Vol. 5 Num 1105 Tue. July 10, 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 Plan to pipe in water from Jamuna The government yesterday decided to lift the water level in the Buriganga by piping in water from the Jamuna and ensure increased water supply to the city dwellers.   2 lakh acres of reserved forest still in dispute Declaration of more than 2 lakh acres of forestland as reserved in seven districts of Dhaka division has been stymied for the last 50 years due to stalling settlement of claims over the lands.   Replacing age-old fleet must for saving Biman Biman Bangladesh Airlines' planes get frequently grounded for technical reasons due to its aging fleet which has only old generation aircraft aged between 17 to 29 years, except only two.   Bhuiyan's men take a counter swipe at Khaleda Following Khaleda Zia's strong criticism of BNP's reformist faction led by Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan on Sunday, leaders of that faction took their turn yesterday in coming down hard on their   Held politicians crowd hospitals Ten out of the 62 political leaders who are considered important prisoners and have been granted divisions in jail remain admitted to hospitals for different medical conditions.   Charges framed against ex-BNP lawmaker Munshi, his family A special court yesterday framed charges against former lawmaker Monjurul Ahsan Munshi, his wife Sajeda Ahsan and two sons Rijwanul Ahsan and Rijviul Ahsan for illegally accumulating wealth and concealing   Faulty power plant to restart without power-up system The 100 MW Haripur Power Plant that broke down completely three years ago because of gross operational negligence is likely to be re-launched without any emergency power-up system, sources said.   Frequency of trips yet to be decided Bangladesh and India are likely to settle some unresolved issues regarding train service between the two neighbouring countries at their talks that began yesterday, Bangladesh Railway (BR) sources said.   Roadmap for polls Sunday The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday will announce a tentative date for holding the stalled ninth parliamentary elections and declare the roadmap to the polls in which the date for completing the voter   Arrest warrant issued against Bashundhara Group chief's son A Dhaka court yesterday issued arrest warrant against Shafiyat Sobhan Sanbir, son of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, in connection with the killing of Humayun Kabir Sabbir and directedthe   Army chief comes to 85-yr-old's rescue from loan shackles Eighty-five year old Manoranjan Roy, who had been sent to jail as he failed to repay a loan taken from the Krishi Unnayan Bank, was released yesterday as Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed cleared   Banks asked to furnish account info of Moudud, his family The taskforce under the national coordination committee for grave offences yesterday asked different commercial banks to submit account information of 15 individuals and organisations including former   ACC's job not to defame politicians Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday said that the commission's main objective is to root out corruption from the country, not to defame politicians.   Stalled for over a year   Sajeda refutes reports of Khaleda-Hasina phone talk Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury yesterday refuted newspaper reports about telephone conversation between the two political archrivals -- Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina   Taskforce quizzes ex-secy Akhter, Janakantha editor in jail The anti-graft taskforce yesterday interrogated former secretary ANH Akhter Hossain and Daily Janakantha Editor Atikullah Khan Masud at Dhaka Centrail Jail.   Matin denies govt role in making or breaking parties Communications Adviser Major General (retd) MA Matin Matin yesterday said the government was not aware of the basis of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina's allegation that military intelligence is engaged   Sabina might be flown to Singapore The physical condition of ailing noted singer Sabina Yasmin improved some more yesterday.   10 shortlisted for Sonali, Janata MDs The finance ministry has shortlisted 10 bankers from which the managing directors (MD) of the nationalised Sonali Bank and Janata Bank will be appointed.   Search on to arrest kidnappers Security forces in the rugged Bandarban hills are continuing their operations to capture the kidnappers of Danish International Development Agency (Danida) official Shahid Suman who was rescued Sunday.   Army, cops quell fertiliser-hungry farmers Scant stock of fertiliser forced a fertiliser dealer at Bidirpur Matikata union in Godagari upazila to suspend sale of fertiliser yesterday when around 1,300 agitating farmers demanded sufficient supply.   It's not always possible to go by constitution Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein yesterday said the country is not running in line with the normal rule of law because of the prevailing state of emergency under which it's not always possible   Fire   Musharraf gives clerics more time to negotiate President Gen Pervez Musharraf yesterday gave clerics more time to persuade defiant militants to lay down their arms and surrender a mosque they have defended against thousands of government troops, security   3 found guilty of London bomb plot An English court found three defendants guilty yesterday over a failed Islamist plot to set off bombs in London on July 21, 2005, two weeks after suicide bombings which killed 52 commuters in the capital.   Palestinian PM holds talks with Israeli FM Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has met the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, for the first time since Fayyad took office last month.   Stagnant rainwater   Slain editor's son 'murdered' The son of former editor of Daily Runner, a local newspaper of Jessore, was found mortally wounded at his home in Jessore yesterday and the police are unsure whether it was a homicide or suicide.   Clarification The foreign ministry, in a clarification of reports published in newspapers yesterday regarding Dhaka's decision not to export Hilsa to Delhi, claimed that Acting Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain said,   9,140kg of hilsa seized Joint forces yesterday seized 9,140 kgs of frozen hilsa from an export firm at Kathaltola in Fakirhat upazila on charge of hoarding.   Palestinian PM holds talks with Israeli FM Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has met the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, for the first time since Fayyad took office last month.   Decision on ACC organogram likely today The caretaker government is going to take decision on the proposed amendments to the organogram of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today.   Trial of graft case against Huda, Sigma starts The trial of a graft case against former communications minister Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda began yesterday at a special judge's court. Business BoP surplus reaches $909m in July-April Boosted by a surge in remittances, the balance of payments (BoP) surplus reached US$909 million in the first ten months of the last fiscal (2006-07), despite a fall in foreign direct investment and foreign   United's maiden domestic flight starts today United Airways (Bangladesh) Ltd, a private sector airline founded by non-resident Bangladeshis, is starting its maiden domestic passenger flight today.   GP subscription base to reach 50m in 2 years The number of cell phone subscription in Bangladesh will reach 50 million within the next two years, a Grameenphone high official predicted.   Poorest nations fail to benefit from globalisation Representatives from the world's least developed countries and UN experts drew a bleak picture of the impact of globalization on poor communities at the start of a two-day conference here Monday.   China's construction workers exploited Millions of men working on construction sites in China's cities often are not paid on time, not legally employed and suffer other forms of exploitation, according to a survey published Monday.   GP, Sightsavers Int'l partner to arrange free eye camps As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Grameenphone (GP) will organise free camps throughout the country on regular basis to provide the hardcore poor with eye-care services.   Representation in WTO general council meet advocated Speakers at a discussion in Dhaka yesterday advocated local representation in the WTO general council meeting in Geneva on July 25-26.   Shahjalal Bank unveils plan for Tk 800cr investment Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited has unveiled a fresh investment plan worth Tk 800 crore for the fiscal year of 2007-08.   Dhaka Bank arranges Tk137.4cr for Faisal Spinning Dhaka Bank Ltd with the help of five other banks has arranged a syndicated multi-credit facility of Tk 137.4 crore for Faisal Spinning Mills Ltd, a concern of Saiham Group.   Airbus leads Boeing for new orders, deliveries Airbus has booked more orders this year than rival Boeing, figures on the Airbus website showed Monday, a day after Boeing rolled out its 787, posing a fresh challenge to the European manufacturer.   Oil weaker in Asia Oil prices were lower in Asian trade Monday on profit-taking but US gasoline (petrol) supply concerns were expected to limit the declines, dealers said.   Exim awards scholarship to Jessore students Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Ltd (Exim Bank) distributed scholarship among the meritorious and poverty-stricken students of Jessore region as part of its corporate social responsibilities at Jessore   EU meet unlikely to decide on new IMF head EU finance ministers are unlikely to decide at a meeting Tuesday on a candidate to head the Intern-ational Monetary Fund, a diplomat with the EU's Portuguese presidency said Monday.   Currency Sports Cricket: Selection dilemma Having flown in Tushar Imran from home ahead of the third Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Test starting here tomorrow, the visiting team management established the idea that it was ready to give the middle-order   Cricket: Kandy's favourite son The venue in Kandy may be one of the most unique in the cricketing world but for the city itself it is not the venue but their hero for whom they feel highly proud and it is none other than the champion   Cricket: New BCB by next week? The impending change in Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), as promised by Sports Adviser Tapan Chowdhury, will come into effect once the 'would-be' new board boss arrives in the capital next week.   Cricket: Not paradise for hosts Walking into the venue premises one can find hardly anything extraordinary as it is surrounded with some old-fashioned and half-finished buildings.   Football: Paul, Emeka lift MSC Second half goals by Nigerian striking pair Paul Mwach Ukwu and Emeka Christina kept Mohammedan hot on fellow title chasers Abahani's heels with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Chittagong Abahani yesterday.   Tennis: Federer targets Sampras Roger Federer wrapped up his fifth successive Wimb-ledon title and backed himself to pass Pete Sam-pras's record of seven All England Club titles and all-time mark of 14 Grand Slams.   Football: Real appoint 'Blond Angel' Real Madrid confirmed the worst kept secret in Spanish football Monday by unveiling German former player Bernd Schuster as coach to replace sacked Italian Fabio Capello on a three-year contract.   Football: Schuster remains grounded Real Madrid's new coach Bernd Schuster said Monday he was under no illusions as to the task ahead of him, namely winning trophies by playing a strictly 'beautiful game.   Football: Topsy-turvy transfer scene 26.5 million dollars and a farewell press conference will see Fernando Torres bid the Primera Liga and Atletico Madrid goodbye.   Football: Qatar snatch Japan draw Qatar stunned defending champions Japan with a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw in their Asian Cup opener Monday, but it ended on a sour note with Hussain Yaser and coach Dzemaludin Musovic sent off.   Football: Malouda set for Chelsea France international Florent Malouda will complete his transfer from Lyon to Chelsea on Monday before joining his new teammates in the United States.   Football: Materazzi reignites rivalry Italy defender Marco Materazzi may have ended up a World Cup winner last year, but the Inter Milan hardman still has some unfinished business with the French.   Football: Laudrup takes over at Getafe Danish legend Michael Laudrup will take over from Bernd Schuster at Spanish top flight side Getafe for the coming two seasons, the club said in a statement Monday.   Football: 'Tevez deal close' Manchester United are close to signing Argentine striker Carlos Tevez from West Ham, Sir Alex Ferguson said Monday.   Cricket: Kapil challenges BCCI Kapil Dev has challenged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remove him from his position as chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for associating with the Indian Cricket League   Cricket: WI's KP plan worked Daren Powell has revealed how the West Indies deliberately targeted England batting star Kevin Pietersen in their decisive one-day international here at Trent Bridge.   Tennis: Dhaka Open tennis Top-seed Amal Roy, Dipu Lal and Prithul Mandal moved into the semifinals of the men's singles of the Dhaka Open Tennis tournament winning their respective quarterfinals at the National Tennis Complexyesterday.   Cricket: 3-dayer drawn in Colombo The three-day match between touring Bangladesh Under-19 team and Sri Lanka U-19s ended in a draw at the Colts Cricket ground in Colombo yesterday.   Cricket: DRU cricket Channel i thumped Bhorer Kagoj by 29 runs, Karatoa handed a 19-run defeat to Sangram while Naya Diganta edged Inquilab by four runs at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.   Cricket: Rahul backs VVS Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, has backed VVS Laxman to compensate for past failings in England and produce a big series this time round.   Cricket: Bravo missing Ireland trip All-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been ruled out of West Indies' trip to Ireland for a one-day series there which will also feature the Netherlands and Scotland.   Cricket: SLC body expanded Gamini Lokuge, the sports minister, has expanded the interim committee of Sri Lanka Cricket from its present size of five members to seven.   Football: 'Rivals underestimated us' Chelsea paid the price of under-estimating Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad by relinquishing their Premiership crown to Manchester United last season, the Red Devils' captain, Gary Neville, believes.   Football: Real's teutonic turn The last time Real Madrid opted for the teutonic touch by selecting a German coach the choice brought consequences typical for the club - silverware and a quick push through the door.   Football: Heat saps Socceroos Australia is grappling with how to play its best football in the sapping Asian Cup heat as their star names described the conditions as the toughest they have ever encountered.   Football: Carragher set to quit England Liverpool centreback Jamie Carragher is on the brink of quitting international football in frustration at being regarded as a fringe squad player by England coach Steve McClaren. Metropolitan Hilsa export ban to help meet domestic demand The government has imposed a six-month ban on hoarding and exporting hilsa fish only to make them more available in the local market and there are no other motives behind the ban, said Fisheries and Agriculture   11pc population in city at risk Health and Family Welfare Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman has said 11 percent population of the capital are under the risk of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).   Tk 374.85cr SCC budget announced Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) yesterday announced a Tk 374.85 crore budget for 2007-08 fiscal without levying new taxes.   EDIM EXPO-07 opens July 12 The 7th Education and Immigration Exposition (EDIM EXPO) -2007 opens in the city on July 12.   Remove restrictions on Hasina's movement US Congresswoman Corrine Brown has asked US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to urge the caretaker government to give Awami League President Sheikh Hasina her "full civil rights, remove restrictions   Madrasa teacher shot dead in Mymensingh A madrasa teacher was shot dead by a gang of armed miscreants at village Pashchim Chandimandap under Muktagacha upazila here yesterday.   'Dhaka to get int'l nod for N-energy development' Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury yesterday said Bangladesh is well placed to receive international endorsement for developing nuclear energy, as the country has 'impeccable' non-proliferation   Listed criminal killed in shootout with police A listed criminal was killed in a shootout between police and his cohorts in the district early Monday. The dead was identified as Shamim, 27, of Kacharipara village under Daulatpur upazila.   BNP-backed CBA boss of CUFL jailed A Chittagong court yesterday sentenced a BNP-backed CBA president of Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) to two years' rigorous imprisonment, a fine of Tk 10 thousand or in default to suffer four   None held yet Police yet to arrest anyone in connection with the murder of a housewife Nila who was allegedly killed after being raped in her residence at Uttara in the city on Sunday.   Two robbed in Chittagong Muggers took away Tk 1 lakh in cash, valuables and ornaments and injured two people in separate incidents in the port city yesterday.   NGO worker robbed A gang of armed muggers robbed a female NGO worker of Tk 30,127 in broad daylight at Nabinbagh in the city's Jurain area on July 2.   6 Mongla ward commissioners arrested The joint forces yesterday picked up six ward commissioners of Mongla Pourashava on charges of corruption.   Tribute paid to Sher-e-Bangla, Suhrawardy Dr Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi, initiator of a new political party, along with about 500 leaders and workers yesterday paid tributes to national leaders Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy   Clerk dies without treatment A clerk of the finishing section of a laid-off Peoples Jute Mills died of massive cardiac arrest at his house in Khalishpur on Sunday night.   Dr Madhabi new DG of AERE Dr Madhabi Islam, chief scientific officer of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), has been appointed director general (DG) of Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) recently, says a press   Aquarium fish, pet birds seized Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) arrested two smugglers along with 5500 aquarium fish and 104 pet birds at Benapole yesterday. The arrestees were identified as Nizam Uddin and Shukur Ali.   EWU scholarship award ceremony The Merit Scholarship award ceremony of East West University (EWU) for Summer Semester 2007 was held at the University auditorium yesterday, says a press release.   Buet to celebrate 60th founding anniversary Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) will celebrate its 60th founding anniversary this year.   Scouts urged to play key role in nation building President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday urged the Scout leaders to take initiatives to further increase the number of Scouts and enhance their qualities and skills in order to advance the Scout movement.   1,317 more held Police in separate drives arrested 1,317 people on various charges across the country in last 24 hours ending at 6:00am yesterday. National Stop smuggling, monitor wholesale markets to ease hilsa price Prices of hilsa are unlikely to come down to a reasonable level till smuggling of the delicious fish is stopped and unscrupulous wholesalers taken to task, observed traders and sources concerned in the   Construction of bridge 'abandoned' half-way Work on a much needed bridge on the Korotoa in Ullapara town has been abandoned half way due to whim of a contractor and apathy of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) authorities.   Suspect in journalist Balu murder arrested Detective branch of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Sunday night arrested one person allegedly involved in the murder of journalist Humayun Kabir Balu.   JMB militant, 4 outlaws arrested in Bagmara Police conducted several drives in some villages in Bagmara yesterday and arrested a JMB (Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh) militant and four outlaws including a regional commander of Purbo Banglar Communist   Indigenous youth held with pistol Joint forces Sunday night arrested an indigenous youth and recovered a pistol and four bullets from his possession in the hill town, Kotwali police said.   Obituary Former member of Parliament for Jhenaidah-3 constituency Samsul Huda Khan died of old age complications at his home at Jajilpur under Moheshpur upazila of the district on Friday. He was 72. Point-Counterpoint The ombudsman question The figure of ombudsman, with its current characteristics, owes its origin from Sweden; however, its roots may be found in ancient history.   My own little Palestine Imagine a country where troubles started with British masters. Drawing lines, separating people, making countries. Some gained freedom, others became prisoners.   A son's reflection On July 9 last year, I lost my father, Syed Amir Khasru, former secretary, government of Bangladesh.   Mr. Jalil's capitulation The other day, in a TV programme a new reformist of AL -- who later went to Canada -- commented with a glowering face that it was rather easy for journalists to portray things the way they liked, which Culture Shahinur Rahman: Winner of Bengal Foundation Award Installation has become a popular medium these days.   M. Abdus Samad's 70th birth anniversary observed Eminent cinematographer and director late M. Abdus Samad's 70th birth anniversary was observed at Bangladesh Film Archive's Projection Hall on July 8.   Genesis Theatre stages plays featuring Nazrul's works Cultural organisation Genesis Theatre staged two short plays -- Khuki O Kathbirali and Damal Chhele Nazrul at the Experimental Theatre Stage, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on July 8.   Drama Serial "Alo Amar Alo" on BTV BTV will start airing drama serial Alo Amar Alo from July 18. General 30 illegal structures demolished in Chittagong Encroachers themselves demolished extended portions of about 30 illegal structures on both sides of Nimtala Khal (canal), a branch of Mohesh Khal, at Nimtala in the port city yesterday in presence ofa International Politicians ask Iraqis to take up arms Prominent Shia and Sunni politicians called on Iraqi civilians to take up arms to defend themselves after a weekend of violence that claimed more than 220 lives, including 60 who died Sunday in a surge   Nepali Maoists want 'absolute power’ Nepal's Maoists are still bent on seizing "absolute power" over the country even though they have signed up for peace with mainstream parties, the US ambassador to Kathmandu said yesterday.   Iran has slowed down nuke work: ElBaradei Iran has slowed down the expansion of its nuclear enrichment capabilities at its strategic plant in Natanz, UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei said yesterday.   IAEA approves sending inspectors to N Korea The UN atomic agency gave the green light Monday for inspectors to return to North Korea for the first time since 2002 to monitor the communist state's dismantling of its nuclear weapons programme.   Pak opposition leaders ask Musharraf to resign Pakistani opposition leaders on Sunday called for President Pervez Musharraf to resign and for former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to be permitted to return to the country.   US considers peace treaty with N Korea The US government is studying the possibility of signing a formal peace treaty with North Korea after more than half a century of tense standoff, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Role of the intelligence agencies Sheikh Hasina's critique on the role of intelligence agencies notwithstanding, we would like to take an overview of the tasks such agencies ought to be performing given their legal duties and responsibilities.   Editorial: Rescue of Danida official The rescue of kidnapped Danida official Shahid Sumon by the Bangladesh Rifles from a remote location in Thanchi upazila on Sunday causes a sense of relief everywhere, especially within his family.   The vortex of lies and denial Lying is a magnificent art only when one can get away by saying one. But most of us are not deft liars.   Gordon's knot On the evening of July 5, with the unerring instinct of an ass, I missed a great opportunity to become a sycophant of the new British prime minister Gordon Brown.   Reform: The undiscovered country It appears that our top political leaders have entered an unknown and uncharted phase of their careers in undertaking reform of their political parties. That is why, it seems, each one has reacted differently. Letters to Editor South Asia The concept of a pan-South Asian organisation has been emerging for the past few years and has been slowly gathering momentum.   Motia's observations It is quite astonishing to read how a firebrand leader like Motia Chowdhury could foretell that democracy in the country would be in jeopardy without the participation of the two leaders of the two   Tigers? Our cricketers are called Tigers.   Liberation War Museum Referring to the letter from Mr. Shamim Ahmed, I would also request the caretaker government to allot a better location for the Liberation War Museum.   Reform issue The nation paid a heavy price to restore democracy in 1990.   Loss of passport I am an expatriate student in Australia. I am studying here for about three years. Unfortunately, I lost my passport.   Two leaders My question is, are Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia alike? Sheikh Hasina has struggled against the communal forces and religious extremism.   Baridhara DOHS Recently, we received a letter that states that all our maids need to have a picture ID. Great! I thought. The caretaker government is taking the step to give ID to everyone, why not the maids.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.