Vol. 5 Num 532 Fri. November 25, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Special World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page BNP sacks Hena for anti-militant talk The ruling BNP yesterday expelled its lawmaker Abu Hena from the party for his remarks against the rise of Islamist militants under the direct patronage of a section of the party and the government, terming   Ouster shows govt's support for militancy Expelled from the ruling BNP for his recent statements against religious militancy, lawmaker Abu Hena said the decision to expel him proves that the ruling alliance is dedicated to bringing about militants'   Trade gap widens in quota-free era A downslide in export growth due mainly to inadequate policy measures to counteract the negative impacts of the MFA quota abolition scaled up the country's trade imbalance by a staggering 239 percentin   Sporadic clashes mark 14-party hartal Opposition activists clashed with police in riot gear in the capital yesterday during the 14-party sponsored dawn-to-dusk hartal leaving at least 30 people, including an Awami League (AL) lawmaker and   SP, 5 NGOs get JMB threat Cadres of the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) yesterday threatened to kill Netrakona superintendent of police (SP) through a letter while they sent letters to five NGOs in Barisal Wednesday afternoon   IMF for further belt-tightening International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday asked the government to further tighten its monetary policy, limit non-concessional borrowing and reduce public expenditure in order to ease inflation and the   Jalil pledges to resist govt high-ups' move Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil yesterday condemned the government high-ups' suggestion for toughening laws against the press. "We shall resist the government move to enact such laws.   Textbooks portray distorted culture of indigenous people The culture and lifestyle of the country's indigenous populations have been presented in the primary school textbooks in a negative way, giving an impression of their inferiority on the young minds, indigenous   Waiting for her fate...   3 foreign criminals' den busted in Bandarban The army yesterday busted three dens of foreign criminals at Murong Tong in Bandarban near the Myanmar border and seized seven rifles, parts of firearms and some documents.   Political goodwill, commitment vital to fighting graft Only goodwill and commitment of the politicians can root out corruption from the country, said panel speakers and participants at an open dialogue of BBC Bangla Service yesterday.   Transport strike postponed until Nov 27 on govt assurance The opposition-backed transport workers have postponed the countrywide indefinite transport strike until November 27.   Charges pressed against 4 JMB men, Moulana Masud spared The Detective Branch (DB) of police yesterday pressed charges against four members of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) while exonerated former Islamic Foundation director Moulana Fariduddin Masud   Bhuiyan asks AL to set time for dialogue on EC reforms BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan has urged Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil to set date and time for dialogue on reforms of the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair election   Robber killed in 'crossfire' A highway robber was killed in 'crossfire' as Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and his accomplices clashed yesterday.   Niko says it's not quitting Bangladesh Canadian Niko Resources yesterday categorically said the company is not quitting Bangladesh.   Trade, terrorism top C'wealth agenda Leaders of the 53 Commonwealth nations representing one fifth of global trade began gathering in Malta yesterday for a summit which officials hope will deliver a fresh impetus to upcoming WTO trade talks.   48 killed in twin Iraqi suicide bombings A suicide car bomber attacked a hospital south of Baghdad yesterday, killing 34 people while another bombing in a crowded market killed 14 others in Hilla.   Japanese spacecraft lands on asteroid Japan's space agency said Wednesday its spacecraft had successfully touched down on an asteroid 180 million miles from Earth despite an earlier announcement that it had failed.   A DCC worker ..........   52 smugglers held in Bay A patrol team of Bangladesh Navy arrested 52 smugglers and held seven engine boats with over 1,400 tonnes of salt and sugar on Wednesday afternoon on Sandwip Channel of the Bay of Bengal.   OC Rafiq denied bail again A Dhaka court has again rejected bail to suspended officer-in-charge (OC) AKM Rafiqul Islam of Motijheel Police Station in the Kamrul Islam Momin murder case.   People suffering from insecurity Awami League (AL) President and Opposition Leader Sheikh Hasina yesterday accused the BNP-led alliance government of turning the country into a land of bomb and grenade attacks by patronising the militant   Abdul Halim new cabinet secretary ASM Abdul Halim was appointed as the new cabinet secretary yesterday replacing Dr Saadat Hussain. This was Halim's second term contractual appointment.   BSF kills one in Chuadanga The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi national in Chuadanga on Wednesday night.   Charge sheet against 10 in Meherpur Police yesterday pressed charges against 10 people for their alleged involvement in bomb blasts in the district during the August 17 countrywide serial bombings.   2 bombs go off near mosques Two bombs went off in front of two mosques in the town in a span of one hour beginning on Wednesday night.   Mild tremor jolts Ctg A mild tremor, measuring 2.4 on the Richter Scale, shook the port city and its adjoining areas yesterday morning. There was, however, no report of any causality or damage.   Rejoinder, our reply Mohammad Anwar Hossain, commissioner of Ward No. Business Bangladesh gets attention of more French companies French trade commissioners from South Asian region yesterday vowed to promote Bangladesh as a future investment destination for French companies.   Social compliance scheme for knitwear units launched Knitwear sub-sector of the apparel sector yesterday launched its social compliance development programme in an effort to meet buyers' requirements.   Mid-income people eye 850-1,300 sqf flats A large number of mid-income people yesterday flocked to the Rehab housing fair at Dhaka Sheraton hotel, showing interest in 850-1,300-square-foot flats.   3-day knitwear exhibition begins Dec 13 A three-day Bangladesh knitwear exhibition, showcasing the country's knit products, will begin here on December 13.   EU trade chief warns of high stakes in WTO talks EU trade chief Peter Mandelson warned Europe's trade partners Wednesday against making "unrealistic demands", saying they could walk away from crunch trade talks empty handed.   Oil prices drop as US crude reserves go up World oil prices fell on Wednesday after stronger US crude inventories helped to offset concerns about shortfalls in heating fuel supplies this winter. Sports Football: Full marks for Brothers Ibnul Siraji struck the quickest goal of the National Football League to inspire defending champions Brothers Union to a decent start in the fifth edition of the competition with a 2-0 win over hostsKhulna   Cricket: A dramatic Faisalabad draw Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles kept their cool in testing conditions to salvage a draw after England's top batting order collapsed on the last day of the second Test against Pakistan on Thursday.   Cricket: Security up in Kolkata Police said they have tightened security for possible protests during Friday's one-dayer between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in the home city of deposed Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.   Cricket: Aussies eye clean sweep Ricky Ponting is demanding that his Australian team banish the "dead-rubber syndrome" mentality as they attempt to complete a three-Test sweep over the hapless West Indies here on Friday.   Indian TV law may affect many Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) general secretary Mahbub Anam yesterday declined to make any comments about the new Indian TV law, which may reduce television revenues of other national cricket boards.   Football: Chelsea, Liverpool & Inter in last 16 European champions Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea moved into the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, although Liverpool took their place despite being held to a goalless draw at Anfieldby   Football: Emperor strikes back The city of Milan's two Champions League contenders flexed their muscles with 4-0 victories on Wednesday and stunning hat-tricks from strikers Andriy Shevchenko and Adriano.   Football: Best on deathbed Football legend George Best was on death's doorstep in hospital here on Thursday and unlikely to live another day, his doctors said.   Cricket: Lanka look to Tests Sri Lanka's cricket captain Marvan Atapattu said on Thursday he was confident his team can record its first Test victory in India despite the recent 6-1 one-day series drubbing.   Cricket: Inzamam gets Hanif's pat Former batting great Hanif Mohammad on Friday praised captain Inzamamul Haq on becoming the second Pakistani batsman to score a century in each innings of a Test against England.   Cricket: Pakistan recall paceman Asif Pakistan on Thursday recalled fast bowler Mohammad Asif for the third and final cricket Test against England. "We have made only one change in the squad.   Cricket: Div I cricket starts today The First Division Cricket League commences today at three venues across the city.   Cricket: Taibu quitting Zimbabwe cricket captain Tatenda Taibu is to resign Thursday from the captaincy and from international cricket as a Test and one-day international player, he told AFP.   Cricket: Fourth loss for England U-19s England Under-19 team's losing streak in the tour of Bangladesh continued as they crashed to their fourth consecutive defeat to Bangladesh Cricket Board High Performance (HP) squad in Khulna yesterday.   Cricket: 2007 World Cup tickets go on sale May 1 Tickets for the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) in the West Indies will go on sale on May 1, 2006, and start at 10 US dollars, officials said.   Chess: Chess League draw today The number draw of the Dutch-Bangla Bank First Division Chess League, which commences tomorrow, will be held at the NSC conference room today.   Cricket: Another 'fifty' for Botham Ian Botham, one of English cricket's greatest players, is celebrating another milestone.   Football: SL-Bangladesh U-17 qualifier today Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the second leg of the AFC Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round in Colombo today.   Ref Dalil Khan no more Mohammedan Sporting Club yesterday condoled the death of famous FIFA referee and footballer Dalil Khan. Dalil, who was 80, died of old age ailment at his residence in Mirpur on Wednesday.   Cricket: Strauss to miss third Pak Test England opener Andrew Strauss will miss next week's third Test against Pakistan as he is flying back home to attend the birth of his first child, an official said Thursday.   Cricket: BD U-19' last match today Bangladesh will be pitted against South Africa in their last league match today in the Afro-Asia Under-19 cricket tournament in Visakhapatnam, India. Metropolitan 13th summit gives big boost to Saarc A panel of diplomats and think tanks yesterday said that despite weakness, skepticism and slow progress, seven South Asian leaders' firm commitment made through the 13th Saarc Summit to poverty alleviation   Honesty, neutrality a must for PSC officials: PM Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said that honesty, efficiency, intelligence and neutrality are imperative for all officials and employees of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to fairly performthe   2 addicts held from DMCH ladies’ toilet Staffs of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) caught two drug addicts from a ladies' toilet yesterday and handed them over to police.   Five killed in road accidents Three people were killed and two others severely injured when a truck bound for Swarankhola upazila of Bagerhat district dashed a roadside tree at Noapara under Fakirhat upazila at about 5.00am yesterday.   Opposition to join JS after consensus on reforms Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Coordinator of the 14-party opposition alliance Abdul Jalil yesterday said the opposition will join parliament only when consensus on the caretaker government and   Orbis team calls on President President Iajuddin Ahmed has stressed the need for a social movement to create mass awareness about blindness.   Attack on media protested The Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ) yesterday expressed deep concern over a blistering attack on the media and provocative comments by some ministers and BNP lawmakers in parliament on Tuesday.   Patuakhali Polytech rooms ransacked Cadres of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of ruling BNP, ransacked six rooms of the Patuakhali Polytechnic Institute demanding cancellation of the transfer order of a teacher.   Expulsion of Abu Hena is unfortunate, says Hamid Deputy Leader of the Opposition and former speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate yesterday said the expulsion of Abu Hena MP from the ruling BNP is 'unfortunate'.   'Bomber' Taleb arrested in Khulna Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested 'bomber' Abu Taleb on Wednesday night from Jaipur at Rupsha upazila of the district and recovered a live hand bomb and many bomb making materials from his possession.   Pro-Huda JAF Eid reunion postponed The Eid reunion of pro-Huda Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), scheduled scheduled to be held today on the Supreme Court precinct, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.   PCJSS protests army statement Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday protested an army headquarters' statement published in some national dailies on Wednesday.   Patuakhali Polytech rooms ransacked Cadres of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of ruling BNP, ransacked six rooms of the Patuakhali Polytechnic Institute demanding cancellation of the transfer order of a teacher.   Unruly people set fire to bus Unruly people in the guise of passengers set fire to a bus near Kakrail in the city at the closing hour of yesterday's hartal.   Man resembling Bangla Bhai arrested Police arrested a man resembling the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) operations commander Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai.   Condition of Shahadat Chy improves The condition of Shahadat Chowdhury, editor of the Saptahik 2000, who was admitted to the Cardiac Centre of Birdem Hospital with respiratory problems on Wednesday, has improved.   Rajshahi BNP welcomes expulsion Leaders of Rajshahi BNP yesterday welcomed the expulsion of Abu Hena MP from the party. Culture The mellifluous composer The evergreen song Orey neel dorya is an all-time favourite of music lovers. The song from the soundtrack of the popular film Shareng Bou, made in the 70s, became a classic.   Morshedul Islam's film Duratta to be screened As the 36th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Goa on November 24, there will be something more than sun, sand on the Arabian Sea coast and cinema on the silvery beaches.   Nabanno Utshab '05 To celebrate the Nabanno Festival, Jatiyo Nobanno Utshab Porshad has organised a day-long special programme at the Bakul-tola of the Institute of Fine Arts today.   All set for a new directorial venture Popular director Nargis Akhtar is working on her new feature film, Poush Masher Pirit. The sound tracks of the film have already been recorded and Nargis hopes to begin shooting from December25.   Shimana: A new serial on Channel i Channel i is set to telecast yet another drama serial, Shimana.   An indigenous cultural function An interesting cultural function of the Garos was held at the Birishiri Tribal Cultural Academy in Durgapur, Netrakona on November 21. Over 1,000 indigenous and Bangalees were present at the function. General JCD cadres beat BCF activists at JU The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) cadres beat up a left-leaning party activist and two others at Maulana Bhasani Hall of Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Wednesday night as they refused to comply with   No plan to provide cash incentive to drug manufacturers Health and Family Planning Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday said the government has no plan to provide cash incentives to the drug manufacturers, but assured all possible help for the   Alleged thief beaten to death in Jessore An alleged thief was beaten to death in Jessore town on Wednesday night. The victim was identified as Selim, 27, son of Yousuf Sheikh of Sankarpur in Jessore town. Editorial Editorial: Suggestion for a meaningful dialogue While editorialising yesterday on the grand rally we spoke of a certain flexibility of approach on the part of the opposition which was discernible in the programmes they announced.   Editorial: What is worth discussing in parliament? Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar rejected opposition demand for discussion in the Jatiya Sangsad on such burning issues as terrorism, price hike and gas and power crisis reportedly saying that the government   BNP: At what cost Jamaat ties? Conventional wisdom with respect to the rise of religious extremism in the county seems to be that the principal reason the extremists have been able to entrench themselves and gain such a sure foot-hold   Matter of opinion Hypothetical cases and you don't have to believe them.   The scourge of corruption Wherever you go in Bangladesh -- from Dhaka to the remotest village -- you cannot escape complaints of corruption. The country has even acquired an international reputation. Letters to Editor Madrassah education The arguments, which are put up against the new education system, have been expressed by many scholars.   Governing by fear and power Governments in Bangladesh manipulate the public using the fear factor and the show of power, to throttle any opposing viewpoint.   Power of Love A long time ago in China, a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all.   How to counter religious extremism To influence and encourage the young people not to be religious extremists: put massive advertisement in TV, radio and all newspapers against extremism, use verses from the Holy Koran against religious   Saarc Meet-2005 The Saarc countries could do a lot to improve the economic condition of this region.   Would there be any investigative reporting? Expensive cars, specially the gas guzzling SUVs are ubiquitous today in Dhaka city.   Traffic jam near PMO Every evening there's a permanent traffic jam starting from Mohakhali Flyover to the Prime Minister's Office. The Taka 200 crore flyover is supposed to reduce traffic congestion.   Shamima : A model for others At first, I would congratulate Shamima for winning the Global Microcredit Entrepreneurship Award.   Election Commission The commentary published in your daily recently on the present state of affairs in the Election Commission is praiseworthy and well appreciated by all and sundry.   Slow-moving Saarc The importance of Saarc cannot be over-emphasized.   "News notes" of SWM The news notes "Eid festivals go on while people die" published in SMS (November 11) has touched my heart deeply.   'AkTel Exceed' Recently, AkTel launched a package called 'AkTel Exceed'. I must say that the package won't serve the customers. Its advertisement on the newspaper was presented very attractively in a tabular format.   Another girl takes her life! "What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty ofthe   The Summit We have got the opportunity to be the host to the Saarc Summit for the third time. Special Israel: Consequences of 'uniqueness' "If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me. World South Asia: King in 'panic' over pact with Maoists Nepal's opposition party alliance said yesterday King Gyanendra has been thrown into panic by its pact with Maoist rebels aimed at restoring democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.   South Asia: Tigers to set the course for new Lankan govt Sri Lanka's new hawkish president is to make a policy statement today pledging prosperity, but analysts and diplomats say they are focusing on a speech by the Tamil rebel leader this weekend that could   South Asia: India, Indonesia agree to boost defence ties India and Indonesia, Asia's largest democracies, agreed on Wednesday to forge closer defence and trade ties and cooperate in combating terrorism.   South Asia: Chaos in Indian parliament India's parliament erupted in chaos yesterday as the opposition attacked the ruling coalition over alleged links between a federal minister and Iraq's oil-for-food scandal.   South Asia: New Bihar CM promises to make state crime-free New Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday promised to usher in a crime-free Bihar.   South Asia: Lanka floods hit thousands Floods triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have affected some 40,000 people, the government said on Wednesday, including many living in makeshift shelters since last year's tsunami.   EU backs off from taking Iran to Security Council The European Union has agreed to give Iran more time to negotiate on its nuclear program in a move that postpones taking Tehran to the UN Security Council for violating non-proliferation safeguards, a   US mulls troop cuts in Iraq The Pentagon plans to shrink the US troop presence in Iraq, currently 155,000, to about 138,000 after the December 15 Iraqi elections and is considering dropping the number to about 100,000 next summer   China govt, company officials apologise A senior Chinese government official and an oil company representative have publicly apologised for an environmental crisis in the country's northeast, state media said yesterday.   Saddam's defence team to attend trial Saddam Hussein's defence lawyers will attend next week's trial of the toppled Iraqi dictator and seven co-defendants, dropping a threat to boycott the proceedings because of the recent assassination of   © thedailystar.net, 2005. 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