Vol. 5 Num 821 Sun. September 17, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Gloomy prospect for reform dialogue The ruling BNP and main opposition Awami League (AL) are at loggerheads over a 'formal proposal' for a secretary level dialogue between the rival parties on the political impasse centring reforms in the   BDR fires at villagers over smuggled bidi Two people were shot dead and at least 20 others injured as Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) men fired on the villagers protesting against the paramilitary force who were reportedly helping out smugglers at bordering   Glitch in ship alert system at sea ports Following a collapse of the international standard ship security alert system in Chittagong and Mongla ports since Thursday afternoon, the ships failing to get information about the security situation   Hasina terms dialogue offer doublespeak Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's offer of a dialogue with the opposition is nothing but doublespeak.   Pope 'sorry' for offence to Islam Pope Benedict told Muslims on Saturday he was sorry they had found his speech on Islam offensive, expressing his respect for their faith and hoping they would understand the "true sense" of his words.   Verdict of graft case against Ershad today After deferring twice earlier, a Dhaka court is likely to deliver today the verdict on the graft case against the deposed president and Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad.   New workers' wage low, skilled ones' acceptable Leading economists think that the proposed minimum wage of Tk 1,604 a month for the entry-level workers in the first year is lower but Tk 2,117 in the third year should be acceptable.   EU team gathers polls information from Khulna The visiting European Union (EU) Election Observation Exploratory Mission yesterday held two separate meetings with officials of the district election office and local journalists.   WB chief again asks for hiking oil price World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has again stressed the need for raising fuel oil prices in Bangladesh, with a subsidy provision for the poor, as a means of making its economy sustainable.   Let it be last polls under interim govt Political parties should pledge in their manifestos that the coming general election would be the last one under a caretaker government, and polls in future will be held under elected governments.   Least bothered if anyone accepts talks offer or not Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said she offered discussion not being afraid of her political opponents' 'so-called' programmes but to bring them onto the 'right track' from the path of violence.   Jamaat not happy with proposed AL-BNP talk Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, a key partner in the BNP-led ruling coalition, yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over the proposed one-to-one dialogue between BNP and Awami League.   Mass arrest drive intensifies ahead of grand rally Police started arresting opposition activists and innocent people on Friday night ahead of tomorrow's grand rally of Awami League-led 14-party opposition combine at Paltan.   Factory workers start indefinite strike to realise 15-pt demand Workers of the only two operational industrial units of Uttara Export Processing Zone (UEPZ) in Nilphamari yesterday started an indefinite strike programme and demanded implementation of their 15-point   Barapukuria plant tripped again The Barapukuria 250MW coal-based power plant tripped again last Friday for the 19th time since going into operation in February last year and worsened power outages in the region.   Nitun cremated with state honour Noted sculptor, freedom fighter and business entrepreneur Nitun Kundu was cremated yesterday with state honour after people from all strata paid their last homage to the late artist.   5 journos hurt as BCL faction attacks rival's briefing At least five journalists were wounded when a group of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists attacked a press conference of their rival faction at the Modhu's Canteen of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday.   Doctor jailed for 3 years for negligence in duty A court here on Thursday sentenced a doctor to three years' rigorous imprisonment (RI) on charge of negligence in duty that cost the premature death of a boy in June 2005.   Lightning kills 6 in Cox's Bazar Lighting killed six people in the district yesterday, leaving eight others injured.   KM Hasan visits Comilla mazars Justice KM Hasan, who is supposed to be the chief adviser to the next caretaker government, visited several shrines in Comilla yesterday.   Oli hints at floating new party Estranged BNP leader Col (retd) Oli Ahmed yesterday gave indication of floating a new party after the caretaker government takes over by the end of next month.   US brackets 6 Asian nations as violators The United States on Friday classified six Asian countries as religious freedom violators, aside from China, Myanmar, North Korea and Vietnam already blacklisted as worst offenders in the region. Business NCB capital shortfall drops 7.14pc in Dec-June Overall capital shortfall of the four nationalised commercial banks (NCBs) dropped by 7.14 per cent during the December-June period last fiscal as the banks made handsome profits.   The rich split In a major development here yesterday in the current clamor for restructuring the multilateral donor-duo, ministers from 24 developed countries, known as G-24, agreed that the current IMF-reform proposal   Career fair at DU gets huge response A two-day career development and job fair that began yesterday at the Faculty of Business Studies at Dhaka University received a huge response from visitors, who include students.   Cost cut in RMG sector a must to up competitiveness Reducing costs in the readymade garment (RMG) sector has become a crying need of the country already faced with the challenges of globalisation and competitions with other nations, said a leader of Bangladesh   8pc growth hinges on FDI in manufacturing sector Country needs foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing sector instead of service sector not only to sustain the present GDP growth but also to achieve a target of 7 to 8 percent growth, observed   World trading system comes under fire The G-24 ministers here yesterday lashed at the current world trading system for its heavy biases against the least developed countries (LDCs), as they are pressed for opening their markets while richer   Training on WTO, trade policy for journos begins A residential advanced training titled 'WTO and Bangladesh Trade Policy' for journalists began yesterday at Savar, Dhaka, says a press release.   Winners get awards Tuesday The five winners of Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards 2006 in the categories of - `Best Innovative Micro Business of the Year', `Best Woman Microentrepreneur of the Year', `Best Microentrepreneur   $11b FDI to poorest states in '05: UN The world's 50 poorest countries received record foreign investment of 11.0 billion dollars last year, but only a handful of them actually saw major inflows of capital, a UN body said on Friday. Sports Cricket: Acme dominate Day Two Acme Laboratories stole the limelight as they roped in as many as eight top players on the second day of the players' transfer of the Corporate Cricket League (CCL) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium   Cricket: Costly carelessness Bangladesh cricket once again got a Mashrafee scare when the country's premier fast bowler twisted his right ankle after falling awkwardly while coming down the stairs of his uncle's Mirpur residenceon   Football: BFF cancels transfers Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) bowed to the clubs' demands as it cancelled the players' transfers for the first-ever Professional Football League.   Cricket: Appointment of manager stirs up trouble The selection of flight lieutenant (retd) Mohammed Harunoor Rashid Bhuiyan as the national team's operations manager last Thursday has created quite a stir and put the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in   Cricket: Rain robs Australia An on-fire Mitchell Johnson took four wickets in 12 balls before rain rescued India in their DLF Cup one-day match against Australia here Saturday, which was abandoned.   Cricket: Ds propel Proteas Jean-Paul Duminy staked his claim for a future in international cricket with a classy half-century in South Africa's five-wicket win over Zimbabwe at Springbok Park Friday.   Hockey: Aussie-Deutsch finale Germany booked a final clash against Australia in the men's field hockey World Cup championship after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Spain here Friday.   Cricket: Report 'shocks' Shane Shane Warne has furiously backtracked from reported criticism of Australian coach John Buchanan, saying he was "shocked" at the way he claimed his words had been taken out of context.   Tennis: Ancic exacts Croat revenge Mario Ancic earned revenge for Croatia as he defeated Hyung-taik Lee 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 to reach the final of the China Open Saturday, eliminating the Asian who stunned compatriot Ivan Ljubicic in the previous   Tennis: Svetlana makes it 12-0 Svetlana Kuznetsova sweated to keep her record at the Wismilak International a perfect 12-0 Saturday night, twice recovering from a break down to defeat Lindsay Davenport 7-6, 7-6 to reach her third final.   Football: LuaLua puts Pompey atop Lomama LuaLua put Portsmouth on top of the Premiership as his second-half strike earned a 1-0 win at Charlton on Saturday.   Football: Winning the sole goal Champions Chelsea will be purely out for the points rather than to settle any scores with Liverpool when they meet on Sunday, according to Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.   Football: Arsene confident of Arsenal victory Arsenal go to Manchester United on Sun-day knowing that a defeat will open up a 13-point gap between the two sides.   Handball: Scholastica start well Scholastica crushed Green Herald 11-3 in the inaugural match of the Bexi Fabrics third Mini Handball Tournament for girls at the Women's Sports Complex in Dhanmondi yesterday.   Football: Marma hits hattrick Ahmraching Marma struck a hattrick as Khagrachhari crushed Shariatpur 8-1 in the first Inter-District Women's Football Competition at the Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex yesterday.   Hockey: Combined SC go down Combined Sporting Club suffered the heartbreak of relegation after going down 0-2 against Victoria Sporting Club in the Green Delta Metropolis First Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhasani National   Cricket: HK women on World Cup mission Neisha Pratt leads a determined Hong Kong women's cricket team against Pakistan here next week, vying for a place in the 2009 World Cup.   Football: Sven, Klinsi in line for US job Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has reportedly spoken with the US Soccer Federation about taking the vacant post.   Football: Zlatan snubs Sweden Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has refused to play for Sweden in the next two Euro 2008 qualifying ties after being sent home for staying out late before the previous match, the soccer association said on   Football: $ 4.5 million for Club world champs The winners of this year's FIFA Club World Cup will receive 4.5 million dollars-- the same as in 2005, organisers said on Friday.   Football: Retirement? You joking? Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said he has no immediate plans to retire despite the approach of his 65th birthday.   Football: Coe the man for ethics FIFA have named twice Olympic 1,500 metres champion Sebastian Coe as chairman of the organisation's new independent ethics committee.   Football: New twist in Real elections The results of the Real Madrid presidential election could be changed after former candidate Arturo Baldasano withdrew the civil lawsuit which brought about the suspension of the postal vote.   Football: Jose accepts Rafa truce Jose Mourinho has accepted Rafael Benitez's offer of a truce in their long-running feud -- provided it is genuine.   Football: D-day for Gunners There can have been few title deciders as early as September between the two most successful clubs of the Premiership era.   Football: The World Cup of hope There was not much to link between former Liberian child soldiers with a destitute Scot, the editor of a Russian street paper and a Manchester United coach -- until the Homeless World Cup.   Football: Blatter to speed up 2010 preparations FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Friday that he will visit South Africa shortly to urge lawmakers to speed up building work for the 2010 World Cup, amid growing concern about delays.   Tennis: Italy draw first blood Italy's Francesca Schiavone powered past Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-3 on Saturday to take the opening match of the Fed Cup final on Saturday.   Football: Wenger wants English values Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit out at foreign businessman buying top English football clubs after rumours suggested Arsenal are the subject of a 350 million pounds (660.   Football: Racism costs Rostock The German football association (DFB) fined Hansa Rostock's regional league side 20,000 euros (25,450 dollars) on Friday after their fans chanted racist slogans at Schalke 04 striker Gerald Asamoah in   Football: Hanover claim first points Hanover 96 finally got off the mark in the Bundesliga when Thomas Brdaric struck twice to earn them a 2-1 derby win away to VfL Wolfsburg on Friday.   Football: Ravaged Deisler steps up comeback Injury-prone German international midfielder Sebastian Deisler is set to return to full training with German champions Bayern Munich after six months out with a serious knee injury.   Football: Ferguson's call to fans Manager Alex Ferguson has accused half of Manchester United's fans of being asleep when they turn up for weekend matches at Old Trafford. Metropolitan WB calls for developing human capital Rural productivity needs to be increased in Bangladesh to accommodate the growing number of young educated people coming into the job market every year, said a World Bank economist in a policy recommendation   Cross-border crimes to figure in Kolkata meet Bangladesh will raise the issue of Bangladeshi criminals' activities on Indian soil, other security matters and the handover of the newly surveyed 766 acres of land by India in the forthcoming borderconference   'Adopt nat'l strategy for proper medical waste management' Speakers at a roundtable here in the port city yesterday underscored the need for formulating a national strategy through scientific study for proper management of medical and clinical wastes with the   Eight accomplices of Shahadat arrested with firearms Detective police arrested eight accomplices of Shahadat, a notorious criminal in Mirpur, along with two revolvers, one shotgun, one pistol and 91 bullets from Mirpur area in the city yesterday.   Non-govt pry teachers begin sit-in Teachers of non-government primary schools yesterday began a 48-hour-long sit-in programme in the city demanding nationalisation of their jobs.   Cabinet secy asks Ctg admin to maintain law & order in Ramadan Cabinet Secretary Abu Solaiman Chowdhury at a meeting with top officials of the district administration here in the port city yesterday instructed them to maintain law and order in Chittagong before and   Reforms in laws a must to curb corruption There are constitutional and legal limitations which obstruct the process of curbing corruption, said the speakers at a seminar yesterday. "We need reforms in the existing laws to eliminate corruption.   AEJB condemns threat to arrest protesters Alliance for Economic Justice, Bangladesh (AEJB), a platform of 38 organisations, yesterday condemned the threats by Singaporean and Indonesian police to arrest and club protesters during the upcoming   15 injured as Ctg Polytech JCD factions clash At least 15 activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) of Chittagong Polytechnic Institute unit were injured in a factional clash near the institute campus yesterday.   ACC files cases against 10 forest staffs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed five cases against 10 forest officials and employees on charge of plundering timber worth over Tk 78.   Dhaka calls for united OIC stance against anti-Muslim campaign Bangladesh has reinforced its call for consolidated OIC stance on countering "maligning campaign" against the Muslims in the Western media as the information ministers of the forum joined a two-day conference   Police attack on political activists condemned Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) yesterday brought out a silent procession on the DU campus protesting recent police atrocities on pedestrians and political activists and demanding reforms   CUFL employees suspend supply of fertiliser from today Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) Sramik Karmachari Union leaders yesterday declared that they would suspend sale and supply of fertiliser to the dealers for three days from today to press home   Businessman strangled A businessman was strangled in the city's Khilgaon area on Friday night. The victim, Pranjeet Kumar Dey, 40, of Debidwar in Comilla, was found dead near the Ansars camp at Khilgaon.   Hartal victim dies A cab driver, badly burned during the Opposition's hartal on September 10, succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on Friday.   British Council announces new English courses The British Council has announced new English courses beginning September 20, as part of its recently launched new courses to help develop local businesses in Bangladesh.   Bomb blast in Khulna Unidentified miscreants exploded a bomb in front of Daulatpur Government BL University College at 7:30pm yesterday. However, no case of injuries or causalities was reported regarding the incident. National Inflated service charges fatten up lessees Lessees of different canals under Teesta Irrigation Project are illegally realising about 10 times higher service than the official rate, depriving the government.   New Kailashtila well set for gas production Gas extraction from well no. 5 in Kailashtila gas field will start within a fortnight.   BNP aspirant calls party lawmaker 'inefficient' BNP leader Obaidul Haque, an engineer-turned politician, has declared his candidature from Netrakona-5 constituency, calling the incumbent lawmaker inefficient and unpopular. Incumbent lawmaker Dr.   Hartal called for Sept 20 in Rangpur Rangpur Nagorik Committee, a local civic body, yesterday called a hartal for September 20 in the district to press its demand for formation of Rangpur division, pipeline gas supply and setting up of   2 Jubo Dal men held with arms Police yesterday arrested two Jubo Dal activists --Md. Badal Talukder and Kazi Abdur Hamid -- with a US-made pistol and four bullets from in front of Government Azizul Haque Collage in the town.   Crime increases due to police corruption President of Rangpur Krishak Dal, farmer's font of ruling BNP at a meeting of district law and order coordination committee yesterday denounced alleged harassment of innocent people by police by filing   B'baria cleric passes away Maolana Sirajul Islam, known Bara Huzur in Brahmanbaria district, died a his Bhadughar here yesterday. He was 122.   Lightning kills 6 in Cox's Bazar Lighting killed six people in Cox's Bazar yesterday and injured eight others. The tragic incident took place at Khachopiya Bazar in Gorgoniya union in Ramo upazila in the afternoon. Point-Counterpoint The common sense decision of the decade I would like to commend the recent article written by Ibrahim Salek for its superb objectivity that contrasts the shrill tones of a few recent articles on the same subject.   The vocabulary of the war on terror In pursuing their "war on terror" (now christened as the epic "ideological struggle of the 21st century"), the US neo-cons and the Christian Right have invented a new vocabulary to vilify their invisible   Let's pray for President Al Gore AL Gore has delivered an ominous warning for Bangladesh -- if things don't improve, the nation of 140 million could soon be facing the wrath of Mother Nature.   The state of our governance THE World Bank released on September 15 the new Governance Matters: Worldwide Governance Indicators (1996-2005) covering and comparing 213 countries. Culture Debu Chowdhury speaks on ecstasy of rhythm It was a treat watching Debu Chowdhury back on the mini screen -- his magic fingers on the tabla.   'Paappunya': An adaptation of Tolstoy's 'The Power of Darkness' Many of us are acquainted with Leo Tolstoy's five-act play The Power of Darkness, written in 1886, which was long banned in Russia.   Adaptation of Mark Twain's story on Channel 1 Based on a story by the great American writer Mark twain, the play Daanpotro will be aired in Bishwasahitya Shambhar series today at 8:15 pm on Channel 1, says a press release.   Generating awareness through plays Bhumij Foundation, a local NGO based in Tala upazila, working for the marginalised people, has started an innovative cultural programme to generate awareness on social discrimination.   fan mail! In our monthly fan mail section this month we turn the spotlight on veteran film actor Razzak. General Govt urged to implement MoU with people of Phulbari Speakers at a roundtable discussion demanded that the government immediately implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government and the people of Phulbari and cancel the agreement   Two orphanage officials suspended Two officials of Shabdalhat Fazilatunnesa Orphanage at Sadar upazila have been suspended on charge of corruption and irregularities.   Drug trader shot dead A drug trader was gunned down by unknown assailants at Chheuria on the outskirts of the town on Friday night. The police suspect that Shawkat Ali, 30, was murdered by drug peddlers.   14 phensidyl peddlers held Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in a combing operation arrested 14 phensidyl peddlers from Jamtoli station and bazar areas in Kamarkhanda upazila on Friday night. International NAM takes aim at US might Developing-country leaders in the Non-Aligned Movement put finishing touches yesterday on initiatives aimed at countering US might, capping a summit in Havana that an ailing Fidel Castro sat out.   Manmohan makes a strong pitch against terrorism at NAM Urging the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to reject extremes and be the voice of "moderation, harmony and reason", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said it should deal with urgent transnational issues   US pledges more troops for Baghdad Dozens of corpses were found across Baghdad yesterday, as Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched a fresh peace bid and the US pledged more troops to help to restore stability in the Iraqi capital.   US troops launch big Afghan offensive About 7,000 US and Afghan government forces launched an offensive against the Taliban in central and eastern Afghan provinces yesterday, as a blast near Kabul killed three Afghan aid workers.   Bush seeks UN action against Iran, Sudan US President George W Bush heads to the United Nations next week to defend his Middle East policy, push for sanctions on Iran, and seek new UN action to quell violence in Sudan's Darfur region.   Hezbollah sends veiled warning to UN troops Hezbollah said Saturday it would have no problem with UN peacekeepers as long as they stick to defending Lebanon against Israel, two days after the French general who leads the troops hinted they would   Divided UNSC puts focus on Myanmar A divided UN Security Council voted on Friday to add Myanmar to its formal list of global hot spots, deeming the Asian country's junta government a threat to international peace and security.   Four killed in fresh Lankan fighting Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels shot dead three civilians and a government soldier in separate incidents, the defence ministry said yesterday.   Abbas to meet Bush on Wednesday Moderate Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas is to meet US President George W Bush in New York Wednesday, a Palestinian official said.   Cancer killed 7.5 million people in 2005, says WHO Seven and a half million people worldwide died from cancer in 2005 and the number of cases in the Middle East is expected to soar over the next 15 years, Moroccan news agency MAP quoted the World Health Editorial Editorial: RMG workers' pay It is extremely disconcerting that the issue of the RMG workers' pay is yet to be resolved.   Editorial: A tribute to Nitun Kundu We deeply mourn the death of Nitun Kundu, a valiant freedom fighter and an artist-turned-entrepreneur of unequalled vision. He passed away on Friday morning following a cardiac arrest.   Is American policy changing? Despite popular perception that the aggressive foreign policy of the Bush administration has undergone a perceptible change towards multi-lateralism, the Bush National Security Strategy of 2006 does not   Cost of doing business Bangladesh has been ranked 88th among 175 countries in terms of cost of doing business in a global survey jointly prepared by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank (WB).   A secular state I do not know why after every bomb blast, whether at Mumbai in a Hindu locality or at Malegaon outside a mosque, or elsewhere, we, particularly the media, resoundingly say that there was no communal riot. Star Health Simple measures to avoid avoidable blindness There are many reasons why hundreds of thousands of children across the country are missing out on a childhood. Among the causes, blindness is most important one.   Tips for coping with stress Unusual levels of stress can negatively impact the ability to accomplish personal goals and maintain good health.   Treatment of muscle cramps with self-care Muscle cramp is a sudden contraction of one or more of muscles of the body. The result can be intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles.   DDT, the long-banned insecticide now approved to fight malaria DDT, the long-banned insecticide blamed for killing birds and other wildlife, is now approved for use indoors to fight malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced recently.   Active women with breast cancer may live longer Recreational physical activity in the year before a diagnosis of breast cancer seems to have a positive influence on the prognosis of young women who are overweight or obese when they are diagnosed, new   ICD implanted at BSMMU An ICD has been implanted recently in a patient at Cardiology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka - says a press release.   Your Doctor Dear Doctor What is factor VIII deficiency? Regards - Wahida Sultana Dhaka Answer: Factor VIII deficiency, also known as hemophilia A, is an inherited bleeding disorder caused Star City Consumers worried over price hikes Consumers are gripped with fear of tackling spiralling prices of essentials during the forthcoming Ramadan even though authorities assure them of price stability.   Most city areas fall in 'slum category' Seventy percent of the housing development in Dhaka falls under slum category in terms of residential quality and facilities, according to city experts who demand effective implementation of the new building   Experiencing din, colours and enthusiasm... "Each day has been different since we came to Bangladesh.   Lack of slaughterhouse impedes meat export Bangladesh could not grip the chance of exporting meat to the international market, as the government did not allocate funds for proposed four modern slaughterhouses in last nine years.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.