Vol. 5 Num 1099 Wed. July 04, 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 Star Chittagong Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Mamun jailed for 10yrs in arms case A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for possessing illegal firearms and ammunition while a Rajshahi court sentenced former BNP lawmakerNadim   3 power projects in limbo despite interim government's nod Three power projects with a total production capacity of 640 MW, contracts for which were awarded by the previous BNP-led alliance government through various irregularities, have become uncertain though   Khaleda readies her own reform proposals BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has prepared draft proposals for intra-party reforms stipulating that no one will be allowed to hold posts in the party and in government simultaneously, and party leadersat   EC plans dialogue barring small parties The Election Commission (EC) this time plans to keep in-name-only political parties out of the talks on its proposals for electoral reforms.   Mannan Bhuiyan sued for illegal land registration A case has been filed against BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and four others with a local court for having 10 acres of land registered illegally.   Tigers hit new low It seems that only rain can save Bangladesh from further embarrassment in the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka after the local bowlers made mockery of the Tigers on the first day of the second Test at the PSara   BB asks banks to find ways to pay clients Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday advised local banks having partnership with London-based money transfer agency First Solution Money Transfer Ltd to examine ways to use its security deposits to pay clients   Saga of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia Around 200 migrant Bangladeshi workers gathered in front of a police station in Malaysia's central state of Negeri Sembilan on Sunday, protesting their local employment agent's reneging on a promise of   12 firearms, bombs, ammo seized The law enforcers yesterday seized firearms and ammunition, including 12 guns, 350 bullets and ten bombs, from Chittagong, Sylhet, Satkhira and Khagrachhari.   Tuku's wife, son, daughter sent to jail Wife, son and daughter of former state minister for power Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku were sent to jail yesterday as a Dhaka court rejected their bail petition in a case filed for mismatch between their   ACC taskforce quizzes Tarique at Dhaka jail A three-member team of the anti-graft national taskforce yesterday questioned Tarique Rahman, the detained son of former premier Khaleda Zia, about his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission   Motia, Suranjit reacts to EC Sohul's remarks Awami League presidium members Suranjit Sengupta and Motia Chowdhury sharply reacted to Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain's remarks that the EC would sit with political parties after completion of party   Dire prison vans...   CHT district councils may be restructured The caretaker government is going to bring changes in the three Hill District Councils (HDC) formed by the past four-party alliance government, sources in the CHT affairs ministry said yesterday.   Dhaka-Kolkata train's trial run July 8 The Dhaka-Kolkata train service will get its first trial run on July 8. An Indian delegation will arrive here on the train for talks during its two-day stay to finalise details of the service.   Farmers need insurance coverage for flood damage Development experts at a seminar yesterday suggested introduction of flood insurance schemes for the farmers living in the flood-prone areas to cope with the devastating effects of this natural disaster.   Admission of 81 more 'fake'DU students cancelled Dhaka University (DU) Syndicate has cancelled admission of 81 more students enrolled through fraudulent means, raising the number of such cancellation cases to 158 so far.   Army chief meets president Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed called on President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban yesterday.   The historic site...   Hill plunderers' list likely to be sent to forest ministry today Department of Environment (DoE) that is now finalising a list of hill plunderers in Chittagong Division is likely to send it to the Ministry of Environment and Forests today for proper action.   US kills 23 insurgents in Iraq; chopper shot down US and Iraqi forces waged a two-day battle against insurgents south of the former insurgent bastion of Ramadi, killing 23 alleged militants, the military said yesterday.   9 killed in Pak mosque battle Pakistani security forces fought fierce gunbattles with students at a pro-Taliban mosque in Islamabad yesterday after a lengthy standoff exploded into violence, leaving nine dead and 140 hurt.   Doctors rounded up over UK bomb plot Police held up to six doctors in connection with the failed bombings in London and Glasgow after an Indian physician was detained yesterday in Australia, officials and reports said.   India, Pakistan home officials talk terror India and Pakistan's top home and interior ministry bureaucrats began two days of talks yesterday on terrorism and drug trafficking, officials from both sides said. Business NBR survey in 5 metro areas, Rangpur from tomorrow Aiming to bring 1.64 lakh people under tax net by this year, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to expand its survey activities to five divisional cities and Rangpur Municipality area from tomorrow.   Increased duty on raw materials to up prices of MS rod Increased duty on raw materials will raise the prices of MS rod by Tk 5,000 to Tk 7,000 per tonne, say owners of steel and re-rolling mills.   350 students get scholarships from Islami Bank Foundation Underlining the need for taking up human resource development programmes by commercial banks, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said that such initiatives can help run the economy towards   GP opens fibre link thru' Jamuna bridge Mobile phone operator Grameenphone (GP) Ltd opened its fibre-optic cable link yesterday through the 4.8-kilometre-long Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge, says a press release.   StanChart gains island-wide presence in Taiwan Standard Chartered on Monday became the first international bank to gain an island-wide presence in Taiwan, says a press release.   Financial fair next month A financial fair will begin in Dhaka next month to create awareness about products and services the financial institutions offer.   Dollar hits 26-yr low against pound Dollar sank to a 26-year trough against British pound on Tuesday, dealers said. Pound rose to 2.0197 dollars in early European trade -- the highest level since 1981. It later stood at 2.0166 dollars.   Currency Sports Cricket: Report or obituary? "You can only write an obituary on this scorecard but not a report," reacted a veteran journalist furiously at the P Sara press box after Bangladesh were dismissed for their lowest Test total of 62 on   Football: Emily does it again Two-goal Zahid Hasan Emily inspired Abahani to their second consecutive come-from-behind win in a five-goal thriller yesterday and retain pole position in the B. League.   Cricket: "Sorry boss, I'm quitting" It was at around 12-noon yesterday when my cellphone barked only to confirm that a message has just arrived. I opened it immediately and it read: Tigers fighting fantastic. Enjoy 'kriket'.   Cricket: Rahul fine without coach India may be without a coach but as far as captain Rahul Dravid is concerned that is not a major handicap as they prepare for a lengthy tour of England.   Local Snippets Bangladesh Athletics Federation president Didarul Anwar yesterday visited critically ill athlete Shamim Ara Tolly at a local hospital.   Cricket: Indo-Pak ODI rained off The lone one-day international between India and Pakistan in Glasgow was abandoned without a ball being bowled yesterday.   Tennis: Vaidisova dispatches holder Mauresmo The wait proved to be worth it for Nicole Vaidisova.   Football: A Bayern 'dream team' You know you are dealing with footballing aristocrats when German giants Bayern Munich simply remedied last season's poor performance by buying their own "dream team".   Football: Roma accept Real's bid for Chivu Serie A club Roma have accepted a bid from Spanish champions Real Madrid for their Romanian international Christian Chivu, Italian media reported on Tuesday.   Football: Schuster's Real route gets thorny The arrival of German Bernd Schuster as Real Madrid's new coach is proving more complicated than expected as current club Getafe are demanding 500,000 euros (680,000 dollars) in compensation from theSpanish   Cricket: Sardesai no more Former Indian Test player Dilip Sardesai, who was considered one of the finest batsmen against spin bowling, died here on Monday night following multi-organ failure. He was 67.   Cricket: Bell targets Ponting role Ian Bell is looking to follow the lead of Australia captain Ricky Ponting as he bids to make the England No 3 role his own.   Football: Forever Blues Frank Lampard's agent insisted Monday that the Chelsea midfielder wants to stay at Stamford Bridge for the rest of his career.   Cricket: Moore wants to stay put Stand-in coach David Moore admitted Monday that he was keen to be involved with the West Indies set-up when the current tour of England and Ireland ends next week.   Football: Chittagong derby drawn The second Chittagong derby of the B. League ended in a 1-1 draw yesterday as the port city Abahani failed to take revenge against their local Mohammedan.   Cricket: England tour NZ early next year England will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on their two-month tour of New Zealand in early 2008, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday.   Hockey: BKSP keep fingers crossed BKSP kept their hopes alive for a final berth in the 27th National Hockey Championship beating all-losers Mymensingh 4-1 at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. Metropolitan Proposed law to face same fate of uni-track edn system The caretaker government's move to approve the draft of an 'umbrella act' for all public universities without consulting the academics and others concerned will destroy their autonomous characters, said   Steps to help acid survivors The government has taken stronger and more effective initiatives in aid of acid survivors, said an official handout yesterday.   Form taskforce immediately to resolve problems in jute sector The government should immediately form a taskforce to look into the existing problems in the jute industry, speakers at a seminar said yesterday.   Dhaka wants to strengthen ties with Myanmar: CA Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said Bangladesh gives a special importance to the relationship with Myanmar under its Look East Policy to the mutual benefit of the two peoples and the region.   Four killed in road accidents At least four people, including a schoolboy, were killed in separate road accidents in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Magura yesterday.   125 vehicles fined in Ctg A mobile court in separate drives at Patenga and Olonkar intersection in the port city fined 125 vehicles Tk 5 lakh for emitting black smoke in the last two days.   July 3 declared as Birth Registration Day The government has officially declared July 3 as the National Birth Registration Day to highlight the importance of birth registration for every child and adult in the country.   Design contest for IEH extension project soon Islamia Eye Hospital (IEH) and the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to organise an architectural design competition for the design of proposed   Son, daughter demand trial of father A college student and his sister yesterday demanded that their father be brought to justice, accusing him of killing their mother.   CG has established transparency Adviser for Communications Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin yesterday said the present government has established transparency and accountability in its works.   Robbers stab hotel manager, loot Tk 50,000 Local people chased and caught two robbers, out of three, who looted Tk 50,000 from a residential hotel after stabbing its manager in the city yesterday.   9-yr-old boy killed in city for mobile set The police recovered the body of a nine-year-old schoolboy yesterday, six days after he was killed at Badda in the city for a mobile phone.   PET free healthcare programme launched People's Empowerment Trust (PET) launched a programme under which it would offer healthcare services for the poor and destitute women and children of the city, says a press release.   Navy hands over house to family of liberation war martyr Bangladesh Navy has constructed a house at Sitakunda in Chittagong district for the family members of Able Seaman Md Muzammel Haque who embraced martyrdom during the liberation war in 1971, says an ISPR   Pronunciation workshop Nandankanan, a pronunciation and recitation institution, is going to organise a four-month workshop at Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University (DU) from July 6, says a press release.   Prof Yunus goes to Japan July 6 Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus will leave Dhaka for Japan on July 6 on a weeklong visit at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.   President, CA greet Bush President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed congratulated US President George W Bush on the occasion of the Independence Day of his country.   1,341 more held Police and members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), in separate drives, arrested 1,341 people on various charges across the country in 24 hours ending at 6:00am yesterday.   Pharmacy students to attend classesfrom today Students of pharmacy department of Bangladesh University have agreed to attend their classes again from today.   Anwarul Haq joins Brac M Anwarul Haq, a noted journalist, columnist and former diplomat, has been appointed director, Public Affairs and Communications of Brac, says a press release.   Suspect held after 4 years The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested a suspect in the killing of Selim alias Seru at Lalbagh in the city yesterday, four years after the murder was committed.   32 makeshift flower shops demolished at Shahbagh Police yesterday in a drive demolished 32 makeshift flower shops at city's Shahbagh intersection and arrested two vendors in this connection. The arrestees were identified as Shahjahan and Kalu.   Low over northeast Bay, adjoining area A low has developed over northeast Bay and adjoining area yesterday. It is likely to intensify further as deep convection is still taking place over north Bay. National BSF kills 26 in 6 months on southwestern border Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Indian Security Forces (BSF) will hold a sector commander level meeting in Kushtia today.   Ex-Kushtia BNP lawmaker among 14 chargesheeted Police yesterday framed charges against former BNP lawmaker Reza Ahmed Bachhu Mollah and 14 other BNP leaders and activists in an extortion case.   Top Khulna outlaw says a BNP leader sheltered him Arrested outlaw Abdur Rahman has disclosed that he was protected and harboured by a 'top' leader of BNP in Khulna.   Trial of RU teacher, Salehi begins The trial of Rajshahi University (RU) professor Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, Islami Chhatra Shibir RU unit president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, and four others for murdering RU professor Dr S Taher Ahmed began   Two jailed for extortion A court in Barisal yesterday sentenced two persons to 44 years rigorous imprisonment each for armed extortion.   Extortion case against ex- JP MP in Rangpur Former Jatiya Party lawmaker Mohammad Ali was sued for extortion yesterday. Former Union Parishad member Azizul Hoque of Baderganj filed the case with a magistrate court in Rangpur.   Call to ensure birth registration in CHT Speakers at a discussion here yesterday urged the people in CHT to ensure their birth registration for 'a safer future'.   RU body to probe admission forgery The Social Work department of Rajshahi University yesterday formed a three-member committee to investigate alleged admission forgery in first year honours course in 2006-07 academic session.   Obituary Language movement veteran, freedom fighter and journalist Kamal Uddin Ahmed died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Monday night. He was 75. He was suffering from heart disease and diabetes. Point-Counterpoint Time to solve RMG impasse Towards the middle of 2006, a pervasive unrest prevailed among the readymade garment (RMG) sector workers of our country.   Pursue pestilence to the end Scenario 1, the Vito Corleone of our business, the Basundhara chief, buys his way out of a murder charge for 50 crores Taka, with the knowledge of the outgoing prime minister.   Brown should make a difference After spending 13 years in the shadow of Tony Blair, he has finally been able to clinch the coveted slot. Culture Gulshan Hossain and her award-winning abstraction Artist Gulshan Hossain won the Dipa Haq Award at the ongoing National Art Biennale for her innovative painting Archaeological Report of Romeo and Juliet.   Artiste on the rise Ashiqur Rahman Mehrab, better known as "Mehrab", has become a familiar face and voice to the music enthusiasts, thanks to ntv's hugely popular talent hunt Closeup 1 -- Tomakei Khujchhey Bangladesh.   "Khunjey Berai" on ntv tonight A single-episode TV play, Khunjey Berai will be aired tonight at 9:00pm. Written by Shatanu Biswas and directed by Kaushik Shankar Das, the play revolves around Shimul -- a naïve young man. International 33 Taliban killed in Afghanistan raids Afghan and Western forces killed dozens of rebel fighters in the Taliban heartland of southern Afghanistan officials said yesterday, striking back after they came under attack.   9 killed in Yemeni al-Qaeda attack on Spanish tourists Seven Spanish tourists and two Yemeni drivers were killed on Monday when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into their convoy at an ancient temple in Yemen, officials said.   Lanka on alert for Tiger attack anniversary Sri Lankan security forces are on high alert as Tamil Tiger rebels this week mark the 20th anniversary of their first-ever suicide attack with the threat of unleashing more deadly strikes.   Heavy rain claims 44 more in India Forty-four more people have been reported killed in torrential monsoon rains lashing India, taking this year's toll to 280, officials and media said yesterday.   N Korea's Kim calls for nuclear disarmament accord: Xinhua North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il called Tuesday for all sides to push forward a nuclear disarmament accord and said there were signs of easing tensions on the Korean peninsula, China's official news agency Editorial Editorial: No dialogue until parties reform? Election Commissioner Sohul Hussain's statement that the EC will not engage in a dialogue with the political parties until intra-party reforms are carried out raises a very clear question: whether itis   Editorial: Declining RMG export A report appearing in a Bangla daily indicating a 30 percent decrease in the orders for Bangladeshi apparels reads disquieting.   Why the Anti-Corruption Commission matters . . . Mahbubur Rahman's decision to walk way from the position of chief prosecutor to the Anti-Corruption Commission certainly saves the country a whole lot of embarrassment.   Shame Referring to BNP-Jamaat's free-for-party loyalists' impudent corruption and looting of state properties and assets, Maulana Obaidul Haque, in his Friday khutba deliberations at the Baitul Mukarram mosque,   Cry Hiroshima! Cry Nagasaki! How long does it take for a person enjoying a relatively good life to understand the sufferings of others? To borrow the words from Bob Dylan, we can say in a vague way that the "answer is blowing inthe Letters to Editor William Carey William Carey was one of the scholars who helped the Bengali language and literature to become identifiable and thoroughly developed.   Police reform I refer to various letters published on this issue. It is necessary to recognise that the role and responsibility of the police is central to law and order and for a corruption free society.   Tigers tranquilised? The Tigers are continuing their lacklustre performance in Sri Lanka. The batsmen are helpless against top class bowling as usual.   Noise pollution I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the law enforcers for imposing regulations ensuring certain streets of the cosmopolitan city of ours as "Horn Free Zones".   Bangabandhu's elder sister On 15 August 1975, Begum Asia Khatun witnessed the assassination of her son Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and her daughter-in-law Mrs. Arzoo Moni.   Crime must pay! It's a matter of great regret that ministers /political leaders were involved in such widespread corruption.   Quacks and fake healers You must have noticed that every day there are advertisements in our daily newspapers of some spiritual and traditional medicines promising to cure some very complicated diseases, infertility, conjugal   Making peace Dr Martin Luther King Jr is known all over the world. About peace he said, "Many men cry peace! peace! But they refuse to do the things that make peace.   Two Begums They have successfully baffled this nation to become "Jana Netri and "Desh Netri, instead of being hated.   Circuit house I am not aware of the rationale behind the nomenclature. This supposedly is the official government guest house at the district level.   Power plant Bibiyana gas field is one of the largest gas fields located near the river Kushiara in the district of Habigonj. The gas field is likely to produce nearly 600mmcf of gas within a year or two.   Nuclear power for energy It is a matter of great pleasure that the international agency concerned has given us the green signal for building a nuclear reactor.   Contain communalism Most of us have been observing the activities of the caretaker government with anxiety, keen as we are to see a clean-up of our country's polluted politics and corrupt institutions.   No rickshaws! Recently the government issued a directive that bans movement of rickshaws on the roads from Badda to Gulshan and Gulshan to Mohakhali.   CTG's performance The BBC Bengali Service recently focused on the political impasse the country is passing through now.   Foreign and native rulers I read the article in your PCP page entitled "The Battle of Palashi" by Mr. Faruque Hasan with great interest. Star Chittagong Landslides displace wildlife The wild animals have started coming out of their habitats due to extensive damages to their natural environment following the recent landslides in the port city and its suburban areas.   Enforce ban strictly to protect Halda spawning centres Experts have called for strict enforcement of restriction imposed by the government on netting brood (mother) fishes in the river Halda from March 15 to July 15 and ban on cutting river bends to protect Star City DCC: Dhaka Crippling Corporation? Even though city dwellers are in desperate need of more breathing spaces in the city, most of the public parks and playgrounds, supposedly maintained by Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), are in a terrible   'Stop commercial activities on our playgrounds' A team of People's Commission formed by the Save Environment Movement yesterday visited the T & T playground in Sher-e-Banglanagar where Bangladesh National Weavers Association (BNWA) is holding a month   Ray of light for Sangshad Bhaban pavement A Decade after the lights on the pavements in front of the Sangshad Bhaban went off, the Public Works Department (PWD) yesterday launched a project to install lights from Khamarbari intersection to Asad   Announcement Do not miss our 3-part story on the city's informal recycling sector from Sunday, July 8.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.