Vol. 5 Num 690 Tue. May 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 JS session debates on voter list controversy Parliament yesterday witnessed a lively debate on recently published draft voter list when the opposition lawmakers demanded cancellation of the "fake" list and the treasury bench members urged them to   Compromise on stance to reach understanding European Union (EU) envoys in Bangladesh yesterday urged the political leadership to compromise on their rigid positions and reach an understanding through talks to pave the way for free, fair and transparent   Delhi may decide to bypass Dhaka India might finally decide to bypass Bangladesh in importing gas from Mayanmar since Bangladesh has been sitting idle for the last 15 months regarding a tri-nation gas pipeline.   Kuwait agrees to lift recruitment barriers Kuwait has agreed to lift all barriers to recruiting Bangladeshi workers. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah conveyed his government's decision during official talks with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Kuwaiti prime minister's office on Sunday night.   72kg more heroin 'smuggled' to UK Kazi Zafar Reza, proprietor of Rainbow Enterprise, allegedly trafficked in 72kg heroin, in addition to BD Foods' 75.5kg, to the UK, said a source of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation.   Saarc top cops sit today to talk terrorism, trafficking Police chiefs of Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries meet in the capital today to discuss strengthening cooperation among the police departments of the seven member countries   Kuwait pledges to supply fuel on easy terms Responding positively to Bangladesh prime minister's request, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has assured of supplying petroleum products to Bangladesh on easy terms.   AL letter to BNP rejects Jamaat representatives The main opposition Awami League (AL) in its reply to the ruling BNP's letter formally rejected the four-party alliance representatives for the proposed dialogue and resolved to press on with the demand   Writ petitions challenging poll symbols rejected The High Court (HC) summarily rejected yesterday two separate writ petitions challenging the validity of the election symbols of BNP, Awami League (AL), Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.   Shanir Akhra people yet to get adequate water The Water and Sewerage Authorities (Wasa) could not yet ensure adequate supply of water four days into Friday's fierce demonstrations at Shanir Akhra in Demra.   Lawyer argues charges brought against convicts Counsellor for the four convicts yesterday argued the prosecution could not prove that the convicts conspired to murder Shazneen, a student of Scholastica.   No mechanical fault found in Nasreen's car The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) report submitted to the police yesterday said the car that hit ActionAid country director Nasreen Pervin Huq had no mechanical fault.   IMF team seeks Hasina's support For the first time, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF) mission yesterday met Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina apparently to woo her support in raisingfuel   Help prevent use of black money in polls Nagorik Committee 2006, formed as part of a civil society initiative for accountable development, discussed yesterday with high officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) ways to prevent use ofundeclared   Kamal accuses govt of politicising administration, police Jatiya Oikya Mancha (JOM) President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said the ruling alliance has politicised the civil administration, law enforcement agencies and other state owned machinery to rig the next   Sircar rejects 227 opposition motions Speaker of the Parliament Jamiruddin Sircar yesterday rejected 227 adjourned motions on different issues placed by opposition lawmakers for discussion in Jatiya Sangsad.   Ballot backlash fear may put it off Amid a well-founded insistence of the World Bank, IMF and ADB to raise the oil prices to match the global ones, the government is on the horns of a dilemma of whether or not to go for the hike, fearing   Another case filed against chief whip's son Another criminal case was filed against Aktar Hamid Paban, younger son of Chief Whip Khandakar Delwar Hossain, with the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on May 4.   2 killed in 'shootouts' with Rab Two criminals, including an outlaw, were killed in separate incidents of shootouts with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police in the capital and Jhenidah early yesterday.   Govt to pay Tk 83 lakh as compensation The government will pay Tk 83 lakh as compensations to 728 victims and their families following the Kansat unrest in Chapainawabganj.   BSF kills 1 Border Security Force (BSF) of India gunned down a Bangladeshi youth and abducted two others in Thakurgaon and Chapainawabganj yesterday.   Hamid renews call to leave out controversial persons Deputy Leader of the Opposition Abdul Hamid in Jatiya Sangsad yesterday said his party would restructure the delegation for the planned dialogue on electoral reforms if the government renames its delegation.   Transport strike called off Transport strike was called off in the remaining six districts of southwestern region yesterday, ending untold sufferings of the commuters.   Gaibandha by-polls today The by-election of Gaibandha-4 constituency will be held today at 102 polling stations.   Captured fishing cat cubs freed The three captive fishing cat cubs were released in the wilderness at Bhutipukur yesterday morning.   Thai court declares polls null and void Thailand's Constitution Court has invalidated the controversial April election and ordered a new election to be held, Court's Secretary General Paiboon Warahapaithoon said.   Iran president writes to Bush with proposal to ease nuke tension Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written to US President George W. Bush to "propose new ways" to resolve tensions between the two arch enemies, Tehran announced yesterday. Business Private land phones in Dhaka kept in wait Legal tangles arising out of 'controversial conditions' in tender invitation by Bangladesh Tele-communication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will deprive Dhaka residents of availing private fixed phones   Manufacturers see bleak future As industrial production is facing a major blow due to power crisis, manufacturers see a bleak future. Rising fuel cost has pushed freight charge significantly up.   In defence of foreign investment In recent times, we have been reading a lot about foreign investments in Bangladesh.   Pakistan may achieve 7pc growth this fiscal year With the economic activities gaining momentum, the country is poised to achieve close to 7 per cent economic growth rate, enhancing pace of development and creating a positive impact in the lifestyleof   Economic slowdown, high inflation may affect Thai tax revenue Slowdown, inflation could hit tax revenue and delay budget disbursement; govt 'should prioritise plans'.   Singer declares 30pc dividend Singer Bangladesh Ltd has approved a 10 percent final dividend in addition to payment of 20 percent interim dividend, making a total dividend payment of 30 percent for the year 2005.   Emirates extends 2006 FIFA World Cup packages to May 21 Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines and an official partner of 2006 FIFA World Cup, has extended the sale of its FIFA World Cup packages to May 21.   China plans major port project China plans a major new port project on its southeastern coast near Taiwan, a step toward what it hopes will be "free trade" with the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own, state media reportedMonday.   UAE, India may sign MoU on labour issues Days after some foreign labourers including Indians went on the rampage at their workplace over poor conditions and unpaid wages, UAE Saturday assured India that it would ensure companies here honourall   Banks to remain closed on May 11 Bangladesh Bank (BB) and other scheduled banks will remain closed on May 11 on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, a BB press release said yesterday.   Oil prices rise in Asian trade on Iran worries Oil prices rose in Asian trade Monday as tensions between Iran and the West over its nuclear program continued to stir the market ahead of a key meeting among world powers, dealers said.   Thai textile exports continue to grow in Q1 Thailand's textile and garment exports continued to grow in the first quarter of this year, increasing by 9 percent to 1.67 billion US dollars, according to the Department of Foreign Trade. Sports Football: Bernabeu bids Zidane adieu Zinedine Zidane scored for Real Madrid when he was given an emotional send-off by the club's fans on Sunday in his last match at the Bernabeu before his retirement after the World Cup.   Football: France 1938: Winds of War The World Cup was coming back to the land of its fathers, but any celebrations were tempered by events elsewhere.   Football: Bits and Bobs Sheva faces fitness race Reuters, Rome AC Milan's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko has been sidelined for 25 days with a knee injury, the Serie A club said on Monday.   Football: Tk 10 lakh initially for footballers' preparation The National Sports Council (NSC) has guaranteed a first-phase disbursement of Tk 10 lakh for the national football team's preparation for the South Asian (SA) Games.   Cricket: Youth cricket resumes tomorrow The National Youth Cricket Championship will begin tomorrow across the country after a two-year break The 23rd version of the competition called the Dhaka Bank Under-19 Cricket Tournament as the private   Cricket: School cricket semis today Kalindi High School, Nasirabad Government High School and Mashkata Dighi High School joined BKSP in the semifinals of the Standard Chartered Young Tigers National School Cricket after winning their respective   Football: 3 trebles in school soccer Jamal slammed a hattrick and Babul Hossain added two goals as Nilphamari Kanial Khata High School registered a 6-1 victory over Gajghanta School of Rangpur in the banglalink tiger trophy National School   Volleyball: Uttara Div 1 v'ball league champs Uttara Sporting Club clinched the National Bank Metropolis First Division Volleyball League title despite a 3-2 defeat against Azad Sporting Club in the last game at the Volleyball Stadium yesterday.   Hockey: Now 4 to qualify for Asiad hockey The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has decided to reduce the number of qualifiers for the 15th Asian Games to be held in Doha in November.   Cricket: Comfortable win for Light Blue Light Blue thrived on a fine 51 by Uttam Sarker to a four-wicket victory against Maroon in the rain interrupted limited-overs match of the BRAC Bank Academy Cricket at the Mirpur Stadium yesterday.   Football: Elections take back seat The world's top soccer tournament begins June 9 in Germany, and that means Mexico's presidential race -- just like almost everything else in the country -- will grind to a virtual halt for as long asthe   Football: Rooney, Walcott in provisional squad Sven-Goran Eriksson selected injured Wayne Rooney and took an even bolder gamble on teenage Arsenal striker Theo Walcott when he named his provisional England World Cup squad on Monday.   Cricket: A walk for Windies Impressive bowling from Fidel Edwards, as well as a dominant batting performance, paved the way for West Indies to complete an 82-run win in the fourth one-day international against Zimbabwe at Bourda   Cricket: Tendulkar seeks divine blessings India's star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, afflicted by injuries and inconsistent form, has turned to Hindu religious rituals to help overcome the crisis.   Tennis: Nalbandian's double Top seed David Nalbandian of Argentina clinched the Estoril Open for the second time on Sunday with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win over Russian second seed Nikolay Davydenko.   Athletics: 'Forrest Gump' banned A four-year-old Indian child who ran 65 kilometres (40.3 miles) in seven hours last week was on Monday banned by worried welfare officials from running marathons.   Football: Gunners pip Spurs Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick as Arsenal said goodbye to Highbury with a 4-2 win over Wigan on Sunday which also guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season.   Football: Boca retain title Boca Juniors won the Argentine championship for the second year running with a 2-0 victory at Independiente on Sunday.   Football: Title race down to the wire Juventus moved closer to their 29th Serie A title with a 2-1 home win over Palermo on Sunday.   Football: Differing emotions across Spain Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane bid a moving farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday while, at the other end of the Spanish first division, Cadiz endured an emotional night for all the wrong reasons   Cricket: Rahul eyes away win in WI India's Test tour of West Indies starting this week is an excellent opportunity to end their 20-year run without a major series victory outside the sub-continent, captain Rahul Dravid said on Monday.   Schumacher wins European GP Michael Schumacher won the European Grand Prix after a tense race-long battle with Fernando Alonso.   Cricket: Proteas gain in rankings South Africa have climbed above New Zealand into fifth place in the ICC Test rankings following the Proteas' 2-0 series victory over the Black Caps.   Cricket: Casson follows Hauritz to NSW Leg-spinner Beau Casson Monday became the second top-line Australian spinner to defect to New South Wales announcing his move from Western Australia.   Football: Podolski set for Bayern Germany's shooting star Lukas Podolski revealed Monday that he is set to join newly-crowned German champions Bayern Munich after next month's World Cup finals in his homeland.   Football: Toni breaks 30 barrier Fiorentina's Italy international striker Luca Toni struck twice in his team's 5-2 win over Reggina on Sunday to become the first player in 47 years to score 30 goals in Serie A.   Football: Desailly calls time Former France captain Marcel Desailly said on Sunday he had ended his playing career. Desailly confirmed his retirement on French TV station Canal Plus but added: "I'm going to continue to work infootball.   No women in stadiums Iran's supreme leader has vetoed an order by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to end a 26-year-old ban on allowing women in stadiums for major sporting events, the government said Monday. Metropolitan Unite against politics of corruption Leaders of the 11-party, a platform of left leaning political parties, urged people to be united against politics of corruption and to resist looting by the ruling BNP-Jamaat alliance government.   Voter list yet to reach RCC wards The draft voter lists did not reach two wards of Rajshahi City Corporation for the voters' to see as of last evening while many people and other ward commissioners told of noticing fake and double names.   'Free education up to degree level if AL voted to power' Sajib Wajed Joy, son of opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, yesterday came up with his political plans for building a country wherein there would be no poverty and deficiency of food.   4 die in road crashes At least four people were killed in separate road accidents in Sylhet and Kishoreganj yesterday.   Maldives FM lauds EPZs The Maldives expressed satisfaction over congenial investment climate prevailing in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) and development activities of the zones authority.   Stop harassment to agitating people: SCBA The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday urged the government to stop harassment and attack on the people agitating for supply of water and electricity at different places in the country.   One gunned down in city Unidentified assailants gunned down an employee of a phone-fax shop at Khilgaon in the city yesterday evening.   Tributes paid to Nasreen Huq Speakers at a meeting yesterday paid tributes to the memory of Nasreen Parvin Huq, a prominent social activist, for her immense contribution to the welfare of the deprived people.   Order to produce Sunny, 4 others before court May 31 A Dhaka court yesterday again directed the authorities concerned to produce military commander of banned Jama,atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) Ataur Rahman Sunny and four others before it on May 31 in   Two female criminals held with bullets at CMM's court Police arrested two female criminals of Tejgaon with four bullets on the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) court premises in the city yesterday.   Joy leaves for US today Sajib Wajed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina, will leave for USA today after his two-week stay in Bangladesh. Party sources said he will leave Dhaka for USA by a flight of the Emirates Airways at 8:30 am.   'White' sweeps Cuta polls Ruling BNP-Jamaat-backed 'White' panel swept the election of the Chittagong University Teachers' Association (Cuta) bagging nine posts, including those of president and general secretary.   President assents to two bills President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday assented to two bills passed in the current session of 8th Parliament.   Youngone opens Child Care Centre at CEPZ Youngone Group, a leading foreign investor in Bangladesh, has opened a Child Care Centre at Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) for the babies of its female employees yesterday.   djuice Lifestyle Fair begins in Chittagong The two-day GrameenPhone fair titled 'djuice Lifestyle Fair', second of its kind after Dhaka, began here yesterday amid enthusiasm and fanfare.   Supply of natural gas to Rajshahi demanded Leaders of Bangladesh Jubo Moitri yesterday demanded immediate supply of natural gas to Rajshahi through pipeline and solution of water and power crisis in the city.   Manpower agent abducted A manpower recruiting agent was abducted in the city last week. JM Shafiullah, 42, of Ahmednagar in Mirpur area was abducted on Tuesday.   Mosharraf calls for creating awareness against thalassaemia Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday called for creating awareness against thalassaemia with a view to protecting the future generation from its consequences.   Valuables worth Tk 3.7 lakh looted in city A gang of robbers looted cash, gold ornaments and other valuables worth Tk 3.7 lakh from a house at Pallabi in the city on Sunday night.   Make Bijoy Sarani corner grave of Motiur: FNB The Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh (FNB), apex body of over 1000 NGOs from all over the country, yesterday urged the authorities concerned to make Bijoy Sarani corner the last resting place of Birshreshtha   Appeal for help Dulal, 32, son of Abdul Matin, village Baraibari under Joydevpur upazila of Gazipur, has been suffering from rectum cancer for the last two years. National Agitation for power, water from tomorrow Workers, employees and locals in Atra industrial belt in Khulna city are preparing for agitation for supply of power and water, stopped since April 17.   Another RU teacher accused of sexual abuse Amid continued students' agitation for removal of a Rajshahi University botany teacher for alleged sexual abuse of a student, another student of sociology department has made a similar complaint against   Road link with Moheshkhali this month Direct road link between offshore Moheshkhali island and the mainland is going to be opened this month, fulfilling a long cherished desire of people of the area.   Jamaat was behind Galib's arrest, says Ahab Acting Ameer of Ahle Hadith Andolon, Bangladesh (Ahab) Dr Musleh Uddin Ahmed yesterday alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami, a key partner in the ruling coalition, provoked the government to arrest Ahab chief   Procession, rally held in Rajshahi Rajshahi city and district units of Bangladesh Juba Maitri yesterday brought out a procession in city and held a rally on Press Club premises demanding pipeline supply of gas to Rajshahi and smooth supply   BNP leader, youth killed after abduction Two persons including a BNP leader were murdered after abduction in two incidents in Baufal in Patuakhali district and Swarupkati in Pirojpur on Sunday. Point-Counterpoint Save us the shame April 8: Biman Bangladesh Airlines inaugurates, amidst great fanfare, its new route to New York replacing Brussels with Manchester as the en-route stopover.   MPOs squeezing national cash flow The charge reduction announced by the Mobile Phone Operators (MPOs) from time to time is a normal competitive trend in the right direction.   Attacking Iran: Are they nuts? As George W. Bush contemplates the prospect of attacking Iran and the regional conflagration that would result, he may be awaiting a heavenly signal that would confirm the doomsday predictions of his allies on the religious right.   Budget allocation to reduce corruption The World Bank has decided to open a special unit in its Dhaka office to take appropriate action to combat corruption in Bangladesh. Culture Aaina: Women's issues take centre stage Acclaimed actress Kabori Sarwar has emerged as a screen playwright and director through the film Aaina. The film features the oppression of women in a male-dominated society.   Anniversary celebration of Prangone Mor To observe the third anniversary of theatre troupe Prangone Mor, a three-day programme featuring discussions, a seminar and music, ended on May 7.   Looking back at Tagore For Tagore singer Shama Rahman, it's not just Tagore's birth anniversary that matters; every day is a celebration of the great bard's life and work.   Nazrul's plays for children to be staged Cultural organisation Genesis is set to stage two plays for children by National Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam.   War-films honored at NY's Tribeca fest Three war-themed films took top prizes at the Tribeca Film Festival during the weekend, as Robert De Niro's fifth annual celebration of New York honored a decidedly political and international selection. General Militants kill three in Kashmir Suspected Muslim rebels hanged a young woman and shot dead two former comrades, police said Monday, as the state capital made its annual summer move to the main city Srinagar.   Indian heat wave death toll rises to 53 The death toll from a blistering heat wave across India climbed to 53 yesterday and weather forecasters predicted worse to come with temperatures already above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). International Nepal govt clears out all the king's men Nepal's new government is clearing out all the king's men, recalling ambassadors and accepting the resignation of dozens of royally appointed officials.   Japanese envoy pushes for Lankan peace At least 11 people were killed in factional fighting in Sri Lanka yesterday, defence sources said, as a Japanese envoy sought to salvage the island's faltering peace process.   Moves on for compromise on Iran resolution A compromise over a draft UN resolution against Iran's nuclear programme may hinge on invoking only part of a crucial UN clause on threats to international peace and security, diplomats told AFP yesterday.   Thai court ruling no solution to crisis A Thai court's decision to scrap controversial elections and order new ones is only a small step towards ending the country's months-long political crisis, experts and analysts said yesterday.   Eight killed in Thai disco fire At least eight people were killed and 54 injured after a fire engulfed a disco in the Thai seaside resort town of Pattaya, police said yesterday.   Sonia set for landslide by-election win India's ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi was set for a landslide victory yesterday in a by-election aimed at bringing her back to parliament after she resigned to calm a political storm.   Hamas vows to prevent civil war after 3 killed Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya vowed yesterday not to allow a civil war to break out after clashes between his Hamas movement and the rival Fatah faction left three dead and 11 wounded.   Bush mulls closure of Guantanamo President George W. Bush said he would like to close the US-run prison at Guantanamo Bay -- a step urged by several US allies -- but was awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on how suspects held there might be tried.   Iraqi leaders set to finalise cabinet Thirteen people were killed in rebel attacks yesterday as Iraqi leaders were holding last-minute talks to form a new government in the hope it will help curb raging sectarian bloodshed.   Last US survivor of Titanic sinking dies Lillian Gertrud Asplund was just 5 years old when she and her family boarded the Titanic in Southampton, England, on their way back to Massachusetts. Editorial Editorial: Stemming price spiral Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed has the reputation of being a doer, but his comments at the meeting with the top businessmen on Sunday have disappointed us in no small measure.   Editorial: A high point in forex earning The annual remittances from the Bangladeshis working abroad are expected to reach a record $4.5 billion by the end of this fiscal year from what was $3.8 billion in the preceding fiscal.   When people chase police and politicians After the Kansat tragedy, far away from the capital city, another tragedy of that kind was almost going to take place in Dhaka.   Can Koirala make peace bloom in Nepal? People's power has triumphed over Royal power in the Himalayan kingdom. Letters to Editor Woes of pensioners We were pleased to note the pay hike for government servants. Looking at price hike of daily essential commodities, one has the feeling that the government had to do something in this respect.   Nepal scene After the royal proclamation on April 24 reinstating the parliament, there is happiness on every Nepalese face.   Image and the Ks This refers to Md. Zaman's letter entitled "Image not decoupled from reality" in DS (25 April). Unfortunately, the image of Bangladesh is "going down the drain" allegorically speaking.   Uniform grading system The uniform grading system in public, private universities will be disgusting if it doesn't maintain the international standards.   "Tritiyo Matra" In Sharjah, I regularly watch Channel i, not to speak of the wonderful programme "Tritiyo Matra" conducted by Mr. Zillur Rahman.   Human rights or human wrongs? What the world has learnt from the dailies in Bangladesh on 21April? Are we progressing as a nation or going backwards? Do we have a democratic government elected by people? Is the country run by a woman   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.