Vol. 5 Num 868 Mon. November 06, 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 Be tough, proactive Nobel Peace Laureate Prof Mohammad Yunus yesterday urged the president and chief of the caretaker government to be tough and proactive in running the country.   Mistake rectification not possible for time pressure The Election Commission (EC) yesterday informed the caretaker government chief that it is not possible to correct the mistakes in the controversial updated voter list due to constraints of time.   14-party asks BNP not to pressurise CG The Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday urged opponent BNP-led four-party coalition not to pressurise the caretaker government but help it create a congenial atmosphere for holding the upcoming   Saddam, half brother sentenced to hang A visibly shaken Saddam Hussein was found guilty of crimes against humanity yesterday and sentenced to hang by the US-sponsored court that has been trying him in Baghdad for the past year.   CA orders security beef-up President and Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Prof Iajuddin Ahmed directed security officials to beef up security measures to maintain law and order for holding free and fair elections.   Nothing to be done beyond constitution President and Chief Adviser Prof Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday categorically said that nothing is to be done beyond the constitution regarding the Election Commission.   Disclose names of those who whitened money The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) recommended to the caretaker government that it should instruct the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to disclose the names of those electoral candidates who had taken   Party opposition puts Ershad in double mind Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad changed his mind not to join the BNP-led four-party alliance immediately as he has been facing tremendous opposition from a number of senior party leaders including   Moudud accused of 'distorting history' Moudud Ahmed, law minister of the immediate past four-party alliance government, omitted from the constitution the Proclamation of Independence and several chapters that dealt with provisions for declaring   BNP divided over EC reconstitution The BNP leaders are divided over asking the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners to resign for holding a free and fair election, sources said.   29 contractual jobs cancelled The interim government last night cancelled contractual government jobs of 29 officials including the jobs of three secretary-rank officials, and made 19 changes in deputy secretary level posts.   SC defers hearing for a week The Supreme Court yesterday adjourned for a week the hearing on the admissibility of petitions filed by six outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leaders sentenced to death by the lower court   CG to disburse fund for priority projects only Fund disbursement to the new projects, taken in the current fiscal year despite not fulfilling 'strict economic criteria', would be suspended until the next government assumes office, Finance Adviserto   TIB may be asked to back up graft report Adviser for Power and Energy Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday hinted that he might invite the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) to substantiate their reports on corruption in the country'spower   EU asks parties to support CG in holding polls German Ambassador Frank Meyke who holds the current presidency of EU has urged all political parties to offer their support to the caretaker government in its effort to address the key electoral issues   Khaleda's portrait at last removed from EC Portraits of former prime minister Khaleda Zia was finally taken down yesterday afternoon from the conference room of the Election Commission (EC) seven days into the power handover by the BNP-led four-party   Oli asks Iajuddin to relinquish post of CA Executive President of Liberal Democratic Party Col (retired) Oli Ahmed yesterday urged President Iajuddin Ahmed to relinquish the post of the chief adviser.   JMB man rues missed chance to kill Suranjit An operative of banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) has told a Sunamganj court that he would have been very happy if he had killed Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Suranjit Sengupta.   2 cases against Prothom Alo editor, publisher discharged Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and Publisher Mahfuz Anam were yesterday discharged from two defamation cases -- one filed by former chief whip Khondaker Delwar Hossain and the other by a leader of Islami   Why UP polls won't be held within certain time A High Court (HC) bench yesterday issued a rule upon the government to show cause within four weeks as to why it shall not be directed to hold Upazila Parishad elections within a stipulated time.   Zidane flies in today Zindedine Zidane, arguably the most influential footballer in the post Pele-Maradona era, will arrive in Dhaka tonight by a Singapore Airlines flight.   14-party leaders get bail in Jamaat case The High Court yesterday granted ad-interim anticipatory bail to some 37 leaders and workers of the Awami League-led 14-party combine accused of murders in a case filed by Jamaat-e-Islami following the   BSF kills 1 Indian Border Security Force (BSF) gunned down an unidentified person yesterday at Bashalgaon near the Indian border under Haripur upazila of Thakurgaon, according to witnesses and BDR sources.   Cold causes massive blackout in Europe A sudden weekend surge in demand for electricity in Germany due to freezing weather plunged much of Europe into blackness as France and other power exporting countries found their grids overtapped. Business GP reaches 10m subscribers GrameenPhone Limited, the leading cellular company of the country, has crossed 10 million subscribers mark and the operator now hopes to double the number within a span of 15 months.   Grameen Danone Foods opens Wednesday Grameen Danone Foods Ltd, a joint venture between four Grameen companies and France-based global leader for nutritional food products Groupe Danone, will be opened at a function in Dhaka on Wednesday.   Handover date likely to be set today The Privatisation Commission is likely to fix the handover date of state-run Rupali Bank today.   Govt urged to amend age-old insurance act Eastland Insurance Company chief has urged the government to accelerate the process to amend the age-old Insurance Act 1938 to meet today's market challenges.   DSE All Share Price Index sheds 33.95pts Share indices on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) continued declining yesterday for the fourth consecutive day as DSE All Share Price Index dropped by 33.95 points or 2.65 percent to close at 1246.   China deepens trade links with Africa as summit ends China and Africa Sunday signed trade deals worth 1.9 billion dollars on the final day of a historic summit that saw the Asian giant deepen economic and political ties with the resource-rich continent.   Potential threat to Bangladesh's ready-to-wear garments During a recent workshop held at the Ministry of Textile and Jute conference room a question was risen regarding the refusal of some printed and dyed apparels due to the chemical stuff used during the   Asia's 40-yr dream of 'Iron Silk Road' comes closer to reality Asian transport ministers meeting in South Korea this week will take a major step towards making a decades-old dream a reality -- integrating the entire continent into a single rail network.   Indian cities emerge as best offshoring sites Seven Indian cities have emerged as the most favored outsourcing destinations globally, beating out rivals such as Manila, Shanghai and Moscow, according to a report by a US-based consultancy.   2nd Bangladesh knitwear expo in Munich from today The second two-day exposition of Bangladeshi knitwear starts from today in Munich of Germany following a huge success of the first one held in Duseldorf on November 2-3 last year, says a press release.   AKTEL's quiz contest ends tomorrow The SMS-based quiz contest styled 'AKTEL-e Umrao Jaan Premier-e Dubai Jan', launched by the mobile phone operator for all its subscribers, comes to a close tomorrow, says a press release.   US wants Apec-wide FTA The United States has sounded out its Asian and Pacific partners on the possibility of creating a regional free trade agreement as a "middle- and long-term" objective, a press report said Sunday. Sports Cricket: Sangakkara charms on Dhaka debut Kumar Sanga-kkara made his presence felt on his Dhaka debut as he took Be-ximco into the final of the GrameenPhone Corporate Cricket League with a convincing 61-run victory over Partex in the second semifinal   Hockey: Usha going great guns Mostafizur Rahman Dinar scored in the dying seconds to give Usha Krira Chakra solo lead in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Hockey League as the defending champions edged Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0   Cricket: Australia clinch maiden Champs Trophy in style World number one Australia wrested the Champions Trophy from the West Indies with an eight-wicket victory in a disappointing rain-hit final here on Sunday.   Cricket: Acme come up with Sanath surprise This year's final of the Grameen-Phone Corporate Cricket League now has another added attraction as veteran Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya arrives here today to play for Acme Laboratories.   Cricket: Unlucky 13 Thirteen bowlers cannot appear in the forthcoming National Cricket League and the Dhaka Premier League as their actions were deemed illegal in a report submitted by the bowling advisory committee of Bangladesh   Chess: Div I chess from today The Dutch-Bangla Bank First Division Chess League begins today at the federation hall-room.   Football: Stage set for ZZ The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has completed all preparations to accord a rousing reception to Zindedine Zidane, who lands in Dhaka tonight.   Cricket: Asia taking over? Asia took a vice-like grip on cricket's administration after umpire Darrell Hair was sacked and a life ban on Pakistani match-fixing accused Ataur Rehman was revoked.   Cricket: England down under England's cricket squad arrived here Sunday as captain Andrew Flintoff said his players come to Australia without bearing the scars of previous heavy Ashes Test defeats.   Cricket: Rehman thanks ICC Former Pakistan paceman Ataur Rehman Sunday thanked the world cricket authorities for lifting a ban on him, saying they had given back the missing half of his life.   Cricket: India honours Azhar Mohammad Azharuddin was freed from the stigma of disgrace after India's cricket chiefs honoured the banned former captain for his services to the sport.   Cricket: PCB claims 'victory' The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman has hailed Darrell Hair's removal from the panel of international umpires as “a victory for cricket".   Football: Bremen held by Cottbus League leaders Werder Bremen wasted the chance to put pressure on their championship rivals Bayern Munich after only managing a 1-1 home draw with promoted Energie Cottbus on Saturday.   Football: United celebrate in style Manchester United celebrated 20 years under Alex Ferguson's command with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Portsmouth to stay top of the Premier League on Saturday.   Football: Barca stutter at Deportivo Spanish champions Barcelona gave their title challengers a sniff of hope after dropping two precious points in a 1-1 draw away at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.   Cricket: BCCI & ICC reach truce Doubts over India's hosting of the 2011 World Cup have been eased after a new contract was agreed with the International Cricket Council (ICC).   Cricket: Zimbabwe could return to Test next year Zimbabwe could resume playing Test cricket in November 2007, the International Cricket Council (ICC) says.   Cricket: Ponting cries foul Australian captain Ricky Ponting wants the International Cricket Council to take action against the West Indies cricketers for giving a miss to the ICC Awards' function hours before their Champions Trophy   Tennis: Blake cashes in on Haas injury America's James Blake became the eighth and last Masters Cup qualifier on Saturday when Germany's Tommy Haas was forced to retire from the Paris Masters.   Football: Ronaldo still too fat: Capello Real Madrid striker Ronaldo still needs to lose more weight before he can attempt to return to top form, his coach Fabio Capello said on Saturday.   Football: Lyon fall at Rennes Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas launched a broadside at French league officials who he feels are against his five-times consecutive champions.   Football: Rafa confident of Reds revival Rafa Benitez refuses to concede that his team is out of contention for this season's Premiership title after a 2-0 victory over Reading at Anfield.   Football: Siena salvage a point Albanian striker Erjon Bogdani scored twice in the last 13 minutes as Siena fought back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Parma on Saturday.   Cricket: Sachin's scalp a boost, says McGrath Taking the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar in Champions Trophy has boosted the confidence of Glenn McGrath who feels he owes Australia an Ashes win this time around.   Cricket: SA look at WC preps After being knocked out of the Champions Trophy in the semifinals by the West Indies, South Africa are now aiming to get back to winning ways when they take on India and Pakistan in separate home series   Tennis: Maria aiming at win Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin-Hardenne aim to depose Amelie Mauresmo as world number one at the WTA Championships but reaching the end of the season in one piece is also high on their wish lists. Metropolitan CG should do what it thinks right for free, fair polls Rising above all debates, the caretaker government should do what it thinks is right for a free and fair election, legal experts and civil society members said at a roundtable yesterday.   'Fair election depends on EC reforms' Panellists at a BBC programme have said the caretaker government can arrange a fair election but much still depend on reforms of the Election Commission (EC), says a press release.   AL for neutrality in state-run media Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday urged the caretaker government (CG) to ensure neutrality in state-run media to help create an atmosphere favourable for free and fair   JCD, BCL clash in front of Dhaka College Activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday locked horn in front of Dhaka College causing damage to around 10 vehicles and traffic disruption for about 30   $1.4m Goldman Sachs Foundation grant for AUW The Asian University for Women (AUW) announced a $1.4 million grant from The Goldman Sachs Foundation to fund its first academic programme on its new campus being built in Chittagong, says a press release.   Three handed over to police Dhaka University (DU) authorities yesterday handed over three people to police on suspicion of having involvement in admission forgery raising a question about the transparency in admission process.   BSF returns bodies of 3 Bangladeshis Indian Border Security Force (BSF) returned the bodies of three Bangladesh farmers after a flag meeting at Bewjhari bordering area under Banliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon yesterday, BDR sources said.   CEC's removal demanded Samajik Protirodh Committee formed a one-hour human chain in front of the High Court in the city yesterday demanding free and fair general election.   50 pro-AL docs get bail A Dhaka court yesterday granted bail to 50 pro-Awami League (AL) doctors, including president and secretary general of Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad, in five cases filed against them for attacking the   Sacked BSS staffs demand reinstatement Thirty-four employees of state-owned news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), who were sacked by the immediate past four-party alliance government immediately after assuming office in 2001, yesterday   25 houses gutted in city At least 25 houses were gutted in a devastating fire at Swamibag in Sutrapur area in the city yesterday evening.   70 DAB members join LDA A group of doctors yesterday joined the Liberal Doctors Association (LDA), a front organisation of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). National 4 former ministers likely to face tough fight in Tangail Nominations of four former BNP ministers as Four-party Alliance candidates from Tangail-2, 3,4 and 6 constituencies are almost confirmed.   12 newcomers out to elbow out elderly politicians in Nilphamari At least 12 new faces are seen active in the election fray in the district this year. They are retired civil and military officers, technocrats, businessmen and industrialists.   Nitai Roy 'persona non grata' in Magura Intra-party feud in Magura BNP took a new turn yesterday following announcement of its central leader Advocate Nitai Roy Choudhury persona non grata in the district.   5,000 Khagrachhari BNP men join LDP Over 5,000 BNP leaders and activists joined the newly floated Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at a simple function held here yesterday.   3-day Ras mela begins in Kuakata The 150 year-old Ras Mela, the biggest festival of the Hindu community in the southwestern region began at Kuakata beach here on Saturday. Several thousand Hindus thronged here to celebrate the festivities.   PBCP leader killed in Sirajganj A regional leader of the outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) was slaughtered to death by his rivals after abduction from his house in Kamarkhanda upazila Friday night.   8 arrested on charge of looting Eight people were arrested here yesterday on charge of looting money and goods worth over half a crore taka from three business establishments in Saidpur town recently.   2-day Kathin Chibar Dan concludes A two-day festival of Kathin Chibar Dan concluded here Saturday with due religious fervour.   15 shops gutted Property worth Tk 50 lakh was gutted in a devastating fire in Jaldhaka upazila on Ssturday, traders said. Five people were also injured when a big crowd thronged the spot to extinguish the fire. Point-Counterpoint Stop this farcical reshuffle The reshuffle in the civil and police administration so far has been absolutely a part of a sinister design to befool the countrymen and rig the upcoming the general elections.   All in the family The extraordinary political crisis that engulfed the country on the eve of handover of power to caretaker government has established a simple fact of political reality: our political leadership has agreed   Republican machine can be beaten In less than a week, Americans will go to the polls.   Between hell and high-water The turmoil, trauma and mayhem in the last few days evoked the distant, or maybe not too distant, memories of 1971. Culture Seasoned music composer on his kaleidoscopic journey Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul ranks among the few film music composers in the country whose compositions have been box-office hits.   Habib's latest album 'Shono' Habib Wahid, better known as Habib, has established himself as one of the most successful musicians in the current music scene.   Talk show 'Purush' on Rtv tonight Divided into several segments, a talk show titled Purush is currently running on Rtv. The programme features discussions on contemporary and past issues that predominantly concern men.   Dali framed for "Surreal" movie Lord of War director Andrew Niccol is attached to shoot a movie on Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali. General Polls to be held in peaceful manner Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Barbara Richardson yesterday expressed the hope that the next general election in Bangladesh would be held in a peaceful manner.   'Reform EC to hold free, fair election' Speakers at a press conference yesterday demanded reformation of the Election Commission (EC) to hold a free and fair election.   Provide 100 pc salary without condition Teachers of non-government high schools, colleges and madrasas yesterday called for providing 100 percent salary to them without attaching any condition.   T&T employee stabbed, robbed of Tk 1 lakh A gang of muggers stabbed and robbed of Tk 1 lakh from a T&T employee at Motijheel in the city yesterday.   Dhaka Book Fair Dec 1-16 National Book Centre (NBC), an organisation under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, will hold the 13th Dhaka Book Fair (DBF) from December 1 to 16 on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the   Burnt CNG driver loses fight for life A CNG driver, who sustained burn injuries during a procession at Dholaipar, died yesterday morning after fighting for his life for nine days at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).   Sheikh Shahid visits Dr Wazed Sheikh Shahidul Islam, secretary general of Jatiya Party (JP-Monju), visited ailing nuclear scientist Dr MA Wazed Miah at Lab Aid Cardiac Hospital on Saturday night, says a press release. International Upsurge in Lankan violence inevitable Sri Lanka's military and Tamil Tiger rebels are again accusing each other of gearing up for war after peace talks collapsed in Switzerland, with analysts saying an upsurge in violence is inevitable.   Pakistan must seal its border, Nato send more troops, says Dutch FM Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot pressed Pakistan Saturday to seal its border with Afghanistan to stop the infiltration of militants and also called on Nato nations to send more troops.   Twin blasts kill 8 in Assam At least eight people, mostly shoppers, were killed and more than 20 injured in two simultaneous bomb attacks yesterday in the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati, police and witnesses said.   Rebels kill pro-govt Pak tribal leader Suspected pro-Taliban militants shot dead a pro-government tribal leader in Pakistan's South Waziristan region, the latest killing in the lawless belt on the Afghan border, a security official said yesterday.   Israel vows to press on with Gaza offensive Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinians including a policeman and kept up the shelling of militant targets in the northern Gaza Strip yesterday, residents and medical officials said.   Saddam verdict deepens Iraq's sectarian divide Iraqi Shias broke into wild celebration yesterday after Saddam Hussein was sentenced to hang, but his fellow Sunnis paraded through the former dictator's hometown chanting, "We will avenge you Saddam.   Was Saddam's trial fair? Before Saddam Hussein's trial for crimes against humanity even began, his case was beset by debate over who should try him and whether those who did would be genuinely impartial.   Iraq war protagonists hail Saddam verdict Iraq war protagonists the United States and Britain yesterday led those welcoming the death sentence handed to ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, but other nations and groups were more guarded, voicing   Amnesty condemns death sentences Amnesty International yesterday condemned the death sentences handed to Saddam Hussein and two of his senior allies, describing their trial as a "shabby affair".   Saddam expected death, morale high Saddam Hussein had expected to be sentenced to death but his morale is high and "made of steel", his defence team said Sunday, adding that they will appeal the verdict.   Democrats seek gains in Republican territory Long locked out of power, Democrats appear poised to win control of the House and possibly the Senate in midterm elections this week amid a national clamour for change after four years of war in Iraq.   Episcopalians install female leader Katharine Jefferts Schori took office Saturday as the first female leader of The Episcopal Church and the first woman priest to head an Anglican province, two landmarks that could quickly be overshadowed   50 held for attempt on Musharraf Several young officers with the Pakistani Air Force with access to President Pervez Musharraf's innermost security circle were among 50 people arrested for trying to assassinate him soon after he returned Editorial Editorial: An alarming sign It is with trepidation that we look at the news of shots being fired at the former law minister Moudud Ahmed's residence barely within a week of the formation of the caretaker government. Mr.   Editorial: State media role Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar (radio) have earned a bad name for themselves over the decades for working as vehicle to publicise the agenda of the government of the day, caring little   Back to square one In yet another masterstroke, the BNP-Jamaat alliance has caught its opponent off-guard.   The Bangla heroine The collective noun is a poor cousin of the proper; the singular belongs to a higher caste than the plural. There was a crucial omission from this year's list of Nobel Prize winners.   Then and now Many of my friends who read my column regularly and take ardent interest in Bangladesh politics opened a discourse the other day about Baksal. Letters to Editor The Nobel Prize and a nation in distress In my humble opinion, it is high time we had a new set of political leaders as well as parties, since the major political parties-while promising a makeover for the sake of the citizens with reforms and   Our country, their war There are many countries around the globe that are, unfortunately, under foreign occupation. Star City A banyan tree cries for help The historical banyan tree in Goran Chadbari under the ownership of the National Botanical Garden in Mirpur is facing certain death due to gross negligence of the National Botanical Garden authorities.   Mosquito menace adds to people's woes The sudden surge of mosquito menace in the city over the last few weeks continues to aggravate the woes of city dwellers.   Legal notices served on real estate developers Certain organisations of environmentalists, lawyers and human right activists yesterday served three different legal notices on the country's three prominent real estate developers for developing projects   DCC's bizarre trade with public footpaths Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has kept an entire stretch of footpath blocked for the construction of a market and is also illegally setting up 20 shops on it.   On duty on holidays People were glued to their TV sets as news won over entertainment during Eid this year.   HC bench stays forced retirement of Rajuk chief engineer A High Court bench yesterday issued a rule nisi on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works to show cause as to why an order for forced retirement of the Rajuk chief engineer Emdadul Islam should notbe   © thedailystar.net, 2006. 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