Vol. 5 Num 1133 Mon. August 06, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture 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 CA welcomes donors' help to fight flood Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government will cordially accept spontaneous cooperation from development partners at home and abroad in dealing with the exigencies caused by the raging   BB 'corrupt' list includes Tofail, Khoka The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has sent a list of 198 corruption suspects to commercial banks directing the financial institutions to submit the account details of those persons.   Hasina challenges ACC notice, Noor Ali case Detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday filed two writ petitions with the High Court (HC) challenging the legality of the Anti-corruption Commission's (ACC) notice served on her, asking   39 killed overnight Thirty-nine people across the country died in the last 24 hours ended at 11:00am yesterday raising the death toll to 120, according to the central flood control room statistics.   German experience can solve Bangladesh crisis Managing underground water reservoirs while mining plays the most crucial role in the protection of environment and agriculture and though this issue gets the least priority in Bangladesh, it gets high   50,000 tonnes of rice to be imported The advisers' committee on purchase yesterday approved import of 50,000 metric tons of rice from India at a price higher than local market price.   CA's address to the nation Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Dear countrymen, Assalamualaikum Today I have come before you at a time of a serious natural disaster. All areas of Bangladesh have been endangered by a flood today.   Leaders ask party men to help flood-hit people Leaders of different political parties yesterday urged the party men as well as the solvent people to stand beside the flood-affected people.   Army saved country from anarchy on 1/11 President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said army saved the country from an anarchic situation on January 11 this year and now they appeared as the driving force in the ongoing anti-graft campaign earningglobal   Hasina's wealth might be worth around Tk 2cr Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina's personal wealth is estimated at around Tk 2 crore including Tk 1.19 crore interests from savings, her counsel disclosed yesterday.   Govt may relax freeze on Hasina's accounts if family needs withdrawal The military backed caretaker government's strict regime regarding the freeze on the bank accounts of Sheikh Hasina and her family members might be relaxed in case of an emergency need, said Finance Adviser   Floods should not be used for political benefit Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein yesterday said floods should not be used for political benefit, but welcomed BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan's statement to provide relief to the flood-affected   Govt invites bids from demolishers The government has floated a tender for demolishing the top 16 floors of Rangs Bhaban at Bijoy Sarani in the capital yesterday while three floors of the 22-storied building was partially demolished and   3 tax evasion cases against Abbas, wife A Dhaka court yesterday issued arrest warrants against detained former housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas and his wife Afroza Abbas in three tax evasion cases filed by the National Board of   EC vows not to repeat Sreepur mistakes The Election Commission (EC) has planned to launch massive training programme for enumerators, who will carry out the most important task of preparing a voter list with photographs, not to repeat themistakes   ACC sues Mufti Shahidul, wife Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday sued former lawmaker and Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) leader Mufti Shahidul Islam and his wife Nadira begum in connection with illegally amassing properties worth   Heavy rainfall brings boon to lone croc farm Although heavy rainfall in the preceding months has brought innumerable miseries for the overwhelming majority of the people, it has been a boon for the country's lone crocodile farm, with its inmates   SC lawyer files writ for reinstating Aug 15 as national day of mourning, holiday A Supreme Court lawyer and two other persons yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court (HC) challenging a cabinet division order issued during the immediate past BNP-led alliance government's   DCC claims success in tackling dengue Seventy-six patients suspected to be suffering from dengue fever were admitted to different health care centres in the capital last month.   Despite government's efforts   Bus-truck collision kills 9 in Tangail Nine people, including a woman, were killed and 20 others were injured in a fatal road accident on Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Link Road at Kalihati upazila in the district yesterday.   Tarique sends ACC additional statement Detained BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, who submitted his wealth statement on June 10, yesterday sent a supplementary statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with additional   RU Shibir cadres assault journos Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) cadres yesterday assaulted four journalists and kept two of them confined for three hours to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall of Rajshahi University when they went there   200 workers stop working over less wages Over 200 workers of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills (PJJM) at Khalishpur in Khulna stopped working from Saturday evening in protest at getting less wages.   Khaleda's assignment officer sued The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed a case against Dr Firoz Mahmud Iqbal, assignment officer to former prime minister Khaleda Zia, for non-submission of his wealth statement within the   US troops kill Iraq shrine bomber US troops killed the al-Qaeda mastermind of the latest bombing at a prized Shia shrine, and at least 13 people died when mortars rained down on their Baghdad neighbourhood, officials said Sunday.   New Afghan attacks leave 20 dead At least 20 people, including six civilians and 10 police officers, were killed in a weekend of violence across insurgency-hit Afghanistan, police said yesterday. Business MCCI for policy review to woo FDI in industrial sector The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has suggested that the government should review its policy so that foreign direct investment (FDI) is encouraged in the industrial sector.   Prescheduled berthing from today at Ctg port A prescheduled berthing system, known as fixed day window berthing, comes into effect today at Chittagong Port.   Nokia launches 8 handsets in Bogra Nokia launched eight cell phone sets in Bogra yesterday.   Record oil prices widen rich-poor gap Record high oil prices, while having little effect on the world's industrialised nations and benefiting oil-producing emerging economies, are taking a toll on poor countries that rely on imports, analysts   Dethroned US carmakers' grip weakens After two years of cost-cutting, profits are beginning to recover for General Motors and Ford but a soft economy is sharpening competition in the critical truck segment.   China economy may see slower growth in second half China's economy may expand slightly slower in the second half of 2007 than the first half, an official with the State Information Center said Saturday.   New chairman, vice-chairman of Islamic banks forum Islami Bank Bangladesh Chairman Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher and Exim Bank Chairman Nazrul Islam Majumder have been elected chairman and vice chairman of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF),   US House okays taxes on oil firms Declaring a new direction in energy policy, the House on Saturday approved $16 billion in taxes on oil companies, while providing billions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives for renewable energyand   British farmers fear repeat of 2001 devastation British farmers watched anxiously Sunday as experts scrambled to prevent a repeat a full-on foot and mouth epidemic six years ago which devastated their industry.   African leaders in Malaysia to find way out of poverty Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and other African and Southeast Asian leaders are meeting in Malaysia this week to draw up a plan to fight poverty and bolster economic ties.   Cambodia needs broader-based economy: WB Cambodia's economy is too narrowly focused on its garment sector, World Bank chief Robert Zoellick said Sunday, suggesting it needs to build on its successes to draw investors to other industries.   Apollo Hospitals plans big India expansion Apollo Hospitals has chartered out a massive expansion plan with multi-location hospitals in Mumbai and plans to set up a full-fledged orthopaedic hospital in Chennai soon, a top official of the company   Unemployment in Norway at record low Registered unemployment in Norway was at a record low of 51,000 persons, or 2.1 percent of the total work force in July, said reports reaching here from Oslo yesterday.   Foreign tourists to China up 18.47pc Nearly 12.12 million foreigners came to the Chinese mainland for sightseeing from January to June, up 18.   Currency Sports Cricket: Development running dry? During Bangladesh's few stunning successes in the last World Cup, cricket pundits talked most about the inspiring flow of a bunch of young players from what is popularly named the High Performance programme.   Football: Emily best in B. League Abahani striker Zahid Hasan Emily was voted the best player of the just concluded inaugural professional football league, named as B. League.   Tennis: Maria stops red-hot Anna Defending champion Maria Sharapova threw cold water on red-hot Anna Chakvetadze's bid for a third WTA title in as many weeks on Saturday.   Local Snippets Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) organises a preparatory tournament ahead of the Asian Cup at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium from Monday.   Cricket: ICL dispute begins An acrimonious slanging match rocked Indian cricket on Sunday as the game's powerful establishment moved to crush a breakaway multi-million dollar series.   Cricket: England add Broad England named an unchanged 12-man squad Sunday for next week's third and final Test against India at The Oval where they must win to preserve their six year unbeaten run in home Test series.   Cricket: Dravid, Gambhir among runs India skipper Rahul Dravid and opener Gautam Gambhir both made half-centuries against Sri Lanka A here on Saturday.   Football: MU capture Shield Edwin van der Sar helped Manchester United strike the first blow in the battle for Premiership supremacy as the champions defeated Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.   Football: Kahn's last hurrah Bayern Munich captain Oliver Kahn is relishing the start of his 21st and final Bundesliga season next Saturday as the German giants bid to become national champions for the 21st time.   Football: RVN primed for return Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy said on Saturday he was making good progress as he recovers from a leg injury which has kept him out of the club's pre-season tour of Russia.   Football: Giants disappoint early France's Champions League contenders Marseille and Toulouse both failed to fire as the 2007-2008 domestic season got underway on Saturday.   Hungary Hamilton's Lewis Hamilton somehow blocked out the twin distractions of a qualifying controversy and in-fighting at his McLaren team to win Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.   Football: Bayer, Cottbus crash out Bundesliga sides Bayer Leverkusen and Energie Cottbus were early casualties in the German Cup at the hands of first round giant-killers on Saturday.   Football: Ribery likes low profile Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery is set for an attacking role in Monday's German Cup first-round tie at third-division minnows Wacker Burghausen, but insists he doesn't want to be a superstar.   Tennis: Roddick reaches final Top seed Andy Roddick and amazing newcomer John Isner booked an all-American final at the ATP Washington Classic with tension-filled triumphs Saturday in which each set was decided by tie-breakers.   Cricket: Ryan's hattrick brings glory Kent claimed only their third domestic title in 29 years with a thrilling four-wicket victory in an action-packed and controversial Twenty20 final against Gloucestershire.   Cricket: RP's secret India's left-arm swing bowler Rudra Pratap Singh, better known as RP Singh, spent less than a month at Leicestershire earlier this season but that was the period he fine-tuned the delivery jagging back   Cricket: Galle set for Dec 18 Work on one of the world's most picturesque cricket grounds, the Galle International Stadium, is going ahead as scheduled to host the third Test between Sri Lanka and England starting on December 18.   Cricket: KP admits to beamer fear Kevin Pietersen has admitted that he was fearful for his safety when Sreesanth sent down a beamer during the second Test at Trent Bridge.   Cricket: Eng T20 squad due today England will name their squad for the one-day series against India and September's Twenty20 World Championships on Monday.   Abahani recalls Sheikh Kamal Abahani observed the 58th birthday of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and founder of the club, yesterday.   Football: Time rife for Magpies No matter what has happened in the previous 12 months, optimism is never in short supply at Newcastle at this time of year.   Football: No regrets for Beckham England midfielder David Beckham admitted playing injured in his final games for Real Madrid aggravated the ankle injury now delaying his Major League Soccer career, but he said he had no regrets.   Football: Eriksson targets Bresciano Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson could make Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano his ninth signing of the summer on Sunday. Metropolitan Execute verdict in Bangabandhu murder case, release Hasina A total of 36 renowned citizens yesterday issued a joint statement demanding the execution of the verdict of Bangabandhu Murder Case and immediate release of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.   Call to build a secular society Nurjahan Begum, editor of the weekly magazine Begum, was honoured yesterday for her outstanding contribution to women journalism and her pioneering role in advancing the cause of women in various sectors.   35 bombs found at mango orchard in C'nawabganj Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) seized 35 abandoned bombs at a mango orchard at Moharajpur in Chapainawabganj early yesterday.   3 boys missing in Bay Three schoolboys went missing while playing football at the Patenga sea beach yesterday morning.   Call for nuclear non-proliferation The 62nd anniversary of Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day will be observed today.   BB Official Murder The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two suspected killers of Hedayetullah, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Bank (BB), from the capital on Saturday midnight.   Charge sheet against Bahauddin Nasim accepted A Dhaka court yesterday accepted the charge sheet of the sedition case against Awami Swechchhasebok League President AFM Bahauddin Nasim.   7 robbers, brother of jeweller arrested Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in different raids in Dhaka and Kushtia on Saturday arrested eight robbers of a gang that looted 80 tolas of gold ornaments from the residence of a jeweller at Hazaribaghin   Time for depositing Hajj money extended The government has decided to extend time for depositing Hajj money in the banks up to August 30 next considering the country's overall flood situation, an official handout said here yesterday.   BSF guns down 2 cattle traders Two Bangladeshi cattle traders were gunned down by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in separate incidents on Benapole and Satkhira borders yesterday.   AL protest in US today Expatriate Bangladeshis will stage a demonstration in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York and submit a memorandum to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today urging him to put pressureon   Two research journals on Islam launched Dr Sirajul Haq Islami Research Centre of Dhaka University (DU) launched two research journals yesterday.   Warid awards schoolboy for his bravery Warid Telecom yesterday awarded schoolboy Rakibul Hasan whose bravery helped avert a train accident in Comilla on August 2, says a press release.   Grameenphone relief programme for flood victims Grameenphone Ltd. yesterday launched emergency relief programmes in flood-affected areas in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions, says a press release.   Low over Bay, adjoining area intensifies The low over Northwest Bay and adjoining area intensified into a well-marked low over the same area at 12:00 noon yesterday. It is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly direction.   CCC officer robbed of Tk 2 lakh Armed muggers looted Tk 2 lakh from an accounts assistant of a Chittagong City Corporation (CCC)-run CNG Filling Station in Wasa area yesterday. National Nilphamari-Rangpur road threatened by Charalkata erosion River erosion has taken a serious turn in Kishoreganj upazila in this ongoing flooding season.   A net brings hope to Kurigram fishermen A fishing net has brought hope to 32 families of fishermen at Majhipara village in Kurigram.   A govt primary school indeed! Here is a story of a government primary school where classes are held only for six months a year due to dilapidated condition of the class rooms.   Tk 3 cr timber damaging in Moulvibazar Timber worth Tk 3 crore are being damaged at various range offices of the Forest Department due to lengthy procedure in inviting tender to sell those.   Random sand lifting behind erosion Indiscriminate sand lifting from river beds in different parts of Durgapur upazila has resulted in massive erosion by the Sumeshowary, sources in the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) here said.   Two bombs recovered in Jhenidah Joint forces yesterday recovered two bombs from Jhenidah municipality graveyard. Acting on a tip-off, joint forces raided the graveyard and recovered the bombs wrapped by red tape.   Rangamati zoo attracts people A mini zoo here has become a recreation centre for people in the hill town. Everyday, a large number of people along with their kids visit the zoo.   Two Myanmar nationals held in Bandarban Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) with the help of local people arrested two Myanmar nationals from Baro Maudok area in Thanchi upazila on Saturday morning. >They were identified as kew Ching and May U Gya.   CI sheets recovered Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and police in a joint drive yesterday recovered 24 pieces of corrugated iron (CI) sheets meant for relief from a madrasha superintendent's house in Shyamnagar upazila.   Outlaw held in Satkhira Police arrested an activist of the outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP) from Puratan Satkhira village in Sadar upazila on Saturday night. Point-Counterpoint Tagore and China Rabindranath Tagore's name in the Chinese language is Chu Chen-Tan. He was given this name in Beijing (then Peking) while on a tour of China in 1924. The naming coincided with Tagore's 63rd birth anniversary.   If this government fails Thanks are due to law adviser Mainul Hosein who has at last candidly expressed an apprehension that the current CTG might fail and warned all concerned to think about the consequences should this happen.   Direct road-link between Bangladesh and Myanmar Bangladesh signed an agreement with Myanmar, on July 27, for establishing a road-link between the two countries. Culture Torchbearers: Women in Tagore literature Women in Tagore literature are liberated and inspirational, without escaping their contemporary social norms," says Professor Momotajuddin Ahmed.   Rabindra Sangeet: Awakening Bengali nationalism "Hrini taar kachhe ajibon, jar konthe Rabindranath-er gaan bache" -- poet Shamsur Rahman expresses his gratitude to Tagore exponent Fahmida Khatun in the poem Hrini.   A dance form Bengalis can call their own In the contemporary Bengali society, the admiration for dance that is prevalent has been possible because of Rabindranath Tagore.   Time for depositing Hajj money extended The government has decided to extend time for depositing Hajj money in the banks up to August 30 next considering the country's overall flood situation, an official handout said here yesterday. International Pak opposition leader demands resignation of Musharraf An outspoken Pakistani opposition leader yesterday demanded that President Gen Pervez Musharraf step down so upcoming elections could be held free of his military government's interference.   Lanka war takes toll on innocents Palani Amma Subramaniyam sits in quiet despair, surrounded by woven baskets and terra cotta pots in her deserted market stall in rebel-controlled territory in northern Sri Lanka.   Rain compounds flood misery of Indians Torrential rains overnight compounded the misery of 2 million marooned Indian villagers, killing another 11 people and raising the death toll from house collapses and floods in South Asia to 240, officials   Taliban, Koreans talk over meeting venue Face-to-face talks between the Taliban and South Korean officials over the fate of 21 hostages will not happen unless the officials travel to Taliban territory or the UN guarantees the militants' safety   Abbas-Olmert meeting in Jericho today Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets today in the West Bank town of Jericho, a senior Abbas aide told AFP yesterday.   India retains N-test right, says Burns The USA has said India retains the "sovereign right" to explode a nuclear device but hoped that such a situation will not arise.   US, Afghan presidents to talk Taliban surge US President George W Bush is to welcome Afghanistan's leader Hamid Karzai to his Camp David retreat Sunday for talks expected to focus on the Taliban insurgency and mounting civilian casualties.   Poppy cultivation skyrockets in Afghanistan Afghanistan will produce another record poppy harvest this year that cements its status as the world's near-sole supplier of the heroin source, yet a furious debate over how to reverse the trend is stalling   Iran demands right to nuclear technology Iran might eventually consider suspending uranium enrichment but Tehran's right to the technology must be recognised, Iran's top nuclear negotiator said in an interview released Saturday.   Iran, US to meet in Baghdad today Iran and the United States will meet in Baghdad today to discuss ways to ease Iraq's security problems, Tehran's ambassador to Baghdad said.   Iraq seeks to heal rifts Iraq's most senior leaders are to hold a crisis summit this week to find a way to heal the sectarian split in their beleaguered national unity government and head off more violence, they said yesterday.   5 shot dead, schools set ablaze in Thai south Militants shot dead five people, including two soldiers, in separate attacks and set public schools on fire in Thailand's insurgency-hit south, police said yesterday.   Indo-US nuke deal to rock parliament The monsoon session of Parliament beginning this week is expected to be a tumultuous affair with the opposition raising doubts over the Indo-US nuclear deal, being tom-tommed as the best possible pact   US soldier gets 110 yrs jail for rape, slaying of Iraqi girl A soldier convicted for his role in the rape and murder of an Iraqi teenager was sentenced to 110 years in prison, the longest of four soldiers found guilty in the case. Editorial Editorial: Flood challenge too serious for recrimination It is disquieting to note that some government functionaries and politicians are blaming each other for lack of cooperation in addressing the flood-relief related tasks.   Editorial: Biman flight schedule It is disconcerting news indeed that when many regional airlines are expanding and enjoying bigger slices in market share, our national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd continues to nose dive ina   Harder times ahead The proverbial last straw has been placed on the camel's back: sky-rocketing price hike, surpassing all records of the recent past and double digit inflation that is wreaking havoc in the lives of the   A good deal walks on two legs Much to my regret, I cannot change my nose into one of the Seven Wonders of the World by calling it a pyramid.   A badly beaten Abe refuses to go Even those who did not doubt the plunging popularity of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not expect the outcome of July 29 upper house election of the Japanese Diet to be as bloody for the ruling Letters to Editor High-rise buildings This may be a bad time to write a letter defending the high-rise buildings that are on the hit list of the Rajuk demolition team when the mood of destruction is in the air.   Bush and Musharraf The terrible US-led terror wars have taken their tolls in lives and materials.   Our cricketers We welcome our cricketing heroes home.   Transport system Among all the various alternatives that are being proposed and considered to provide an affordable and convenient transport system for the metropolitan city, an overhead light rail transit system should   CTG's role I would like to draw the attention of Dr.   Political sycophants It was irritating to hear the statement of a political leader that the government would be held responsible if "anything" happened to the husband of a detained political leader. How could the govt.   Rule of law We are proud of our upper judiciary and believe that the army backed government will provide all the required support to the judiciary to ensure the rule of law.   Hasina's arrest I find it hard to rationalize why the people on the streets are so outraged by the arrest of Sheikh Hasina.   Deep seaport The recent decision by the communication adviser is shocking and undesirable to the citizens of Bangladesh who long for economic prosperity.   Black badge Ridiculous! I have nothing to say when I see DU teachers wearing black badge in support of corrupt and sub-standard political leaders.   Accommodation problem in Australia A lot of Bangladeshi students come every year to Australia for higher studies. But their number is much less than the students coming from India.   "Teaching the teachers" As an ordinary citizen of this country (I am not a member of any political party), I strongly oppose the article " Teaching the teachers" ( Cross Talk, The Daily Star dt. 27-7-07) because of itscontents.   Individuals and system Again we are giving importance to the person, not the system. Why did our two women leaders (i.e.   Two leaders There are die-hard democrats in the country who would oppose any move to marginalize democracy in the land.   Bright example Your Kushtia correspondent's e positive report on the matter(25July) reflects upon the noble and constructive action on the part of the OC of Mirpur police station in Kushtia.   Excellent job BNP chairperson Begum Khaled Zia is strongly condemning the arrest of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and demanding her immediate release. She is critising the government for this action. Star City Bringing Dhaka Zoo to life again Dhaka zoo authority is planning to add new attractions for visitors very soon.   Faulty design, poor building materials caused collapse Construction materials of extremely poor quality and gross negligence in monitoring and quality control caused the collapse of the six-storey sweepers' colony building on May 25, said sources in the expert   Swindle in the name of giving tuition jobs A good number of so-called private tuition providers are cheating students with empty promises of tuition opportunities only to rip them off their money.   Organised gangs grab, sell Rupnagar's main outlet Following cases lodged by the National Housing Authority (NHA) against unauthorised occupiers, the latter have speeded up their efforts to grab, fill up and sell plots in the main drainage canal areaof   Age-old act needs changes Sultana Yasmin, 24, always hurries back home after office hours. She hardly spends any time whiling away. "I rarely have any spare time to spend with colleagues and friends.   "city express" The latest crop of quotes from the city's press -- words worth repeating, we feel, for their humour, insight or sheer outrageousness.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.