Vol. 5 Num 688 Sun. May 07, 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 From gallop to canter Talk to any industrialist -- big or small -- and you will notice a general notion of apprehension among them. Production is falling, challenges are becoming stiffer and the going is getting difficult.   BNP men take control as army offers water Ruling BNP activists seized the whip hand at Shanir Akhra in Demra yesterday, terrorising the Friday's demonstrators, although the locals heaved a sigh of relief as the army supplied them with water since   Road accidents claim 10 lives a day It was a big bang, but of the entirely opposite kind, which blotted out a family microcosmos from existence in the twinkling of an eye.   All signs predict finality of list The possibility of ameliorating the controversy regarding the unusual rise in the number of voters on the draft voter list seems to be very little since the Election Commission (EC) has no plan to examine   Low voltage, outage lead to city's water crisis Lower-voltage electricity and frequent power cuts across the city are the main reasons for ongoing water crisis, officials of Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) claim.   BSCIC units hit hard by power crisis Frequent power outages for three to four hours daily in the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) area in Tongi near Dhaka are forcing small and medium entrepreneurs to incur production   Govt forms body for permanent solution The government has formed a four-member committee to suggest measures for permanent solution to water and power crises in the city's Demra area.   Stop Pollution   Nagorik Committee holds 4th meet The fourth meeting of the Nagorik Committee 2006 was held yesterday at the dialogue room of civil society think-tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).   Jubo Dal leader killed in 'crossfire' A Jubo Dal leader was killed in 'crossfire' between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) men and his accomplices at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city yesterday.   Intelligence, central bank find BD Foods link Intelligence and central bank officials investigating the smuggling of 75.5kg heroin to the UK found links of BD Foods with the illicit dealing.   BNP lawmakers oppose contempt bill, ask govt to 'go slow' with it Ruling BNP lawmakers at a parliamentary body meeting yesterday opposed the contempt of court bill as placed in the House and asked to go slow with the sensitive issue.   Demra people expressed no-trust in govt, says Hasina Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina yesterday said people's agitation for uninterrupted water and electricity supply in the city's Shanir Akhra area was the expression of their no-confidence in the BNP-Jamaat   Posing danger to passengers   PM flies to Kuwait today Prime Minister Khaleda Zia flies for Kuwait today on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti premier Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.   IOJ faction quits ruling alliance A faction of Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) yesterday quit the BNP-led ruling alliance protesting what it said were misrule, corruption and nepotism of the coalition government, and floated a new party named   Transport strike called off in 4 districts Transport strike was called off yesterday in four out of the 13 districts of the southwestern region.   RU students confine VC for removal of a teacher Several hundred agitating students of the Department of Botany yesterday confined the vice-chancellor (VC) and other university officials for six hours demanding immediate removal of a teacher of thedepartment   JS body to talk Kansat violence, militancy today Rise of Islamist militancy and Kansat issues will figure prominently in the meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on home ministry to be held today.   BSF abducts 2 Bangladeshi nationals The Indian Border Security force (BSF) abducted two Bangladeshi citizens from Satkhira and Kurigram districts yesterday.   Ctg faces 150 MW power shortage Frequent power cuts due to an average daily power shortage of 150 megawatts (MW) are causing unbearable sufferings to the dwellers of the port city.   Rebels down British chopper in Iraq A British military helicopter crashed in the southern city of Basra yesterday and Iraqi police said the four-member crew was killed.   Russia baulks at draft UN resolution on Iran Differences between the United States and its key UN allies over Iran were exposed again yesterday when Russia said major changes were needed in a draft resolution requiring Tehran to halt uranium enrichment.   Condition of Saifur improves The condition of Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, who was admitted to Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad on Friday following complaints of breathlessness, yesterday improved remarkably and he is fully conscious,   Power outages spark riots in India Eighteen people were arrested as protestors attacked electricity stations and government officials over frequent power cuts amid soaring temperatures in northern India, police said yesterday. Business Taiwanese keen to invest in Bangladesh A Taiwanese business delegation comprising more than 100 manufacturers will visit Bangladesh this month to explore investment potential here and enhance bilateral trade relations.   Two-way interaction key to bridging corporate house-media gap A two-way interaction is essential to bridge the gaps between media and corporate houses to ensure better corporate governance, speakers at a consultation said yesterday in Dhaka.   Steel millers oppose guaranteed gas supply Local steel manufacturers oppose any deal that will ensure a long-term guaranteed gas supply to India's industrial heavyweight Tata.   Tourists arrival in India from ME may go up 20pc Tourist arrivals in India from the Middle East may go up by about 20 per cent in the wake of several initiatives the government have taken, a high level Indian tourism delegation said here.   KSA, Kuwait to build oil refineries in Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Pertamina and oil companies from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will build two oil refineries in Indonesia.   GP to launch new chain of sales, service centres GrameenPhone (GP) Ltd, the largest mobile phone operator in the country, is going to launch new GP centres nationwide very soon to provide 'one stop solution' for its customers with all telecommunications   Tata Motors, Brazilian firm to make bus in India India's automobile giant Tata Motors on Friday announced a joint venture with Brazil-based bus body manufacturer Marcopolo to make and assemble fully-built buses and coaches for domestic and overseasmarkets.   China's central bank seeks to cool overheated sectors China's central bank is seeking to cool down overheating economic sectors such as real estate as well as cut massive foreign exchange reserves, a top government official said Saturday.   Suspended Renault car deal to go ahead: Iran A suspended deal between Iran and French car giant Renault to make a new mass-market vehicle aimed at Iranian consumers will go ahead after the two sides resolved an export dispute, the industry ministry   S'pore growth in '06 likely to beat expectations Singapore's economy is likely to grow faster than the estimated 4.0 to 6.0 percent this year due to better-than-expected output expansion in the first quarter, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.   Ringgit rises to a fresh eight-year high The ringgit continued its gradual but solid appreciation against the US dollar on Friday (May 5), settling at a new eight-year high of 3.605 after touching 3.602 in intra-day trading.   NBP Bangladesh to use banking software of LEADS National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) (Bangladesh Operations) will use the banking software, PcBANK2000, of LEADS Corporation Ltd, a software development company, to provide modern online banking facilities   Japanese team visits ACME beverage factory A 30-member delegation led by Akira Joko, president of Kokorozashi Network of Japan, visited the Dhamrai factory of ACME Agrovet and Beverages Ltd on Tuesday.   Germany raises tax revenue forecast The German finance ministry expects its tax revenues this year to be 6.5 billion euros (8.   Spain, Bolivia discuss gas nationalisation Spanish officials on Friday said they had reached a "good understanding" with Bolivia on La Paz's natural gas nationalisation plan and noted that they have faith in the guarantees President Evo Morales   Shell reports exploration success in Nigeria Royal/Dutch Shell reported Saturday an exploration success at its deep water Bonga North oil and gas prospect offshore Nigeria to boost output of Africa's biggest crude exporter. Sports Cricket: Weak bid still the winner Indian Cricket Board on Saturday said the Asian bloc had managed to win the World Cup bid ahead of Australia and New Zealand despite none of the factors being in their favour.   Football: Hattricks hog the day There was a goals galore in the banglalink tiger trophy National School Football Championship matches at different venues across the country yesterday.   Cricket: Final round from today The eight-team knockout round of the Standard Chartered Young Tigers National School Cricket tournament begins at four different venues in the city today.   Cricket: Khadem brings back Navy Blue Navy Blue were brought back to the game by a superb hundred by one-drop Sirajullah Khadem in the second day of the three-day match against Light Blue in the BCB BRAC Bank Academy Cup cricket tournament   Football: Italy 1934: Mussolini's menace Having staged the first World Cup in the right place, FIFA this time did the exact opposite in that they handed the second tournament to Italy.   Football: Bits and Bobs Klinsmann summons nine Afp, Frankfurt German national coach Jurgen Klinsmann has called up nine players for physical tests next week ahead of the World Cup.   Football: Ronaldo not envious of Ronaldinho Real Madrid star Ronaldo said he was not envious that Ronaldinho was considered the best player in the world and also predicted Brazil would win their sixth World Cup title, Veja magazine reported onSaturday.   Cricket: Martin leads NZ fightback A five-wicket haul by fast bowler Chris Martin and an improved second innings batting performance brought New Zealand back into contention on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa   Football: A case of identity Australia's World Cup match with Croatia in Stuttgart next month will be spiced up by the prospect of playing against three Australians who turned their back on the country of their birth to represent   Football: Argentina name pre-squad Argentina coach Jose Pekerman named a 16-man World Cup pre-squad on Friday containing players who are assured of their World Cup place.   Football: Mexico down Venezuela A second-half penalty by striker Omar Bravo earned Mexico a comfortable 1-0 win over Venezuela in a World Cup warm-up match at the Rosebowl on Friday.   Cricket: Lara refuses to disregard tourists West Indies captain Brian Lara declined to write off struggling Zimbabwe ahead of the next two one-day internationals in Georgetown this weekend.   Cricket: Sehwag calls for rest India's cricketers have joined the debate over player burnout, with Virender Sehwag, the vice-captain, telling reporters that the board (BCCI) had been asked to reduce the number of matches played bythe   Cricket: Ntini hungry for more Makhaya Ntini ripped through the New Zealand batting as South Africa grabbed a commanding position on the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wanderers on Friday.   Tennis: Clijsters reaches final Kim Clijsters maintained her domination of Russia's Elena Dementieva on Saturday with a 7-5, 6-4 semifinal victory at the Warsaw Open which hands the Belgian her second final of the year.   Football: Gunners aim fitting farewell Arsenal will say goodbye to their home of 93 years when they play Wigan at Highbury on Sunday. But they will have plenty more than just sentiment to play for on Sunday.   Football: Rooney should focus on fitness Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar believes his injured Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney should play down his ambitions of playing at the World Cup and concentrate on getting fitinstead.   Golf: Wie makes history American teenage golf sensation Michelle Wie made history with her first cut in a men's event on a sizzling three-under-par 69 in the second round of the SK Telecom Open on Friday.   Football: Mourinho plays down Tevez link Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has played down speculation that the club will sign Corinthians striker Carlos Tevez, the BBC reported on Saturday.   Athletics: Gatlin finishes under 10 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of the United States ran a blistering 9.95 seconds Saturday in his first 100-metres of the new season.   Alonso on pole Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso edged out Michael Schumacher to take his first pole position of the season at the European Grand Prix on Saturday.   Cricket: Rain washes out third ODI International Cricket Council match officials decided to abandon the third one-day international between West Indies and Zimbabwe on Saturday.   Cricket: Pakistan A lift EurAsia Series A century from Hasan Raza was the anchor for Pakistan A's 36-run victory over India A in the final of the EurAsia Series in Abu Dhabi.   Cricket: Vaughan sees chance for novices Injured captain Michael Vaughan says at least two unproven England bowlers will have a perfect opportunity to shine in the first Test against Sri Lanka.   Cricket: SL slump to huge defeat Sri Lanka's final match before next week's first Test ended in a crushing 10-wicket defeat by England A with more than a day to spare at New Road here Saturday.   Cricket: Nazar appointed NCA boss Former all-rounder Mudassar Nazar has been appointed as Director of the National Cricket Academy, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said.   Cricket: Spin camp in Africa Australian leg-spinner coach Terry Jenner will hold a four-day training camp in Kenya this month for young bowlers from eight African countries, Kenyan cricket officials said Friday.   Football: Anderlecht clinch Belgian title Anderlecht claimed their 28th Belgian first division title in style on Friday with a 3-0 home win against Zulte Waregem on the final day of the season.   Football: Ronaldo to miss Zizou farewell Real Madrid's Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo is set to miss out on French star Zinedine Zidane's Bernabeu farewell against Villarreal on Sunday as he is still recovering from a muscle tear, the club   Football: Robben expects Chelsea stay Netherlands winger Arjen Robben expects to stay at Chelsea next season and refuses to worry about rumours of big-money signings at Stamford Bridge.   Football: Venables to aid McClaren Steve McLaren, who takes over the England manager's job after the World Cup, is expected to ask for help from, among others, former boss Terry Venables, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday.   Cricket: Coach woos former Zim stars Zimbabwe's coach Kevin Curran will visit England to persuade players who have turned their back on their homeland to reconsider their choice.   Football: Another accolade for Henry Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has been named player of the year by English Premiership sponsors.   Football: Fine for Barca's Henry fan Spain's sporting anti-violence commission on Friday handed a fine of 60,100 euros to the fan who presented Arsenal striker Thierry Henry with a personalised Barcelona shirt at Villarreal's El Madrigal   Cricket: Antigua ground most impressive The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given the Sir Vivian Richards World Cup stadium the highest mark of approval, local organisers said.   Erratum Dear Readers, We apologise for a minor mistake that arose in our World Cup countdown. Logistic trouble resulted in us misplacing the number by a single day. Metropolitan Ratify Cedaw to ensure women's empowerment Patriarchal society and lack of opportunity to contest parliamentary election directly are the two main obstacles to empowering women in the country, said the speakers at a roundtable yesterday.   Driver killed, rice-laden truck hijacked in city A driver was killed in the city yesterday to hijack a rice-laden truck. He was identified as Mohammad Sohag, 40, who hailed from Shibaloy of Manikganj.   6 killed in road crashes At least six people, including a sub-inspector (SI) of police, were killed in separate road accidents in Tangail, Comilla and Sirajganj yesterday.   'Bring Kansat culprits to book' Speakers at a discussion yesterday demanded that the persons responsible for killing 20 people and resorting to repression on women in Kansat be brought to book immediately.   Old Dhaka residents to stage hunger strike for power, water Residents of Old Dhaka threatened to observe a daylong hunger strike on May 25 if Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority (DESA) and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) fail to supply uninterrupted   Gold worth Tk 35 lakh looted from jeweller's Burglars stole 200 tolas of gold worth Tk 35 lakh and Tk 2.5 lakh in cash from a jewellery shop at Patuatali in the city on Friday night.   Four JCD men held for 'bid to abduct girl' The Detective Branch (DB) arrested four Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists on Friday night for attempting to abduct a girl from her house in the city.   Tribute paid to Nasreen Huq Speakers at a memorial meeting yesterday paid tribute to the memory of Nasreen Pervin Huq, a prominent social activist, saying that she dedicated her life to the welfare of the deprived people.   2 godowns of Meghna Oil Mill gutted in N'ganj Two godowns of Meghna Oil Mill in Sonargaon upazila were gutted in a fire yesterday morning.   Rural people deprived of treatment Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said the rural people are being deprived of treatment as the doctors are willing to stay only in urban areas.   Joy asks Jubo Mahila League to strengthen movement Members of Bangladesh Jubo Mahila League exchanged views with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's son Sajib Wajed Joy at Sudha Sadan in the city yesterday.   Police conduct fresh 'motor parade' Police detectives yesterday conducted a fresh round of 'motor parade' at the spot where Nasreen Pervin Huq, country director of ActionAid, was killed in a car accident on April 24.   Women commissioners demand equal rights Women Ward Commissioners of Khulna City Corporation formed a human chain at the Picture Palace Cinema hall intersection in Khulna City yesterday demanding equal rights and fare participation in development   Death anniversary of Ahsanullah Master today The second death anniversary of Awami League lawmaker Ahsanullah Master will be observed today.   13 hurt as JCD men clash at DU At least 13 activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student front of the ruling BNP, were injured in intra-party clashes between the activists of Suryasen Hall and Ziaur Rahman Hall of Dhaka University   14-party to agitate for scrapping of voter list Awami League (AL) led 14-party opposition combine will stage rallies across the country, demanding cancellation of the draft voter list, which it alleges, has a huge number of fake voters.   Rise in crime worries Khulna politicians Leaders of different political parties expressed grave concern at the sudden rise in crime and price hike of essentials in Khulna city.   All telephone lines go out of order in C'nwabganj All the telephone lines in Chapainawabganj have gone out of order since yesterday morning.   Convicted fugitive held Army arrested a convicted fugitive in journalist Kamal murder case at Nayapara under Manikchhari upazila here yesterday.   Parliamentary team leaves for Kenya A 10-member parliamentary delegation led by Whip Rezaul Bari Dina left Dhaka for Kenya yesterday to attend the 114th IPU conference.   Jalil condemns attack on AL programme Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil MP in a statement condemned the attack on the the programme of AL Advisory Council member Fakhrul Islam Munshi by the ruling party cadres.   Cab driver hacked to death in Dhamrai A taxicab driver was hacked to death by a gang of unidentified assailants at Dhamrai on Friday night. National JCD men, interns ransack hospital canteen in Barisal Activists of ruling BNP's student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and a section of intern doctors belonging to the party ransacked and looted the doctors' canteen at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical   Mirzapur AL to besiege election office today Awami League (AL) will hold a rally and besiege Mirzapur upazila election office today in protest against dropping of the name of local AL lawmaker Ekabbar Hossain from the draft voter list publishedon   AL lawmaker Noor, wife not on voter list The name of Awami League (AL) lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor has been dropped from the draft voter list published by the Election Commission (EC) recently.   Bus strike in S-W dists passes fifth day The strike by private bus owners that began in 13 south-western districts on Wednesday demanding withdrawal of BRTC bus service in the area continued for the fourth day yesterday, causing sufferings to   Coal importers protest private land acquisition The Coal Importers Group, Sylhet yesterday urged the government not to acquire private lands to establish Tamabil land port and threatened agitation including suspension of coal import for non-compliance.   Hospital to be set up after Veena Sikri A hospital for women will be set up in Kishoreganj, Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri. announced this yesterday. But she did not say who will fund it. Point-Counterpoint Justice will not be denied forever The High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, in a seminal judgment (Abdul Momen Chowdhury and others vs Bangladesh) delivered on May 24, 2005 directed the Election Commission (EC) to   The widening rich-poor gap Bangladesh has made notable progress in both income and human poverty reduction since independence, with national poverty dropping by nine percent in the last decade.   Mission impossible Nuclear power is widely used, though any breakdown of a reactor may create havoc, as happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine twenty years ago. Culture Shahadat aims high Shahadat Hussain, who is having his 12th solo exhibition at Gallery Kaya, established himself as a powerful printmaker in the 80s.   Thumbs up from the audience Dhaka's music lovers were in for some entertainment at an unplugged concert at the Bashundhara Convention Centre on May 5.   Special programmes on Tagore's 145th birth anniversary To celebrate Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore's 145th birth anniversary, TV channels will air special musical programmes, dance recitals, plays, tele-films, discussions and more. International 10 GIs killed as US chopper crashes in Afghanistan A US helicopter involved in an anti-Taliban combat operation crashed in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan, killing all 10 US soldiers on board, the US military said yesterday.   Blair under pressure to go Tony Blair, Britain's embattled prime minister, was facing growing pressure yesterday to announce when he plans to resign even as the dust settled on his most dramatic cabinet reshuffle since taking office.   Violence out of control in Lanka: Monitors A Japanese peace envoy was to arrive in Sri Lanka for talks Saturday as Scandinavian monitors said violence between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels was out of control.   Nepal king worships power goddess Nepal's humbled King Gyanendra used his first public appearance since restoring democracy to sacrifice animals and offer prayers to the Hindu goddess of power, officials and local media said yesterday.   India blisters in heat wave At least 27 people have died of sunstroke in India's eastern Orissa state, a state official said, taking the heat-related death toll in India to 33 as temperatures soared yesterday.   Bush says fight against terror is 'World War III' US President George W. Bush Friday said the September 11 revolt of passengers against their hijackers on board Flight 93 had struck the first blow of "World War III".   CIA chief Goss quits CIA chief Porter Goss, assigned to rebuild the US spy agency after the twin intelligence breakdowns of September 11 and Iraq, quit under pressure on Friday after less than two years on the job.   'Stillborn' Indian infant comes alive just before burial A baby declared stillborn by Indian doctors started to move his limbs and cry just before his father was to bury him, the infant's uncle said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Tackling public agitation The attitude of the government in tackling public agitation leaves much to be desired; and the handling of the Demra incident, which was contemptible to say the least, exposes the lack of police sensitivity.   Editorial: Business awardees do us proud We are delighted to have honoured four business leaders for their brilliant entrepreneurial performances.   Minister for Kupi hints at dark future Everything is happening all at a time in the Land of Hope. At the moment, people there are queuing up to buy kupi (indigenous kerosene lamp) to fight the "dark future" that awaits them.   Slips between the cup and the lip Just as one was about to salute the people of Nepal for their victory over a dictatorial King, a few confusing developments occurred. Letters to Editor Political alliance The political understanding between the BNP and Jamaat is very dangerous for the people. The united strength of people can uproot the anti-people forces.   Agitated people We saw the agitated youths throwing stones at police and burning tires.   Fact, not fiction I belong to the generation that is going to lead Bangladesh into the next two decades. And then it will be the turn of the post-independence bloomers.   If you mean business! Definitely, politics in our country is a dirty game that no dignified person unless otherwise motivated feels like indulging in. Star Health Hormone replacement therapy: Benefits and alternatives Hormone replacement therapy had been the standard therapy in the for treating menopausal (period usually between 45 and 55 years of age when a woman stops menstruating and can no longer bear children)   Dementia: Not always Alzheimer's Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to think, speak, reason, remember and move.   Unclean fuels kill 1.5 m people per year worldwide Half the world's population burns wood, coal, dung and other solid fuels to cook food and heat their homes, exposing them to dangerous smoke that kills 1.   Man weighing 1,200 pounds seeks life-saving surgery A Mexican man who at 550 kg (1,200 lb) is possibly the heaviest person in the world hopes to travel to Italy for a life-saving operation to shed weight.   Oldest mother at 63 A 63-year-old British hospital consultant who is to become one of the world's oldest mothers after undergoing fertility treatment abroad told that she was delighted with her pregnancy.   Your Doctor Dear Doctor, I am more than 60 years old with sound health. For the last few years, I have been facing a problem with my right hand. Star City Some blame govt; others -- the taka against the dollar Taking advantage of frequent load shedding in the capital and the devaluation of local currency against the dollar, businessmen selling generators are making brisk money, dwellers allege.   Help 'children of prisoners' to get their basic rights Tina (not her real name), 13, entered the closed dark walls of a prison cell with her mother as an infant.   Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover The implementation of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover project may soon start as the prime minister during her Kuwait tour beginning today is likely to discuss the funding for the project with the Kuwaiti government,   Children suffering the most in heat A woman at the Dhaka Children's Hospital cuddles and tries to soothe her infant son. "It is so hot these days that even his pillow gets wet," she said. "He has a cough and fever," she added.   UK student visa turn elusive British High Commission in Dhaka are refusing student visas as unscrupulous agents are processing the visa applications of students possessing fake certificates.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.