| Front Page | 
Mobile courts hit road to nab adulterators
Two mobile courts today begin a round-the-year operations to hunt down unscrupulous traders who spray chemicals on fruits, a serious health concern.
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Fake medicines reign
Counterfeit versions of a number of medicines, including life saving drugs, are flooding the market in Bangladesh, putting patients at serious risk, an investigation by The Daily Star has found.
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Interpol invited to probe 'disclosures'
The government has invited Interpol to carry out a follow-up probe into last year's grisly grenade attack on an Awami League rally following 'disclosure of crucial clues' by two recent high-profile arrestees.
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Unusual Business
A gang known as Tokai Billal Bahini dives into a Wasa khal (lake) at Kamalapur Titipara in the city to collect empty phensidyle bottles.
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Widespread graft hurts Dhaka's FDI potential
Widespread corruption is hurting Bangladesh's potentials for foreign direct investment and economic growth, US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca observed Tuesday.
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Grant LDCs duty-free market access
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the South to help the least developed countries (LDCs) through duty-free market access, enhanced investment, infrastructure support, cooperation in IT sector
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Slash call tariff
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday rejected the private cellphone operators' plea for withdrawal of the newly imposed tax on SIM (subscriber identity module) card and suggested slashing their
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Charge framed against 16 including 5 journos
An additional sessions judge yesterday framed charges against all the 16 chargesheeted accused, including five journalists, in the sensational journalist Shamsur Rahman murder case.
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Anti-govt lawyers ignore ban
A group of anti-government lawyers yesterday formed a human chain on the Supreme Court (SC) Bar Association building premises despite a High Court ban on all types of agitation on the court premises.
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Int'l HR body warns of Pak fate for Bangladesh
Human Rights Watch (HRW), a New York-based organisation, yesterday warned that Bangladesh would face a situation similar to Pakistan's if the discrimination against the Ahmadiyya community is allowedto
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StanChart acquires American Express
Standard Chartered Bank has signed an agreement to acquire businesses of American Express Bank Limited in Bangladesh.
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JP to join alliance 'in due time'
The Jatiya Party (JP) led by HM Ershad in a significant development of its policy yesterday decided to join a political alliance "at an appropriate time" ahead of the next parliamentary election.
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Thomas' remarks tantamount to interference
The Awami League (AL) took serious exception to the US ambassador's remarks about Bangladesh's domestic politics, as party General Secretary Abdul Jalil said it is tantamount to interference into internal
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Uproar at court over Bidisha's bail petition
Lawyers for Bidisha, the estranged wife of former president HM Ershad, yesterday insisted on a magistrate's granting her bail in a cheating case under the bailable section, but he refused to take up the
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Mobile operators refute Saifur's comments
The private mobile phone companies have reacted sharply to the finance minister's comment on high call tariff and incoming call charge.
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First ODI today
When Bangladesh play their first game of the NatWest tri-series against hosts England at the Oval on Today, they can be assured of facing one thing, a ruthless opposition.
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Outlaw killed in 'crossfire'
A cadre of underground Purba Banglar Communist Party's Janajuddha faction was killed in 'crossfire' between police and outlaws in Harinakundu upazila in Jhenidah in the early hours yesterday.
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CIC to trace VAT, duty evasion
The government has empowered the NBR central intelligence cell (CIC) officials to find out how taxes on import duty and value added taxes (VAT) are evaded.
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Ground water depletion led to Jessore crack
A geological survey team has identified the cause of the crack developed on the earth surface of two villages under Jessore Sadar upazila as indiscriminate extraction of underground water and the adverse
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JS witnesses unlimited speeches
Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar yesterday allowed freestyle speeches of the back-bench members of the treasury bench in parliament, apparently to cover the time allocated for discussion on the proposed budget
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Statement recording date shifted
A court here yesterday shifted the date for recording statements of witnesses in the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd (CUFL) jetty arms haul case to July 6.
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Mosharraf rebuts gift allegation
The energy ministry in a clarification yesterday refuted the allegation that the Canadian oil company Niko Resources had given a Toyota Land Cruiser worth Tk 85 lakh for the use of State Minister AKMMosharraf
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| Business |
Delay in settlement of credit sales hinders SME growth
Delays in settlement of credit sales are heavily affecting the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as these firms have limited financial leverage, Bangladesh Bank Governor Salehuddin Ahmed told a seminar
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Viral disease taking toll on Satkhira shrimp farming
Shrimp cultivation is being affected alarmingly as a viral disease, 'white spot', has broken out in an epidemic form in almost all enclosures in the district caused by climatic change and severe hot wave
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Cut in farm subsidies needed
New World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz said Tuesday the key to helping Africa's poor cotton growers was to cut the subsidies paid to US and European agriculture producers.
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Leasing firms seek waiver of tax deduction at source
Bangladesh Leasing and Finance Companies Association (BLFCA) yesterday urged the government to waive the proposed 10 percent deduction of tax at source on the interest income of Term Deposit Receipts(TDRs)
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Handloom product fair in Bogra pulling huge crowd
The month-long handloom product fair in Bogra town is pulling huge crowd everyday.
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EU, Japan must do more for global growth: US
Europe and Japan are not doing enough to boost the world economy and must embark on "Vigorous structural reforms" to quicken growth and help address global imbalances, US Treasury Secretary John Snowsaid
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DSE opposes ADB proposal for merger of bourses
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday rejected an ADB proposal for merger of the two stock exchanges, but agreed to consider a demutualisation after an study of similar actions in neighbouring countries.
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Bangladesh Lamps okays 25pc cash dividend
Bangladesh Lamps Limited, the official licensee of Philips Electronics NV Holland for lighting products and manufacturer of Philips electric bulb, has declared a 25 percent cash dividend.
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Shipping corp announces 5pc dividend
Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) announced a 5 percent dividend for its shareholders for the FY 2003-04 at the 27th annual general meeting of the corporation held here yesterday.
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Xerox launches 31 new products
Xerox Corporation, a US-based IT company, yesterday launched 31 new products, including copier, scanner and printer for the country's market.
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Rangpur Foundry declares 15pc dividend
Rangpur Foundry Ltd has declared a 15 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year 2004.
The dividend was approved at the 25th annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday in Dhaka, says a pressrelease.
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Cat's Eye celebrates 25th anniversary
Cat's Eye, a local apparel brand, organised a press conference in Dhaka yesterday to mark its 25th founding anniversary, says a press release.
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Opec raises production quota to 28 million bpd
Opec decided on Wednesday to raise its production ceiling by 500,000 barrels per day to 28 million bpd on July 1, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi and his Nigerian counterpart said.
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Developing countries want wealthy to meet aid target
The Group of 77 developing nations and China are to call on wealthy countries to honour pledges of additional aid to close the gap between rich and poor at a two-day summit that opens here Wednesday.
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Indonesia to give visas on arrival to 14 more states
Indonesia will allow tourists from 14 more countries, including China and India, to buy visas on arrival in a bid to boost tourism, the tourism ministry said Wednesday.
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| Sports |
Cricket:
Tigers think about own game
It was raining in London on Wednesday morning, the day before Bangladesh launch the second part of their demanding England tour at the grand old Oval which also boasts holding the first-ever officialTest
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Football:
Arch rivals' exciting stalemate
A 46th minute strike by Gha-naian striker Audu Ibrahim helped Abahani salvage one point against arch-rivals Mohammedan in the Premier Football League on Wednesday.
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Football:
Refreshingly fanatic
Diehard supporters gathering in numbers around team buses after an Abahani-Mohammedan football clash is not a common scene these days.
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Athletics:
Powell sets 100m new world mark
Jamaica's Asafa Powell broke the 100 metres world record here on Tuesday running 9.77 seconds.
The 22-year-old's mark eclipses the old time of 9.78sec set by Tim Montgomery in Paris in September 2002.
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Football:
A study in contrast
World Cup holders Brazil meet surprise Euro-pean champions Greece in their first match of the Confederations Cup on Thursday which should provide a fascinating contrast in styles.
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Cricket:
'Take Ashes initiative'
West Indies star Brian Lara has told England they must forget about trying to play a containing game if they want to wrest the Ashes back from Australia.
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Football:
Evenly matched foes
Japan, who meet Mexico in the Confedera-tions Cup on Thursday, must raise their game if they are to repeat or surpass their exploits at the 2002 World Cup on home soil, captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto believes.
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Football:
Maradona in Serbia for documentary
Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona arrived here Tuesday for a brief visit to be filmed for a documentary about his colourful life by celebrated Balkan director Emir Kusturica.
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Football:
Socceroos' skipper delighted
Australia international captain Craig Moore is delighted his country have finally been given the go-ahead to join the Asian World Cup qualifying zone for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
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Football:
A Roman wedding
AS Roma captain Francesco Totti's wedding on Sunday is set to bring central Rome to a standstill with all the scheduled masses at his chosen church cancelled to avoid unwanted guests.
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Football:
No question about who are the favourites
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Tuesday his team should start the 2006 World Cup as favourites to defend their title.
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Football:
Cristiano Ronaldo staying?
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo looks certain to continue his career at Old Trafford.
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Football:
Confederations Cup champs to get 2.275m euros
The Confederations Cup champions will receive 2.275m euros for lifting the championship, it was announced on Tuesday.
The runners-up will take home 1.94m euros with 1.
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Football:
007 to the rescue!
Secret agent 007 turned football agent for a day to help Rangers win the race to sign former Marseille captain Brahim Hemdani.
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Football:
Rahmatganj on top after first leg
Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society registered their sixth victory beating Dhanmondi Club 1-0 to finish on top of the table at the end of the first-leg of the First Division Football League yesterday.
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Football:
MFLC rejects Abahani appeal
The Metropolis Football League Committee (MFLC) has rejected Abahani's appeal to declare goalkeeper Shakil an illegal player of Arambagh.
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| Metropolitan |
Topple govt to save country, environment: Hasina
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina yesterday called on the people to topple the government in order to save the country as well as the environment.
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New law makes land registration mandatory
A new law comes into effect on July 1, which will make registration mandatory for any kind of land ownership, transfer or mortgage, said Law Minister Moudud Ahmed at a press briefing yesterday.
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No headway 4yrs into AL office blast at N'ganj
While the family members of the victims are yet to recover themselves from the losses of their dear ones, the "mystery" of the bomb attack at the Awami League (AL) office at Chashara on this date in 2001
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Two killed in city road accidents
Two people, including a minor domestic help, were killed in separate road accidents in the city yesterday.
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Govt has cheated Ctg people
Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury Wyesterday criticised the government saying it has cheated people of Chittagong as regional disparity still persists.
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Ward commissioner goes on rampage at judge's chamber
A ward commissioner of Narayanganj municipality yesterday went on the rampage at a judge's chamber in the town.
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Tk 284.55 cr KCC budget
The Khulna City Corporation announced a budget of Tk 284.55 crore for 2005-06 fiscal year yesterday, with no new taxes proposed.
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Outgoing Pak HC meets president
President Iajuddin Ahmed said strengthening the aarc is an imperative for the South Asian nations.
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University in rented house not desirable
President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday urged the educational institutions to come up to absorb the needed change to provide quality education.
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'Manipulation of legal process a major obstacle to justice'
Speakers at a roundtable yesterday said manipulations at different levels of the legal process of the cases relating to violence against women and children are a major obstacle to justice.
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Nine robbers get life for killing one 4 others acquitted
A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced nine robbers to life in jail for killing Titu, a resident of the city's Shyampur area in May, 2003.
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Gen Moeen takes over as new Army Chief
The new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Moeen U Ahmed, yesterday took over command of Bangladesh Army from outgoing army chief Lt. General Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, says an ISPR press release.
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UK visa fees to change from July 1
As the British government is going to change UK visa fees from July 1 following approval by its Privy Council, a visa official at the British High Commission (HC) here said it has been simplified than
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Acid thrown on housewife in Mymensingh
A housewife sustained severe acid burn injuries when rivals threw acid on her at Jhalua village in Nandail Upazila on Tuesday night.
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PM returns home tonight
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to return home tonight concluding her 3-day visit to Qatar.
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| Point-Counterpoint |
Fixing the arsenic problem
The lead report by Mr. Naimul Haq on the above topic in The Daily Star was a great hope for many arsenic sufferers in the country. Thanks to Prof.
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Tri-nation gas pipeline : Must be handled with caution and care
Atri-nation (Bangladesh-Myanmar-India) meeting is reported to be held soon to discuss the issue of supply of gas from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh.
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My friend Emran, as I knew him
After Ejazul Huq (Emran) got settled in his new job in Dhaka as Secretary Textiles on return from Washington where he served as Economic Minister in Bangladesh Embassy, I visited him at his office atthe
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| Culture |
Runa Laila : All for a good cause
The board members of the Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh (SWID-Bangladesh) Ramna Branch once requested me to visit their society premises.
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For the love of cinema
"Right now our films face a number of crises -- lack of preservation and collection of our movies being two of the most important ones," say Shafiuzzaman Khan Lodi and Shameem Alam Dipen.
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Ah, wilderness!
BKS Inan's photography exhibition "Sundarbans -- Sounds of Silence" is on at the Bengal Gallery.
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| General |
Prepare for supreme sacrifice for nation
Summer Graduation Parade marking the commissioning of No 51 GD(P) and No 3, 4 and 6 Special Engineering Courses of the Bangladesh Air Force was held at the BAF Academy Parade Square in Jessore yesterday,
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Doctor killed in road accident
Dr Saidul Islam, orthopaedic surgeon and associate professor of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, was killed in a road accident on June 7, says a press relese.
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| International |
17 killed in Iraqi army canteen attack
At least 17 soldiers were killed Wednesday when a man dressed in Iraqi army uniform blew himself up at a canteen on a military base northeast of Baghdad, security and hospital sources said.
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Annan in new probe
A newly disclosed memo appeared to cast doubt on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's insistence he was unaware of a bid by a Swiss firm that employed his son for a lucrative contract under the scandal-tainted
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Blair, Chirac disagree over EU budget
British Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted Tuesday that this week's EU summit was unlikely to resolve the raging row over how the bloc is financed, citing "sharp disagreement" with French President Jacques
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2 militants die in gunbattle near Kashmir's main city
Indian troops Wednesday shot dead two Islamic militants during a gunbattle near revolt-hit Kashmir's main city of Srinagar, the army said.
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Karadzic will never surrender, says his brother
The UN war crimes tribunal top fugitive Radovan Karadzic, charged for genocide during Bosnia's 1992-95 war, will never turn himself in, his brother told a local paper Wednesday.
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'Laden alive and well'
Osama bin Laden is in good health, a Taliban commander said, dismissing speculation the fugitive al Qaeda leader was sick.
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VHP wants Advani to go, BJP rejects
The main opposition in India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday rejected the VHP's demand that LK Advani should quit politics and asked the Sangh Parivar outfit to "mind its own business.
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| Editorial |
Editorial:
Returning to parliament
The news that an Awami League MP recently joined parliament briefly in order not to forfeit his seat captures the assailability of the AL decision to boycott parliament.
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Editorial:
Poisoned food
It is perhaps the first time that five people have been sentenced to six months in jail for using chemicals to ripen mangoes. The home ministry's move is a commendable one.
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Defence or development: The unending debate
June is the budget month for us. And every year it appears as a major cause of alarm for the poor of Bangladesh.
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Are Iranian hardliners being facilitated?
Crises in and around Iran continue, though its internal crisis is not in focus here. But it is bound to intrude.
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| Letters to Editor |
Pre-paid electricity
It was a welcome photo (DS May 25) of pre-paid electricity meters being tested by the government before the pilot project in Uttara, to be followed by regular installation (for millions of cards) allover
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Fare meters
As a harassed pensioner, I suggest to the honourable minister for transport (and/or communications) to take a few incognito rides on autorickshaws to taxis fitted with fare meters.
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Pains of death
I was moved to read your reader's letter on Rab (May 12th). She should know the pains of death at the hands of a criminal, having lost her own husband that way.
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Dead telephones
We, the inhabitants of Fakirerpool, would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned through this column that we are suffering from telephone problem for the last four weeks.
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Solar power stations
Cheery news in The Daily Star this morning (May 19). The Russians are setting up a solar electric power station in Chittagong, in addition to a conventional electric supply station.
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