Vol. 5 Num 676 Mon. April 24, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Govt set to raise oil prices again The government is going to hike oil prices once again to cope with the soaring prices in the international market.   Govt confirms US citizen's deportation The government yesterday confirmed the rounding up and extradition of Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, a 19-year-old US citizen of Bangladeshi origin.   Pickets fight with cops during hartal hours Brickbat throwing opposition activists yesterday fought pitched battles with the police, burned litters on streets and damaged vehicles at different places in the capital and other districts during the   Long queue of ships for berthing dearth Chittagong seaport is facing tremendous ship congestions with highest ever number of ships waiting at the outer anchorage for getting berthing space.   £10m heroin entered UK in 3 months A frontline UK newspaper in an investigation report yesterday said in just three months, 10 million-pound heroin coming from Bangladesh has been intercepted at British ports.   Biggest investor Bapex to get smaller share In the first ever joint venture between three subsidiaries of Petrobangla, the biggest investor Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex) is going to be given a much smaller share   Airforce says it made mistake in figures Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) headquarters gave erroneous information to a parliamentary body about the recent purchase of 16 Chinese F-7 fighters, disclosed a BAF clarification on Saturday.   Playing in the mud   JCD leader held for beating up reporter Police yesterday arrested Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Jagannath Hall unit general secretary Sagar Mojumdar for his involvement in beating up Dainik Ajker Kagoj staff reporter Minar Baidya on Friday.   Charges framed against Rahman, Bangla Bhai A court in Jhalakathi yesterday framed charge against Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Abdur Rahman and his deputy Bangla Bhai and six others for killing two judges in the district town last   'Bacteria infected' fluid costs eyesight of 13 Thirteen aged people, including nine women, lost their eyesight after allegedly applying bacteria infected "ringer solution" during cataract operation in Naogaon.   BSF kills 1in Naogaon Indian Border Security Force (BSF) gunned down a Bangladeshi farmer on Hapunia border of Sapahar upazila in Naogaon early yesterday.   4 killed in nor'wester Four people were killed and over 50 injured in storms that swept Jessore, Naogaon, Gazipur and Savar on Saturday night damaging houses and standing crops.   Fire in Ghorashal power plant, 2 units trip Two units of Ghorashal power plant which generate 420 megawatts of power, tripped yesterday following a fire incident, official sources said.   US wants to work together with Bangladesh to check bird flu The United States wants to work with Bangladesh to prevent bird flu in the country.   Bangladesh go down fighting Despite a whirlwind 76 by Adam Gilchrist, Australia struggled against a fighting Bangladesh on way to a four-wicket win in the first one-day international of the three-match series at the Chittagong Divisional   Parties keep pressure on Nepali king to go Sporadic clashes erupted after Nepal's beleaguered King Gyanendra imposed a fresh curfew on the capital yesterday as the opposition vowed to bring an end to his absolute rule over the Himalayan country.   Russian split with US on Iran widens Anxious to be treated as a major world power, Russia now faces a stark cost-benefit dilemma as it weighs consequences of a widening split with the United States over how to confront Iran's nuclear ambition,   Sunny placed on 20-day remand Ataur Rahman Sunny, military commander of the banned Islamist outfit JMB, was placed yesterday on a 20-day remand for interrogation about his involvement in bomb blasts in Jhalakathi district on August   29 PBS staff withdrawn in C'nawabganj Some 29 officials of Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) have been withdrawn from the district following an understanding between the Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Committee and the government.   BCL enforces student strike today Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of the main opposition Awami League (AL), has called a student strike at all educational institutions across the country today in protest at killing one of   Separation of judiciary by this year Law Minister Moudud Ahmed yesterday said separation of the judiciary from the executive would be done during the tenure of the present government that expires in October next.   Charge sheet soon in Aug 17 blast case in Dhaka The Detective Branch (DB) of police is going to press charges soon against Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Shaekh Abdur Rahman, its Second-in-Command Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai and six others   Laden condemns Hamas isolation al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden said the international isolation of the Hamas-led Palestinian government is proof of a "war by crusaders and Zionists against Islam," according to an audiotape attributed Business BB drafts guideline to cut credit risk of banks The central bank has drafted a guideline to reduce credit risk of banks and non-bank financial institutions in case of large loans.   Dhaka seeks access to China market to reduce trade gap Dhaka has asked Beijing to reduce the huge trade gap by allowing duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to Chinese market.   China, India thirst for energy helps drive up oil prices Home to one third of the world's population, China and India are essential factors in the interplay of forces that has driven global oil prices to their current highs.   GP opens day care centre GrameenPhone Ltd has set up a day care centre in Dhaka recently for the children of its employees .   World Bank leaders focus on energy issues World economic policy-makers are turning their attention to ways wealthy nations can help developing countries meet their energy needs while protecting the environment.   Iran-India gas link deal seen in June despite US opposition Pakistan, India and Iran are likely to sign their $7 billion gas pipeline deal in June, in defiance of US pressure, Pakistan's and India's oil ministers told Reuters on Sunday.   Lakshmi Mittal tops British rich list Indian-born, London-based global industrialist Lakshmi Mittal is Britain's all-time richest person after topping this year's Sunday Times Rich List, released Sunday.   IMF wins new powers to police global economy The International Monetary Fund won new powers to police the world economy after its 184 member countries endorsed a new framework to monitor how the economic policies of one country affects others.   KSA may set up strategic oil reserve in China Chinese President Hu Jintao has discussed with Saudi leaders during his current visit a proposal to set up a strategic oil reserve in China fed by Saudi supplies, a Chinese official told AFP.   McDonald's Q1 profit down 14pc McDonald's Corp posted its largest quarterly earnings decline since 2002 Friday, a 14 percent drop that reflected a big tax gain a year ago and came as customers continued spending significantly moremoney   Rolls-Royce, Kawasaki to develop Airbus engine Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries will work with British aerospace giant Rolls-Royce to develop a new engine for the new Airbus A350 passenger jet. Sports Cricket: Spinners spare blushes Adam Gilchrist at his belligerent best threatened to inflict a humiliating defeat on Bangladesh in the first one-day international at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Akram Inswinger It was a good toss to win by the Bangladeshi captain as they were given a flying start by the two opening batsmen on a slow track with no grass or moisture.   Cricket: A bad day's business Black-marketers who managed to get hold of a large number of tickets for the first ODI between Bangladesh and Australia, had a bitter experience yesterday during the match at the Chittagong Divisional   Cricket: Rakib hits hundred Rakib slammed 139 runs to propel Rayer Bazar High School to an overwhelming 281 run victory over Dhaka Government Muslim High School in the Standard Chartered National School Cricket tournament at the   Football: 3 walkovers on Day 3 Kaeys and Ehsnaul each scored a brace to give Motherganj MB High School of Thakurgaon a 4-0 victory over Bangla Hili Pilot High School of Dinajpur in an incident-packed match of the banglalink tiger trophy   Cricket: Laxman rubbishes retirement talks VVS Laxman has brushed aside suggestions that, at the age of 31, he is too old to play the game at the highest level and asserted that he remained a match-winner.   Cricket: Yasin shines for Lt Blue Light Blue off-spinner Yasin Arafat picked up three wickets as Maroon team were reeling at 160 for 6 at stumps on the first day of the BCB BRAC Bank Academy Cup at BKSP yesterday.   Cricket: Clark unhappy at being dropped Stuart Clark has revealed his disappointment at being dropped from the Australian Test side, after he played a vital role in their emphatic whitewash in South Africa.   Football: Bits and Bobs Robson against Becks captaincy Afp, London West Brom manager and former-England captain Bryan Robson claimed Sunday that Real Madrid star David Beckham is too weak to captain the national   Football: Reds foil Chelsea dream Liverpool reached the FA Cup final and foiled Chelsea's bid for the league-Cup double with a 2-1 victory in their semifinal at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.   Football: Celta hammer Zaragoza Celta Vigo hammered Real Zaragoza 4-0 at home in the Primera Liga on Saturday to move within two points of the Champions League places.   Cricket: Sachin 33 today Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 33rd birthday on Monday, battling injuries and an indifferent form but having lost none of the hunger to resurrect a phenomenal career.   Cricket: Ump's decision sparks violence At least 23 people were injured in a clash between two groups, in connection with a cricket match at Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur on Saturday afternoon.   Cricket: Bhaji sure of WI triumph Harbhajan Singh has backed India to claim their first Test series triumph in the Caribbean for 34 years in June.   Cricket: It will not be easy for Asia The battle to win the right to host the 2011 World Cup is likely to go down to the wire with Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, confirming that Australia and New Zealand have refused   Cricket: Hayden speaks highly of his skipper Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who had famously hailed Sachin Tendulkar as God five years ago, has said the Indian's record of scoring highest number of Test centuries would soon be overtaken by his   Schumi wins San Marino Michael Schumacher has ended his long drought without a competitive victory in Formula One when he held off a fierce challenge from world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso to win the San Marino GrandPrix.   Football: Brazilian Lincoln Ballack's successor? Bayern Munich manager Felix Magath said Sunday he is targeting Schalke 04's Brazilian playmaker Lincoln as a replacement for German international captain Michael Ballack.   Football: Nancy revive Platini days Nancy turned to history for inspiration as they beat Nice 2-1 in the French League Cup final on Saturday to lift their first trophy in 28 years.   Cricket: Jason delays county debut Fast bowler Jason Gillespie delayed his planned debut for Yorkshire against Derbyshire on Sunday because of travel weariness.   Football: Porto win Portuguese League A second half Adriano penalty gave Porto a 1-0 win over relegated Penafiel on Saturday as they clinched their 21st Portuguese Premier League title.   Tennis: Spain, USA in Fed Cup semis Jamea Jackson booked a place for the United States in the Fed Cup semifinals on Sunday as Anabel Medina handed Spain their third successive final four berth. Metropolitan Strengthen cooperative movement to reduce poverty: PM Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called for involving the cooperatives in various programmes of the government to reduce poverty to half by the year 2015.   Road accidents cause yearly loss of Tk 5000 crore The annual economic cost of road accidents alone exceeds Tk 5000 crore, an expert told BSS in an exclusive interview yesterday.   Land ministry yet to receive list of sensitive cases The government did not receive a single list of the sensitive cases relating to land from any of the 64 district commissioners despite passage of about four months since issuance of the government order   Cases filed against AL leaders, workers in Tangail Two cases were filed against Awami League (AL) leaders and activists yesterday for defying Section 144 and snatching rifle during a clash with police at Dhanbari under Madhupur upazila in the district   410 awarded death sentences by Speedy Trial Tribunals Nine Speedy Trial Tribunals awarded death sentences to 410 people in different sensational murder cases since their formation in October 2002 while 24 convicts of capital punishment were executed during   Victims to get compensation cheques today Compensation for death and injuries in the Phoenix building collapse will be handed over to the victims and their families today.   Bangladesh Health Watch launched Bangladesh Health Watch (BHW), a civil society initiative, was launched in the city yesterday with a view to monitoring the progress towards achieving the goals of good health for all.   Photojournalist arrested on extortion charge Police arrested a photojournalist on charge of extortion in Rajshahi city yesterday.   US envoy meets edn minister US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis yesterday made a courtesy call on Education Minister Dr M Osman Farruk at his office.   Rickshaw van puller stabbed to death in Keraniganj A rickshaw van puller was killed and two others injured early yesterday during indiscriminate chopping at West Barishur Muslimbad area under Keraniganj in Dhaka.   Army officer killed in road accident Major Galib Chowdhury of Jessore Cantonment was killed in a road accident on Jessore-Benapole road at Jhikargachha on Saturday night.   Tk 60 lakh Indian sarees seized in city Custom officials yesterday seized huge amount of illegal Indian sarees worth Tk 60 lakh from the city's Jatrabari area.   BSF returns bodies of 2 farmers The Border Security Force (BSF) of India handed over the bodies of two Bangladeshi farmers to the BDR following a flag meeting at Baragram bordering area in Dinajpur yesterday.   One beaten to death for stealing bulbs A man died after security guards beat him up for allegedly stealing bulbs at Panthapath in the city in the early hours of yesterday. The dead was identified as Mohammad Raihan, 28.   21 houses gutted in Ctg Twenty-one houses were gutted damaging properties worth over Tk 20 lakh in two separate incidents of fire in Chittagong in the early hours of yesterday.   8 robbers held A band of robbers along with the ringleader were arrested yesterday morning while they were preparing to storm into different residential areas of Joypurhat and Naogaon.   Boy electrocuted An eight-year old boy was electrocuted at Kamrangirchar in the city yesterday when he climbed a tree to pluck mangoes. The dead was identified as Hridoy, son of Hemayet Hossain of Borogram at Kamrangirchar.   Dr Kaafee found dead 10 hrs after 911phone glitch in US Dr Kaafee Billah, a Bangladeshi immigrant in the United States, was found dead on April 19 at his Maryland workplace, 10 hours after he had called emergency services saying he needed medical help. National Spending Tk 6cr a year on a white elephant Magura Textile Mills (MTM) under BTMC (Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation) incurs a loss of about Tk 6 crore a year although it is officially shut down.   Brahmaputra sand lifting has become a cause for concern A number of important installations including the Mymensingh town protection embankment, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge and Muktijuddha Memorial are threatened due to indiscriminate lifting of earth   A blessing for ultra-poor women in Patuakhali A Danida project has made life of over 20,000 ultra poor women easy by involving them in building rural infrastructures in Patuakhali.   JMB cadre held in Tangail A cadre of banned Islamist militant outfit Ja'amatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), allegedly trained in Afganistan, was arrested by Tangail DB police yesterday.   School boys held with pipegun Two students of Annada Government High School were arrested with a pipe gun at Datiara in Brahmanbaria town yesterday. The arrestees are Asadur Rahman Imon and Ahsan Ahmed Chowdhury.   JCD, Jubo Dal men threaten newsman Gofran Biswas, Patuakhali Correspondent of English language daily The Bangladesh Observer has been threatened with death by some activists of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, fronts of ruling BNP in Kalapara   Adar Ali Finally Flees Satkhira Resisted by women, drug peddler Adar Ali in Palashpole area in Satkhira town has left the area closing his 'business'.   Akhaura bypass rail track to open in May The Akhaura by-pass track on Dhaka-Sylhet rail line is awaiting inauguration since its completion in January. The by-pass faciity will reduce the travel time by one hour.   Teens join Daily Star event in Brahmanbaria The Global Youth Service Day was observed here yesterday through various programmes, participated by teenagers. Point-Counterpoint Imperative for restoring peace in Nepal NEPAL'S political situation has taken a serious and dangerous turn.   Currency manipulation and taka THE first part of this article, published on April 10, dealt with China's currency manipulation for mercantilist advantage to make its exports cheaper worldwide and imports relatively expensive at home.   Nuclear showdown with Iran: Ominous signs on the horizon The clock is ticking fast; Iran has less than a week to comply with the Security Council directive to end its nuclear enrichment program. Culture A soulful performance of Maijbhandari songs WITH acoustics of indigenous instruments, dance and tune, the mystic Maijbhandari singers captivated the audience at the Plaza of National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) onApril   In search of an enlightened generation The prize-giving ceremony of Bishwa Shahitya Kendra, Chittagong was held recently at Chittagong Municipal Model High School, according to a press release. International King fights for throne The King of Nepal's refusal to release his firm grip on power has helped unite a fractious opposition and threatened his survival as exalted head of the country, analysts said.   India voices support for Nepali parties India expressed support on Saturday for Nepal's seven-party opposition political alliance in what analysts said was a face-saving exercise after New Delhi initially welcomed King Gyanendra's offer.   Lanka seeks EU ban on Tigers to save truce Sri Lanka yesterday asked the European Union to designate Tamil Tiger rebels as terrorists, saying such a move could nudge them into resuming talks on a collapsing ceasefire.   Diplomats pessimistic over Iranian crisis For the first time since the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme kicked off some three years ago, Western diplomats are saying the prospects for a negotiated settlement look extremely slim.   PM seeks Germany's support for Indo-US civilian nuke deal Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed optimism that Germany would respond positively to India's energy requirements by extending support to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.   4 killed as Pak tribals refuse to disarm A paramilitary trooper and three tribesmen were killed on Sunday in a shoot-out in a restive Pakistani tribal region, as authorities tried to enforce a ban on carrying arms, officials said.   Fatah, Hamas gunmen clash in Gaza The militant group Hamas and rival Fatah agreed early yesterday to work to end tension that erupted in violent clashes and mass protests across the Palestinians areas after a Hamas leader accused Palestinian   Blasts near green zone kill 7 Iraqis Three explosions just outside the heavily guarded Green Zone killed seven Iraqi civilians and wounded eight yesterday while seven US soldiers were killed by roadside bombings, a US official said.   Fighting escalates in Afghanistan Afghan security forces surrounded Taliban fighters hiding in a village in southern Afghanistan yesterday, launching a gunbattle that killed at least three militants and a police officer.   Tight security for Kashmir elections Tight security was in place ahead of special local elections in four Indian Kashmir districts after militant separatists threatened to attack candidates and voters, police said Sunday.   Thais vote in by-polls that may reignite crisis Thailand held by-elections yesterday amid tight security, but the polls threatened to leave unresolved the constitutional crisis that forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step aside.   Six dead in Libyan military plane crash in Cameroon A Libyan military cargo plane crashed Sunday in the Cameroonian town of Kousseri near the border with Chad, killing all six crew, the town's deputy mayor told AFP.   Two killed in Yemen market bombing Two people were killed and 16 more wounded in a bomb blast in a crowded market in the Yemeni capital Sanaa yesterday, police said.   More troops head to troubled Solomons Australia and New Zealand sent more troops to the Solomons yesterday to bolster security amid fears the opening of parliament could trigger further riots in the impoverished South Pacific island nation. Editorial Editorial: Continuing Nepal tragedy There cannot be a greater and stronger voice than the voice of the people. It is the will of the people that must in the end prevail and indeed that is what happens ultimately.   Editorial: The strange disappearance Ever since Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was picked up from the capital by plainclothesmen and whisked away to USA reportedly by FBI a few questions have been haunting the   Three cheers for Kansat The occasions for such hurrahs are indeed few and far between in this country.   What will this election solve? The big issue for the next nine months is: who is going to win the elections. Really? Who cares? Powerful institutions certainly do care. You and I do.   Do Socialists have a future? From a thundering beginning in Bombay to a whimpering end in Bihar after three stints in power in New Delhi. That sums up the career of George Fernandes, one of India's most colourful politicians.   A people's victory For the last three months the government miserably failed in satiating the dissatisfaction and containing the anger of the people of Kansat and its adjacent areas. Letters to Editor Employing lobbyists I read with interest the news articles that appeared on page 1 of your April 10 issue relating to hiring of lobbyists by the government to push its agenda among centres of power in the US capital.   Police friend or foe? Police, who should perform the job of maintaining law and order of the country, have become a source of worry for us! Surely they are in the lead news of all the newspapers not for their routine activities   Bangladesh and its image The prime minister has repeatedly complained that her enemies have been tarnishing the image of Bangladesh by calling hartals; alleging corruption on the part of BNP men and by sharing their complaints   Iran's nuclear plan Iran has a nuclear plan that has made Mr. Bush angry. And the world's most powerful nation is planning to wipe off one more Muslim country from the world map like Iraq & Afghanistan.   Solar energy In a country of large population scarcity of utility services is quite common.. In every region of our country, we have load shedding. But in this high tech world we have several substitutes for electricity.   Politics of personality cult I noticed on news Prime Minister Khaleda Zia being greeted on her return from Turkey at 1:30am at night by not only the senior members of her cabinet but also the three chiefs of the armed forces and   Free medicine Free sampling of medicine to the doctors is a common practice by the pharmaceutical companies.   Public memory There is a saying that public memory is short lived and surpassed by new events. The political scene of Bangladesh is fast changing with new events surpassing old events in public mind.   Celebrating Pahela Baishakh In a globalised world, where the dominant cultural practices are supplanting the local ones, the celebration of Pahela Baishakh is an act of self-assertion, courage and conviction on the part of the Bangladeshis.   Alternative energy resource I totally agree with Mr. Syed Noor Hossain on the production and use of ethanol as a supplement to petroleum and CNG.   Civil servants or masters? The government should pay more attention towards making the civil servants publicly motivated. The training institutes and courses are there, but motivation to serve the public interests has eroded.   Image of Bangladesh When I go to web and search in Google or Yahoo with the keyword "Bangladesh", I most of the time get some links which just depict negative images of our country.   Indian TV channels Through your daily let me propose a ban on Indian television channels in Bangladesh territory, to save our children from intrusion of foreign culture and ideas and to save our economy from the aggressive Star City Rajuk cancels its own order under pressure In the face of objection raised by a section of its officials, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has cancelled the approval for commercial use of a plot in the city's Banani area, according to   Osmani Udyan beautification going on in full swing Development and beautification of Osmani Udyan is going on in full swing to turn it into an attractive recreation spot for the city dwellers.   No sign of planting new trees No new trees have yet been replaced with the ones felled for the extension of roads from the Banani Staff Road level crossing to Bijoy Sarani fountain or near the Panthakunja Park.   Accommodation crisis brewing The crisis faced by female students of Dhaka Dental College and Hospital, is likely to escalate with the rise in the number of seats to the college, but authorities have made no attempt to increase the   Soon to be a reality The Dhaka University (DU) History Research Centre will finally gain ground after lingering for several years since the inception of its idea in 1988, assured SMA Faiz, DU's vice-chancellor.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. 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