Vol. 5 Num 419 Sun. July 31, 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 Graft cases against top shots see no light About 300 corruption cases filed against top politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and other VIPs during the last 14 years stand pending before court.   JCD cadres rule tender A group of ruling party cadres from Jamalpur and Netrakona yesterday barred others from dropping tenders at the jute ministry in Dhaka for purchasing land and property of the now-defunct Bangladesh Jute   Rift in donor camp on tagging reforms to aid Sharp differences of opinion have surfaced recently in the local consultant group (LCG) of donors on justification of tying non-economic issues, including electoral reforms and governance, to development   Pardon to any convict at military court okay Rumours ran rife yesterday that Law Minister Moudud Ahmed had resigned for his role in 'manoeuvring' presidential pardon to double-murder convict Mohiuddin Ahmed Jhintu while Moudud maintained his ministry   30 tin-roofed houses, 14 shops gutted Thirty tin-roofed houses and 14 shops were gutted in a devastating fire at Karwan Bazar in the city yesterday.   Tk 285cr surface water project for city okayed The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) at a meeting yesterday okayed eight projects involving Tk 1,713 crore.   EC goes for preparing voter list next month The Election Commission (EC) will start from the next month preparing a voter list, likely to be a fresh one, for the next parliamentary election with about one crore prospective voters waiting to beenfranchised.   Rally also condemns state-terrorism The Brazilian flag reads: How can you sleep, Mr Blair? And a poster says: Police killing is no better than al-Qaeda.   CAAB warned of captain's 'unstable mental state' Four months before the Biman DC- 10 aircraft disaster in Chittagong, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) was warned of the unstable and unreliable psychological condition of the captainconcerned,   Creating new landless to rehabilitate landless Indigenous villagers of Baradal woke up on June 22 morning to festivities in a cheerful mood.   Links snapped for 5hrs as train derails near Bhairab Train services on the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Sylhet routes remained snapped for five hours yesterday, as the Sylhet-bound Parabat Express from Dhaka derailed near Bhairab railway station.   Three bodies recovered from the Turag Police yesterday recovered three bodies including that of two leaders of Dhaka city unit of Jatiya Jubo Sanghati, the youth wing of Jatiya Party (Ershad), from the river Turag at Savar.   5 trawlers sink in Bay, 27 missing Five trawlers with 56 fishermen and crew, caught in a sudden storm in the Bay of Bengal, capsized about 150 kilometres from the Kuakata coast on Saturday morning.   Niko starts drilling observation well Instead of the second relief well, Canadian company Niko Resources yesterday began drilling an observation well at Tengratila gas field to get a clear picture of the well structure and its reservoir.   Sircar accused of 'making JS body dysfunctional' The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Private Members' Bills and Resolutions yesterday accused Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar of "making the committee dysfunctional" by not allowing the lawmakers to place   Bigots attack Jamalpur Ahmadiyyas Ahmadiyya community at a village in Sharishabari of Jamalpur district came under attack on Friday night.   Fire at gas pipeline in N'ganj A large quantity of gas was lost due to a fire at the national gas pipeline at Sirajuddowla Road in the town on Friday night.   2 subcommittees formed to probe irregularities of power suppliers A parliamentary watchdog body yesterday formed two subcommittees to enquire systems loss and irregularities of power service providers under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.   UK cops quiz four bomb suspects British police yesterday were questioning four prime suspects behind failed bomb attacks on the London transport system, looking for any links to a wider network that authorities fear could strike again.   Suritola traders protest robbery Several hundred traders of Old Dhaka's Suritola area yesterday took to the streets protesting looting of Tk 62,300 from the cash boxes of six shops at Suritola Madrasa Market on Friday night.   11 industrial units penalised for pollution Inspection teams of the Directorate of Environment yesterday took legal action against 11 industrial units for polluting environment.   Bangladesh-born Rahman fights for US in Iraq As the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment continue their fight in the war on terror, most of them think of it as business and not personal.   Charges pressed against five robber cops Detective Branch (DB) of police yesterday pressed charges against five cops and their three informers in an extortion case.   Lawyers declare four-month agitation plan Sammilta Ainjibi Samannay Parishad (SASP), a forum of pro-opposition lawyers, yesterday announced four-month long action programmes that include holding human chains, observing black day and exchanging   Stale fish curries...   '10th planet' detected Astronomers in the United States have announced the discovery of the 10th planet to orbit our Sun.   14 hurt in intra-party clash at BNP confce At least 14 people including a police officer were injured, four of them seriously, in a clash between two rival factions of the BNP in the city yesterday.   India okays setting up of floodlights on Assam borders The Indian home ministry has cleared a pilot project for installation of floodlights in all vulnerable areas on the Assam-Bangladesh border in an effort to boost anti-infiltration measures along the border.   Star story brings war hero in focus 'Ordeals of a deprived war hero', a July 30 report of The Daily Star on the dire distress of Arafat Ali Khan, an elderly freedom fighter, has brought quite a crowd to Ward 24 at the DMCH. Business Ethics key to boosting private enterprises President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday stressed the need for maintaining ethical practice in business, saying the perception that it is not possible to become rich without being dishonest will create chaos.   Corporate governance guideline needed for developing nations International agencies should come forward to develop a model for corporate governance to help the developing countries practise it, speakers told an international conference in Dhaka yesterday.   Apparel trade bodies agree to end row The country's three main trade bodies of the apparel sector at a joint meeting yesterday agreed to put a stop to the marathon wrangle over allegations of bonded warehouse leakage and under-invoicing.   Saifur asks BB to look into Indian exporters' complaint Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman yesterday asked the Bangladesh Bank governor to look into the complaints lodged by some Indian exporters about payments against their exports.   India wants changes to TRIPs agreement India has sought amendments to the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement to protect the traditional knowledge and bio-diversity.   Court orders FBCCI to include Bangla-China chamber on voter list The High Court yesterday ordered the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to include Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) on voter list.   1st meet of Social Compliance Forum for RMG sector today The first meeting of the Social Compliance Forum for RMG will be held today in the commerce ministry.   Dhaka to attend Bangkok int'l ICT expo Bangladesh will attend the Asia & Oceania region ICT show, the Bangkok International ICT Expo 2005, on August 03-07.   Banglalink's new sales centre opens at Motijheel Cellphone operator Banglalink yesterday inaugurated its new sales and care centre at Motijheel in Dhaka.   Citi adjudged number one valuable financial services brand Citi has again been ranked number 1 most valuable financial services brand in the world by Interbrand, with the results published in the latest issue of BusinessWeek, says a press release.   Oil hits $61 World oil prices jumped to 61 dollars a barrel on Friday after an explosion at a BP refinery in Texas fuelled concerns about energy supplies toward the end of the year.   US trade chief 'optimistic' despite WTO failure The United States is optimistic that a global trade pact can be struck in Hong Kong later this year despite the failure to meet a July target for interim accords, its top trade official said Friday.   US, EU hold fresh talk on aircraft row Washington and Brussels have held fresh talks on their dispute over subsidies for aviation giants Boeing and Airbus, but the World Trade Organisation (WTO) case will continue, US trade chief Rob Portman   Honda India agrees to rehire fired workers The Indian unit of Japan's Honda Motors agreed Saturday to rehire fired and suspended workers after violent clashes between police and striking employees left more than 100 people injured, a report said. Sports Football: Abahani owe it to Tipu Shahajuddin Tipu rolled back the years and earned Abahani a fortuitous 2-1 victory, their first after three matches, against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in the Premier Division football league on Saturday.   Cricket: BCB violates its constitution? The build-up for elections in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) got off to a chaotic start on Saturday when the most demanding sports federation of the country announ-ced a list of ten former national   Cricket: Jayasuriya guides SL Sanath Jaya-suriya shrugged off a shoulder dislocation on Saturday to lead Sri Lanka to a tense three-wicket victory over India in the first match of the Indian Oil Cup triangular one-day series.   Cricket: Target Giles John Buchanan has revealed Australia's plan to hit spinner Ashley Giles out of the England attack -- and pile a greater workload on to the main two strike bowlers in Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff   Cricket: Bangladesh to play in Afro-Asia U-19 cricket The Bangladesh Under-19 team will take part in the Afro-Asian tournament to be held in Vishakhapatnam, India in November.   Asif to light torch Sept 18 Manchester Commonwealth Games gold-winning shooter Asif Hossain Khan will light the torch prior to the ceremonial Queen's Baton Relay here on September 18 marking the Melbourne Commonwealth Games'2006.   Kabadi: School kabaddi Kallyanpur Government Primary School registered a massive 64-15 victory over Mothertek Government Primary School to moved into the quarterfinals of the Mini Kabaddi tournament at the Outer Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Indian viewers miss action Public broadcaster Prasar Bharti Saturday failed to wrest co-telecast rights from Ten Sports for the tri-nation cricket series in Sri Lanka, leaving its viewers with only match highlights.   Chess: Active chess title Rakib's International Master Abdullah Al Rakib became champion in the Dr Quazi Motahar Hussain Active Chess Tournament. He earned six points to clinch the title on Friday.   Football: Robinho drama over Real Madrid and Santos have reached an agreement to end the long-running transfer saga over Robinho with the Brazilian striker poised to sign a five-year deal with the Spanish club.   Cricket: Gilchrist makes Jones' life difficult England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and Australia gloveman Adam Gilchrist have a lot in common.   Swimming: Peirsol, Jones set pool afire Aaron Peirsol and Leisel Jones set world records to win their second gold medals at the World Championships on Friday, while Michael Phelps collected his fourth courtesy of another American relay victory.   Football: The 'Beast' in dreamland Julio Baptista plans to form a spectacular attacking trio when he joins up with fellow Brazilians Ronaldo and Robinho at Real Madrid this season.   Football: 'Good luck Davids' Former Holland star Arnold Muhren is backing fellow countryman Edgar Davids to be a major Premiership success at Tottenham.   Football: Rooney double does it Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Japan's Urawa Reds 2-0 in the last match of their pre-season tour of the Far East on Saturday.   Gen Moeen new BOA chief Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Moeen U Ahmed was elected uncontested yesterday as president of the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA).   Cricket: Collingwood's reminder All-rounder Paul Collingwood gave the England selectors a timely nudge by scoring another century as Durham swept to victory over Somerset in the County Championship.   Cricket: Bowden for Edgbaston Test New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden will replace Aleem Dar for the second Ashes Test at Edgbaston after Dar was forced to return to Pakistan to be with his wife following the premature birth of their baby   A-1 racing launches in Sept Come September and motorsports lovers would be treated to a new genre of car racing -- the A-1 Grand Prix -- which will pit drivers against drivers and country against country, unlike the Formula 1.   Football: Real blank Thai U-23s Real Madrid finished their patchy pre-season world tour on a high note on Friday with a 3-0 victory over Thailand's under-23s. Metropolitan PM asks new secretaries to work with sincerity Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the secretaries to perform their duly duty with sincerity, dedication and commitment.   Regional approach a must to resolve water issue A regional approach to management of trans-boundary rivers is crucial to resolve the water issue between Bangladesh and its neighbouring countries, said the experts at a seminar yesterday.   Govt urged to increase funds for UPs Leaders of the Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum (BUPF) yesterday urged the government to increase allocation for the union parishads (UPs) and remuneration for chairmen and members and block allocation.   '53pc consumers aware of their rights' Only 53 percent of consumers of Dhaka Metropolitan City are conscious about their rights and it is worse in the district sadar, according to a survey report published yesterday by the Consumers Association   66 percent women murdered mainly for dowry Sixty-six percent of women murdered in the country this year are the victims of domestic violence mainly for failure to pay dowry, speakers said at a workshop in Dhaka yesterday.   Ctg USTC staffs abstain from duty The staff of the emergency and outdoor units at Bangabandhu Memorial Hospital of University of Science and Technology, Chittagong (USTC) refrained from duty for about five hours protesting students' assault   Rapist cop on two-day remand Investigators are yet to learn about the accomplices of the rapist policeman, arrested Friday for raping a teenager in a city hotel Thursday.   Three arrestees admit their involvement Police and crime-busting Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested three of the six alleged killers of a young cricketer at Rupnagar in the city during an overnight raid yesterday.   30 injured in AL-BNP clash A clash between activists of ruling BNP and main opposition Awami League (AL) left at least 30 people injured in Kachua upazila in Bagerhat yesterday.   German envoy leaves today with new posting in Myanmar German Ambassador in Bangladesh Dietrich Andreas leaves Dhaka today for Myanmar to take up his new posting there.   DUDS, GoD in final Dhaka University Debating Society-1 (DUDS) and Group of Debaters (GoD) yesterday reached the final of the Third Holy Cross-Coca-Cola and The Daily Star Debate Festival 2005 that began in the capital on   SSKOP strike called off Sangbadik Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SSKOP) at a meeting at the National Press Club in the city yesterday called off its tomorrow's 24-hour strike in the newspapers and news agencies followingthe   Four children rescued from traffickers Four children were rescued from alleged human traffickers in Gazipur district town Friday afternoon.   Child trafficker handed 30yr imprisonment A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a man to 30 years rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping two children for trafficking in January 1999.   Accused Jubo Dal leader held An accused in Dhaka City Corporation Ward Commissioner Saidur Rahman Newton Murder Case was arrested from Ghior in Manikganj on Friday.   Khulna transport workers clash with Rab : 7 hurt Three members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and four transport workers were injured in a clash at a place near Khulna University yesterday. National No steps yet to ease Sylhet power crisis Power outage for hours has become an every day affair in Sylhet region, causing great inconveniences to people. As in every year, the menace began this year with the beginning of summer.   Fresh threat haunts Satkhira Ahmadiyyas Over 5000 Ahmadiyyas in Jyotindranagar in Shyamnagar upazila are in panic following a renewed threat by Khatme Nabuat Movement Bangladesh (KNMB) that their mosque at Sundarban Bazar would be capturedon   We’ll go to JS if consensus reached on reforms Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil has said talks on electoral and caretaker reforms should be held outside parliament.   14 fishermen missing in Bay untraced Fourteen fishermen missing in the Bay since Friday following capsize of a fishing boat are yet to be traced.   3 killed, 50 hurt in Mymensingh road mishap At least three persons were killed and people 50 injured when a Bhairab bound passenger bus from Mymensingh skidded off the Mymensingh-Kishoreganj highway at Dangri in Nandail upazila yesterday.   Indigenous women demand right to husband’s property Women representatives from five indigenous communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have demanded equal rights in family and husband's property.   CPB procession, rally in Manikganj Manikganj district unit of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday brought out a procession in the town and held a rally on the Press Club premises as part of the party's month-long programme   Monument for martyred Ffs in Patuakhali A monument to remember martyred freedom fighters in Patuakhali was inaugurated on Friday.   Stand-off over JCD committee heightens tension at RU Tension is running high on the Rajshahi University campus following the stand-off and wrangling between two rival factions of Jatiyatabadi Chhtra Dal (JCD) over formation of the new Rajshahi JCD convening Point-Counterpoint The Islamist terrorist and the Islamic apologist The terror of September 11, 2001 has produced a great deal of anger against Islam in the western world; it has also produced a crop of apologists, both among Muslims everywhere and in the west.   Great Game reloaded In a major twist to the continuing Great Game on Central Asia's landmass, Russia and China are attempting to reclaim the dominant role in the region that they ceded to the US in the aftermath of 9/11.   Meeting our energy needs The undeniable truth is that our world today runs on electricity. Electric power has instant availability and is the energy of choice for providing creature comfort at home and at work.   Lesson that city bombers need to learn Terrorist bombings in London, where a great scientist by the name of Sir Isaac Newton is buried, raise important questions of morality and laws of motion. Culture Chhayanaut's musical soiree Chhayanaut, a leading music school, has been organising fundraisers for the construction of it's new building for a year and a half.   Faridpur Theatre presents Kajol Rekha Mymensingh-Geetika embodies numerous folklores. It is a collection of Pala by the bards and poets of greater Mymensingh region compiled by Dr Dinesh Chondro Sen.   The King of comedy is no more Bob Hope, the legendary comedian whose quick wit, daring personality and ski-sloped nose made him an icon of 20th-century entertainment, has died. He was 100. International Two Britons killed in southern Iraq Two British civilians were killed and two Iraqi children wounded Saturday when a bomb blew up near a convoy of four-wheel drive vehicles southwest of Basra in southern Iraq, a British army officer told   Mumbai launches massive recovery operation Workers began a massive cleanup and rescuers searched for survivors under mountains of debris in western India after record monsoon rains claimed 920 lives, officials said Saturday.   Militants killed as clash with troops ends Two militants who fought a day-long gunbattle with security forces were killed Saturday ending an intense clash in the heart of Indian Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, police said.   Man attacked Saddam in court: Lawyers Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was attacked by an unidentified man during his appearance at a court hearing in Baghdad on Thursday, his defense team said on Saturday.   Manmohan, Pervez to meet at UNGA in New York Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New York in September this year on the sideline of the UN General Assembly session.   Indian jet skids off rain-soaked runway An Air India plane carrying more than 300 passengers skidded off the runway in India's monsoon-lashed commercial hub of Mumbai Saturday, an airline spokesman said, adding that all passengers were safe.   Women candidates defy election ban call in Pakistan More than 300 women candidates have filed papers to stand in local elections in northwest Pakistan, defying a ban called by Islamic clerics in the conservative region, activists said Friday.   Arrested man confesses to bombings: Italian press The man believed to be the fourth would-be bomber in the failed July 21 attacks said he and his accomplices wanted their attack to spread fear in London, in an apparent confession reported by Italiannewspapers Editorial Editorial: Murder of NGO workers THE brutal killing of two men who worked for the international NGO Christian Life Bangladesh is both shocking and horrific.   Editorial: Voter list and ID card THE majority of the political parties, which met the Chief Election Commissioner at his initiative, have demanded a new voter list for the next general election.   Presidential clemency for a convicted murderer! For a week or so, presidential clemency granted to a convicted murderer has been in the news.   It concerns us all WHEN President Bush introduced his wife to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said here was a person who had more Muslims than any other country except Indonesia, but none of them was the Al-Qaida type. Letters to Editor 'SIM card crisis' To use a cellphone SIM card is a must for the subscribers. A few months ago it was available in the market and people could easily get it at a reasonable price.   Big mistake? The Daily Star is in my view the best English newspaper in our country, but last Thursday on page four I saw an amusing advertisement. The ad was on Saifur's BBA (IBA) admission coaching centre.   Please suggest something I am the only child of my parents. After being born, my mother's leg was paralysed. Of course my mother could walk with the help of a stick.   Ode to July In the yearly cycle of months, we are at the fag end of July. In season's swinging mood, it weaves magic alternating in sunshine, dark clouds, drizzle and heavy shower.   Ministers' sartorial preference I adore Mr. S Ahmed for his observation (DS 4/7/05) on the subject which has drawn my attention.   Jute mills Our Association is surprised to read the news published in your daily on 30-06-2005 regarding the statement in the JS on 29.06.2005 by Mr Shajahan Siraj, the Minister for Textiles and Jute. Star Health Back pain of Sciatica could be managed by self-care The longest nerve in your body, the sciatic nerve runs from pelvis through hip area and buttocks and down each leg.   The role of physiotherapy in pregnancy Regular exercise during pregnancy can prepare your body for the rigors of labour and help you to reach your pre-pregnancy weight goal sooner.   Cosmetic surgery: Steps you may like to consider Cosmetic surgery -- you have seen it advertised in newspapers, featured on television programs, displayed on the faces of celebrities. It is guaranteed to shave decades off your appearance.   Vitamin E may protect against Parkinson's Eating food rich in vitamin E may help protect against Parkinson's disease, scientists said. Star City The making of 'stars' in the crime world Sagir Ahmed, alleged criminal and Old Dhaka's ruling party leader was gunned down in broad daylight on June 24. Shaon, a suspect was immediately arrested and shot dead.   Where terror holds the reins Tejgaon Notorious criminal Sweden Aslam and Pichchi Hannan controlled Tejgaon. Hannan was killed in a 'crossfire' with Rab and Aslam is behind bars.   Supply crisis in timber business Some three lakh workers directly or indirectly involved in timber business in Dhaka are living in anxiety as the price hike of raw timber has put their future at risk.   Traffic information through SMS, internet and television To provide the commuters with updated traffic information on a daily basis, Nodi Enterprise, a private company is going to launch SMS, internet and television updating system in association with the traffic   DU authorities silent about 'dual education' Many Dhaka University students are simultaneously studying in different colleges under the National University and private universities in violation of rules.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. All Rights Reserved.