Vol. 5 Num 573 Thu. January 05, 2006       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 WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Revise present voter list The High Court yesterday asked the Election Commission (EC) to prepare a voter list based on the existing one amid heating up politics and debates for and against preparing a fresh electoral roll forthe   A waste of Tk 60cr? Most of the Tk 60 crore from public exchequer already spent for preparing a fresh voter list may go wasted as the High Court (HC) observation yesterday came against the task unilaterally decided by the   ADP projects turn slower than ever Frustrating government efforts in recent years to speed up Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation, its pace has actually turned slower this fiscal year largely due to red-tapism.   Give no concession to bombers, patrons Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday ordered the police force to take all measures to bring the bombers and their patrons to book.   Sangsad goes into session Jan 23 The Jatiya Sangsad goes into opening session of the year on January 23 with a possibility of the return of the Awami League lawmakers, who are at risk of losing membership, after a year.   Graft, poor FDI dealing plague energy sector Corruption and improper handling of foreign direct investment (FDI) are two prime plagues afflicting the energy sector, said the keynote paper of a dialogue in the city yesterday.   No question of general amnesty to bombers: PM Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday ruled out the question of general amnesty for the bombers as she categorically said the "bomb terrorists" will not be pardoned anyway.   A temple of neglect A 120-year-old Rakhine temple in Patuakhali is on the brink of collapse after years of neglect by the local administration, hindering the poverty-stricken indigenous community from performing religious   30 killed in blast at Iraq funeral A suicide bomber killed at least 30 people yesterday at the funeral for the nephew of a Shia politician, and 13 people were killed in other violence in Iraq, making Wednesday the deadliest day since the   Illegal Ctg salt factory razed A mobile court of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) yesterday demolished an illegal salt factory that burnt 1,15,000 cft stolen gas a day from Bakharabad Gas Systems Limited (BGSL) in the city yesterday.   Hannan gets lawyer after 93 days into his arrest Ninety-three days after Mufti Abdul Hannan's arrest, an assistant public prosecutor (APP) yesterday stood to defend the operations commander of the banned Harkatul Jihad's (HuJi) in connection with an   Trial of Piren killing in a quagmire Two years into the killing of indigenous leader Piren Slan in Modhupur, there has not been any meaningful progress in the trial for the murder case.   Sedition case filed against lawyer The Satkhira Bar Association general secretary filed a sedition case against a lawyer yesterday accusing him of sending threat letters to other lawyers using the name of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh   Securing tickets   2 stolen infants rescued, 2 held Police on Tuesday recovered two stolen newborn infants from a housewife and arrested her at Chhayaneer in Khilgaon in the capital.   Fourth whale shark killed in a month Local fishermen netted another whale shark yesterday in the Bay of Bengal, the fourth catch since December 17. The 29-foot-long sea giant entangled itself in the drift net of a fishing trawler.   JS body asks for stern action against culprits A parliamentary body yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over gross mismanagement of hajj flights and asked the civil aviation ministry to take stern action against those responsible for the crisis.   Criminal killed in 'crossfire' A listed criminal was killed in 'crossfire' during a shootout between his gang and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Demra in the capital early yesterday.   200 feared dead in Indonesia landslide A landslide unleashed by heavy rains in Indonesia's Central Java yesterday killed 16 people but hundreds were feared dead as rescuers called off a search for survivors amid safety concerns.   2 killed, 50 injured in cop firing At least two people were killed and 50 others injured when police opened fire on the subscribers of Palli Biddyut Samity at Kansat under Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj yesterday afternoon.   Charges framed against Galib in Bogra blast case A Bogra court yesterday framed charges against the Ahle Hadith Andolan, Bangladesh (Ahab) Ameer Asadullah Al Galib and three others in connection with the bomb blast at Laxmikola village on January 14   14-party rally at Paltan Jan 23 Awami League (AL) led 14-party combine will hold a rally at Paltan Maidan in the capital on January 23. The next programmes of the ongoing movement will be announced from the rally.   AL leader survives bomb attack An Awami League (AL) leader survived a bomb attack in front of the party office at Phulbari ghat in Khulna last night. Business Saifur asks insurance firms to go for merger Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman has asked insurance companies to go for merger and acquisition among themselves to boost their efficiency.   Regional trade to reach $14b by 2010 Strengthening of infrastructure and implementation of tariff reduction under Safta agreement will lift the regional trade to US$ 14 billion from existing $ 7 billion by 2010, hope Indian business leaders.   Integrated transport policy key to railway development Speakers at a seminar yesterday stressed the need for formulating an integrated transport policy for the development of Bangladesh Railway.   LCs for petroleum import up 27.5pc Spending on petroleum imports is on rise in the first five months of the current fiscal year as the opening of Letters of Credit (LCs) increased 27.5 percent.   Traidcraft president due today Traidcraft President Paul Chandler and Member of the Board of Business Ethics, School of Business, Durham University, UK Prof Geoff Moore will be visiting Bangladesh from January 5-8.   Gold hits 3-week high above $535 Gold rose to its highest level in three weeks above $535 an ounce yesterday, lifting other precious metals with it as fund buying intensified, especially in Japan.   Emirates' new area manager in Bangladesh Hanif Zakaria has been appointed the new area manager of Emirates Bangladesh. Prior to this new assignment, he was the sales manager of Emirates Bangladesh, says a press release.   20th branch of Bank Asia opens at Dhanmondi Bank Asia Ltd inaugurated its 20th branch at Dhanmondi in Dhaka yesterday. Chairman of the bank M Syeduzzaman inaugurated the branch with online banking facility, says a press release.   China reforms forex rate forming mechanism China announced a further move to reform its exchange rate forming mechanism Tuesday, introducing an internationally prevalent price-finding mechanism in the inter-bank foreign exchange market.   IDLC opens branch in Bogra IDLC of Bangladesh Ltd, a joint venture multiproduct financial institution, has opened a branch on Sherpur Road in Bogra.   Brac Bank to take part in Corporate Bazaar Brac Bank Ltd will participate in Corporate Bazaar, an exhibition of corporate houses scheduled for January 30-February 1 in Dhaka. Sports Football: Will Abahani be third time lucky? Abahani will look forward to reach their first final of the season when they take on an under-strength Muktijoddha Sangsad in the first semifinal of the Nitol-Tata Fifth National Football League today.   Football: Bangladesh in Group F Bangladesh have been drawn in Group F with Uzbekistan, Qatar and Hong Kong in the 2007 Asian Cup qualifiers.   Cricket: Scrap Mini WC: India India is set to rock the cricket establishment when it tells the sport's governing body next week to abolish the Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament.   Cricket: Ponting takes away Proteas' initiative Ricky Ponting marked his 100th Test with a majestic hundred and Adam Gilchrist providentially found his form as Australia fought back to concede a first-innings lead of just 92 in the third Test against   Cricket: 'I'm not Greg's puppet' India's cricket captain Rahul Dravid warmed up for the upcoming Pakistan tour by rubbishing suggestions that coach Greg Chappell runs the team by remote control.   Cricket: Mithali ton gives India 2nd title Skipper Mithali Raj hit a brilliant century to lead India to an overwhelming 97-run win against Sri Lanka and a second successive Asia Cup title here on Wednesday.   Cricket: Premier Cricket League's ninth round today After two nerve-wrecking wins, defending champions Old DOHS face another hurdle in the Aktel Premier Division Cricket League when they face Bangladesh Biman in the ninth round at BKSP today.   Football: President to grace NFL finale President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed is expected to witness the final of the Nitol-Tata Fifth National Football League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium as chief guest on January 8.   Cricket: Asia Cup cricket in Pakistan in Sept 2007 The Asia Cup one-day tournament will be held in Pakistan in September 2007, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday.   Football: Chasing Pack further adrift Arsenal and arch rivals Manchester United fought out a tense 0-0 draw on Tuesday that moved Chelsea closer to a second consecutive Premier League title.   Cricket: Khan speaks well of Akhtar Pakistan's tearaway bowler Shoaib Akhtar is a more disciplined bowler now and is capable of running through the strong Indian batting line up in the forthcoming series, says Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)   Football: Wenger, Ferguson concede title Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson have admitted they cannot match Chelsea's standard this season.   Football: Barca, Real win Cup ties Barcelona started off the New Year on the same note as they ended the last one by beating gutsy third division outfit Zamora 3-1 in the first leg of their last 16 Spanish Cup tie here on Tuesday.   Football: AFC president admits blunder Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed Bin Hammam admitted Wednesday it was a major blunder to allow the 2007 Asian Cup finals to be co-hosted by four countries.   Cricket: Ganguly back amongst runs Former India captain Sourav Ganguly scored a fluent half-century on Wednesday in a domestic match he was asked to play by selectors to prove his form for the Pakistan tour.   Cricket: Div I cricket Rupali Bank registered their sixth victory in the First Division Cricket League with a three-wicket win over Cricket Coaching School (CCS) at the Jagannath hall ground yesterday.   Cricket: CCDM grants Eid vacation The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) has rescheduled the ongoing Premier Cricket League following requests from club officials.   Cricket: Research finds soccer most exciting Soccer is the most exciting major sport to follow while American football is the most predictable, according to a scientific gauge of sporting competitiveness.   Football: Moroccan football in turmoil Moroccan football was thrown into further turmoil just over two weeks before the African Nations Cup finals begin as their national federation's vice-president and secretary-general resigned on Tuesday.   Football: Essien set to miss ACN Ghana suffered a huge blow to their hopes of lifting the African Cup of Nations when star midfielder Michael Essien was ruled out by his club manager Chelsea's Jose Mourinho on Tuesday.   Chess: Sub-junior chess Rezaul Islam and Saidul Islam maintained their winning runs in the 26th National Sub-junior (Under-16) Chess tournament beating their respective rivals in the fifth round at the federation hall room yesterday.   Handball: Div I h'ball Menjis Krira Chakra and Bhrattritta Samaj Kalyan Sangha won their respective super-four matches of the Bactrol First Division Men's Handball League at the outer stadium handball ground yesterday.   Football: Barisal reach zonal final Barisal moved into the zonal final of the JFA Cup Under-16 Football Tournament with a 3-2 victory over hosts Chandpur in tiebreaker yesterday. The match was locked goalless in the stipulated time. Metropolitan Confrontational politics, rise of militancy threaten sovereignty Confrontational political culture and alarming rise of Islamist extremists paved the way for proliferation of small and illegal arms, threatening the human security, constitution and sovereignty of the   Comply with HC verdict Congratulating the High Court Verdict on preparing voters' list, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina said the Election Commission (EC) and the government should respect the verdict.   'Form regional commission under UN to solve river issue' India cannot go ahead with the river interlinking project ignoring international laws and the rights of its neighbour as its implementation will lead to the desertification of Bangladesh, speakers atan   Arsenic problem not being addressed properly Experts from home and abroad yesterday expressed concern that the arsenic problem in the country is not being addressed properly.   Tipaimukh Dam only for power generation, flood moderation Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Tuesday said the Indian government at several meetings of Joint Rivers Commission had conveyed that the Tipaimukh Dam is a multipurpose project meant for power generation   Three secretaries transferred The government yesterday transferred three secretaries and extended the contractual appointment of another one.   Tower Hamlet Council team calls on PM A three-member delegation of Tower Hamlet Council, led by its Mayor Doros Ullah, made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday.   Slain man in Afghanistan not Bangladeshi The Foreign Ministry yesterday confirmed that Mir Wais who was gunned down at a mosque in Helmand province of Afghanistan on Monday was not a Bangladeshi.   Enumeration goes on in Ctg The controversial voter listing process continued yesterday in a lax manner with enumerators appointed under political consideration.   Father kidnaps daughter! A right organisation with the help of police yesterday rescued a child, who was allegedly kidnapped by her own father, from a house at Pallabi in the city.   Boy stabbed to death in city A teenage boy was stabbed to death at Postogola in Shyampur in the city sometime between Tuesday night and yesterday morning.   President, PM condole death of UAE PM President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia expressed their deep shock at the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of   Gold, valuables worth Tk 5.3 lakh looted Robbers yesterday looted gold and cash valuables worth around Tk 5.3 lakh from a house at Shyampur in the city.   Special trains on Eid Bangladesh Railway has arranged special trains on different routes for the convenience of homebound passengers on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha.   Girl burnt to death in Keraniganj A minor girl was burnt to death and five others were injured in a fire that also gutted seven shops and 28 tin-shed dwelling houses at Kaliganj Nayabari area on Tuesday night. National Anomaly in voter enrolment in districts Gross anomaly in enrolment of voters has been reported from many urban and rural areas in different districts.   BCL rallies vandalised in 5 dists At least 50 persons were injured as Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), students front of ruling BNP, vandalised rallies of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in Barisal, Bakerganj, Bhola and Natore, marking   Jhalakathi judges' murder trial begins in Barisal STT Trial of Jhalakathi judges' murder case began at the Barisal Speedy Trial Tribunal (STT) yesterday.   100 year-old bayan tree being axed A 100 year-old banyan tree is being felled on the Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital compound in the name of development projects despite protests by environmentalists, local NGOs, journalists and the   40 hurt in two gangs’ gunfight in Kushtia At least 40 members of two gangs -- Lalchad Bahini and Pannan Bahini--were injured when they were locked in a gun battle at remote Habirchar village in Daulatpur upazila in the district in the early hours   4 JMB men on 12-day fresh remand in Ctg Four Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives including their Chittagong divisonal chief Mohammad alias Aman Ullah alias Jabhed Iqbal were placed on fresh remand for 12 days in two separate cases Point-Counterpoint Democracy and parliament Abraham Lincoln, the most famous president in the history of the US defined democratic government as "government of the people, by the people and for the people.   Can Bangladesh enjoy better governance? A group of Bangladeshi experts are now trying to develop what they call an index of harassment to give better understanding of the suffering of ordinary people due to inefficiency and corruption.   Addressing the noise pollution problem Noise is an undesirable by-product of our modern way of life. It is annoying, can interfere with sleep, work, or recreation, and in extremes may cause physical and psychological damage. Culture Of nature and life Nasima Khanum Queenie, educated at Dhaka and New York, began her second solo exhibit at Shilpangan on January 3.   Sonai Bibir Pala staged The focus in the selection of plays in the ongoing 8th National School of Drama (NSD) Theatre Festival, of NSD, has been given to productions featuring, myths and tradition as well as dealing with vital   " I actually find solutions in my dreams" -- Farida Parveen Farida Parveen has established herself as the "numero uno" factor when it comes to Lalon Geeti. Lalon's entrancing message of Sufism comes alive through Farida's soulful rendition and conviction.   2nd National Film Conference 2005 from January 5-7 Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) is all set to hold the National Film Conference 2005 from January 5-7 at the German Cultural Center, Dhanmondi, says a press release.   Seventh Bangladesh Film Festival to be held in London To celebrate 50 years of our cinema, Rainbow Film Society is organising the seventh Bangladesh Film Festival in London, beginning from June 4, 2006, says a press release. General 3,043 killed, 2634 injured last yr 3,043 women were killed and 2634 injured in the last year owing to repression, according to a research report of Mass-line Media Centre (MMC).   'Resist move to close Khulna Newsprint Mill' Speakers at a public meeting at Khalishpur yesterday urged the people to be united to resist a move to close down the Khulna Newsprint Mill in the name of establishing a 'Shilpa Park'.   Swiss envoy meets Khurshid The first Swiss Ambassador in Dhaka, Dr Dora Rapold, called on Women and Children Affairs Minister Khurshid Jahan Huq at her office in the city yesterday. International Mine rescue turns to tragedy in US Only one of the 13 US coal miners trapped for 41 hours underground has survived, the company which owns the mine said Wednesday, hours after it was announced that 12 men had survived.   Ukraine and Russia reach gas deal Russian and Ukrainian officials have reached an agreement in their dispute over the price of gas. Under the deal, Ukraine will buy a mixture of Russian and Central Asian gas for $95 per 1,000 cubic metres.   Relief flights resume in Pak quake zone Helicopters resumed relief flights in earthquake-ravaged Pakistan Wednesday after three days of rain and snow, as authorities said many survivors were descending from the mountains.   Saudi king offers to renovate Delhi mosque Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who plans to visit India this month, has offered to renovate the nation's largest mosque as well as provide money for education, The Times of India reported Wednesday.   China-Pak nuke deal should meet IAEA guidelines: US The United States has said it has noted reports of Pakistan trying to acquire civilian nuclear reactors from China and stressed that Beijing "understands" its concerns vis-a-vis Islamabad.   German ice rink toll reaches 12 The death toll in the ice rink collapse in the German Alps rose to 12 on Wednesday after rescue workers found the body of a young boy in the rubble where three more people are believed to be trapped.   UAE premier Maktoum passes away The ruler of the Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, died on Wednesday during a private visit to Australia.   Armed militants block Rafah border crossing Angry gunmen allied to the ruling Fatah party Wednesday blocked the access route to the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza to protest the arrest of a man over the kidnapping of three Britons, witnesses   Hindu soldier promoted after burial The Malaysian government has posthumously promoted an ethnic Indian soldier whose Islamic burial despite being a Hindu had whipped up a storm of protest by minority groups last month.   US concerned over Nepal insurgency The United States has expressed concern over the resumption of an insurgency in Nepal, urging Maoist rebels to abandon violence and calling for the restoration of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom. Editorial Editorial: Govt still lukewarm on terror information The government has for long ignored the counsel of the media and civil society that it should make public facts of the investigations surrounding the bomb blasts since August 17 to increase public confidence   Editorial: Incidence of break-in and robbery It's a case of an alarming come-back of a certain category of criminals who had gone into hiding or preferred a low profile in the face of lately intensified special force activism in Dhaka city.   What impedes a minimum understanding between AL and BNP? When the people of the country are anxious about the rapid rise of militancy with the new dimension of suicide bombings by the misguided Islamic militants, when the people are worried about the fate of   Dams, why not to damn! For a country blessed with many rivers, the unpleasant hometruth is that there is impending scarcity of water in Pakistan because of acute shortage of storage capacity. Letters to Editor New Year New days come in our lives with lot of happiness, fun, excitement and also with anxiety, sorrow.   Ticketless travelling Travelling without ticket is a bad habit which only dishonest people can think of. It should be treated as a crime.   Crop output in Bangladesh The Rome based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in its recent report has said that Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the Asian countries that have increased theirrice   Promise not fulfilled The government promised that it would contain terrorism. But the government's promise has not yet been reflected in its deeds. Bomb scare is running high across the country.   Introduce more buses The cantonment bound passengers from Shahbag to Balughat via Farmgate, Jahangir Gate, Garrison and CMH face all sorts of trouble.   Victory Day Our Victory Day is the symbol of our joy. It conveys the message of the supreme sacrifice that the freedom fighters made to liberate our country from the clutches of colonial rule.   Non-achievements Our political masters, while pointing out the weaknesses of the opponents never devote any time during their public speeches on the problems the regime has not succeeding in solving.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.