Vol. 5 Num 663 Sun. April 09, 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 Consensus hope fading away The possibility of a consensus between the ruling alliance and the opposition on electoral reforms seems to be fading away, raising the spectre of confrontation on the streets ahead of the next polls.   Kansat agitators attack cops, damage vehicles The power-starved people of Kansat yesterday attacked law enforcers, injuring 10 including an additional superintendent of police, as they continued their demonstrations and observed hartal for the second   Oli assault on criminals within party to persist Ruling BNP stalwart Col (retd) Oli Ahmed MP says he will stick to his stance against criminals and corrupt elements in the party as his candid public remarks in this regard have triggered speculations   Patients desert hospital as Ctg interns' strike enters day 4 Services at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) virtually collapsed yesterday causing sufferings to the patients as an indefinite strike by the intern doctors entered into its fourth consecutive   Macabre livelihood After 25 years of cutting through some 75,000 bodies, many of them decomposed, in the 20 feet by 25 feet dissection room at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) morgue, it is time he quit, feelsSekandar.   Fire breaks out at office of speaker Security has been tightened in an around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban following a "mysterious" blaze in front of the speaker's office and in two other rooms yesterday morning that burned some documents.   Family hopes for state honour for martyr Matiur's remains Family members of Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman yesterday hoped the remains of Matiur would be received with due state honour and buried at a place where the nation can pay tribute to the national hero.   Fag-end borrowing spree perils economy The government's excessive short-term borrowing to the tune of $1 billion at the fag end of its tenure to subsidise the petroleum prices is leading the economy toward dire straits, economists, bankers   Observer status tops Dhaka meet agenda The Saarc Standing Committee will finalise the draft of modalities for admitting Afghanistan as a new member as well as guidelines for associating observers in the organisation at its meeting in Dhaka   Tigers aim to put on better show Showing improvement will be the key for Habibul Bashar's men when Bangladesh take on top-ranked Australia in the first of the two-match Test series at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium today.   Protester in Nepal rally killed, curfew enforced Armoured personnel carriers with machine gun-wielding soldiers rolled into the Nepali capital of Kathmandu yesterday to enforce a curfew aimed at thwarting protests against King Gyanendra's absolute rule.   'US ponders use of nukes against Iran' The administration of President George W.   Extend N-deal to Pakistan to lower tension Notwithstanding Washington's refusal, Pakistan has sought extension of the Indo-US nuclear deal to it saying this could help control the production of fissile material in South Asia and lower tensionwith   Leader Shahidul buried, cops block road to control situation Kishoreganj police yesterday barricaded Kishoreganj-Mymensingh highway at Shadullarchar Bazar for eight hours in a bid to avoid untoward incidents as Awami League (AL) men gathered to bury slain AL leader   Cop among 5 hurt in pro-BNP workers' clash At least five people including a policeman were injured in a clash between two factions of local Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal in Gafargaon upazila in Mymensingh.   SC hears today contempt rule on CEC, Moni The Supreme Court hears today its suo moto contempt rule issued on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice MA Aziz and ruling BNP lawmaker Nurul Islam Moni.   BSF bid to push in 16 Indians foiled Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) yesterday foiled an attempt of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to push in 16 Indian Muslims through the Meherpur border.   BSF kills 1 Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi citizen on Bhutipukur border in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh yesterday afternoon. Business Power shortage hits industrial production The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has expressed deep concern over rising import cost of essentials, industrial raw materials, intermediary goods and spare parts and its adverse impacton   Dhaka Travel Mart ends with huge response A three-day fair styled 'Standard Chartered Dhaka Travel Mart (DTM) 2006', which began on Thursday to highlight the potentiality of tourism industry in the national economy, ended yesterday.   US, China to review trade headaches before Hu visit Top US and Chinese officials will go over well-trodden ground when they hold an annual review of trade ties this week just ahead of a visit to the United States by Chinese President Hu Jintao.   Furniture Fair ends The 3rd National Furniture Fair at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre received good response from the visitors on the concluding day yesterday.   GP opens service desk at Maheshkhali GrameenPhone (GP), the largest cell phone operator in the country, has opened a service desk at Maheshkhali in Cox's Bazar, says a press release.   Indian rupee won't be made fully convertible before 2009 The Indian rupee is unlikely to become fully convertible before 2009, India's finance minister said in remarks published here Friday.   Pakistan, China to sign customs coop deal Pakistan and China will sign a comprehensive "Customs cooperation agreement" this month to facilitate their bilateral trade as well as to check illegal commercial practices.   US economy posts robust job creation The US economy created 211,000 more jobs in March, according to a government report that President George W. Bush said revealed an "economic resurgence. Sports Cricket: We aren't scared, sounds Bashar Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar called for tenacious efforts from his boys to make their mark in the two-match Test series against Australia, terming it as the toughest challenge they have ever faced   Cricket: Aftab again a Test batsman! There was no surprise when Bangladesh announced their final team yesterday for the first Test against Australia but the inclusion of dashing batsman Aftab Ahmed raised many eyebrows.   Cricket: Tigers face Aussie music It would be a testing time for Bangladesh as Australia have decided to break the tradition of playing four bowlers by picking up five for the first Test.   Football: Sri Lanka cruise to semis Sri Lanka cruised into the semifinal of the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup when they crushed injury-hit Chinese Taipei 3-0 at the MA Aziz Stadium on Saturday.   Football: Palestine the team to beat Palestine look like the team to bet when they take on Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinal of the AFC Challenge Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.   Football: Attal: The smiling assassin Fahed Attal is quick to smile, but he is quicker to pounce.   Cricket: Australians no crowd-pullers! The much revered and equally admired Australian cricket team may be in town but even the star names of Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee have not been enough to pull the people from the river port   Cricket: Sri Lanka A win ODI series Sri Lanka A clinched the three match one-day series 2-1 by inflicting a massive 134-run defeat on hosts Bangladesh A in the third and final match at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Lt.   Cricket: CA bosses in city Creagh O'Connor and James Sutherland, chairman and chief executive respectively of Cricket Australia (CA) arrived in the city yesterday as part of a ceremony to mark Australia's reign as the top Testcricket   Cricket: Umps' training camp ends A five-day Rajshahi divisional umpires training camp ended here at the Dinajpur Stadium today afternoon. The training had started on April 4 at the same venue.   Cricket: Jones joins injury list Injured England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones is set to miss the fifth one-day match against India at Guwahati.   Football: Spurs on course for Europe Tottenham Hotspur pulled clear of the chasing pack as a 2-1 win over Manchester City here at White Hart Lane on Saturday kept them on course for Champions League qualification.   Cricket: Holding hits chuckers hard Bowlers are getting away with illegal actions because umpires are afraid of calling them for political reasons, according to West Indian fast bowling great Michael Holding.   Cricket: Proteas pair punish NZ Test veteran Neil McKenzie and promising youngster Jean-Paul Duminy punished the touring New Zealanders in an unbeaten fourth wicket stand of 248 for the Rest of South Africa on the first day of a four-day   Football: Boca fans take zeal to grave Many fans of Argentina's most popular soccer team, Boca Juniors, pledge eternal devotion to the club. And with new Boca caskets on sale, they can put their money where their mouths are.   Cricket: Gaibandha cricket Gaibandha Cricket Coaching Centre defeated Sunrise Sporting Club by one wicket in the Super League stage of the Naheed Cotton First Division Cricket League on Saturday.   Cricket: Smith returns for S Africa Graeme Smith has been cleared to lead South Africa in the first Test against New Zealand, which starts next Saturday at Centurion Park.   Football: Kahn agony continues Oliver Kahn's miserable weekend continued on Saturday, conceding three goals as German champions and league leaders Bayern Munich slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Werder Bremen.   Football: Real v Reims -- half a century on Spanish giants Real Madrid and humble French second division outfit Reims may not have much in common these days but half a century ago it was a different story altogether.   Football: Milan derby moved forward Next week's derby between AC Milan and Inter Milan has been brought forward a day to give AC Milan an extra 24 hours to prepare for their Champions League semi-final, first leg against Barcelona. Metropolitan Free edn up to degree level if voted to power: Hasina Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the BNP-Jamaat alliance government has been distorting the history of the liberation war and teaching false history to children, destroying the moral   14,200 teachers to be appointed by June Both the government and the development partners hoped that the Primary Education Development Programme-II (PEDP-II) would bring a massive qualitative change to primary education.   Govt blamed for Kansat incident Condemning the government for the recent Kansat tragedy, leaders of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote said it proves the autocratic attitude of the government towards people.   Arrange jobs, not relief, to mitigate monga Speakers at a roundtable in the city yesterday stressed the need for increased institutional supports for creating agricultural or non-agricultural economic activities for the hardcore poor facing monga   'Enact law to curb noise pollution' Environmentalists yesterday called for enactment of a law to contain noise pollution, one of the main causes of creating health hazards in Bangladesh.   Road crashes kill one, injure 58 At least one person was killed and 58 were injured in separate road accidents in Tangail, Mymensingh and Dhaka yesterday.   Tk 100cr Japanese grant for safe navigation system The Japanese government will provide about Tk 100 crore as a grant to the Chittagong Port Authority(CPA) for strengthening safe navigation system of the port and for maintaining navigability of the Karnaphuli   Husband held Police arrested the husband of slain NGO worker on Friday night. The arrestee was identified as Mohammad Pintu.   Lutfar to contest as JP candidate Jatiya party yesterday nominated former lawmaker Lutfar Rahman Chowdhury to contest the upcoming Gaibandha-4 by-election.   DU Rover Scouts celebrates 40th anniversary The youths should be involved in scouting to develop their latent inner faculties, speakers at a function said yesterday.   One killed in Habiganj clash A man was killed and at least 20 people, including women and children, were injured in a fierce clash between two groups of villagers at Richi in Sadar upazila yesterday.   DCC urges residents to use road's name in holding address Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has asked the residents and businessmen of Maghbazar-Malibagh road to use its name, 'Selina Parveen Road', in holding addresses.   Photography exhibition on Satyajit Ray begins tomorrow A five-day photography exhibition of Nemai Ghosh on world famous film director Satyajit Ray begins at Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala here today.   40 rebels surrender in Pakistan A group of about 40 rebels downed arms and surrendered yesterday to authorities in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, officials said.   Missing factory worker found dead Police recovered body of a teenage worker at the roadside of Madhumati Model Town under Savar Police Station early hours of yesterday.   JCD Barisal div conference today The grassroots-level divisional conference of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) will be held at local stadium today. All preparations for the conference have been completed.   Newspaper holiday Newspaper offices will remain closed on Tuesday on account of Eid-E-Miladunnabi.   Proshika to operate globally Proshika International Development Society, a global development organisation, has been registered under Society Act at Victoria in Canada, says a press release. National 4 killed as nor'westers hit Tangail, Sirajganj Four people were killed and about 200 injure when nor'westers battered several villages in Tangail and Sirajganj districts Friday evening.   Kawmi Jute Mills facing closure again for jute Kawmi Jute Mills, the largest state owned jute mill in the northern region, is facing closure again due to crisis of raw jute.   Attempt to grab land by Jamaat leaders in Khulna Twelve people were injured, four of them seriously, as criminals hired by land grabbers attacked residents at Ramnathpur village in Paikgachha upazila in Khulna early morning Saturday.   Hartal in Rajshahi city today for gas Rajshahi Babosai Oykko Parisad, a trader's body, called a day-long strike in Rajshahi city today demanding supply of pipeline gas. Rajshahi Awami League has extended support to the hartal call.   Condition for power in Nilphamari The subscribers of Nilphamari Polli Bidyut Samity in Domar upazila have brought an allegation of widespread corruption against the Samity officials.   Police file case against Khulna BNP leader Sub Inspector Fakhruzzaman yesterday lodged an FIR with Sonadanga thana accusing advocate Mehedi Insar for 'compelling' a rickshawpuller to commit suicide on Thursday night.   700 smuggled chicks burnt in Tangail At least 700 chicks, allegedly smuggled from across the borer were burnt in front of Sakhipur police station Friday evening. Point-Counterpoint Can the opposition reform proposal ensure level ground for election? To ensure free and fair election, the 14-party alliance submitted a reform proposal to the parliament for consideration of the government.   Iraq invasion: Three years after Three years ago, as America was getting ready to invade Iraq, most of its NATO allies, and friends from the region and beyond, had urged Washington to exercise restraint.   Everyday life in Iraq On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein's huge -- larger than life -- statue was toppled with the help of an American tank, marking the fall of Baghdad. Culture Pata-chitra: Pride of Bengal Among the indigenous Bangalee art forms, pata-chitra or scroll paintings stand apart in their choice of subjects, vibrant colours, unique lines and style of presentation.   Soaring to poetic heights Poets from indigenous communities and representatives of various countries joined hands recently at the 6th Recitation Festival '06 held at Jahangirnagar University (JU).   An evening of folk music With Bangla Naba Barsha round the corner, the cultural scene is abuzz in Dhaka. In the midst of the festivities was a recent solo musical evening by renowned folk singer Kanon Bala Sarkar.   Bangladeshi exhibition in Maldives President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his wife visited the ongoing Bangladeshi painting exhibition at the National Art Gallery in the Maldives capital recently. General 'BNP has expanded education' Information Minister M Shamsul Islam yesterday said that the BNP expanded education in the country whenever it was in power.   50 houses gutted in Bandarban At least 50 dwelling houses were gutted in a fire at Uzanipara in the town last night.   Djuice-Pizza Hut concert held in Ctg A special concert titled 'Drockstars Live @ Pizza Hut' for djuice (Grameen Phone) Xtra Card holders was held at Chittagong outlet of Pizza Hut yesterday.   Govt does not want dialogue: Obaidul Quader Acting General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government does not want dialogue on their reform proposals. International Cash crisis, attacks put pressure on Hamas Palestinian premier Ismail Haniya yesterday accused the West of blackmail after the US and EU froze badly needed aid, while president Mahmud Abbas warned that a new unilateral Israeli withdrawal would   Troops, Tigers accuse each other of attacks Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels shot and wounded two Sri Lankan soldiers yesterday, the army said, shortly after the rebels themselves complained they had come under fire from the military in the run-upto   'Congress may take a year to implement Indo-US N-deal' A top United States envoy said Friday he was confident the US Congress would approve a major civilian nuclear deal but said it could take a year to implement.   Nepal king committed 'travesty' against democracy: US A top US envoy said Friday Nepal's king had committed a "travesty against democracy" when he seized power, as hundreds more protesters were arrested in the Himalayan kingdom during an anti-royal strike.   Iraqi Shia leader warns against civil war One of Iraq's most powerful Shia leaders urged his followers yesterday to resist being drawn into a sectarian civil war after a triple suicide bombing killed at least 70 people at a mosque associatedwith   Tornadoes sweep thru' Tennessee: 11 killed In the second wave of violent weather to hit the state in less than a week, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes tore off roofs, overturned cars and left 11 people dead.   Suicide car bomb kills 2 outside Nato base A suicide car bomb outside a Nato military base in a western Afghan city yesterday killed two Afghans and wounded seven others the second such attack on a foreign military base in as many days.   Bush signals opposition to automatic citizenship for illegals US President George W.   CPI-M to review govt support after polls The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) on Friday said it would review its support for the government after state elections are out of the way next month. Editorial Editorial: More bloodshed in Kansat What's happening in Kansat? Apparently not even deaths of innocent people these days can move the government into serious thinking.   Editorial: Unfit vessels as usual It is a matter of concern that despite a heavy toll taken of human lives in launch mishaps in the recent years, Inland Water Transport Authority (IWTA) under the Shipping Ministry has failed to prevent   Discourse on nuclear primacy While global attention remains focused on international flash points like continued instability in Iraq, Iran's alleged nuclear weaponization, North Korea's obdurate aberrance, and, most importantly,the   Estimating the economic price of gas We need resources to produce the goods and services we want. But resources are limited, so we need to ensure their efficient use. Letters to Editor Fair election, honest candidates The recently held seminar/dialogue at CPD with particular reference to fair election & competent candidates was indeed very well attended by distinguished personalities of all faculties.   Opinion poll Opinion poll is a study of what people think or believe about a topic or question. Such surveys are usually done by questionnaire, interview, or observation or through interactive newspapers.   Physicians and privacy I have noticed that many physicians in our country examine patients at their chambers in the presence of other patients and their relatives. It is very embarrassing and objectionable.   Mahmood Elahi's reply Mr. Arijis writes: "And coming to crumbling infrastructure, Mr. Elahi, please come to India and see for yourself the same. Star Health Rheumatic fever and heart diseases Rheumatic fever is caused by only 'Group-A' Beta haemolytic Streptococci bacteria following infection in the throat.   Estimated deaths due to rotavirus in Bangladesh Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis among young children. Globally, rotavirus is estimated to cause over 500,000 deaths among children aged under 5 years each year.   What you need to know before blood transfusion Epilogue of blood transfusion is that one does not want blood, one need it. Blood is not a factory product; the human body is the only source producing blood.   What is vision impairment? Vision impairment means that a person's eyesight cannot be corrected to a "normal" level.   Heat cramps Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. Inadequate fluid intake often contributes to heat cramps.   A new society for child neurology, development and disability formed A symposium on "Child Disability and a Social Movement -- Bangladesh Perspective" was held recently at Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) and Mitford Hospital in the city for creating awareness about   Your Doctor Dear Doctor, I have been using glasss since 2004. But I don't want it. What can I do? Thanks and best regards No Name 0192459009@banglalink.   Clarification In a clarification on the news published in the last issue of Star Health headlined "Eminent surgeon urged for multi-disciplinary approach for proper treatment" Prof Dr Khademul Islam said that during Star City Govt officers using 'easy-to-get' degrees for promotion Administrative cadre officers with poor academic results in the past are grabbing easy-to-get degrees from different private universities to avail promotions to posts of deputy and joint secretaries.   Speed-breakers built on whims of 'high officials' Defying expert opinions, the engineering department of the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is continuing to build hundreds of speed-breakers in the city, causing great disruption in the movement of emergency   Summer fruits on sale Mouth-watering summer fruits have already hit the city's markets but the prices are beyond the reach of the commoners.   Road as dam...   Traffic congestion at Mohammadpur The traffic situation is hazardous and unbearable along Asad Avenue in Mohammadpur before and after school and university hours with poor traffic management and negligence of the institutional authorities.   Selling lottery tickets in banks When Tamanna Islam, a service holder in a private company, went to the IFIC bank to cash her salary cheque, the officer at the counter forced her to buy a heart foundation lottery ticket.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. 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