Vol. 5 Num 1077 Tue. June 12, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Walls of mud turn Ctg into city of death At least 84 people were killed and hundreds more injured and missing as torrential rains sparked a series of devastating landslides in Chittagong , plunging the country's second city into chaos, withpower   Businesses come to a rain halt The wheel of economy in the port city of Chittagong came to a grinding halt due to heavy rainfall yesterday with vessel operations and loading-unloading at the premier port of the country being suspended   Mindless hill-cutting caused mudslide Indiscriminate hill cutting during the last three decades has led to the disappearance of over one hundred hills and partial destruction of hundreds others in Chittagong city, causing environmental hazards   Falu took Tk 50cr from Orion chief for Amar Desh Former BNP lawmaker Mossaddak Ali Falu took Tk 50 crore from Orion Group Chairman Obaidul Karim as a bribe while former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia took election campaign contribution   Huda, Mosharraf sued for graft, extortion A Dhaka court yesterday adjourned the hearing on charge framing until June 18 against detained former communications minister Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda in connection with a graft case.   Grisly deaths Rain was pouring down without any break at around 10:00am, forcing Phuli, 35, a mother of two children, to stay inside her thatched house, dangerously close to a hill at Kusumbag Residential Area near   President, CA shocked President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday expressed deep shock at the loss of lives in landslides in Chittagong.   Is my son such a thief that he has to flee? Former premier and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia went berserk and yelled at the top of her lungs asking whether her son was such a thief that he would have to flee the country, said former state minister   EC moves to stop foreign funding The Election Commission (EC) has made a move to impose a ban on receiving funds from foreign sources to run political parties or their election campaigns.   Country was riddled with graft, looting Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday said the country had been riddled with corruption and there had been extensive looting, which prompted the current drive against the corrupts.   Justice Fazlul Haque might be quizzed Law enforcers may interrogate former forest adviser in Iajuddin-led caretaker government Justice Fazlul Haque for allegedly taking bribe on various counts including transfer of forest department officials   Hasina may fly to USA Friday Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is likely to go to the USA on Friday by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.   Traffic halts...   Mayor Minu held again Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu was finally detained and sent to jail again yesterday, a day after he was freed on bail.   Mahi resigns to protest party's 'undemocratic practices' Mahi B Chowdhury, organising secretary and a presidium member of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), yesterday resigned from both positions of the party protesting undemocratic practices within the party.   Conditional duty-cut on capital machinery The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will impose five percent import duty, instead of the 10 outlined in the budget, on some types of capital machinery used in leather, textile and pharmaceuticals industries.   Mittal to go for feasibility study Managing director of India's Ispat Industries, Vinod Mittal, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Board of Investment (BoI) to conduct a feasibility study of US$ 2.   Man 'beaten up' in camp over personal dispute An army captain allegedly beat up a man inside an army camp in the city yesterday following a personal dispute.   Lightning kills 16 Sixteen people were killed by lightning across the country in the last two days during heavy rain and thunderstorms.   'Govt to probe graft allegations against Khaleda, Hasina' The government will look into the allegations of corruption revealed by the detained BNP and Awami League leaders against their party chiefs--Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.   448 Biman staff resign voluntarily With 170 more Biman officials and employees responding to the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) yesterday, the number of total staff accepting the offer rose to 448, Biman sources said.   China concerned at developments in Bangladesh China has vented deep concern over the developments in Bangladesh and expressed the hope that peace, stability and development of the country could be safeguarded in people's interest.   BCIC to import 75,000 tonnes of fertiliser The government has approved import of 75,000 tonnes of fertiliser by the state-run Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC).   SSC results today The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination results under seven education boards will be published in the afternoon today.   Rejoinder, our reply MGH group has protested a part of a report run by The Daily Star on June 10 under the headline "Koko owns Dubai house under fictitious name.   2 outlaws killed in 'shootout' with Rab Two leaders of the Janajudhdha faction of the outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) were killed in an encounter with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday afternoon.   Sanctions fail on Myanmar A decade of economic sanctions has failed to push military-ruled Myanmar towards democracy and nations have to find another way to engage the country, a top Southeast Asian official said yesterday.   Sacked Pak judge gets court boost Pakistan's top judge won the first round of his legal battle with President Pervez Musharraf Monday, but the government hit back by threatening new misconduct charges against him. Business Mobile subscriber growth to slow after 2009 as poor struggle to buy handsets Growth rates in Bangladesh's mobile telecom industry will slow after 2009 as poorer people will struggle to buy handsets and SIM cards, according to a senior official of Grameenphone, the country's largest   Govt urged to withdraw duty on machinery Hailing the government for proposing a pro-people and welfare-oriented national budget for the next fiscal year 2007-08, more trade bodies have urged the government to reconsider the imposition of duty   An Analysis of the National Budget for FY2007-08   Call for energy security amid global uncertainties Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday urged cooperation amongst influential oil firms to promote energy security amid global uncertainties, especially in the oil-rich Middle East.   Telecom operators demand duty cut for PSTN equipment Telecom operators have demanded reduction in the tax rate that has been proposed for PSTN (public switched telephone network) capital machineries in the new budget.   GMG to operate flights on another two int'l routes Private airline company GMG yesterday got permission to run its flights on another two international routes, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, sources said.   Indonesian envoy visits Eskayef's new plant in Tongi Warmas Hasan Saputra, Indonesia ambassador to Bangladesh, visited the new plant of Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd, a leading pharmaceuticals company in the country, in Tongi, Gazipur on Sunday.   Thailand Exhibition from tomorrow A three-day fair titled Thailand Exhibition-2007 will begin tomorrow aiming to promote Thai products in Bangladesh.   110,000 euros German grant for NGOs The German government has provided NGOs in Bangladesh with grants worth 110,000 euros to implement 17 small-scale development projects by November this year.   New chairman, vice chairman of NCC Bank Tofazzal Hossain and ASM Mainuddin Monem have been elected chairman and vice chairman of National Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank Ltd. Both of them are sponsor directors of the bank, says a pressrelease.   Huge deficit financing major risk in curbing inflation Since huge deficit financing from the domestic sources would impose further constraints on monetary authority to fight against inflation, the budget for the 2007-08 fiscal would make the macroeconomic   Currency Sports Cricket: Time to stand up A decent performance is the target the Bangladesh team have set for their coming tour of Sri Lanka and the brittle top-order must come out with a reasonable show with the bat to achieve the goal.   Cricket: Ford's no to India Graham Ford has snubbed an offer to become India's new coach in favour of staying on in his current role as director of cricket at English county Kent.   Cricket: Panesar bowls England to series victory Monty Panesar took 10 wickets in a Test for the first time as England beat West Indies by 60 runs to win the third Test at Old Trafford here Monday and so take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match   Tennis: Nadal a satisfied man Rafael Nadal will take aim at relieving Roger Federer of his Wimbledon title after warning the world number one that he is playing the best tennis of his career.   Cricket: Rafique, Mashrafe back in town Bangladesh vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and ace left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique returned home yesterday after taking part in the Afro-Asia Cup in India.   Football: B.League to resume June 15 The resumption of the B. League will be further delayed due to persistent rain.   Cricket: Important BCCI meeting today Player contracts and Zee Group's proposed Indian Cricket League would be key items on the agenda of the working committee meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Delhi today.   Cricket: ESPN buys Cricinfo Cricinfo, the leading cricket website has been acquired by ESPN as part of the US broadcaster's push to grow its global presence in online sports reporting.   Football: Hand of God falls short for Barca Barcelona have been stumbling all season and in the end not even the Hand of God could save them from the inevitable fall.   Football: Real want Beckham stay Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said on Sunday that the Spanish giant's were going to explore ways of trying to keep former England captain David Beckham at the club.   Hamilton strikes gold in Montreal British rookie Lewis Hamilton wrote another amazing chapter in his heroic, if brief, and unprecedented motor racing history on Sunday when he won the Canadian Grand Prix.   Tennis: Federer pulls out of Gerry Weber World number one Roger Federer has announced that he will not be defending his title in the Halle ATP tournament which starts here on Monday.   Football: Figo to stay with Inter Portuguese star Luis Figo has decided to stay with Inter Milan for another season, the Italian Serie A champions confirmed on Monday.   Football: Betis sack Luis Fernandez Struggling Real Betis have sacked their coach Luis Fernandez, the club announced after an emergency directors' meeting on Sunday.   Football: Price set for Quagliarella Serie A outfits Sampdoria and Udinese, who jointly own rising star Fabio Quagliarella, have put a price tag on the attacking midfielder who is reported to be a target for many clubs this summer.   Football: Borowski hints at Klose exit German midfielder Tim Borowski on Monday became the latest Werder Bremen player to suggest Miroslav Klose's future lies elsewhere as Bayern Munich chase the World Cup hot-shot.   Cricket: Harmison's perception England quick Steve Harmison said he bore the ultimate responsibility for sorting out his own game after returning to some sort of form in the ongoing third Test against West Indies.   Cricket: Asia keep it clean Mahendra Dhoni and Mahela Jayawardene hammered centuries in a record stand to set up Asia XI's 13-run win over Africa in the third and final match of the Afro-Asia one-day series here on Sunday.   Cricket: Moore cheers C'paul on Shivnarine Chanderpaul may be "underestimated and underrated" according to West Indies coach David Moore but there is no one the Australian would rather have at the crease as his side look to make Test   Hockey: Hockey team to play in Asia Cup Bangladesh will take part in the 7th Asia Cup Hockey tournament to be held in Chennai, India from September 1-9.   Chess: Rajib, Rakib share lead International Masters Abdullah Al Rakib and Enamul Hossain Rajib shared the lead in the Destiny International Rating Chess Tournament after the second round at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room   Bangladeshis to train at Tata again A nine-member Bangladesh team with five athletes and four boxers are expected to leave Dhaka for India within a week to take higher training at Tata Sports Academy at Jamshedpur.   New EC of BSJWC Nasimul Hasan Dodul was nominated president and Masudur Rahman general secretary of the Bangladesh Sports Journalists and Writers Community (BSJWC) at its annual general meeting on Sunday.   Football: Liverpool target Forlan The clarity with which George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks have carried out most aspects of their takeover of Liverpool does not appear to have extended to the transfer market, with Rafael Benítez, the manager,   Trezeguet set for Juve exit Unsettled striker David Trezeguet seems set to leave newly-promoted Juventus after revealing his contract negotiations are at a standstill.   United moving for Tevez Manchester United are reportedly planning a move for Carlos Tevez, but could lose out to Internazionale in the race to sign the West Ham striker. Metropolitan Continuous monitoring needed to fight bird flu Speakers at a roundtable yesterday underscored the need for immediate measures and continuous monitoring system to combat the spread of avian influenza virus in the country.   Change attitude towards working children Speakers at a roundtable yesterday stressed the need to raise awareness among the people and change the attitude towards working children in order to end child labour in hazardous occupations.   Creation of jobs should be main focus of budget Speakers at a discussion yesterday stressed the need for creating job opportunities to millions of unemployed should be the main focus of the national budget to alleviate poverty.   Steps to be taken to free footpaths from encroachment The government has taken some decisions to make the footpaths of Dhaka city free from encroachment and obstructions and keep them clean in order to make pedestrians' movement safe and convenient.   WB to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities The World Bank (WB) is planning to support a government initiative to increase the use of social and rehabilitation services by persons with disabilities, vulnerable children and adolescents, says a press   Court asks police to submit probe report by July 11 A Dhaka court yesterday again asked police to submit probe report by July 11 in the case against Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina and her personal staff Manu Majumder for extortion of Tk 3 crore.   Iftekhar leaves for Australia Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday left for Australia to hold formal discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.   Election collapse could spell end for French far-right party The far-right National Front party of Jean-Marie Le Pen had its worst score in more than 25 years in Sunday's legislative elections, encouraging speculation that it is disappearing as a serious forcein   Women deprived for lack of political empowerment Women are deprived of their rights and other facilities mainly for lack of political empowerment, said the speakers at a roundtable yesterday.   Concerted efforts needed to prevent spread of AIDS Speakers at a discussion here yesterday underscored the need for concerted efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.   Cirdap calls for integrated local, rural dev model The first coordination committee meeting for 'Coordination of good practices of four integrated rural development projects (IRD)' being implemented by Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and   Rly cop shot accidentally A member of Railway police was shot in his leg after he was hit by a bullet accidentally fired from his colleague's gun at Kamalapur Railway Station in the city yesterday.   'Incorporate child labour issue into nat'l agri policy' The issue of child labour should be incorporated into the national agriculture policy to effectively combat it as 56 percent of the child labour are in the agriculture sector, said child rights activists   Arrested journo sent to jail in Jhalakati A court here yesterday sent a journalist arrested by joint forces for extortion.   Injured mugger dies in hospital A youth succumbed to his injuries yesterday at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) who was beaten by mob at Sutrapur in the city allegedly for mugging, police sources said.   Heroin worth Tk 3cr seized in Benapole Department of Narcotics yesterday recovered 1.5 kilograms of heroin worth Tk 3 crore from Bhoberber at Benapole and arrested three people in this connection.   Death of people in Ctg landslide condoled Leaders of various political parties and organisations expressed deep shock at the death of 76 people who died in a landslide after heavy downpour hit Chittagong yesterday.   Maple Leaf School student electrocuted Pratyaya Sarkar, a meritorious student of Maple Leaf International School, passed away on Thursday after being electrocuted at his residence, says a press release. Pratyaya was the only son of hisparents.   Provide subsidy directly to farmers Speakers at a workshop here yesterday underscored the need for providing subsidy directly to farmers, using power tillers and threshing machines, for enhancing agriculture production in the country.   Karwan Bazar trader sues ex-works secy, two others One of the businessmen of Karwan Bazar filed an extortion case against former housing and public works secretary and two others with a Dhaka court yesterday.   Hasina visits Tungipara today Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will visit her ancestral home at Tungipara in Gopalganj district today. She will offer munajat at the grave of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   Australia to help boost pry edn in Bangladesh In recognition of Bangladesh's pressing development needs, Australia will increase its aid programme by 40 per cent in 2007-08.   2 committees to consider public opinions The Ministry of Finance has formed two committees to consider public opinions over the proposed budget for 2007-08 fiscal year.   One arrested in NCC Bank robbery Police have arrested a criminal allegedly involved in a sensational robbery in the city in which the son of an army officer was killed on May 24.   Charge framing deferred again Public safety tribunal and special sessions judge court of Rajshahi district yesterday deferred again the charge framing in the Prof S Taher Ahmed murder case until June 13.   Correction In a report headlined 'Call for global efforts to fix minimum wage' published in The Daily Star yesterday it was mentioned that Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed took part at a policy dialogue. National Rains trigger flood in 10 dists Flash flood triggered by rains inundated vast areas in 10 districts, damaging houses and paralysing life.   Dr Kamal visits area, demands punishment of culprits A joint team of human rights activists and legal aid providers led Dr.   5,000 poultry birds culled in Rangpur About 5,000 poultry birds were culled in seven villages of Rajendrapur and Uttom unions in Rangpur Sadar upazila yesterday.   Outlaws kill farmer in Sirajganj A solvent farmer has been killed by cadres of the outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) at remote Boroichora village in Tarash upazila, police said.   Ex-BNP MP Amzad's bail prayer rejected Special Judge's Court of Rangpur yesterday rejected the bail prayer of former BNP lawmaker Amzad Hossain Bhoje and his younger brother Rashidul Islam yesterday.   BDR-BSF flag meeting held A 6-hour long battalion level flag meeting between Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held near Main Pillar No 894 at Singimari outpost in Hatibandha upazila yesterday. Point-Counterpoint We wait for the denouement As startling revelations of corruption, and actions amounting to criminal offence, of former ministers and law makers of both Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are flashed in the   Biman -- does it have a future? Biman is the flag carrier airline of Bangladesh, and has been in existence for 35 years. For most of these years it has posted a loss. Occasionally, it did make profit, but only marginally. Culture Environmental theatre in Bangladesh Artistic designer and playwright Ashish Khondokar has reasons to be pleased for his achievements in contemporary Bangladeshi theatre, specifically in terms of "environmental theatre" (an experimentaltheatre   Sayeed Ahmed felicitated Eminent playwright Sayeed Ahmed was given a reception by the Department of Theatre and Film, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on June 10. The event was held at the National Theatre Stage.   Rabindra-Nazrul anniversary in Sylhet With Nazrul's verse 'Prodip nibhaye dao, uthiyachhe chaand, the "Rabindara-Nazrul Anniversary 1414" began at the Saifur Rahman Auditorium, Rikabi Bazar, Sylhet recently. General Demolition work going on at slow pace Demolition of a six-storey building at Dayaganj sweeper colony in the city, which subsided on May 25, is going on at a slow pace, causing delay in the probe into the subsidence of the building.   Health adviser for precautionary steps to combat AIDS Adviser for Health and Family Welfare Maj Gen (Retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman yesterday said the country is vulnerable to all sorts of risks although it has a very small number of HIV positive patients.   British Council offers English courses for SSC, HSC students The British Council Teaching Centre has announced some exciting new changes for 2007, says a press release. International US should weigh Iran attack: Lieberman Sen Joseph Lieberman said Sunday the United States should consider a military strike against Iran because of Tehran's involvement in Iraq.   Gaza plunges into new factional fighting Factional violence flared again in Gaza yesterday between Hamas and Fatah after three weeks of calm, with loyalists of the rival parties shot and flung to their deaths from high-rise buildings.   Death toll tops 100 in Indian heat wave A heat wave in northern and central India has claimed 28 more lives, it was reported yesterday, taking the toll since the start of summer to 102, the Press Trust of India said.   Britain's opposition demands probe into Iraq war Britain's main opposition Conservative party said it plans to call Monday for an immediate probe into the government's handling of the US-led war in Iraq.   Pak turmoil won't halt Musharraf reelection Pakistan's prime minister said Sunday he expects President Pervez Musharraf to secure another five years in office this fall in spite of turmoil over his bid to fire the chief justice.   Declare Buddhism as Thai national religion Thousands of Buddhist monks blocked a street in central Bangkok yesterday, demanding that Buddhism be declared Thailand's national religion in a new constitution, police said.   Six killed in fresh Kashmir violence Indian troops in Kashmir have shot dead three Islamic militants along the de facto border with Pakistan and a further three people have been killed by rebels, officials said yesterday.   Nepal reaps peace dividend as tourists flood back Impoverished Nepal's crucial tourism sector is reaping a major peace dividend with officials reporting a surge in arrivals of nearly 45 percent in the wake of an agreement by Maoist rebels to end a decade Editorial Editorial: Migrant workers' rights What came out very loud and clear at the dialogue on "Safe Migration and Remittances" organised by the Daily Star and Refugee and Migratory Movement and Research Unit recently in Dhaka, is the strongrationale   Editorial: New regional passport offices The government move toward making it easier for citizens to acquire passports is commendable.   Wise leaders, VIPs and ... When we look at the options left with us to choose leaders to hand over the reins of governance, we fret in fear and we shrivel in shame.   Extricating Bangladesh from corruption Ours is a thoroughly corrupt society. For the last five years our country has been considered as the most corrupt country in the world.   The budget has ignored cooperative movement The cooperative societies by their nature are enterprises that help macro- economic stability in the country. They maintain balance and integrate economic, environmental and social imperatives. Letters to Editor Valerie's service The people of Bangladesh are known for their hospitality.   Corruption and CTG Although greeted with unbridled cheers (by the nation) when it took over, the CTG has gone seemingly a bit off track in its hunt for the corrupt politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats.   Reform issue Recently, some politicians from the two rival major political parties in their bid to please their party chiefs stated that any reform in the party would have to be made by retaining the existingparty   Cleanliness Please convey my suggestion to the present government to keep Bangladesh clean.   Bangladesh: image and rating Mr. Waheeduzzaman's rating table in his article on the subject published on 28 May was difficult to understand.   Bangladesh Biman There was a news item in the newspapers that the CTG is going to change the name, colour and the logo of Biman, Bangladesh Airlines.   Massive drive We are very glad to observe that the caretaker government is sparing nobody in the massive drive against corruption and misdeeds.   Power failures It is worrisome that this year we are experiencing a very hot weather. The heat wave has been worsening and this is definitely hampering the everyday life of the people.   New PSC chairman The nation has breathed a sigh of relief with the appointment of Dr. Saadat Hussain, the former cabinet secretary and renowned civil servant as the chairman of PSC. Mr.   Dirty notes It is very unfortunate that for a pretty long time rotten, wrinkled and dirty taka two currency note is in circulation in our country.   Multiple speed-breakers I would like to draw your kind attention to the potential traffic hazard points recently created by construction of a series of speed-breakers on the Airport Road which has a high traffic density.   Containing corruption China announced the death sentence for its former head of food and drug regulatory body.   "People's wishes" I have one and only one question that intrigues, puzzles, disappoints and even infuriates me.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.