Vol. 5 Num 585 Fri. January 20, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Record hunt for Bangla Bhai in Kushtia Joint forces threw a five-kilometre cordon around four villages in Kushtia early yesterday in the biggest-ever operation in recent times to arrest top brass of the banned Islamist militant organisation   EC finally decides to appeal against HC directives With support from the newly appointed election commissioners, the chief election commissioner (CEC) yesterday had the majority in the Election Commission (EC) to decide to file an appeal against the High   JCD men grab Tk 40cr bid for sports facilities Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders, allegedly with the backing of ministers, lawmakers and National Sports Council (NSC) authorities, have illegally secured tenders involving around Tk 40 crore for   14-party demands removal of CEC, new commissioners The 14-party opposition yesterday staged demonstrations in the capital and elsewhere in the country demanding immediate removal of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and the two newly appointed election   Prepaid mobile users face snap The Bangladesh Telecommu-nication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday asked the cellphone operators to collect personal details of the existing subscribers or snap connections in case of failure.   Bar sends resolution to president for CEC's removal The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday forwarded a copy of its meeting resolution to the president urging to form the Supreme Judicial Council to remove the chief election commissioner (CEC)   PM's visit to India, Pakistan confirmed Ending speculations, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is finally going to both Pakistan and India on bilateral visits towards the end of February and March.   Bhuiyan offers dialogue with opposition BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday urged the opposition to sit across the table to discuss the issue of preparing the voter list and return to parliament to discuss their reform agenda.   More arms, explosives found in Bandarban Security forces recovered more sophisticated explosives, firearms and military equipment, including one global positioning system (GPS) and two range-finders, from remote hills of Naikkhongchhari yesterday,   Rocca arrives January 26 US Assistant Secretary of State (South Asian Affairs) Christina B Rocca will arrive on January 26 in Bangladesh on a three-day official visit.   Criminals rule as forest outposts undermanned Forest guards in the Sundarbans with undermanned outposts and outdated arms are struggling to rein in the law and order situation in the area as they continue to fight against well-equipped criminalsand   5-tier security planned for Biswa Ijtema Law enforcers will set a five-layer checking system on Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi to keep at bay troublemakers during the second largest congregation of the Muslims beginning on the bank of the Turag   11-party won't take part in polls under present EC The left 11-party will not participate in the next general election under the present Election Commission (EC) as, it observes, the appointments of the new election commissioners have destroyed the possibility   India, US talks nuke cooperation India and the US yesterday held talks in New Delhi on implementation of the July 18 nuclear deal besides various other issues of mutual concern.   Nepal cracks down on politicians Nepal's royalist government yesterday rounded up 70 activists and cut mobile phone services in a major crackdown aimed at thwarting a planned mass rally against the king, officials said.   Charge framed against 4 JMB men in Dhaka A court yesterday framed charges against four Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members for the first time in Dhaka in connection with an August 17 bomb blast case.   Attacks on US being prepared al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden warned that new attacks are being prepared on the United States, according to an audiotape attributed to him and broadcast on Al-Jazeera television yesterday.   US govt wants Dhaka to respond vigorously to religious violence US Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns has said the US government wants the Bangladesh government to respond vigorously to violence and religious extremism.   Probe body finds seized guns 'fake' A probe committee in its report on the recovery of 11 guns at the Chittagong Port said the guns were decoration objects and they were not real firearms.   Cold claims 3 in Netrakona Three people including a tribal child died of shivering cold in the last 24 hours and over 1,000 people, mostly aged and children, in Kalmakanda and Durgapur upazilas are suffering from cold-related diseases.   15 hurt in Tel Aviv suicide bombing A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a restaurant at a crowded pedestrian mall near Tel Aviv's old central bus station Thursday, and at least 15 people were wounded, police said.   Experiment on to probe climate riddle A three-week experiment to resolve the biggest riddle in climate science began in Australia yesterday.   Ctg JMB man Mohammad, his aide on fresh remand Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) Chittagong divisional commander Mohammad alias Javed Iqbal was placed on a fresh 10-day remand yesterday while his accomplice Abu Zar was placed on a seven-day remand   JMB member held in Feni Police arrested an activist of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) at Tangail Sari Kutir in the town yesterday.   'Gunrunner' arrested An alleged arms trader was arrested in Katiadi upazila of the district on Wednesday night. Business Foreign ministry to take steps to get TRADE bill passed The foreign ministry will take necessary steps to get TRADE bill passed in US Congress to gain duty-free access to US market before the next WTO talks to be held in Geneva in April.   StanChart eyes mass market in Bangladesh Kai Nargolwala, chairman of Wholesale Bank of Standard Chartered Plc and Group executive director, yesterday said the bank is now focussing on the mass market aiming at the lower segment of the society   Biggest aviation deal in India India's largest private air carrier Jet Airways has bought over loss-making Air Sahara for about $500 million in the biggest acquisition deal in the country's civil aviation industry.   India on threshold of a new era of higher growth Eyeing a "do-able" eight percent economic growth, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday exuded confidence that India was on the "threshold of a new era of higher growth" while committing to   1,183 items on Pakistan sensitive list Pakistan commerce ministry has decided to maintain a sensitive list of Pakistan containing 1,183 items on which it will not allow any tariff concession to other contracting states of Saarc under the South   British trade mission arrives tomorrow A high-profile British trade mission will arrive here Saturday on a three-day visit with its eyes on Bangladesh ceramic sector.   Beximco Pharma debuts in Lankan drug market In a massive business expansion move in Asia, leading drug manufacturer in Bangladesh Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited has launched exports to Sri Lanka.   Local businesses urged to visit India plastic fair Organisers of an international plastic exhibition have urged Bangladeshi industry people to visit the fair to be held from February 9 to 14 in India.   China leads Asia in productivity growth China leads Asian productivity with an average rate of 8.7 percent since 2000, more than double than that of India at 4.1 percent, a report by a global business research firm has said.   Cairn Energy CEO due Saturday Sir Bill Gammell, chief executive officer of Cairn Energy, shall be visiting Bangladesh from Saturday, says a press release.   Microsoft to invest $100m a year in China Microsoft Corp will invest about 100 million dollars annually over the next three to five years in China, the world's second largest Internet market with 111 million users, state press reported Thursday.   Oil prices firmer in Asian trade Oil prices were slightly firmer in Asian trade Thursday on persistent concerns over real and potential supply problems in key producers Iran and Nigeria, dealers said.   Three models of Toshiba notebook PC launched Three new models of Toshiba notebook PC were launched in Dhaka.   Pubali Bank opens broker house In a bid to perform securities trading business successfully, Pubali Bank Ltd recently opened securities trading (broker house).   Malaysia, Chile to explore FTA Malaysia and Chile on Thursday announced moves towards a free trade agreement in what could be the first such deal for Malaysia with a Latin American country. Sports Cricket: No matches in Dhaka! There are very little chances to host a Test match or a one-day international in Dhaka when Sri Lanka will tour Bangladesh in February-March this year.   Cricket: Premier League Super Six begins today Table-toppers Old DOHS start their Super-Six campaign in the Aktel Premier Cricket League today against Brothers Union at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium with a bid to not only repeat their first-leg result   Cricket: ZC suspends Test status Zimbabwe cricket lurched into another crisis on Wednesday when Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) suspended its national team from Test matches for the rest of the year.   Tennis: Hewitt, Pierce crash out Third seed Lleyton Hewitt and women's fifth seed Mary Pierce were sent spinning out of the Australian Open Thursday, but an awesome Roger Federer glided through to the third round.   Cricket: BCB meeting on Jan 28 The much-awaited meeting of the executive committee of Bangla-desh Cricket Board will be held on January 28.   Chess: Bangladeshi chess players dominate Bangladeshi players dominated the seventh round of the 4th Parsvnath International Open Chess tournament in Delhi yesterday.   Cricket: India's NZ tour not before '08 India's cricket tour to New Zealand scheduled for early next year has been postponed until late 2008, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said Thursday.   Football: Milan duo cut gap on Juve Juventus had their lead at the top of Serie A trimmed to eight points when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Chievo Verona on Wednesday.   Football: Capello unfazed by points drop Juventus coach Fabio Capello said he saw no reason to be worried after his side's lead at the top of Serie A was cut to eight points following a 1-1 draw with Chievo Verona.   Tennis: Dokic's dad will kidnap her? Rattled tennis star Jelena Dokic distanced herself further from estranged father Damir Thursday after he reportedly threatened to kidnap her, sparking concern from tennis authorities.   Cricket: Pak pitch the focus Rivals India and Pakistan will have one eye on the weather and the other on the pitch as they prepare for the second Test starting here on Saturday.   Cricket: Partex brighten promotion hopes Partex Sporting Club brightened their chances to get a place in the top flight of metropolitan cricket when they registered a 57-run victory against Gazi Tank in the First Division Cricket League at the   Tennis: ITF Jr tennis at BKSP from tomorrow The SBSL-BKSP Fourth Inter-national Junior Tennis tournament begins tomorrow at the Tennis Complex at BKSP, Savar.   Cricket: ICC welcomes Zim decision The International Cricket Council (ICC) has welcomed the decisions of the interim committee in charge of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to withdraw from its Test commitments until 2007, and to commission an independent   Cricket: Vaughan upbeat about India tour England captain Michael Vaughan, who had knee surgery four weeks ago, remained upbeat about his fitness prospects on the run-up to the tour of India which starts next month.   Tennis: Clijsters' fear Second seed Kim Clijsters said Thursday she may withdraw from the Australian Open as she struggles with intense pain from a back injury.   Football: Hayatou defends timing of ANC African football supremo Issa Hayatou has defended the timing of the African Nations Cup despite protests from many European clubs.   Cricket: BCCI at odds with the ICC The Indian cricket board has voiced its opposition to Inter-national Cricket Council (ICC) plans of adding fresh tournaments to the calendar due to the negative impact they would have on its revenue.   Cricket: PCB wants ICC umpires to call faulty bowlers Pakistan cricket authorities want the International Cricket Council (ICC) to encourage and back umpires to call bowlers with suspect bowling actions instead of making them go through a lengthy reviewprocess.   Cricket: Zim decision clears way for tri-series Zimbabwe's decision to suspend its Test status for the rest of the year has given India and Pakistan a chance to firm up plans for a lucrative one-day series later this year.   Cricket: Aussies bring in new blood for SA clash Australia will bring in two new players for their return tri-series limited-overs clash with South Africa here on Friday, naming opener Phil Jaques and bowler Brett Dorey in the team.   Cricket: Jayasuriya fit again Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya has returned to Sri Lanka's squad for the remaining triangular series matches in Australia after recovering from a shoulder injury, the selectors announced Thursday. Metropolitan Formulate code of conduct to stop confrontational politics Political scientists at a regional conference yesterday suggested formulating a code of conduct to stop confrontational politics in the country.   Date for charge framing shifted for fourth time Barisal Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal yesterday shifted the date for framing charges in the case of murder of two judges at Jhalakati for the fourth time.   14 injured as BNP factions clash at Sitakunda At least 13 activists of two rival BNP groups were injured yesterday in a clash at MM Jute Mills in Sitakunda upazila of the district.   Increase trade to make relation meaningful Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday gave importance on turning the existing excellent relations between Bangladesh and Singapore into meaningful ties through increasing trade and commerce.   Reform EC for free, fair election Leaders of the 14-party combine and members of the civil society yesterday urged all to launch a tough agitation to reform the present controversial election commission (EC) for a free and fair poll in   Tarique's comment is part of an ill intention Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said BNP leader Tarique Rahman has admitted that the alliance government came to power through vote rigging in general election in 2001   Huda group forms central committee Pro-BNP lawyers led by Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda announced a 301-member central committee of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF) at its national convention yesterday.   Zia's birth anniversary observed The 70th birth anniversary of late president Ziaur Rahman, founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was observed yesterday.   UN probe demanded Asma Kibria, wife of slain former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, yesterday demanded United Nations' (UN) investigation into the Kibria murder case.   Street children's photography exhibition begins tomorrow For the first time, six street children are going to exhibit their own photography works titled 'Visible' at the National Museum in the city tomorrow.   Two get life for killing one in Sylhet A Speedy Trial Tribunal here on Wednesday sentenced two people to life imprisonment in a murder case. The convicts were identified as Shalik Miah, 35, and Koyes Miah, 40.   5 Sylhet JCD men jailed A court in Sylhet has sentenced five cadres of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, student wing of ruling BNP, to rigorous imprisonment of 2 and a half years each in a case of vandalism and looting a business firm   Singaporean envoy calls on Hasina Newly appointed Singaporean High Commissioner Verghese Mathews called on Opposition Leader and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and discussed economic cooperation and security issues of the region.   Man jumps from footbridge, run over by truck An unidentified youth was killed when he jumped onto a running truck from a footbridge in the port city yesterday.   Extortionist beaten to death in city Mob beat an alleged extortionist to death yesterday while his accomplices managed to escape.   Shaheed Asad day today Today is the 37th death anniversary of Shaheed Asad who sacrificed his life during the mass upsurge in 1969.   JMB member arrested at Bagmara Rapid Action Battalion yesterday arrested a JMB member from Taherpur Bazar at Bagmara in Rajshahi.   32 injured in Munshiganj road accident At least 32 people were injured in collision between a bus and a truck on Dhaka-Mawa highway near Samaspur under Srinagar upazila yesterday.   CPB observes Paltan Blast Day today Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) will observe 'Paltan Blast Killing Day' today. On this day in 2001, a huge bomb was exploded in a CPB rally at Paltan maidan in the city.   OIS offers Cambridge Primary Programme Oxford International School (OIS) has become the first school in Dhaka to offer Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP) for students aged between five and 11, says a press release.   NU exam dates changed The National University (NU) has postponed all examinations scheduled for Sunday due to unavoidable circumstances. These examinations will be held at 9:30 am on January 27.   Tribal youth killed at Kalapara A tribal youth died at Kalapara hospital here yesterday morning 11 hours after he was critically injured in an attack by a gang of hoodlums.   FEJB executives Quamrul Islam Chowdhury and Mofizur Rahman were re-elected unopposed chairman and general secretary of the Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) for 2006-2007 yesterday.   CU classes suspended Chittagong University (CU) authorities suspended classes of all departments from tomorrow up to January 28 for admission tests. Point-Counterpoint The marginalisation of public servants In many countries, such as the United States of America, the civil service is a semi-permanent body, the most senior posts of which change hands with a change in government.   Monstrous parasites! When she first approached us for a job, we did not have a vacancy for our office. Culture Portrait of a global theatre personality Renowned American artistic designer, Richard Schechner has been extremely active both in the USA and globally.   In quest of freedom Sri Lankan Somaratne Dissanayake of Saroja fame, who has put in 20 years in the film industry, has been directing and writing scripts for films for 10 years.   A new voice renders Lalon's message The audition round of Closeup 1, Faridpur: A jittery young girl from Chuadanga starts to sing a Lalon song.   Moha moja pitha fiesta at Prabartana Based on the age-old fable of Tona-Tuni, the two little birds who had a lifetime experience of making pithas, Nari Grantha Prabartana arranged its two-day Moha Moja Pitha Festival at its   Kalyug: A dark tale of the high-tech world Globalisation or for lack of better words, "westernisation" and technology has its share of advantages. But it has also robbed us of our innocence and simple ways of life.   American Idol returns to record season debut More than 35 million people watched American Idol return to the Fox television network, the biggest audience yet for a season premiere of the hit talent show, Nielsen Media Research said on last   Mallika Sarabhai brings a festival to Delhi Dancer Mallika Sarabhai, who runs the Ahmedabad-based Darpana Academy of Performing Arts along with her mother Mrinalini Sarabhai, recently brought the annual Vikram Sarabhai International Art Festival Editorial Editorial: ADP implementation picking up On January 5 this year in a meeting presided over by Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman to review the status of ADP implementation, it was revealed that between July and October 15 percent of the ADP allocation   Editorial: An avoidable hartal For quite sometime prior to the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, the opposition had been carrying out programmes of protest and agitation against the ruling coalition which included street marches, public meetings   More than just security One thing that we can be thankful for in Bangladesh is that, despite the horrors of the past year, in which we saw political assassinations, coordinated series of bomb blasts, and suicide bombings, we   Greetings from the posters It was good to see so many cordial people, who spent their own money to plaster Eid greetings on posters. Some of them gave their names and pictures along with greetings.   Telephone bugging: Strangulation of civil rights Another intriguingly tumultuous year is out. Till the middle of 2005 the national scenario was more or less static. None appeared to have anticipated yet another crisis that was in the powers of fermentation. Letters to Editor Experience of a pilgrim My friend went around the Mina city mainly to see how the Muslims represent themselves, who came from all over the world. As he puts it, "They very much represent the conditions of Muslims today.   Put the blame where it's due Every Eid we see headlines in newspapers about road accidents with the number of deaths going up every year. According to studies, Bangladesh has the highest number of fatalities per km travelled.   Hapless people Every day we find news of people dying due to cold and cold related diseases all over Bangladesh.   Lessons of Eid-ul-Azha On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, we sacrifice animals. But we never bother to think that the idea is to sacrifice the beast within ourselves and become true human beings.   Pakistan scene If there had been any laxity towards development in Balochistan, only a few Sardars were responsible for it.   PM flies to Kuwait The demise of anyone, be it an Emir or an ordinary citizen, is always saddening, although as a mortal being, it is also an inescapable fact of life.   Pakistan-India relations India and Pakistan were always engaged in rivalry. However, it is good news that they have been able to make progress on the way to making peace.   NGOs and sex workers NGOs working for the benefit of sex workers and their children employ a large number of young men and women to work with the sex workers inside or outside brothel areas.   Again a poor decision I'm shocked to learn about the decision of not letting Bangladesh be a part of Asian Highway Network by the present government.   BTTB decision BTTB recently announced their decision to include 15 more countries in the flat rate of Taka 7.5 calling framework.   Mobile abuse? In a letter sent to all five of Bangladesh's networks, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission said the young were abusing the "free calls after midnight" offers.   No free-talk-time Some sources say that "Free Talk-time" given by different mobile operators is soon going to be stopped. Reason- students are usually taking that opportunity, I should rather say "abusing" this.   Right decision The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has just asked mobile phone operators to discontinue free-call facilities late into the night.   MDG facts and fiction Uninitiated that I am on the mysteries and magic of statistics, Dr. Majumdar's interesting table (DS: Jan 17) raises more questions than answers for me. World South Asia: Mediator tones down Lankan peace hopes Four people were killed and 40 wounded in bomb attacks in Sri Lanka yesterday as Colombo vowed "every endeavour" to revive peace moves, while a top Norwegian envoy played down hopes of a breakthrough.   South Asia: India, Pakistan agree on peace, differ on process India and Pakistan on Wednesday made a fresh commitment to push forward a fragile peace process but the nuclear-armed neighbours reiterated their differences over ways to end nearly 60 years of enmity.   South Asia: Senior al-Qaeda figures believed killed in US strike An al-Qaeda bomb expert with a $5 million bounty on his head and a son-in-law of the group's No.   South Asia: Suu Kyi's home security eased Myanmar's military rulers have slightly eased security around pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's home, where she has been held under house arrest since May 2003, officials said yesterday.   South Asia: Pakistan rebuilds clinics in quake zone Pakistan has started to rebuild clinics destroyed by October's huge earthquake as harsh winter weather fuels fears of disease outbreaks, officials said yesterday.   US, EU vow to indict Tehran The US and the EU vowed to hold Iran to account for its disputed nuclear programme but Tehran warned that it would stop cooperating with UN inspectors if a decision is taken to refer it to the UN Security   UN HQ stoned, Gbagbo's call ignored Supporters of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo yesterday ignored his call for an end to violent protests, manning roadblocks, stoning UN headquarters and paralysing Abidjan for a fourth day.   Twin blasts kill 16 Iraqis Simultaneous suicide and roadside bomb blasts in the same Baghdad street killed at least 16 Iraqis and wounded 25 yesterday, police and hospital officials said.   US ties Syrian official to Iraq insurgency The White House on Wednesday for the first time named a Syrian official as having "directly contributed" to support for the insurgency in Iraq, as the United States moved to freeze his assets.   'UK doubts legality of CIA flights' Britain believes the CIA's reported secret transfer of terrorism suspects to foreign countries for interrogation is illegal, according to a leaked government document published yesterday.   Iran president visits close ally Syria Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday began a two-day visit to Syria, Tehran's only regional ally, as both countries struggle to fend off mounting international pressure.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. 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