Vol. 5 Num 324 Tue. April 26, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page Judge Faizee's Bar certificate cancelled Bangladesh Bar Council in an unprecedented move Sunday cancelled the enrolment certificate of High Court Additional Judge Faisal Mahmud Faizee for providing false information during enrolment and hisfailure   BSF kills 2 more Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead two Bangladeshi nationals in Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon yesterday and on Sunday night, creating tension on the border.   Indian deputy HC points at dialogue The existing misunderstanding between Bangladesh and India should be resolved through dialogue as Delhi is always eager to maintain good relations with Dhaka, an Indian diplomat said yesterday.   57 dead, over 440 hurt in Japan train crash At least 57 people were killed and more than 440 others injured yesterday when a packed commuter train jumped the tracks and hurtled into an apartment complex in western Japan in the deadliest Japanese   Kuwaiti cops launch investigation Kuwaiti police have launched an investigation into Sunday's attack on the Bangladesh embassy in Kuwait City by a huge mob of expatriate workers of a cleaning company, while officials in Dhaka termed the   No subsidy for irrigation despite diesel price hike The government has decided not to subsidise irrigation although it is going to increase diesel prices once again.   Better overseas trade impossible without good ties with India Eminent economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud yesterday said it is impossible to boost Bangladesh's overseas trade and investment without a good relationship with India.   Two businessmen gunned down Unidentified criminals killed two cable traders and wounded a bystander in a hail of bullets, before setting ablaze one of the dead inside an office at the Banasree Housing Project in Rampura yesterday,   Jamaat's rejoinder Central Publicity Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Prof Tasneem Alam yesterday protested part of two reports published in The Daily Star on April 20 and 21 under the headlines "Khulna bigots threaten   Desa slated for Tk 1,576cr loss in 10 yrs A parliamentary body yesterday criticised Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority (Desa) for incurring losses amounting to Tk 1,576 crore in last ten years.   Study In A Shambles...   Morshed asks Musharraf to set fresh date Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan yesterday said he has requested Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf to set a date for the 13th Saarc summit to be held in Dhaka after discussions with other member countries.   Govt staffs to get salaries with arrears in June Government employees will start getting salaries and arrears under the new pay scale from June 1 when they draw their salaries for the month of May, sources said.   HC order against Shahidur's removal stayed The Supreme Court yesterday stayed for six months a High Court (HC) order that had earlier declared void the president's order removing HC additional judge Syed Shahidur Rahman from his office.   Saifur says no unemployment in country Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman yesterday claimed that there is no unemployment problem in the country.   Heavy rains soothe city Sudden gusty winds and heavy rainfall yesterday evening brought a welcome relief to residents of the city and its surrounding areas from successive days of hot and humid weather.   4 children hurt in explosions Four explosions in a playground injured four children, two of them critically, in West Gortia in Kumarkhali upazila yesterday.   NBR cuts up 2 luxury cars on tax evasion The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday made into scrap metal a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Corolla imported under false declaration for tax dodging.   Six killed, over 2,000 down with diarrhoea In the worsening diarrhoea situation, six people died while 2,153 more fell sick from the disease across the country yesterday.   Charges pressed against four, 'mastermind' spared Police yesterday pressed charges against four people -- three outlaws and one drug peddler -- under the Explosive Substances Act for the bomb attack at Khulna Press Club on February 5 killing journalist   No compensation yet for relatives of Savar victims Distraught crowds continued to throng the Spectrum Sweaters Industries Ltd. in Savar yesterday, hoping to receive compensation for relatives injured and killed in the April 11 collapse.   Top tax boss embarrassed over costly gift The chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) was embarrassed about being presented with a Rolex Oyster wristwatch on April 19 and deposited it in the government treasury.   Thai team due May 12 A high-powered Thai delegation will arrive in Dhaka by May 12 to prepare a 'plan of action' for constructing a two-storied elevated expressway connecting all important intersections in the capital.   Putin deplores collapse of USSR Russia's President Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century. Business Islamic banking guideline soon: BB governor The central bank is formulating a guideline to regulate Islamic banking operation, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Fakhruddin Ahmed said yesterday.   Fuel prices to put pressure on non-food components Higher domestic fuel prices will put pressure on non-food components, although pressure on food prices is expected to ease with the new harvests in Bangladesh this year, an Escap survey forecasts.   BRTC to procure 20 buses for city tours Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will procure 20 minibuses by June this year to arrange Dhaka city tours for tourists and students.   New corporate face of a rising Asian economy Asia's fast economic growth will not automatically lead to the creation of globally competitive companies, but the success of Asian corporations will contribute a lot to the continent's new role in the   Asia-Pacific economies make best showing despite shocks Shrugging off a stream of disasters and shocks, the Asia-Pacific region last year managed to post its strongest economic gains since 2000, the United Nations said Monday in an annual survey.   CRISL upgrades Dhaka Bank rating Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) has upgraded Dhaka Bank's rating to 'A' (Single A) from its previous rating 'A-' (A Minus) in the long term and maintained 'ST-3' rating in the   Tele Link, CityCell sign dealership deal Tele Link has recently signed a dealership agreement with Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Ltd (PBTL), the owning company of CityCell.   S’pore, India aim to wrap up FTA talks within one month Singapore and India have agreed to complete ongoing talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) within a month, the Straits Times reported Monday.   Nissan posts an11pc rise in Q4 operating profit Nissan Motor Co.   6-day internet fair begins tomorrow A six-day Internet Fair-2005 begins at Bhasani Novo Theatre in the city tomorrow.   Asean economic ministers mull integration in Vietnam meet today Economic ministers from Southeast Asian nations gather in Vietnam Tuesday to hold talks on integrating their economies and conduct a dialogue with the European Union.   China, Gulf states aim for FTA in 2006 Officials from China and Gulf Arab states said Sunday they made progress in a first round of free trade negotiations and hope to reach a deal next year.   China watching EU moves on textiles China is watching moves by the European Union that could lead to formal curbs on its textile exports, the Commerce Ministry said Monday. Sports Football: Abahani's red-letter day The season's first onslaught of the nor'wester al-most had the match postpo-ned but when the traditional clash of the titans finally took off, it was Mohammedan Sporting Club who were on the receiving   Cricket: Why England should beat the drum for Bangladesh Medieval Europeans thought paradise lay over the mouth of the Ganges. The cricket world does not see things the same way.   Cricket: Nel nails Windies Purposeful fast bowling from Andre Nel and their opponents' continued wretched batting in the second innings propelled South Africa to an innings and 86-run triumph over West Indies to reclaim the Sir   Cricket: Wright points at wrongs John Wright, who coached India for four-and-a-half years and learnt the intricacies of the board and the team, has criticised the national selection panel for their "appalling procedures".   Cricket: Smith hails bowlers Captain Graeme Smith on Sunday praised his bowlers after South Africa wrapped up the Test series with West Indies with one match to go.   Football: Barca back at their best League leaders Barcelona gave their emphatic response to the pressure put upon them by second-place Real Madrid with a 4-0 rout at Malaga on Sunday.   Football: Juve hail Nedved Juventus rejoined AC Milan at the top of Italy's Serie A after defeating Lazio 1-0 at the Olympic stadium here on Sunday.   Cricket: Non-stars shine The just concluded Sixth National Cricket League should be remembered as the competition where local batsmen got rid of their inhibition of not being able to reach three-figure scores.   Football: Terry players' choice Chelsea captain John Terry has been named Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Associa-tion.   Cricket: Flintoff ahead of schedule England hope Andrew Flintoff is ahead of schedule in his bid to regain full fitness for the Ashes series against Australia.   Cricket: Pathan hopes to improve Paceman Irfan Pathan, who had a poor Test series and struggled to find form in the one-day matches in the just concluded Indo-Pak series, was hoping to improve his performance in the future.   Football: Rooney rocks Wayne Rooney was hailed as 'phenomenal' by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after defying injury to score the wonder goal that inspired United to a crucial 2-1 win against Newcastle at OldTrafford   Football: Beckham could sue nanny! Lawyers for England captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham said they are considering legal action after a Sunday tabloid newspaper alleged that his marriage to pop star Victoria is on the rocks.   Football: Lyon march on Lyon continued their relentless march towards a fourth straight French league title with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Auxerre under the driving Burgundy rain on Sunday night.   Football: Arsenal booter arrested Arsenal striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie was arrested Monday after a fight broke out following the Professional Footballers' Associa-tion Player Awards.   Tennis: Roddick victor Top seed Andy Roddick captured his third ATP US Clay Court Championship in five years here Sunday, defeating France's sixth-seeded Sebastien Grosjean 6-2, 6-2 in the final.   Cricket: Rajdhani Model crush St Joseph Rajdhani Model High handed a 185-run defeat on St Joseph Higher Secondary School in the Standard Chartered Under-15 Young Tigers National School Cricket Tournament at the Residential Model College Ground   Asia, Middle East bridge in Dhaka The South East Bank 13th Asia and Middle East Zonal Bridge Championships will be held in Dhaka from April 28. Metropolitan Rajuk probe report likely tomorrow Rajuk's five-member probe committee, formed to investigate the April 11 Savar building collapse tragedy failed to submit its report yesterday due to 'technical problems', Rajuk Chairman Md Shahid Alam   Hasina blames govt for price hike, corruption Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday blamed the alliance government for its failure to check the price hike of essentials, and the slide in law and order situation.   Over 3 crore patients to get modern treatment Over three crore patients with asthma, allergy and respiratory problems will get modern treatment at the National Asthma Centre at Mohakhali in the city.   Children identify 1046 'disliked behaviours' Children in a study on child abuse identified a total of 1046 'disliked behaviours', but not enough is known about the nature and extent of the problem in Bangladesh, according to a preliminary report   Govt urged not to privatise BTTB Leaders of Bangladesh Telegragh and Telephone Board Protection Committee yesterday expressed their firm determination to prevent any move to restructure the state-owned telecom operator and transfer its   Successful laparoscopic surgery on children Doctors at the Bangladesh Shishu Sasthya Foundation Hospital performed the laparoscopic surgery on two children, the first of its kind in the country, yesterday.   'Unite against fanatics' Speakers at a reception ceremony yesterday called on the freedom fighters to be united to restore the spirit of the War of Liberation and establish it in every sphere of life in order to protect the nation   Legal notice served on factory owners, govt bodies On behalf of the dead and injured workers of the Spectrum garment factory at Savar, the Sramik Nirapatta Forum (a forum for workers' security) served a legal notice on three factory owners and government   Govt has failed to bring NGO fund thru' its channel Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman yesterday said he has been trying for long to bring the donor-funded money to NGOs through government channel, but failed to do it.   EC to hold meet with mayor candidates April 28 The Election Commission (EC) will hold a meeting with mayor candidates on April 28 to maintain normalcy during Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections.   Amir Sikder new envoy to Russia The government has decided to appoint M Amir Hussain Sikder, currently Bangladesh High Commissioner to South Africa, as ambassador to the Russian Federation.   Forged postal, court stamps worth Tk 8 cr seized Police detectives seized counterfeit postal and court stamps worth over Tk 8.10 crore from Shyampur in the city yesterday.   JCD demands immediate Ducsu election The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of the ruling BNP, demanded that the election of the Dhaka University Central Student Union (Ducsu) be held immediately.   Phensidyl transported thru' courier service Bottles of phensidyl, a contraband item, are now being transported through courier service.   REB dissolves 2 PBS boards, removes 4 directors Rural Electrification Board (REB) on Sunday dissolved the elected boards of two Palli Bidyut Samities (PBSs) and removed four directors of another four following a row over the control of Rural PowerCompany   Woman dies in accident An unidentified woman was killed in a road accident near Benarashi Palli in Mirpur in the capital yesterday.   Pro-govt panel sweeps Cuta polls BNP and Jamaat backed white panel secured 10 out 11 posts, including president and general secretary, in the Chittagong University Teachers Association (Cuta) election yesterday. National 40 pc CHT projects still untouched Work on about 40 per cent of development projects in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) undertaken by the CHT Affairs Ministry for implementation in the current financial year has not yet been started though   Result debacle: CMC students on rampage Some unruly students of Chittagong Medical College (CMC), allegedly belonging to Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, ransacked office rooms of its Principal and Vice-principal and some wards of CMC hospital Sunday   Fund crisis cripples Birishiri Tribal Cultural Academy Birishiri Tribal Cultural Academy at Durgapur in Netrakona, the lone cultural centre for indigenous people in greater Mymensingh, is in a poor state due to fund crisis.   Diarrhoea kills 8, attacks 2,087 in Gopalganj Diarrhoea in five upazilas of the district has claimed eight lives, five of them children and attacked 2,087 others last week, according to Gopalganj Civil Surgeon (CS) Mohammad Shajahan.   60 kg tumor removed from women's abdomen Doctors at a private clinic in the town on Saturday removed a 60 kg tumor from the abdomen of a woman.   Khapra Ward Day observed The Khapra Ward Day was observed at Rajshahi Central Jail and in the city on Sunday through various programmes. Point-Counterpoint Small power plants Bangladesh energy sector is afflicted by shortages of gas and electricity, slow economic growth and lack of social welfare.   The new Pope takes over Pope John Paul II is dead. Pope Benedict XVI has been elected the 265th Pope. The whole affair has been one of pomp and splendour due to the circumstance and demonstration of Catholic faith.   America's relations with countries in south Asia President Bush's announcement to sale F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan has caused wide speculation in America's media about the shift of policy on South Asia region. Culture "I am committed to an individual style of music" --Khandokar Nurul Alam Reminiscing on his long tryst with music, eminent music composer Khandokar Nurul Alam says, "It was way back in 1956.   Nostalgic watercolours that cull our cultural roots Muniruzzaman, Director Chitrak Kuthi, summing up the current watercolour display at his gallery, said, " Here are four artists who once studied at the Department of Fine Arts Dhaka University, then went   "People often take me as arrogant and reclusive, which I'm not" -- Sweety Tanvin Sweety is a popular model-turned-TV actress, who has also performed in several popular stage plays, such as Payer Awaj Pawa Jay, Meraj Fakirer Ma, Ekhono Kritodash and Meherjan.   Ben and Jen again.... Call it "Bennifer: part 2". After almost making it to the altar with Jennifer Lopez, actor Ben Affleck has been engaged to actress Jennifer Garner. General Doctors threaten to step up movement The Post Graduation Doctors' Association (PGDA) on Sunday demanded that the decision to withdraw the increased tuition fee for post graduation courses be implemented immediately.   Garment workers to lay siege to home ministry Jatiya Garment Sramik Federation and Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation will lay a siege to the home ministry on April 28 demanding immediate arrest of the owners of Spectrum garment   Quaiyum shifted to Moulvibazar jail on security reason AKM Abdul Quaiyum, the suspected mastermind of the killing of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, was shifted to the Moulvibazar jail from Habiganj Jail on security ground, sources said.   Unocal donates books to DU Geology Deptt Unocal Bangladesh donated books worth 2,000 US dollar to the Geology Department of Dhaka University on April 21, says a press release.   Management Net reunion Apr 29 A reunion of Management Net, organisation of the ex-students of 10 batches of Department of Management (83-92) of Dhaka University, will be held on April 29 at Business Studies Bhaban, says a press release.   Criminal dies in 'crossfire' A listed criminal was killed in 'crossfire' between police and his accomplices in Sihala village in Daulatpur upazila in the early hours yesterday.   Badiul Alam Jebunnessa Trust formed Communication Minister Nazmul Huda inaugurated the "Badiul Alam-Jebunnessa Begum Trust" as the chief guest at a simple ceremony at the Chittagong District Council auditorium recently, says a press release. International Maoists do not control any areas of Nepal Maoists rebels do not control any areas of Nepal, an army general said yesterday after reports that government troops had captured an insurgent headquarters in the remote west of the mountainous kingdom.   Nuclear test would threaten North Korea's future, warns Seoul Any move by North Korea to test a nuclear weapon would only isolate it further and jeopardise the future of the communist state, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon was quoted as saying yesterday.   Quiet commuter town turned into scene of horror in Japan The blue-stripped carriage lay wrapped around the edge of a nine-floor apartment building like a discarded sheet of plastic.   Blair faces Iraq flak as polls race heats up Prime Minister Tony Blair faced demands yesterday to hold an inquiry into Britain's case for war in Iraq as his rivals homed in on his support for the US-led invasion ahead of a May 5 election.   New Iraqi cabinet on hold The unveiling of Iraq's new government was again delayed yesterday because of last-minute negotiations between political factions, a senior Shia politician said and the death toll from two well-coordinated   Last Syria units pack up to quit Lebanon after 29-yr Lebanon's most powerful pro-Syrian security chief resigned yesterday, hours before the last Syrian forces were due to leave their tiny neighbour and end Damascus' 29-year domination.   Charges framed against Laloo Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav was present in a court yesterday, when charges were framed against him and 69 others in a case relating to the Rs 9.5 billion fodder scam.   MMA slams Musharraf's 'obsession for peace' While an upbeat Pakistan government terms President Pervez Musharraf's India visit as highly successful, the opposition Mutta-hida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has said the changed stand on Kashmir would weaken   Astronauts land home safely from ISS Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov, US astronaut Leroy Chiao, and Italy's Roberto Vittori came back to Earth aboard a Soyuz spacecraft early yesterday after completing a mission on the orbiting International   US ponders resolution on intercepting N Korean shipments The administration of President George W.   Czech PM resigns over financing scandal Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross, under pressure to step down over a personal financing scandal, resigned yesterday in a move expected to end a lengthy political crisis. Editorial Editorial: Onslaught on embassy The storming of our embassy in Kuwait, unexpectedly by a large body of Bangladeshi expatriate workers, has been an act of vandalism and is, therefore, highly condemnable.   Editorial: Pathological disorder The incidents that took place at Mirpur after a school boy's tragic death in a road accident on Sunday indicate how bad the problem of lawlessness has become in the city.   Apparels, anxieties and actions On the heels of the heightened hypes hovering around the phasing out of Multi-Fibre Arrangements (MFA), quota-fed exporting countries are trying hard to cope with the crisis.   Parliament in peril The shift from an autocratic presidential form of government to the West-minster type of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh was the outcome of expressed aspiration of its people. Letters to Editor Building collapse Without indulging in the blame game on who gave permission, who went for building a vertical type instead of horizontal type of factory or who was involved in the money whitening process in a high-rise   A shocking revelation! As I was surfing the Internet on the afternoon of April 13 through yahoo search engine to gain latest information on the casualties of the deadly building collapse of Savar, I was stunned, rather horrified,   Laudable support We want to express our deep gratitude to you and your whole team for the relentless support you have shown to us against the radicals.   Bangladesh and EU On the New Year's Day of 1412, the European Union produced a 'good' gift for this ill-fated nation of 143 million people.   Savar tragedy The building collapse in Savar showed that safety of workers is still something totally ignored in this society.   Ban on smoking It sounds very impressive. After all, nobody expected that such concern for public health would be demonstrated by the government.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. All Rights Reserved.