Vol. 5 Num 391 Sun. July 03, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page Pilots, flight engineer suspended The government yesterday removed Captain Selim from the post of chief of safety after he crash-landed the DC-10 aircraft in Chittagong on Friday and also suspended him, the co-pilot and the flight engineer.   Outcry for an end to Niko drilling Niko's move to drill a fresh relief well at Tengratila gas field while the inferno at the present one continued for the ninth day yesterday has intensified public demands to immediately halt the Canadian   Tk 830 crore gas bills unpaid by govt bodies The finance minister meets high officials of other ministries today to discuss ways to realise Tk 830 crore outstanding gas bills from different ministries and semi-government organisations under them.   Parting Thomas calls Bangladesh a moderate country US Ambassador Harry K Thomas left Dhaka yesterday, saying that Bangladesh is a moderate country. "I didn't say Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim country...   Tata, govt to appoint int'l consultant The government and the Tata Group in the third-round negotiations yesterday decided to appoint an independent international consultant to fix tax holiday facility and gas and power pricing for the proposed   Part of coal mine may go to Tata The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) decided in principle last week to award a part of Barapukuria Coal Mine to Indian giant Tata on a build, own and operate (BOO) basis, sources close to the cabinet said.   Budget pushed up prices of essentials Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday accused the BNP-Jamaat coalition government of pushing up the prices of essential commodities through passing the new budget which she termed "anti-people   Alliance success scares opposition Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said the opposition is raising the issue of caretaker government system reforms and election boycott sensing its sure defeat in the next general elections.   Businessman shot dead at his Jigatola office Unknown criminals shot dead an Awami League (AL) leader and businessman inside his Jigatola office in the city yesterday afternoon.   Spiralling prices dent commoners' purse An inter-ministerial meeting on the latest market situation will be held at the commerce ministry today against the backdrop of spiralling prices of essentials.   JCD man, outlaw killed in 'crossfire' A cadre of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and an outlaw were killed in 'crossfire' between Rab and the victims' accomplices in Sylhet and Rajshahi in the early hours yesterday.   Deal signed with Kuwait for $51.5m Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) will give Bangladesh a loan of $ 51.5 million for construction of the third Karnaphuli Bridge in Chittagong.   Govt to meet for action plan The government will soon convene an inter-ministerial meeting to stamp out food adulteration and use of chemicals in it, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, food and disaster management minister, said yesterday.   Kaptai power generation drops to new low as water level falls The generation of electricity at the Kaptai hydroelectric power station has dropped down to 60MW a day due to a fall in water level at the dam point.   DU shut as BCL strike begins No class was held at Dhaka University (DU) yesterday on the first day of the two-day strike enforced by seven opposition-backed student organisations led by pro-Awami League Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL).   Security beefed up around Dhaka court Security has been beefed up in and around the Dhaka Judge Court in fear of criminal attacks especially on high-profile criminal Arman and the August 21 grenade attack suspects, police sources said.   Bangla Bhai cadre held for attacking newsman The Special Branch (SB) of police yesterday arrested Bangla Bhai follower Moshiur Rahman Peter, accused of attacking a journalist on June 28.   Probe body members reluctant to work The six-member probe body formed to investigate the violence on Dhaka University campus following the death of a female student on May 28 is in a predicament as most of the committee members seem reluctant   Bangladesh created for Ayub, Yahya's shortsightedness The creation of Bangladesh was due to political incompetence and shortsighted policies of military generals Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan, who sent the Pakistan army to put down what they thought was a rebellion   NatWest final tied England and Australia completed an extraordinary finish to tie the NatWest triangular series one-day final at Lord's on Saturday.   Suicide bombs kill 25 in Iraq A suicide bomber killed up to 20 people at a police recruitment centre in Baghdad yesterday, while across town an angry crowd of Shia Muslims buried a senior cleric gunned down by insurgents.   OIC to focus on bilateral trade Leaders from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) have agreed to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation among the member-states and to develop an Islamic Common Market (ICM).   15 AL men sent to jail for 'killing' cop Fifteen Awami League (AL) leaders and activists, including the president of Nalitabari upazila unit of the party, were sent to jail yesterday on charge of killing a police constable.   Firecracker factory blaze kills 20 in Tamil Nadu At least 20 people were killed and 15 others injured in a blaze at a fireworks factory yesterday in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said.   Army man, his brother nabbed for snatching An army sergeant and his brother were arrested on Friday on charge of snatching Tk 5.5 lakh from a moneychanger in the Dhaka Cantonment area, police said yesterday.   Venus lifts Wimbledon title Venus Williams won her third Wimbledon title on Saturday when Lindsay Davenport saw her championship dream sabotaged by a crippling back injury just when she sensed victory in the longest women's final Business SEC, DSE at loggerheads over listing of 'weak cos' The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Dhaka Stock Exchange are now at loggerheads over listing of some companies with 'weak fundamentals'.   SEC cancels 62,674 BO accounts The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cancelled 62,674 beneficiary owners (BO) accounts, which were found fake, official sources said yesterday.   Govt urged to put emphasis on co-operatives in PRSP Speakers at a roundtable yesterday urged the government to give emphasis on co-operatives in the PRSP to cut poverty.   Envoys talk status of bill seeking market access to US Ambassadors of some countries at a meeting here on Thursday discussed the latest status of TRADE Bill and the strategies for moving it forward.   Philips to make cheapest mobile phone sets Philips will make the world's cheapest cellular mobile phone, which will be sold at US$20 each or less.   Wintel to market ZTE phone sets Wintel Limited, a leading ICT company, yesterday signed a deal with ZTE Corporation, a Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer, to market ZTE GSM and CDMA mobile and fixed phones in Bangladesh.   Yemen keen to buy more drugs from Bangladesh An official delegation from Yemen yesterday visited the production facilities of Beximco Pharmaceutical Ltd (BPL) in Gazipur and showed interest to import more pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh.   Emirates Holidays Bangladesh awarded Emirates Holidays Bangladesh, a tour operating arm of Emirates, has been given award for the best overall performance in Asia-Pacific.   World cotton consumption to hit record in 2005-06 An international farm group Friday forecast world cotton production would fall below 24 million tons in 2005/06, down 2.4 million tons, while consumption is seen reaching 23.8 million tons.   New MD of ACI Arif Dowla took over as the managing director of ACI (Advanced Chemical Industries) Ltd with effect from July 1.   Asia scrambling to curb energy use as oil hits $60 Asian nations are scrambling to curb energy use as oil hits $60, but a resilient US economy and subsidised prices at home mean these marginal measures will scarcely dent demand, analysts say.   WB looks at new China lending The World Bank is set to begin talks with China on a new five-year loan programme that will encourage the Asian powerhouse to focus on economic inequality and environmental problems, a top official said.   US industrial growth accelerates The US factory sector accelerated in June, a survey by the Institute for Supply Management showed Friday, a report stronger than most analysts had been expecting.   Lankan money changers asked to raise capital by 900pc Sri Lanka Friday announced a 900 percent increase in the minimum capital requirement of money changers, saying the move was aimed at injecting credibility into the business.   Toyota posts record US auto sales in June Toyota Motors Sales USA posted record sales in June, rising 10 percent to 194,875 vehicles, the automaker said Friday. Sports Cricket: Bashar's men miss Super Saturday When England paceman Darren Gough bowled the first delivery of the NatWest Series final in front of 30,000 capacity crowd at Lord's Saturday, Bangladesh cricket team were on their way to Heathrow to catch   Cricket: Winter sets in Allister de Winter was an exception on June 18.   Cricket: Postcard from England So, Bangladesh's most demanding tour of England is over. The cricketers are homebound after eight weeks of tough challenges they have never come across before since joining the Test family five yearsago.   Cricket: Whatmore to return after 2 weeks The members of the Bangladesh cricket team wore black badges during their final league game of the NatWest Series against Australia in Canterbury on Thursday as a mark of respect to Dav Whatmore's father   Cricket: England restrict Aussies Andrew Flintoff and Stephen Harmison took three wickets apiece as England bowled out Australia for 196 in the triangular NatWest Series final at Lord's here Saturday.   Cricket: Ashraful considers it as his platform As Bangladesh prepared to leave England, talented batsman Mohammad Ashraful vowed to use the trip as a springboard for further, more consistent, success.   Football: Arambagh keep away from relegation zone Arambagh Krira Sangha recorded a comfortable 3-1 win over Young-men's Club Fakirerpool yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to stay four points clear of the Premier Bank Premier Football League   Cricket: Super Series sides named The ultimate challenge to Australia's cricketing supremacy came a step closer on Saturday with the announcement of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World XI squads of 20 players for the Super Series   Tennis: Roddick sets up repeat final with Federer Andy Roddick of the United States set up a repeat of last year's Wimbledon final against Roger Federer when he defeated Thomas Johansson of Sweden after a tough battle in Saturday's rain-delayed second   Cricket: Inzy welcomes ODI changes Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq has welcomed the new International Cricket Council (ICC) rules introducing substitutions and amended fielding regulations.   Football: Glazer calls for calm Joel Glazer, expected to be named as Manchester United's new chairman later this month, has pleaded with Manchester United fans not to make snap judgements on his family's Old Trafford reign.   Football: BFF calendar finally ready The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) looks set to launch its first professional league in May next year, sources at the federation confirmed yesterday.   Football: Victoria back in contention Victoria Sporting Club bounced back in the First Division Football League race for Premiership berths next year with a 5-0 drubbing of BRTC at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur   Football: Zenden signs for Liverpool Experienced Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden signed for Champions League holders Liverpool from Premiership rivals Middlesbrough on Saturday on a free transfer.   Bachchu no more Renowned sports journalist Rezaul Haq Bachchu died of heart attack at Mugaltuli here at around 12 noon on Friday. He was 60. Metropolitan Indigenous people subject to regular repression Being deprived of constitutional recognition, the indigenous people are subject to regular repression in every sphere of life, said the speakers at a meeting yesterday.   'Teach new generation liberation war history' Speakers at a conference yesterday called on the teachers to make the students aware about the history of liberation war and the concept of human rights, peace and tolerance.   Five killed, 21 injured in road accidents At least five people were killed and 21 others injured in seperate road accidents in Dhaka, Comilla and Rajshahi in two days.   Rajshahi city dwellers against demolition of historical structure The Rajshahi City Corporation is going to knock down a 70-year-old 'Queen Hemanta Kumari Water Works' with historic importance to accommodate a new water treatment plant.   Opposition forms body to formulate common agenda Opposition political parties at a meeting in the city yesterday formed a seven-member committee to formulate a common agenda for reforms in caretaker government and electoral systems by July 10.   Dowry prevalence on rise in rural areas: Survey The prevalence of dowry has increased in rural areas across the country, according to a baseline survey of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast).   Cultural programme to create awareness about HIV/Aids Let There Be Light, a cultural forum, has taken up a project for the prevention of HIV/Aids.   Death anniversary Today is the first death anniversary of Prof Kamaluddin Ahmad, founder of the study of Biochemistry and Nutrition Sciences in Bangladesh.   Teletalk rejects ATOB proposal The Teletalk has outright rejected a proposal of the Association of Telecom Operators, Bangladesh (ATOB) to deposit a fixed amount as guarantee for interconnectivity.   JBIC submits report to Ctg Wasa today The Japanese donor agency Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will submit its preliminary report on Karnaphuli water supply project to the Chittagong Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) today.   Workers' Party Demand Week from July 8 Worker's Party will observe 'Demand Week' from July 8 to 14 demanding removal of alliance government to ensure free and fair election, and protesting price hike of essentials and conspiracy against gas   CHT Journo assaulted A local reporter of the national daily Amar Desh and Chittagong daily Suprovat Bangladesh, was assaulted by the district unit coordinator of the Somo Odhikar Andolon (SOA) in front of the office of the   Govt to fill up all vacant posts in colleges during its tenure: Farruk Education Minister Dr. Osman farruk said here yesterday the present government was committed to ensure quality education by improving quality of teachers.   PBCP cadre murdered in Khulna Police yesterday recovered the body of an operative of Janajuddho faction of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) at Arhonghata bypass road in Khulna city. National Looting of sand from Surma causes massive erosion Illegal extraction of soil and sand from the Surma riverbed by using dredgers at several points in Sylhet Sadar and Golapganj upazilas has accentuated erosion along the banks in the last few weeks.   Customers shy away for ‘high' charges Gas will be supplied to Bogra this month but prospective customers are shying away because of what they call high tariff and connection charge.   Rising Teesta floods two Nilphamari upazilas At least 10,000 people have become marooned in Teesta shoals and low-lying areas in Jaldhaka and Dimla upazilas as the river started swelling on Friday though there was no heavy rain in the district in   Tornado batters 2 Patuakhali villages:17 hurt At least 17 people were injured as a tornado battered two villages in Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali district in the early hours of yesterday.   Kaptai plant’s power output lowest Electricity generation by Kaptai hydroelectric plant has come down to 60 MW (megawatt) a day as water level of the lake at the dam point has fallen due to a drought-like-situation in the Chittagong Hill   Shishu Sadan ransacked in Rajshahi A government Safe Home (Shishu Sadan) at Baya was attacked and ransacked by local people yesterday protesting what they said beating up a former student of Home.   Students block highway at Palashbari About 2000 students and teachers of different schools and colleges in Palashbari upazila yesterday barricaded the Dhaka-Dinajpur highway for an hour demanding trial of the murder of school student Plabon. Culture Combining tunes and notes The crowning glory of the celebration of Fete de la Musique at Dhaka was the singing of jazz songs by Madjid Ziouane from France.   Amidst glitz and revelry ntv turns two ntv, one of the leading satellite TV channels is also the newest.   Belayet on the style in Tagore's dance drama It was a rare opportunity for Belayet Hossain Khan to perform with veteran danseuse Gawhar Jamil in the 60s. During the performance Gawhar Jamil played the lead role in Shamanya Khoti of Tagore. General 2 CHT Bangalee bodies merge Two organisations of Bangalees residing in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) merged at a rally on the local Shilpakala Academy premises yesterday.   FAO to strengthen farm-level research International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), a research and extension arm of FAO, has renewed its commitment to expedite joint initiatives with Bangladesh to strengthen farm-level research   Withdraw cases against Faridpur AL leaders: Jalil Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil yesterday condemned the government for filing cases against its leaders and workers in connection with the visit of Faridpur by Kazi Siraj, who recently   Eight get life A court in Khulna yesterday sentenced eight people to life imprisonment and fined Tk 50,000 each, in default, to suffer three more years rigorous imprisonment (RI) in the sensational schoolboy Wahiduzzaman   BCL GS back home Nazrul Islam Babu, general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of the main opposition Awami League, returned home yesterday after receiving treatment in the United Kingdom.   DU Rokeya Hall champion Rokeya Hall and Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall of Dhaka University (DU) became champion and runners-up respectively in the 17th National Debate Competition held at Rampura Television Bhaban auditoriumin International 354 people trapped in Gujarat train rescued Rescuers saved 354 train passengers trapped for two days in neck-deep water on flooded rail tracks in Gujarat, where heavy rains have forced the evacuation of nearly 2,00,000 people from their homes,police   Abbas invites militant groups to join govt Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has invited militant factions, including the Islamic group Hamas, to join his government before next month's Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian Authority   US bombsTaliban compound American warplanes bombed a suspected Taliban compound in an area where an elite US military team has been missing for five days in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan while 31 suspected militants killed   5 soldiers die as Turkey train bombed Five soldiers were killed and eight people were injured yesterday when a bomb planted by Kurdish guerrillas exploded on a train in eastern Turkey, military officials said.   Opposition launches drive for early polls in Lanka Sri Lanka's main opposition party yesterday launched a 10-day march with thousands of supporters to pressure President Chandrika Kumaratunga to call nationwide elections by year-end and revive a Norway-led   Aids is Asia's 'silent tsunami': Experts Aids is a silent tsunami that threatens all of Asia, but the deadly disease can still be conquered if governments take urgent action now, world health officials said yesterday.   Bush reaffirms decision to keep troops in Iraq US President George W. Bush reaffirmed yesterday his determination to keep US troops in Iraq, even though opinion polls showed most Americans believe it was a mistake to launch the war.   Live 8 opens to rock world into helping the poor What has been billed as the greatest music show ever kicked off in Tokyo yesterday, as the first in a galaxy of rock stars took to the stage in a global event aimed at pushing world leaders to do more   Congress should introspect, says Jyoti Basu Asking the Congress to seriously introspect whether its policies were benefiting the "vast masses" of the country, veteran Marxist Jyoti Basu has said the biggest political party should also strengthen   No evidence to link Ahmadinejad with 1979 US embassy siege The White House said on Friday it has unearthed no evidence so far to support assertions by former American captives that Iranian President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was involved in the 1979 siege ofthe   Deals pave way for closer Sino-Russian relations China and Russia on Friday signed bilateral deals on energy, electricity and finance, paving the way for increased "mutually advantageous" cooperation.   Maoist rebels kill 3 civilians in Nepal Suspected Maoist rebels shot dead three people, including a veterinarian, and wounded another in southwestern Nepal, police said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: A close shave with disaster We are greatly relieved that all of the 215 passengers and crew aboard Biman's ill-fated DC-10 have survived what could have been a fatal accident.   Editorial: Structural flaw in river-crafts A reported face-off between the shipping directorate and the launch owners has revealed some glaring defects in the designs of launches plying on different river routes.   Reducing the leave of absence from parliament While speaking in parliament on June 29 the minister for local govern-ment, rural development and cooperatives and secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan suggested   Sometimes strange bedfellows It's widely believed that Christian evangelicals in America compromise a powerful, monolithic religious block that invariably votes Republican and is fixated on abortion and same sex marriage as political Letters to Editor Good job, Apollo! I just would like to convey my sincere gratitude to the Apollo Hospital, its doctors, and staff and the management for the superb service they provided to my daughter and me recently.   Introduce bus service I am a student of BUET. My brother also studies in BUET. We are residents of Jigatola.   How many more premature deaths? Thousands of children are victims of premature deaths. Yet there is no action from the government. The blame game is continuing and I believe it will continue perpetually.   Political virus The monsoon is late, and it is hot, humid and sultry weather. The political weather is more muddy and sticky.   What's going on! I'm writing about a national problem that's making us suffer. Yes, I'm talking about hartals, which have become a disturbing part of our national life.   Improve investment environment Japan's uneasiness about future investment in Bangladesh (DS June 20) needs an urgent review. The locals are familiar with most of the complaints. Re-tendering has become a nasty culture. Star Health How to tackle and treat sleep disturbance Sleep is vital to our health and well being. Many of us do not get enough sleep or suffer from lots of sleep disorders. Most people have trouble at some point of their lives.   Physiotherapy can help epilepsy patients Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterised by recurring seizures or fits. Seizures are caused by sudden flurries of electrochemical activity in the brain, which disrupt the 'conversation' between neurons.   Diabetic retinopathy -- a preventable silent blinding Diabetes is an emerging epidemic of this century. It is estimated that more than 200 million people have diabetes. They are at risk of losing sight due to diabetic retinopathy.   Olive oil fights heart disease, breast cancer They may smoke more than Americans and their health care system is far from perfect, but Greeks usually live longer than their U.S.   Red and processed meat may increase colon cancer risk Scientists are now recommending eating less processed and red meat to avoid risks of cancer of colon known as alimentary canal in the small intestine. Instead they suggest eating more fish. Star City Hawkers bribe cops, student leaders to run business Hawkers on the Indira Road beside Tejgaon College are running their business in the area bribing police and local student leaders.   Ineffective ban on 20-year-old buses Despite the existing ban on the plying of buses that are at least 20 years old, most government offices and agencies use such date-expired vehicles to transport their officials and employees.   Family wants the memorial to be outside cantonment Construction work on the memorial of Birshrestha Motiur Rahman is likely to begin soon on the premises of BAF Shaheen School and College in Dhaka, though wife and family members of the Liberation Warhero   Unwanted Divider...   Mohammadpur residents face acute water crisis Most households in Mohamm-adpur, an area with over 7 lakh residents, have been facing acute water crisis over the last one month.   The weird web of cables The outlook of the aristocratic Gulshan area has changed with broadband internet, telephone, cable TV and the main electrical lines matted and tangled from one Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority (Desa)   © thedailystar.net, 2005. 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