Vol. 5 Num 161 Tue. November 02, 2004       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections US Election Special Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page US polls go down to the wire today President Bush, sucking lozenges to save his voice, and John Kerry, at risk of losing his, swung into the last day of campaigning hoping an election too close to call will end with everyone knowing who   Direct funding to UP okayed In a major policy decision, the government has approved a proposal for direct funding of union parishads (UP) aiming to strengthen the second lowest tier of local government and keep it free from political   FM may appeal for driver's release thru' Al-Jazeera Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan is likely to make an appeal through Al-Jazeera Television to the abductors to free the Bangladeshi truck driver Abul Kashem Faruk.   Millions face months without basic food, livelihood support The UN yesterday said millions in Bangladesh face months ahead with no guarantee of stable food supplies after floods between June and September devastated swathes of the country and left thousands homeless.   No trading on DSE as glitch bugs systems Trading on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) could not held yesterday because of a technical glitch in the automation systems.   Bangladesh won't allow its land for anti-Indian campaign Bangladesh yesterday assured that its territory would not be allowed to be used for activities prejudicial to India's interests.   JS witnesses debate on death threat to Hasina The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday witnessed a noisy debate on the recent death threats to Leader of the Opposition and Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina and the formation and development of the armed forces.   Children under nine can't be punished for crimes The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday passed the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2004 raising the minimum official age of criminal responsibility of a child from seven to nine years.   Bar sends documents to CJ The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday sent to the chief justice some documents in support of the allegations of tampering with the examination results by Additional Judge of the High Court   UN restricts staff movement The United Nations has restricted movement of its staff and their family members in Cox's Bazar district because of security concerns and asked them to take permission from its security officials before   NBR to issue notice on retail, wholesale shops tomorrow The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will start issuing notice on some 3,000 big retail and wholesale shops tomorrow for filing VAT returns in line with a recent decision it reached with business and trade   Sloth cop response makes drive futile The drive of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) against substandard and fake goods cannot run with greater success due to lack of timely response from police, BSTI sources said.   Deputy governor of Baghdad killed Seventeen Iraqis were killed and eight wounded on Sunday when two mortars slammed into a hostel used by workers at a local factory in the northern town of Tikrit, officials said yesterday while six others   SL Muslims declare 'war' on Chandrika Sri Lanka's main Muslim party yesterday withdrew from a peace panel set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and declared "all out war" against her for allegedly trying to splinter the minority community.   Work for better results in next elections Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday asked her party men to work unitedly for yet better performance in the next general elections, countering the smear campaign launched by the opposition at home and   AL demands removal of controversial HC judges Awami League (AL) yesterday demanded a purge of the "inefficient, dishonest and controversial additional judges" of the High Court who it alleged were appointed merely on political considerations.   Timber trader gunned down in city Unknown assailants gunned down a timber trader at Kazipara near Purnima Cinema of Karwan Bazar in the capital last night.   Eid tickets on sale at exorbitant prices Transport owners protesting a communications ministry directive have kept selling of tickets in abeyance, indicating tremendous suffering to the commoners while going home before the Eid-ul-Fitr.   Jin suggests ways to get more FDI The visiting Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-president Liqun Jin yesterday stressed independence of the judiciary, increased gas, electricity, water supplies, and a transparent tender process for Bangladesh's   Final touch to the first-ever flyover...   Transport strike on Nov 6 Transport owners and workers have called strike for November 6 in Dhaka in protest against the government decision to ban 10-year-old diesel-run buses and minibuses in the city.   Bills to ensure 'accountability' of NGOs soon Two bills proposing to ensure 'desirable' accountability of the non-government organisations (NGOs) will be placed in parliament soon, the local government rural development (LGRD) and cooperatives minister   Comilla-7 by-polls Dec 18 By-election to Comilla-7 parliamentary seat will be held on December 18. The Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced the election schedule through a gazette notification, said an official handout.   3 dead, 1 injured in the city Three people died and one was critically injured falling from two high-rise buildings in the capital yesterday.   Eid shopping spree...   Pakistan PM due tomorrow Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz arrives tomorrow in his capacity as the Chairman of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) before he hands the Chair over to Prime Minister Khaleda   Draft law to fight adulterated food okayed The cabinet yesterday approved the draft of a law to prevent adulteration of food, sale of toxic foodstuffs and cheating in weight.   One-day battle starts today...   Suicide bombing in Tel Aviv kills 4 At least four people were killed and 30 others wounded when a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in an open-air market in the heart of the Israeli commercial capital Tel Aviv yesterday.   Charges framed against 8 The Speedy Trial Tribunal, Chittagong, yesterday framed charges against eight accused in Commodore Golam Rabbani murder case. Business 'Bug' strikes DSE automated engine A day after expiry of maintenance contract with the vendors, trading on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) faltered yesterday due to an unknown "bug" attack on its sophisticated automated trading system.   Saarc women entrepreneurs display jewellery, handicrafts South Asian women entrepreneurs are organising an Eid festival of jewellery, handicraft and cottage items in Dhaka from today aiming at boosting intra-regional trade.   Dhaka urges Delhi to remove non-tariff barriers Bangladesh yesterday suggested simplification of trade regime, particularly Letters of Credit (LC) for Indian importers, to facilitate greater volume of commerce with northeastern Indian states.   Jute mill workers start 72-hour strike in Khulna, Jessore A 72-hour strike called by jute mill workers in eight jute mills under Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation in Khulna and Jessore region began yesterday to press for their eight-point demands.   Reduce default loan amounts Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday asked eight private commercial banks (PCBs) teetering under 20 percent-plus default loans to reduce the burden of bad loan substantially by the end of this year.   African leaders seek more Asian investment African leaders pitched Monday for more trade and investment from Asia, saying they were pushing through economic and political reforms that will open up business opportunities in the continent.   Customer incentive card on the cards Wintel Limited, a marketing company, is contemplating introducing the first-ever customer incentive card (CIC) to reward customers.   Cellphone fair begins tomorrow A four-day fair of cellphone sets and connections begins at Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre in Dhaka tomorrow.   HSBC offers discount rate on Transcom Electronics products Transcom Electronics Limited (TEL) customers will get one percent discount on existing personal loan rates of HSBC for loan amounts ranging from Tk 30,000 to Tk 1,000,000 with a low processing fee tobuy   Oil prices rise as Nigeria unions call new strike World oil prices rose on Monday after union leaders announced plans for an indefinite general strike in Nigeria, Africa's largest exporter of crude, to begin later this month, traders said.   Reckitt Benckiser launches two products Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) Limited, a household care products manufacturer, has recently launched two products in Dhaka.   Malaysia Airlines announces special offers Malaysia Airlines has announced special offers for its business class travellers. Passengers flying on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur-Dhaka route can now enjoy special services.   SIA offers seating changes via Internet Window or aisle seat? Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Monday that passengers on most flights will now be able to ask for a change in seating assignments when checking in via the company's Internet website.   Airbus to set up engineering centre in China Global aircraft manufacturer Airbus will set up an engineering centre in China next year and hire 200 staff by the end of 2008, the company said on Monday.   New consulting coordinator of Boeing Tech Team Imran Asif has rejoined Boeing Technology Team as associate consulting coordinator (ACC) for the joint collaboration task by Boeing and Honeywell Aerospace to develop flight control electronics for the   S’pore jobless rate eases Singapore's unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in five years on the back of strong economic growth in the first half of the year, the government said Monday. Sports Cricket: Another uphill battle After a break of three days the Bangladesh cricket team once again will be thrown into the international spotlight today when the first game of the three-match RC Cola one-day series against New Zealand   Cricket: GP cut off CityCell Speedster Mashrafee-bin-Mortuza provided some firework with the bat as sponsor GrameenPhone recorded their third consecutive victory in the Cup stage of the GrameenPhone Corporate Cricket League defeating   Football: JFA Cup Narsinghdi's Narsinghdi clinched the first-ever JFA Cup under-16 football title when they defeated fancied Feni by a solitary goal in the final at the Birshreshtha Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur.   Cricket: Pakistan level series Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq put on a stand of 82 runs to guide Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on the final day of the second Test on Monday.   Cricket: Indian pride at stake India go into the fourth and final Test against Australia here on Wednesday with their pride badly bruised, their cricket in a shambles and their once-inspira-tional captain again unfit to play.   Tennis: Johansson stops Agassi Swede Thomas Johansson denied Andre Agassi the 60th title of a storied career, as he staged a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 upset to win the 632,750-euro Stockholm Open.   Tennis: Basel crown Novak's Unseeded Czech Jiri Novak pulled off a surprise five-set victory over Argentine fourth seed David Nalbandian on Sunday to win the Swiss Indoors tournament.   Football: Not the Real story England striker Michael Owen continued his prolific scoring form with a fourth goal in as many games to help Real Madrid secure a flattering 2-0 win over Primera Liga newcomers Getafe on Sunday.   Football: Magpies shot down Bolton returned to fourth place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win against Newcastle here Sunday that ended the vistors' unbeaten run under manager Graeme Souness.   Football: Juve still good enough Fabio Capello rotated his squad to good effect on Sunday as Juventus restored their five point lead at the top of Serie A with a resounding 3-0 home win over Chievo.   Football: Pace-setting Italians Arsenal, top dogs in England but often fall guys in Europe, face Panathinaikos on Tuesday determined to quell supporters' fears that they are losing their taste for the big occasion.   Hockey: MSC down Usha Defending champions Mohamme-dan Sporting Club became unbeaten Group A champions in the Club Cup hockey tournament when they inflicted a 4-2 defeat on Usha Krira Chakra at the Maulana Bhashani National   Handball: Viqarunnisa regain title Viqarunnissa Noon School and College regained the Delta Life women's handball tournament crown after one season when they outplayed Siddheshwari Girls College 18-5 in yesterday's final at the Dhanmondi   Cricket: U-15 cricketers' third in a row The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) U-15 team won their third consecutive match against CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) U-15 when they dumped the visitors by eight wickets at the BKSP ground yesterday.   Cricket: Pakistan will be at full strength Fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami have been included in a 15-member Pakistan squad for the one-off limited-overs international against India in Kolkata on November 13. National Where children are aware of human rights Twelve year-old school student Jannatul and his classmate Raju, both from poor landless families, know that they have the right to food and education.   Monga affects 9 lakh in Nilphamari The monga situation in the district is deteriorating day by day. There is no work in rural areas in the district where about nine lakh out of a population of 17 lakh are ultra poor.   'Outlaw' killed in 'crossfire' in Chuadanga Two outlaws were killed in Chuadanga and Meherpur on Sunday.   NBCP leader Kalipada Das arrested in India Notorious criminal of Dumuria in Khulna district, Kalipada Das, 36, a leader of outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) has been arrested in West Bengal in India, police sources here said.   Fake passports, notes recovered in Sylhet Youth held with Hundi money Police arrested three persons with seven fake international passports and 46 forged 100 taka notes from the city's Chalibandar area on Sunday.   2 killed by robbers Two person were shot dead and four others injured, one of them critically, when armed bandits opened fire during robbery in a house at Bhurukhali village in Nababganj upazila in the early hours of Sunday.   Manikganj JSD dedicates celebrations to late leader Leaders and activists of Manikganj district unit of Jatiya Samajtantrik Da (JSD-Inu) have dedicated the party's 33rd founding anniversary celebrations to the memory of late JSD leader Nosirul Haque Khan Culture Behind the revival of handloom saris The Eid Shopping spree is on! The brightly-lit shopping arcades now pulsate with life.   'Meemangchina' to be performed in Kolkata Come December, the Department of Drama and Dramatics of Jahangirnagar University (JU) will go to Kolkata for a drama festival.   Tonatuni's new albums on Eid Popular audio visual production house Tonatuni has some new music albums to offer this Eid-ul-Fitr.   'A creative person has to be romantic' --- Mehreen There is no stopping singer Mehreen from spreading her wings. Primarily known as a pop singer, she is also adept at other genres of music. General DU syndicate likely to approve 73 'controversial' promotions today The Dhaka University's (DU) Syndicate, the highest decision making body, is likely to approve the 'controversial' promotion of 73 officers at a meeting today.   '42 killed by law enforcement agencies last month' Forty-two people were killed by the law enforcement agencies last month, according to a report released by Odhikar, a human rights organisation, yesterday.   1000 hartals enforced in 33 years Over 1,000 hartals were enforced in last 33 years across the country incurring a loss of more than Tk 70,000 crore, said the leaders of a social organisation at a human chain yesterday.   'RU authorities responsible for violence' The Rajshahi University authorities' indifference to students' long-standing demand for security in dormitories led to Saturday's massive violence on the campus, said several senior teachers and student   Tk1.25cr Brac programme to combat monga Brac, a leading non-government organisation, has released TK 1.25 crore under an emergency programme to feed one lakh families in six northern districts hit hard by monga, a near-famine situation.   Woman found dead, one shot, 2 stabbed in city Body of an unidentified woman was recovered, one shot and two were stabbed in separate incidents in the city yesterday.   42nd DU convocation in December The 42nd convocation of Dhaka University (DU) will be held in December. This was decided at a meeting yesterday with Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz in the chair.   Barisal region launch workers threaten strike from Nov 5 Passenger Water Transport Workers Association threatened to go on strike on 28 routes in Barisal region from November 5 demanding implementation of the agreement regarding pay scale.   1,372 more held Police arrested 1,372 more people on various charges during their countrywide drive in the last 24 hours ending at 6.00am yesterday.   Obituary Mohammad Azizullah , a senior lawyer of Chittagong court, died at Birdem Hospital in Dhaka yesterday at the age of 70. He was buried at Mollapara Mosque graveyard in Chittagong.   Appeal for help Rubayet Sharmin Banya, a student of class one, has been suffering from thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder. International First post-9/11 election offers stark choices The first US presidential election since the trauma of September 11, 2001 offered a stark choice between competing visions of the country's world role and posture in an era of global terrorism.   Kerry storms to victory in global online vote The virtual vote is in -- Democratic challenger John Kerry has won a landslide victory over President Bush in a global sample of the world's opinion on the race for the White House.   US voters face long lines amid shortage of 500,000 polls workers A shortage of at least 500,000 election workers nationwide means many voters could face long lines, cranky volunteers, polling places that don't open or close on schedule and the chance that results won't   Polls suggest high voter turnout Voter turnout is likely to be higher than in recent presidential elections especially among young voters in a very close race, weekend polls suggest.   Asian commentators blast 'arrogant' Bush Commentators in China and other Asian countries criticised US President George W.   Republicans on course to retain US Congress Regardless who wins the US presidency, Republicans are likely to remain a key voice in the nation's capital since they appear positioned to keep control of a sharply divided Congress in today's elections.   Votes from the dead may still be counted An untold number of ballots from people who have died since casting them will be counted this year because of the haphazard and cumbersome process of enforcing laws in many states to weed out these votes.   European papers see Laden effect on US polls A day ahead of the US presidential election, European newspapers yesterday debated the effect of Osama bin Laden's latest appearance via videotape.   Next president must heal int'l wounds over Iraq, terrorism US elder statesman Henry Kissinger said Sunday that whoever wins the US election will have to undertake international "healing" to confront the huge challenges in Iraq and the war on terror.   Laden may sneak into India: FBI A senior official of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) quietly visited India last week to alert intelligence agencies about the possibility of Osama bin Laden sneaking into India, officialsources   Han majority clashes with Muslims in China At least 20 people have been killed in ethnic clashes between the Muslim Hui minority and the Han majority in central China's Henan province and martial law has been declared in the area, local residents   Pak MPs okay Musharraf uniform Pakistan's parliament yesterday approved a bill allowing President Pervez Musharraf to remain as army chief, less than 12 months after the general admitted that leading both the nation and military was Editorial Editorial: Ministries flounder on resource utilisation Fifteen key ministries -- including health, communications, education, and post and telecommunications -- have been allocated Tk 18,181 crore in this year's ADP, of which Tk 11,154 is the local component   Editorial: DMCH recruitment The trouble that has cropped up at Dhaka Medical College Hospital over appointment of 243 class three and class four employees gives a dismal account of how administrative matters are being handled at   Indo-Bangladesh relations: Old issues new problems Indo-Bangladesh relations are, once again, under stresses and strains centering around "push in" "push back" factor.   Requiem for a dream When I was growing up in the sixties the cold war and later the Vietnam War dominated the world. It was a virulently bi-polar world with the non-aligned movement playing the second fiddle. Letters to Editor Rickshaw strike In the morning of 28 October we found out that there were no rickshaws in the streets of Uttara. It was hard for people who did not have cars to move around Uttara, as the CNGs refused to go to shortdistances.   Terrorists using media? The RAB killed a leader of Karwan Bazaar trader's association Monday. He was in the news a couple of days ago for another reason. He with his followers were on the street to protest extortion.   Bangladesh and cricket The state of our cricket is pitiable, to say the least. I had been a cricket player myself. I played cricket at school, college and club level competitions since the mid 50s.   US presidential election I was watching on CNN Larry King's interview of President Carter. Among contemporary world leaders, Carter speaks with a moral force that few can match. He is a humanist deserving everybody's respect.   Attention: embassies I would like to point out the fact that some of the embassies do not have the minimum requirements, like toilet, for the waiting persons standing in a long queue for visa.   Cable network In a couple of months Bangladesh will be connected with the Sea-Me-We 4 submarine cable network at a cost of US$110 million, while other members of the consortium are only paying US$40 million.   Inhuman activities We live in the 21st century. But there is a question that whether we live in a civilised world or not. Yes, I am talking about the inhuman activities of the so called civilised world. US Election Special America votes Let's take a closer look at the two candidates running for president this year: George W Bush: The Republican George Walker Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, the   Too close to call The US Presidential Election 2004 takes place today, Tuesday, November 2.   What Muslims in the US are thinking If Muslims in America can mobilise themselves, they can make a big difference in the today's presidential election.