Vol. 5 Num 851 Mon. October 16, 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 Govt rushes to okay dubious deals as tenure ticks away The public works and housing ministry in last minute deals has embarked on authorising leading real estate developers to fill up thousands of acres of flood flow zones, wetlands, retention ponds and natural   AL to seek BNP's final view on Hasan Main opposition Awami League (AL) will seek ruling BNP's final view on Justice KM Hasan, the probable chief of the next caretaker government, as the ongoing talks between the two parties resume todayafter   Yunus returns to microcredit roots Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof Muhammad Yunus was all ecstatic and full of emotion as he visited his birthplace Chittagong and Jobra village, now a familiar name across the globe, yesterday.   KL starts issuing visas to workers In an apparent move to lift an earlier ban, Malaysia has started issuing calling visas for Bangladeshi workers, clearing the way for some 22,000 Bangladeshi workers who had received approval for jobsin   WB to fund $460m in health project The government and the World Bank (WB) yesterday signed Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) Grant Agreement, a way of channelling US$460 million for Bangladesh Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Program   World leaders continue to greet Yunus More messages greeting Prof Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank for winning the Nobel Peace Prize reached yesterday.   Mass reception to Yunus today Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus will be accorded a mass reception at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city today.   3 power proposals of Hosaf approved The cabinet's purchase committee yesterday approved three costly skid and barge-mount power projects -- all proposed by alliance government's close business ally Hosaf group and CMC, its Chinese partner   Posts do not exist, still 332 more promoted The government yesterday promoted 332 senior assistant secretaries to the post of deputy secretary even though there are no vacant positions for them in the administration.   2 killed in 'shootout' with cops Two gangsters belonging to an organised group of violent criminals -- the Hamidul-Rashidul group -- were killed in a 'shootout' between police and the gang at Milpara area early yesterday.   Skop strike sees no violence The 24-hour countrywide strike called by Sramik Karmachari Oikyo Parishad (Skop) ended peacefully yesterday except for some stray incidents on the outskirts of the capital.   Hasan urged to decline caretaker job Peshajibi Samannay Parishad, a platform of professionals, yesterday urged Justice KM Hasan to refuse the office of the chief adviser to the caretaker government.   Two Huji men remanded for grenade attack on UK envoy A Sylhet court yesterday placed two members of the banned Harkatul Jihad (Huji) on a five-day remand in connection with the grenade attack on the British high commissioner in 2004.   1 killed while unclogging sewer line A manhole cleaner of the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) drowned yesterday when he was cleaning a clogged sewerage pipe at Banagram in the city's Sutrapur area.   Mild tremor jolts Ctg A tremor measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale jolted the port city and its adjoining areas early yesterday. The quake occurred at 01.03.56 (BST) and lasted for 21 seconds.   India off to bright start Indian cricket team ensured a happy Diwali but not before going through nervous moments as they scrapped through to a four-wicket victory against England in the low-scoring ICC Champions Trophy final-round   Sanctions slapped on North Korea The UN Security Council unanimously approved tough sanctions against North Korea for its claimed nuclear test, but divisions over how to enforce them signalled that implementation may not be easy.   63 killed as sectarian unrest flares up in Iraq Suspected Shia militiamen killed at least 46 Sunni Arabs in a weekend rampage of revenge killing in a city north of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official said Sunday, raising the toll in the latest sectarian Business Exports post 31.28pc growth in Jul-Aug Country fetched US$2.301billion from exports during the first two months--July and August-- this fiscal (2006-07), posting a 31.28 percent growth over the same period of the previous fiscal.   India eases visa rules for China traders, workers India has eased procedures for faster clearance of visa requests of businesspeople and workers from China and extension of their stay in the country.   Training on non-tariff rules launched In a bid to help shrimp exporters cope with the non-tariff trade regulations imposed by the European Union, Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) with support from European Commission started a Sports Cricket: Tigers welcomed by India, not BCCI "Mahmud bhai please give me an autograph," a young man requests former Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mahmud at a shopping mall.   Cricket: Sachin warns mates India batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar admitted a few more runs would have been difficult for his team to score.   Cricket: Rusty NZ up against SA New Zealand return to competitive cricket after a six month absence to take on formidable South Africa in their opening Champions Trophy match here on Monday.   Hockey: Mohammedan tame Bima A late rally by Sonali Bank was not enough to stop local heavyweights Mohammedan Sporting Club from winning yesterday's Green Delta Insurance Premier Hockey League match 4-2 at the Maulana Bhasani National   Football: Pro League to kick off in Dec The 12 participating clubs have agreed to kick off the inaugural Professional Football League this December.   Cricket: Ispahani shock Biman MM Ispahani Ltd snatched an exciting eight-run victory from the jaw of defeat against Bangladesh Biman in the GrameenPhone Corporate Cricket League at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Festivity all around Rajasthan is not a household name in Indian cricketing history as the northern state has hardly produced any big star to be proud of.   Cricket: Lara still upbeat West Indies captain Brian Lara says his team can still do well in the Champions Trophy despite being in a tough group.   Cricket: Bond missing in action Injury-prone fast bowler Shane Bond has been ruled out of New Zealand's first Champions Trophy match against South Africa here on Monday due to back trouble.   Cricket: Ricky rejects matey talk Skipper Ricky Ponting has rejected suggestions that Shane Warne's close friendship with Kevin Pietersen shows Australia are too friendly with Ashes rivals England.   Cricket: Pigeon's three cards Consummate positive thinker Glenn McGrath says there are three strong reasons why Australia will reclaim cricket's Ashes against England over the next couple of months.   Cricket: Mahela sounds caution Mahela Jayawardene's Sri Lanka warned Champions Trophy heavyweights they would be serious contenders for the title after steamrolling through the qualifying rounds.   Tennis: Safin sets up home final Former world number one, and double Grand Slam winner, Marat Safin reached his first final for over a year on Saturday when he beat compatriot Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 6-3 in the Kremlin Cup semifinals.   Football: Chelsea win at a price Iver Ingi-marsson's own goal handed Chelsea a hard-fought 1-0 win at Reading as Jose Mourinho's men kept up the pressure on United and ended the home's side 14-month unbeaten record at the Madejski Stadium.   Football: Six-star Bremen go top Werder Berlin climbed to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 6-0 demolition of bottom club Vfl Bochum.   Football: Ronaldo sees red as Real get the blues Brazilian striker Ronaldo's miserable season slumped to a new low when he was sent-off in the last minute of Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.   Cricket: Cricketers join UN campaign England and Indian cricketers joined millions of people to back the United Nations 'Millennium Stand Up Campaign' against poverty before the start of their Champions Trophy match here Sunday.   Cricket: Translations delaying probe Indian police have made little headway in a probe into a 2000 match-fixing scam due a problem in translating taped conversations in Afrikaans, a report said Sunday.   Cricket: Woolmer days numbered? Coach Bob Woolmer's honeymoon period in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may end as Shaharyar Khan's resignation has changed his situation dramatically in last few months of his contract till next year'sWorld   Tennis: Anna clinches Kremlin Cup Anna Chakvetadze of Russia won the WTA Kremlin Cup, beating fifth seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova 6-4, 6-4 here on Sunday.   Football: Cech undergoes skull surgery Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech has had a "successful" operation for a depressed fracture of the skull, the club said in a statement on Sunday.   Football: Ronaldo in dark over red Brazil striker Ronaldo said he was unable to explain why he was sent off for the second time in his Real Madrid career during his side's 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.   Football: McClaren to battle on Under-pressure Steve McClaren insisted on Sunday he won't quit as England coach despite the barrage of criticism which followed the 2-0 defeat to Croatia in midweek.   Football: Petrov out for six months Atletico Madrid's Bulgarian international midfielder Martin Petrov is set to be out for six months after rupturing cruciate ligaments in his left knee during their 2-1 victory over Huelva on Saturday.   Football: Lyon overcome Etienne challenge Mental strength helped Lyon overcome the absence of a host of key players and a penalty miss to overhaul combative 10-man Saint Etienne 2-1 on Saturday, the champions' manager Gerard Houllier said.   Football: Kaladze steals point for Milan A controversial late goal from Kakha Kaladze salvaged a point for AC Milan in a 1-1 draw at Sampdoria on Saturday.   Football: 'Cech lucky to be alive' Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho accused Reading's Stephen Hunt of putting Petr Cech's life at risk with a challenge that left the Chelsea goalkeeper in hospital.   Football: Gunners after Ribery Arsenal have Marseille's France international Franck Ribery firmly in their sights for next season, the pacy young midfielder's agent revealed on Sunday.   Cricket: Hayden suffers finger injury Australian Test opener Matthew Hayden is to have scans Monday on a finger injury suffered in Queensland's opening Sheffield Shield loss this weekend, team officials said Sunday.   Tennis: Hingis ready for return A year ago, Martina Hingis was finished with playing tennis, with no indication that she would return. Metropolitan EC has no scope for vote rigging The Election Commission (EC) should not be blamed for vote rigging as there is no scope for EC authorities and officials to get involved in rigging, said Council for National Agenda (CNA) Chairman Justice   EC empowerment a must for free, fair polls In order to make national elections free from the influence of black money and musclemen, bank loan defaulters should be declared disqualified for contesting the elections despite their loan rescheduling,   Human trafficking on rise across bordering districts Speakers at a view-exchange meeting yesterday said that the incidents of human trafficking are on the rise across the bordering districts.   Soaring prices diminish joy of Eid shopping The joy of Eid shopping diminishes as the shoppers face with exorbitant price tags in clothes and readymade garments along with the soaring prices of daily essentials.   JCD man hurt in blast A bomb exploded at the office of BNP leader Hannan Shah at Gazipur last night leaving two people including a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist injured.   3 die in Faridpur road crash Three people died and 30 others were injured in a bus collision on the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Modhukhali upazila early yesterday.   8 journos roughed up in Ctg Criminals beat up and injured eight journalists at Cheragi Pahar intersection in Chittagong on Saturday night following a feud over placing a shopping bag on top of a car.   BoI chief blames media for his failure Energy Adviser Mahmudur Rahman yesterday blamed the media for his failure to get the government nod to the coal policy.   More congratulations to Yunus Different organisations and personalities of the country continued sending message of congratulations to Nobel Peace laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus.   7 top cop promoted The government yesterday promoted seven Additional Deputy Inspectors General to Deputy Inspectors General (DIG) and reshuffled the police administration transferring some of the promoted officials along   PM performs Umrah Prime Minister Khaleda Zia performed Umrah at Makkah Al Mukarrama Saturday midnight, shortly after her arrival in Saudi Arabia.   Tremor jolts Ctg again A light tremor measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale jolted the port city and its adjacent areas at around 1:03:56am yesterday. It has lasted for 21 seconds.   PM performs Umrah Prime Minister Khaleda Zia performed Umrah at Makkah Al Mukarrama Saturday midnight, shortly after her arrival in Saudi Arabia.   DU mourning day observed Dhaka University (DU) authorities and different student organisations yesterday paid homage to the memories of 39 students and employees killed in a building collapse at university's Jagannath Hall on   Mason dies in rooftop fall A mason was killed yesterday falling from rooftop when he was working at an under-construction building at Konapara at Demra in the city.   BFUJ, DUJ Protest Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) yesterday condemned attacks on journalists in Chittagong and demanded immediate arrest and punishment to the culprits   Clarification Three directors and a general manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines have been given retirement on completion of their 25 years of service as per Public Servants (Retirement) Act 1974, said a Biman press   SSKOP emergency meet today An emergency meeting of Sangbadik Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SSKOP) will be held at the National Press Club in the city at 10:30 am today, says a press release.   Appeal for help Sheikh Shahidul Islam, a shopkeeper, who has been suffering from bone marrow diseases, has appealed for financial assistance for his treatment, says a press release. National Large ships may be kept away for 2 more weeks Salvation of lighter vessel MV Shah Badar1 that sunk at the entry point of Chittagong port channel on Wednesday may take at least one week.   Adulterated food items seized in Rangpur Detective police yesterday recovered huge quantities of adulterated mastered oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, harmful cosmetics and mosquito coil mixed with toxic chemicals, illegal electronic goods and   Rally protesting arrest of indigenous men Joinshahi Adibasi Unnayan Parishad (Joinshahi Indigenous Development Association) brought out a procession and held a rally in Telki under Madhupur upazila in Tangail district yesterday protesting arrest   Student's body to reach today The body of a final year student of Dhaka Textile Engineering College who was killed in a road accident in Nepal on Thursday night will reach Dhaka today.   BCL leader held with arms Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested Chhatra League leader Mahbubur Rahman Uzzal from his house at South Chithlipara village in Mithapukur Friday night and recovered firearms.   Ctg Sangbadpatra Hawkers' Samity executives Hossain Ahmed and Mokbul Hossain have been reelected president and general secretary (GS) of Chittagong Sangbadpatra Hawkers' Bohumukhi Samabaya Samity Limited in an election held at its Cheragi hilloffice   25 hurt in BCL factional clash At least 25 people were injured, six of them critically, in a clash between two rival factiosn of of Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL) at Shubhgachha in Kazipur upazila in the distrtict yesterday.   A Different Day for Chittagong Point-Counterpoint Pride of the nation We were not crying from sadness, but tears were flowing as soon as the Nobel Committee's announcement of the name of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner hit the air-waves, and we watched the announcement   People have the last say Has the dialogue for electoral reform entered into the crucial but most optimistic stage or opted for a natural death with the deferral of the next sitting of the two secretaries general until today (October   Recognition could only be delayed, never denied Along deserved recognition has finally come in on Friday. A banker and a bank from Bangladesh have been awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. I have been a banker for more than 20 years.   Leveling the playing field Our children are growing up in an increasingly competitive world -- one where the race to the top starts earlier than ever. Culture Samina talks about our musical identity Last year Samina Chowdhury was one of the judges for the talent hunt show Closeup 1. While she is not a judge this year she follows the show closely whenever she gets a chance.   Films and other attractions Korean Cultural Festival 2006, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, began yesterday.   Telefilm 'Hatkura' on Banglavision Based on Mashiul Alam's story Momenar Golpo, the play Hatkura will be aired on the second day of the Eid festival on Banglavision.   Kamol Sarkar's 10th death anniversary observed Kamol Sarkar, one of the prominent dance organisers of the country after the liberation of Bangladesh, was remembered by Drupad Kala Kendra at the Liberation War Museum on October 14.   'Chobi Mela IV' to begin next month A press conference was held at Drik Gallery on October 14 to address the upcoming international photography festival, titled Chobi Mela IV. General Tk 626 cr Danish grant for dev in agri sector Bangladesh will receive Tk 626 crore in grant from Denmark for the development of its agricultural sector.   Bogra trader robbed of Tk 10 lakh More than Tk 10 lakh was snatched from a business man in front of his house at Matidali Shaha Para area in Bogra town yesterday morning.   RU controversial staffs block highway Controversially recruited employees of Rajshahi University yesterday blocked Dhaka-Rajshahi highway for an hour demanding regularisation of their jobs.   Two Bangladeshi women complete Everest base camp trekking For the first time, two Bangladeshi women Opar Ahmed and Salma Khatun successfully completed the Everest base camp trekking.   World Food Day today World Food Day will be observed in the country as elsewhere in the globe today with a pledge to prevent hunger. This year's theme of the day is "Investing in Agriculture for Food Security". International Nepal talks postponed amid wrangling Peace talks between Nepal's government and rebel Maoists were postponed yesterday amid fresh wrangling over how to move the political process forward, a minister said yesterday.   Push for peace in Lanka ahead of crucial talks Sri Lanka comes under renewed diplomatic pressure this week to end fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels amid mounting scepticism over the fate of peace talks planned this month.   Congress brings back 'Garibi Hatao' slogan to woo masses It was the slogan that propelled India's then premier Indira Gandhi to her first re-election victory in 1971 by a landslide.   Israel threatens to step up deadly Gaza offensive Vowing not to let the Gaza Strip become a "second Lebanon", Israel warned Sunday it will step up an offensive that has killed 22 people in three days in a bid to stop rocket fire and arms smuggling.   World hails N Korea sanctions vote World leaders broadly hailed UN sanctions yesterday on North Korea over the reclusive country's announced nuclear test, but the consensus was fractious and China said it still had objections.   Top Japanese official calls for debate on going nuclear The policy chief of Japan's ruling party called yesterday for an active debate on developing atomic weapons due to the nuclear threat from North Korea.   UN action on N Korea not a precedent for Iran UN sanctions against North Korea over its declared atomic test demonstrates an unprecedented diplomatic blitz to counter nuclear proliferation but may not necessarily signal impending punitive actionon   Bush keeps revising war justification President Bush keeps revising his explanation for why the US is in Iraq, moving from narrow military objectives at first to history-of-civilisation stakes now.   Republican extremists divided country, says Clinton Former president Bill Clinton told Iowa's Democratic Party faithful on Saturday that the actions of "an extreme sliver" of the Republican Party have backfired and "profoundly divided" the country. Editorial Editorial: End political impasse Professor Yunus has made a clarion call to the leaders on both sides of the political divide to bury their hatchet and steer the nation on to the path of general election.   Editorial: Passport issue The report that people applying for passport have to pay a staggering amount of Tk 21 crore in bribe to the police, middlemen and corrupt employees and officials is indeed a shocking example of how the   Investing in agriculture for food security October 16 is World Food Day (WFD). The WFD is celebrated every year to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945.   Mushroom Rice Curiosity may be as injurious to the health of columnists as it is to cats, but there is much to be curious about these days.   Blair's woes At the G-8 Summit in St Petersburg early last month, British Prime Minister Tony Blair almost begged George W Bush to authorize him to act as a scout for Condoleezza Rice in the context of the MiddleEast Letters to Editor Dr. Yunus: Pride of the Nation Oh no, not again! Bombing in 63 districts at a time in Bangladesh by the Islamic militants. Star City Might take more time than expected The relocation of Karwan Bazar wholesale vegetable market is likely to take years although the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a Tk 206 crore budget earlier thismonth,   What is going on at Abahani playground? The Abahani playground in Dhanmondi, one of the rare green fields in the city, fails to create a sporting and recreational atmosphere mainly because of managerial drawbacks.   Assault on passengers continues Security personnel at the entrance to the Zia International Airport (ZIA) physically assaulted three men, one bound for Hong-Kong yesterday.   Six murders traumatise family for life For Kazi Sirajul Haque and his family, life has become a nightmare; still shocked at the brutal murders of six of his domestic workers on Friday evening; his brain pumping hard against his skull searching   Decades of dedicated service to mankind Anjuman Mufidul Islam, a leading philanthropic voluntary service organisation, has a long history connected with when it comes to unclaimed dead bodies and self-less dedication.   Dhaka: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow The Daily Star (TDS): What is your first memory of Dhaka? Hyder Husyn (HH): I was brought up in a conservative family.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.