Vol. 5 Num 768 Tue. July 25, 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 BNP, AL under allies' pressure Both the ruling BNP and main opposition Awami League (AL) seem to be under pressure from their allies over sharing seats for the upcoming parliamentary election slated for early next year.   EC sounds tough on reluctant field staff With many assistant officials still remaining absent from the task for updating the voter list, the secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat yesterday warned of actions against those whoare   14-party long march starts today amid attack fear The Awami League (AL)-led 14-party opposition combine's road march programme starts today in the capital amid mass arrest and apprehensions of subversive attacks on the programme.   Rice in Lebanon as fierce fighting rages through US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Beirut yesterday at the start of a high-stakes mission to try to end the devastating conflict in Lebanon, even as Israeli troops were locked in deadly combat   Dhaka to attend ARF meet first time on July 28 Bangladesh will make her maiden appearance in the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) as its 26th member during ARF's ministerial meeting beginning on July 28 in Kuala Lumpur.   Open fire on attackers Commerce Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed yesterday asked the garment owners to open fire in case of attacks on their factories in future. "Sometimes you have to be tough.   64 more dengue patients admitted to city hospitals With another 64 admitted to different government and private hospitals and clinics in the capital yesterday, the number of dengue patients reached 554.   Steps taken to evacuate Bangladeshis from Lebanon Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin yesterday said that the government has made all arrangements including chartering aircraft if necessary to evacuate the willing Bangladeshi nationals from war-torn Lebanon.   Economic sense, not politics should dictate decision Pointing to the government's hesitancy about the Tata investment proposal, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Hua Du said yesterday the government should consider the economic benefits of such   Prisons break rule to collect fund from visitors Prison authorities at each jail are collecting money from visitors for a newly constituted "common fund" despite a strong prohibition in this regard from the home ministry and the previous prisons administration.   Most enlisted city voters not found at addresses Worried by the overall progress and complexities in updating the voter list in the capital, the Election Commission (EC) is trying to find out a solution as its efforts failed to gear up the task.   Japanese foreign minister arrives in Dhaka Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso arrived yesterday beginning his two-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh.   SC asks for details on govt anomalies The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday asked the intervener of the judiciary separation case to submit on Thursday the comparative chart of the anomalies that the government committed in implementing the 12-point   Finance finds it unusual to spend twice for same purpose The finance ministry is scrutinising the legal aspects of spending twice for preparing the voter list as the Election Commission (EC) received Tk 45 crore from it last fiscal year and is now demanding   Govt asked to suspend all activities Following the filing of a public interest litigation writ, the High Court (HC) yesterday ordered the government to suspend all activities on the pier-based third Karnaphuli bridge for seven days.   2 top JMB cadres held Gafargaon police arrested an Ehsar member of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from a mosque at Gafargaon upazila Sunday night while a top aide to Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai was arrested in Bagmara,   PM goes to Saudi Arabia next month Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will pay a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 12 at the invitation of King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz.   Aunt deserts Nigerian boy at ZIA An eleven-year-old boy, claiming to be Nigerian, was presumably deserted by his aunt at Zia International Airport (ZIA) Sunday.   Hearing of death reference to start Aug 1 The hearing on the death reference of Jhalakathi judges killing case will begin on August 1 before the High Court (HC).   Meherpur Govt College closed sine die after violent clash Meherpur Government College was declared closed sine die yesterday after a clash between students and transport workers that left at least 45 injured. The clash ensued at about 10.   RU classes not held for student strike Classes and examinations at Rajshahi University (RU) could not be held yesterday as students of the Department of Marketing observed strike on the campus demanding cancellation of the selection of a 'controversial'   20-year-old loses 5 yrs for delayed justice A 20-year-old lost five years of youth in confinement due to negligence of court staff and finally received release order yesterday.   PCJSS member killed in Rangamati Armed activists of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) gunned down a supporter of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) in remote Longudu upazila of the district on Saturday, said a delayed   BDR, BSF trade fire on Satkhira border The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) traded gunfire at bordering Ghona in Sadar upazila of the district early yesterday.   Pakistan in large-scale nuclear expansion Pakistan is building a reactor that could produce enough plutonium for 40 to 50 nuclear weapons in what would be a major expansion of its nuclear programme and an intensified arms race in South Asia,a   India, Pakistan officials to hold talks in Dhaka Indian and Pakistani officials plan to hold discussions in Bangladesh next week, the first meeting between the two sides after New Delhi put off peace talks over the Mumbai bomb blasts, an Indian official   Nepal scraps spl military guards for royal palace Nepal's government yesterday scrapped a special military guard for the royal palace in a continued effort to curb King Gyanendra's powers, a minister said.   Amnesty accuses Jordan of torturing for US Security agents in Jordan are torturing terrorism suspects on behalf of the United States in hopes of forcing confessions, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International contended in a new report Monday.   Iran stays defiant on uranium enrichment Iran reiterated yesterday it will not halt sensitive uranium enrichment work -- which is at the centre of fears the country could acquire nuclear weapons -- to resolve a standoff with the West.   India tests surface-to-air missiles India tested two surface-to-air Trishul missiles in the eastern state of Orissa, a day after a similar launch from the site, defence officials said. Business Exports from EPZs grow 15.89pc in 11 months Enterprises in the country's export processing zones (EPZs) exported goods worth around $1,645 million in 11 months of the 2005-06 fiscal year, posting a 15.   39 firms join CDS in FY06 Some 39 companies joined the central depository system (CDS) in the last fiscal year for scripless trading and many are in the pipeline to convert their paper shares into electronic ones.   Bangla-Iran preferential trade pact likely A draft agreement on preferential trade between Bangladesh and Iran is likely to be finalised at the fourth meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) that began in Tehran yesterday.   Oil prices drop amid hopes of ceasefire in Lebanon Oil prices retreated further on Monday as prospects rose for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, dealers said.   Energy prices pose inflation threat Central bankers around the world are worried that high energy and raw materials prices might feed into overall inflation, the head of the French central bank Christian Noyer said on Monday.   Software fair to begin Nov 21 The five-day mega exposition of "BASIS SOFTEXPO 2006" will begin here from November 21.   StanChart's global head of Development Organisations arrives today Mizinga Melu, global head of Development Organisations of Standard Chartered Bank, is arriving in Dhaka today on a 3-day official visit, says a press release.   Tata to double its non-Indian workforce by 2009 India's top software company Tata Consultancy Services plans to increase its headcount in its facilities in eastern Europe, Latin America and China and double its non-Indian workforce over a period of   Asean hails partnership deal with US Southeast Asia's regional grouping on Monday hailed a five-year action plan to boost trade, investment and political ties with the United States.   Dollar rallies against major rivals The dollar rebounded against the euro and yen on Monday as dealers prepared for a raft of US economic data later in the week. The euro fell to 1.2616 dollars in early European trade, compared with1.   Shippers demand solution to port congestion Country's shippers yesterday demanded immediate resolution of the prevailing congestions of ships and containers at Chittagong Port for smooth running of their business.   Dhaka Bank posts Tk 21.82cr net profit in 6 months Dhaka Bank Limited has earned an unaudited post-tax net profit of Tk 21.82 crore ( Tk 218.16 million ) during the first-half of the current year.   Taiwan June export orders continue higher Taiwan's export orders in June rose 20.61 percent from a year earlier to 24.   WTO six fail, Doha Round near collapse A meeting of world trading powers collapsed on Monday, throwing the World Trade Organisation's five-year search for a free trade deal deeper into crisis and raising the real prospect of complete failure. Sports Cricket: Tigers land in Africa After a long thirty-one hour journey the Bangladesh cricket team landed in Harare yesterday to play five one-day internationals against the southern African nation.   Football: Services teams fire blank There were no goals on the opening day of the Services zone qualifiers of the Jubok Phone 23rd National Football Championship in Dhaka yesterday.   Hockey: Bronze will suffice Hockey makes a comeback to the SA Games after 11 years but the long gap has not changed Bangladesh's position or target.   Cricket: England alter Ashes plan England are considering arranging more matches to allow their injured players, and Andrew Flintoff in particular, to get match-fit before the winter's Ashes series.   Chess: StanChart school chess from today The Standard Chartered 8th School Chess begins today in Dhaka with more than 200 students from 56 institutes expected to take part in the tournament.   Chess: Rani, Shamima keep winning International Women's Master Rani Hamid and Shamima Akhter Liza continued their winning run in the Prime Bank First Women's FIDE Rating Chess Tournament as they won their respective third round boards   Football: L'pool pip United! Liverpool pipped Manchester United to top spot in an all-time league table dating back to the start of English League soccer and published by The Times newspaper on Monday.   Football: Ruud trains with United Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been linked with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, returned to training with Manchester United Monday but doubts still remain over whether he will be at Old Trafford for   Tennis: Blake clinches Indy James Blake was happy to win the RCA Championships and seemed to be just as pleased to see Andy Roddick back on track.   Hockey: A great German comeback A late goal let Germany off the hook to draw 3-3 with Pakistan in the men's field hockey tournament here on Sunday after the combative Asians surged back from a 2-0 deficit.   Football: USA thump Ireland Cat Whitehill scored two goals and the US Women's national team defeated Ireland 5-0 in an exhibition match Sunday.   Cycling: Landis impresses Armstrong Lance Armstrong says the Discovery Channel team has been so impressed by Floyd Landis they want to sign him. With only one rider in the top 20, Landis could be the leader Discovery is looking for.   Golf: Tiger hails great win Tiger Woods says some of the best golf of his illustrious career propelled him to a third Open title.   Football: Friendly football Mackwa Eleven clinched the title of the Journalist Friendly Football Tournament-2006 held yesterday morning at the Chittagong MA Aziz Stadium amid enthusiasm among the members of the media in the port   Alonso to 'halt' Shumi Renault driver Fernando Alonso said he was "very optimistic" of halting title rival Michael Schumacher's run of form at Sunday's German Grand Prix.   Football: Bergkamp wants Vieira return Dennis Bergkamp began a new Arsenal era at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and urged a past master to return to the club.   Cricket: Sanjay vilified over Sachin article Former cricketers on Sunday flayed Sanjay Manjrekar for his controversial remarks on Sachin Tendulkar's injuries and said such uncharitable comments could dent the batsman's confidence ahead of the tri-series   Cricket: WB minister stands by Dalmiya Dismissing insinuations by Sourav Ganguly that Jagmohan Dalmiya had leaked coach Greg Chappell's controversial e-mail, West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty Monday claimed that those being targeted   Cricket: Akhtar admits own mistake Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar says the recurrence of his knee injury, which has forced him out of the early part of the crucial England tour, was a result of his over enthusiasm.   Cricket: Kevin looks on the bright side England batsman Kevin Pietersen said the positive side of losing talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff this summer meant other players had a chance to show what they could do.   Cricket: Pollock boost for Proteas Injury-hit South Africa have been boosted by the news that Shaun Pollock will arrive in Sri Lanka on Thursday following the birth of his second child.   Cricket: Micky pleased with draw South Africa were held to a draw in their three-day tour match against Sri Lanka A on Monday but coach Micky Arthur was pleased with the work-out ahead of a two-Test series.   Cricket: Waugh latches on Eng misery Steve Waugh says England have lost their edge after winning the Ashes.   Football: The great Wayne robbery Police were Sunday hunting for thieves who broke into the home of Wayne Rooney's parents and stole football memorabilia belonging to their son, the England star.   Football: Ronaldo, Adriano set for swap? Real Madrid's Ronaldo could return to Inter Milan in a swap deal for fellow Brazilian striker Adriano, sports daily AS reported on Monday.   Football: Maldini new H&M model Italian football legend Paolo Maldini was on Monday confirmed as the latest of a string of celebrities to model for Swedish low-cost fashion retailer Hennes and Mauritz (H&M).   Football: Thuram to earn huge sum France international defender Lilian Thuram, who recently signed for Barcelona, will earn a six-million-euro annual salary at his new club, AS newspaper reported on Monday.   Football: Vieira in Barca link Juventus midfielder Patrick Vieira could become Barcelona's fourth summer signing, El Mundo Deportivo newspaper reported on Monday.   Football: Czech players plead innocence Jiri Homola, Jiri Masek and Zdenek Senkerik, three players involved in a Turkish football federation (TFF) match-fixing investigation, pleaded their innocence to Monday's Czech press.   Football: Soldado to join Osasuna Real Madrid reserve team striker Roberto Soldado is set to complete a season-long loan deal with Osasuna.   Football: Real confirm Calderon's interim position Real Madrid have said president Ramon Calderon only holds his position on a provisional basis pending the outcome of a legal ruling on the validity of the postal vote from the club's election. Metropolitan Teachers blame govt for stalemate in edn sector Teachers on indefinite strike yesterday blamed the government for continuing stalemate at secondary and higher secondary level education as no initiative was taken by those entrusted by the prime minister   JCD decides not to clash with Shibir Jagannath University authorities at a meeting yesterday again extended its closure until July 31 in view of the lack of security on the campus.   11 killed in road accidents At least eleven people were killed in separate road accidents in Dhaka, Comilla, Manikganj, Sirajganj and Pabna yesterday.   ‘People live miserable life’ Around 40 percent of some 230 Urdu-speaking families having seven to 21 members in each family are living roughly in 80 square feet space at Geneva camp in the city's Mohammadpur area, revealed a study   Govt trying to foil road march Criticising the government for the wholesale arrest of opposition leaders and activists ahead of their road march, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government is trying to foilthe   Punishment to culprits demanded Karmojibi Nari (KN), an organisation working to promote women's rights, formed a human chain in the city yesterday protesting the teasing by local hooligans that forced Bijlee Akhter Swapna to commitsuicide.   Govt to formulate policy on safe disposal of hospital wastes Health Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday said that the government is going to formulate a policy on safe disposal of hospital wastes.   Punishment to Momin killers demanded Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leaders yesterday demanded immediate punishment to the killers of Kamrul Islam Momin, a leader of JSD-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).   New drugs have less side-effects Drugs currently taken by people with high blood pressure should be replaced with newer and more effective medications, experts said.   Saarc centre to assess state of oil pollution in Indian Ocean region Saarc Coastal Zone Management Centre in the Maldives has launched a programme to assess the state of oil pollution in the Indian Ocean region.   Transport strike in Sylhet from tomorrow A section of transport owners and Workers will enforce an indefinite strike in Sylhet from tomorrow to press their 11-point demand.   Stevia to meet calorie-free sugar need of diabetic patients It's a good news for diabetic patients in Bangladesh as a non-government organisation is going to cultivate stevia, a small green plant that could be used as an alternative to sugar, on a commercial basis.   4th round of 13th NDI August 6 The fourth round of vaccination campaign of the 13th National Day of Immunisation (NDI) will be held on August 6.   President unveils covers of two books President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday emphasised the need for creating clear idea of protocol among people.   200 receive Fair & Lovely scholarship The certificate giving ceremony of 'Fair & Lovely Foundation Scholarship Programme 2005' was held in the city on Sunday, says a press release. National 40 UP leaders demand action against BNP lawmaker Rajshahi divisional unit of Bangladesh Union Parishad Oikya Jote (BUPOJ) yesterday termed BNP lawmaker from Rajshahi-4 constituency Nadim Mustafa a 'godfather of terrorists' and called for resisting his   SUST reopens Aug 9, to probe student's death in police firing Agitation in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) continued yesterday despite a Senate decision to reopen the university and probe the May 12-14 incidents on the campus.   Shrimp farmers in Satkhira vow to protect environment It was a unique event in Satkhira yesterday as shrimp farmers rallied for 'environment friendly and socially responsible shrimp cultivation', urging the government to extend support for this to boostyield   Mill workers lay siege to power station Jute Mills Workers and Employees Action Committee here yesterday besieged Daulatpur sub-station of the Western Zone Power Distribution Company Limited demanding uninterrupted power supply to their mills.   Over 500 join AL in Jamalpur A total of 314 freedom fighters in Jamalpur led by former lawmaker and district Muktijoddha Sangram Parishad president Shafiqul Islam Khoka and general secretary Abdur Rashid joined Awami League (AL)on   5 stripped of Tangail Bar membership TangaBar Association yesterday cancelled membership of five lawyers including three government prosecutors (GPs) following detection of their fake LLB certificates. Point-Counterpoint A fair selection process? Elections are no longer about representation, or people's democratic participation. We've left those aspirations behind as we see political parties vying with each other to edge themselves into power.   Always politics The complaint of politicisation against the current government is ubiquitous these days.   Biman passenger ordeal I used to hear of the low image of Biman in matters of flight operation. There is general observation that flight mostly are delayed and rarely operate on time, putting the passengers to a lot of inconvenience.   Voices under siege Since July 12, Israel has been conducting a massive offensive against Lebanon, bombing bridges, airports, power plants, cell phone towers, TV stations and other civilian infrastructure. Culture Faces aglow with feelings ABDUS Sattar's exhibition of 68 portraits opened at Saju's Art Gallery on July 22. In every exhibit of his he has had portraits which were popular. He then went into making portraits in a big way.   Emerging talents of Bengal Bikash perform at old Dhaka Bengal Foundation continues to be the hub of cultural activity. The Foundation organised a reception for upcoming talents in creative Bangla songs of Bengal Bikash on July 21.   Remembering Tapas Sen To pay homage to late Indian light designer Tapas Sen, a discussion session on his life and memory titled Alor Prometheus Tapas Sen- Proshongha Kotha was held recently at Palkar Studio Theatre.   'Nari': Successful women in the spotlight on ATN Bangla Talk show Nari, based on the life of successful women of Bangladesh, will be aired today at 5:10 pm on ATN Bangla..   Rtv to telecast Raja Bhawal Sannyasi tonight Based on a sensational case of the 1930s-1940s, drama serial Raja Bhawal Sannyasi will be aired from today at 8:00pm on Rtv.   'Ugly Betty' comes to America Yo Soy Betty La Fea (I Am Betty the Ugly) could have been another one of the Colombian telenovelas -- the nightly soap operas featuring a breathless blend of melodrama and cliffhanger -- International Bush still opposed to ME ceasefire White House officials said President Bush remains opposed to an immediate ceasefire to stop violence in the Middle East, despite personal pleas from ally Saudi Arabia that he help stop the bloodshed.   Cyprus pleads for help with Lebanon exodus Cyprus appealed for urgent international help yesterday as tens of thousands of evacuees from the Israeli offensive in Lebanon threatened to overwhelm the small resort island's infrastructure.   Maliki insists Iraq will not slide into civil war Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki insisted yesterday that his country would not slide into civil war despite rising levels of sectarian violence which is killing up to 100 people a day.   Hundreds of Taliban assault police post Hundreds of Taliban fighters firing rocket-propelled grenades on yesterday attacked a district headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan, killing three police and wounding seven, amid of a flurry of suicide   Asean mulls referring Myanmar to UN Southeast Asian ministers will decide this week whether to abandon their campaign for democratic reforms in Myanmar and ask the United Nations to take over the job, Asean's chief said yesterday.   Israel targets Gaza weapons facilities Israel bombed buildings in the Gaza Strip yesterday, which the army said were being used by militants to make rockets for attacks on the Jewish state.   Hunger-striking Saddam boycotts court hearing Deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein boycotted the latest hearing in his trial for crimes against humanity yesterday, amid reports that a 17-day-old hunger strike has weakened him.   Miss Puerto Rico crowned Miss Universe An 18-year-old from Puerto Rico who hopes to someday star in US and Latin American films was crowned Sunday night as Miss Universe 2006.   Fish from heavens rain on India The people of Kerala in India's southwest are famed for turning fish into spicy feasts fit for gods, but last week the heavens turned provider as fish rained down on the village of Manna, a newspaperreported   Two die in UK as inflatable art takes off Two women died and 13 people were injured when they fell from a huge inflatable sculpture after it broke its moorings and flew into the air in a park in northeastern England, police said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Private lodge for death row convicts! The government's irrational actions no longer amuse us. The latest in the list of such actions is the lodging of two death row prisoners in a private building that has been "declared a sub-jail.   Editorial: Lebanon's destruction continues UN emergency relief coordinator, Jan Egeland, has termed the Israeli air raids on Beirut a clear breach of humanitarian law.   Corruption, corruption everywhere Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) in its corruption database 2005 released on July 5, claimed that various ministries of the government embezzled Tk 526.   Reinvention is the mother of necessity Governments tend to begin to lose the plot in the third year of their terms. That is predictable and comes with the calendar.   A deceased Emperor makes a comeback over Yasukuni In Japan there seems to be no end to the ongoing debate over the rationality of honouring the country's convicted war criminals, along with thousands of innocent citizens who gave their lives in pastwars Letters to Editor Saving refrigeration power Large industrial type refrigerators and freezers (cold room) are used by restaurants, hotels, bulk cold storages and in some industrial and pharmaceutical processes.   BSF atrocities: Indian point of view Lately BSF use of deadly force and indignant protests from readers have become a regular feature. Your readers seem to believe that the murderous BSF is killing innocent Bangladeshis for sadistic reasons.   Grand opposition alliance The 14-party opposition alliance is set to encounter the 4-party coalition in the upcoming general elections. The zero hour is drawing nearer.   Might is always right! Even in this new millennium, the tested old adage "Might is right" is as true as it was during Pharaoh or Roman era. "Democracy", "Equality", "Humanity" are just delusional outcry of a Utopian society.   Railway can help I went to buy some mangoes at Shaheen Shopping Complex. I asked the shopkeeper about the price. It was a real shock for me when he asked Tk 90 per kilo mango (Fazli).   UN Secretary General Bangladesh has proven credibility throughout the international community via its contribution to UN peacekeeping operations around the world.   Freedom fighters' quota The freedom fighters are the greatest sons of the soil. But it is a matter of great regret that most of them are passing their days in distress.   Campus situation Education, regarded as the backbone of a nation, cannot be achieved without a favourable environment. Unfortunately, this sort of environment doesn't exist in our educational institutions.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.