Displaced Iraqis trudge into Falluja after truce
Civilians who had fled battles between US Marines and Sunni insurgents trickled back into Falluja yesterday after a deal to end fighting in the Iraqi city.
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| Editorial |
Editorial:
Eating the humble pie on ADP
The inevitable has happened with the Annual Development Programme for 2003-04 fiscal. The original Tk 20,300 crore ADP is being downsized by Tk 1,366cr to stand at Tk 18,935cr.
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Editorial:
Unregistered river crafts glaring in the eye
The government in the person of shipping minister Akbar Hossain has expressed its determination to identify the unregistered passenger launches and cargo vessels and order them off the river routes.
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Is Iraq President Bush's 'Vietnam'?
On 5th April, veteran Senator of Massachusetts Edward M. Kennedy raised for the first time the spectre of Vietnam in Iraq.
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Towards global democracy?
Democratising globalisation is one of the major challenges of the 21st century.
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As captives return home, Japan debates public responsibility
Only a week ago their lives hanged on the balance as captors declared they would be burned alive unless Japan pulls out its troops from Iraq.
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| Letters to Editor |
Iraqis are uniting
The Shiite-Sunni united front in Iraq appears to be a divine blessing towards the long-awaited rise of the beleaguered Muslims after a long period of gestation. The sun is rising.
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Indiscreet politics
Awami League, the main opposition party in parliament, has declared that it would oust the elected government by 30th April, 2004.
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AL deadline
The AL secretary general Abdul Jalil glibly announced that the alliance government would fall by 30th April, as if the angel of information had covertly apprised him of the deadline.
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Shaheed Minar
The Central Shaheed Minar is a symbol of the nation's respect for the martyrs of the Language Movement.
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Greatest Bengalee
When we place the names of the political personalities besides cultural and intellectual luminaries for a list that will reflect the opinions of radio listeners in order of their popularity, we are
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Exploitation of professionals
We often see news items about exploitation of labourers or semi-skilled workers of Bangladesh by manpower exporting agencies (sometimes called Adam Bapari).
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Rape news
I would like the opportunity to add to the letter of Humaira Malik entitled "Rape News".
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Biman service
For a long time, I have been hearing from people what bad service Biman offers to its customers. People pay money to travel by Biman and you provide service which is far below their expectations.
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AL and BNP
I am writing in reference to a recent article in DS, "So, what you have proved?" The said piece was timely and extraordinary. But I want to add a few things to your well written piece.
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Television license
The BTV has now started broadcasting through satellite. I do not use my TV antenna anymore. The local cable operator provides me all the channels including BTV.
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US, Arafat and Sharon
The US strongly advocates and supports people's elected leaders.
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Arms haul
The people of the country witnessed the biggest ever arms haul in its history.
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Confused students
Being worried about the HSC examinees, I am writing this letter for getting a clear idea about what they should write in the answer scripts.
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Simplicity in dress
We are noticing with grave concern a marked change in the dress of our young religious persons.
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Road accidents
The government is beating about the bush regarding the alarming rate of road accidents in Bangladesh. The accident rate can be brought down immediately by following two inexpensive steps: 1.
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Star business report
My attention has been drawn to the above-mentioned report published in your daily, involving four existing/former SEC officials including me, reportedly based on a CAG report.
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| StarTech |
Internet fair a crowd-puller
THE internet service providers got an opportunity to give their extensive services exposure through the 'Internet fair 2004'.
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Key2Learning to meet global educational challenges
The brain is the ultimate use-it-or-lose-it machine and it is eager to learn new skills," from the book, 'Inside the Brain' by Ronald Kotulak.
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Seagate strengthens its presence in Bangladesh
IN a strategic move to further strengthen its presence in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries, worldwide leader in storage devices, Seagate Technology announced it has
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HP to supply 4,600 Pcs
Hewlett Packard (HP) organised a press conference to explain their markets and strategies in locally and internationally on April 19 at Hotel Sheraton.
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| Star Chittagong |
Observation tower at port area by Dec
An observation tower will be constructed soon near Patenga coast for round-the-clock surveillance on ship movement at the port channel and estuary of the river Karnaphuli, Chittagong port officials said.
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Player quota or political quota?
The Department of Physical Education (DPE) has finalised the list for admission in first year honours under 2003-04 session at Chittagong University (CU) under 'player quota' on the basis of political
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| Star City |
Ducsu dossiers decaying for years of neglect
Dhaka University Central Student Union (Ducsu) loses its age-old newspapers, periodicals, photographs, leaflets and posters in years of neglect and inadequate space for preservation.
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Dry-cleaning in Buriganga!
Launderers in Dhaka use water polluted by sewerage and tannery wastage causing health hazards like skin diseases.
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The Colours of Boishakhi Mela
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Fund needed to buy land for landing stations
The first phase of the circular waterway project of Dhaka awaits fund to acquire land for construction of major landing stations.
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Ginger too hot to taste
Ginger price has soared further in the last few of days and reached its 'all-time high' at Tk. 90 a kilogram.
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Green Mangoes Arrive
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