Vol. 5 Num 420 Mon. August 01, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page 30 lakh eligible voters to miss next poll roll About 30 lakh adult people in the country will be deprived of their franchise rights in the next parliamentary polls, as it will not be possible to include them in the electoral roll due to legal obligations.   11 to die for killing Jurain tycoon Alam A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced two sons-in-law of the slain business tycoon Alam and nine others to death for killing him and his three maids in January 2002.   Raids, fines fail to change situation The situation has not improved in those restaurants and sweetmeat shops that the government-formed mobile court fined last week for having unhygienic environments.   Face to face with 'Jihadis' They were walking down the narrow lane of the rundown Lutton's Berry Park area. Three of them, all in flowing beards, young and with an air of desperation, as if they are brimming to do something.   Govt to carry stay silent policy Irked by Law Minister Moudud Ahmed's role in controversial presidential pardon to double-murder convict Mohiuddin Ahmed Jhintu, the government high-ups find it wise to keep silent to let the issue die   Baby health in danger Unregistered baby foods flooding the market are posing serious hazards to baby health and nutrition as the authorities remain unaware of substandard breast-milk substitutes (BMSs) being imported and marketed.   Indo-Bangla joint trade body meets today A two-day meeting of Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group on Trade Issues begins in the city today, with a revision of the Indo-Bangla Trade Agreement high on its agenda.   Polls volatility, oil price pose risks The country's economic growth faces several looming challenges emanating from surging global oil prices, adverse impacts of the MFA phase-out, weak governance and political volatility, especially in the   PMO help sought to ensure fair bidding A Chinese company has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) against the Power Development Board's (PDB's) attempt to qualify a disqualified Chinese bidder in the 150 megawatt Chandpur   Saifur blasts textile firms for deceit Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman yesterday lambasted the country's textile entrepreneurs for dishonesty, selling products at unjustifiably high prices and depriving shareholders, despiteenjoying   PM discusses intra-BNP rift with cabinet bigwigs Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday had an extensive discussion with four of her senior cabinet colleagues on the country's latest political and economic situation including increasing factional conflicts   Polls schedule by Aug 7 The schedule for election to 45 reserved seats for women in parliament will be announced in a week.   New Bangladesh envoy to Delhi yet to get credentials Dhaka is unhappy as the Indian government is yet to give credentials to the Bangladesh high commissioner designated for New Delhi.   Minister blames bureaucrats for blocking power sector dev State Minister for Power Iqbal Hassan Mahmood yesterday criticised the bureaucrats for creating obstacles to development of the power sector which results in difficulty keeping up pace with a growingdemand   Japan team due Aug 4 A three-member team from Japan led by Kagefumi Ueno, senior vice president of Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (Jitco), will arrive in Dhaka August 4 on a two-day visit for negotiating   Food traders threaten with 2-day strike A combine of five food traders associations yesterday threatened to observe a 48-hour strike protesting what it said was harassment by mobile courts that continued raiding restaurants and shops to check   Khulna BNP factions threaten showdown The two factions of the ruling BNP's city unit yesterday challenged each other for a showdown anytime and anywhere in Khulna Metropolitan City.   UNDP official for MPs' not taking salary UNDP Resident Representative Jorgen Lissner yesterday said lawmakers should not draw salaries and allowances when they boycott parliament -- a comment Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shaheed termed "out of   Arora Foundation to take care of war hero Arafat's treatment costs Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Arora Foundation has come forward to pay all the medical expenses for war veteran Arafat Ali Khan Bir Bikram, says a press release.   4 RU teachers confined for 11 hrs over assault probe Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists of Munnujan Hall at Rajshahi University (RU) rampaged the hall office rooms and kept four teachers including a house tutor and two hall superintendents confined   Moving with ease... Business Strong SEC can make code for corporate governance Securities and Exchange Commission should be strengthened so that it can devise a code for corporate governance, participants recommended yesterday at an international conference on corporate governance.   ICB announces dividends on eight mutual funds The Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) yesterday announced dividends on its eight mutual funds and also on an unit fund for the year 2004-05.   Corporate governance code of conduct on cards The government will soon formulate a code of conduct for corporate governance, law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister said yesterday.   Banglalink launches Upper Class package Banglalink yesterday announced the launch of a new package, "Upper Class", for its post- paid subscribers.   Hearing at arbitration board not held The hearing of nine business leaders, who appealed to the FBCCI arbitration board for submitting their nomination papers afresh for contesting the country's apex trade body's upcoming polls, was not held   2 taskforces to be formed for social compliance in RMG sector Two task forces will be formed soon to ensure implementation of different aspects of social compliance issue in the RMG sector.   Rato's IMF leadership under fire International Monetary Fund managing director Rodrigo Rato is coming under fire from critics who think he is not up to the job he has held for the past 13 months.   New president of Employers' Federation Syed Manzur Elahi has been elected the new president of Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) for two years from 2005 to 2007.   Quarterly economic update of ADB   WTO faces credibility test as Hong Kong summit looms As the World Trade Organisation struggles to break down more global trade barriers with a key summit just five months away, the global body faces a major test of its credibility.   StanChart, Alico sign MoU Standard Chartered Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with American Life Insurance Company (Alico) in Dhaka on Wednesday.   Malaysia hikes fuel prices Malaysia raised the price of petrol by 6.6 percent and diesel by 18.5 percent from Sunday after it said it was committed to cutting fuel subsidies to free up funds for development projects. Sports Football: Black & Whites resist YMC attack Mohammedan stayed on top of the Premier Football League but not before some hiccups in yesterday's match against Young-men's Club Fakirerpool.   Cricket: Tigers' Mirpur delight If marks are to be awarded for first impressions then the new indoor facility at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur should pass with flying colours.   Cricket: India bounce back India coasted to a six-wicket victory in their Indian Oil Cup tri-nation one-dayer here on Sunday against a West Indies side missing the majority of their first-team players.   Cricket: BD A-Lancs 1-dayer today The visiting Bangladesh A team will take on Lancashire in a limited-overs game today at Liverpool.   Football: Russel suspend captain Apel Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra imposed a 10-match suspension on their goalkeeper and captain Rakib Mahmud Apel for under-perfor-ming in Saturday's Premier Football League match against Abahani.   Chess: N'ganj chess team wins them all Narayanganj City Chess Club won all their matches on the tour of Tripura in India.   Tennis: Sanaul made ATF director Bangladesh Tennis Federation general secretary Mohammed Sanaul Hoque was elected a director of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) on Friday.   Swimming: Crocker leaves Phelps in his wake Ian Crocker demolished the world record to win the 100 metres butterfly at the World Swimming Championships on Saturday and ruin Michael Phelps's dream of winning six gold medals.   Football: Owen sees the sign Real Madrid's fans have turned against Michael Owen and expect him to play next to no part in the coming season.   Football: Maradona the peacemaker Soccer legend Diego Maradona said Wednesday from Italy that he'll travel to Holland this weekend to speak with Boca Juniors players, after a turbulent week that ended with the dismissal of one of their   Cricket: England unchanged England have named an unchanged squad for the second Ashes Test against Australia starting at Edgbaston on Thursday.   Cricket: Woolmer warns his boys Pakistan's cricket coach Bob Woolmer warned his team on Sunday not to judge England on the Ashes series results and to plan well for a hectic programme leading up to the 2007 World Cup.   Cricket: Jayasuriya to have MRI scan Sri Lanka's opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya will undergo an MRI scan in Colombo on Sunday after dislocating his right shoulder during a one-day match against India.   Football: Real catches impress Rijkaard Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard says Real Madrid have made astute signings in Brazilian duo Julio Baptista and Robinho.   Artemis complex gets ready A German company is looking to cash in on an expected boom in the sex trade during next year's soccer World Cup with a 60-room brothel a walk away from Berlin's Olympic Stadium, German media reportedon   Cricket: Somerset take Twenty20 title South African skipper Graeme Smith inspired Somerset to a seven-wicket win against Lancashire at The Oval on Saturday to lift the Twenty20 title. Metropolitan 40 lakh Hepatitis-C virus Around 40 lakh people in the country are believed to be carriers of Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) that gradually leads to malfunctioning of the vital organ liver and eventual death from it.   Gala reception for GPA-5 achievers It was a gala day of celebration and congratulations for the students of the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College who secured GPA-5 in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination this year.   'Farmers to lose control over seeds with use of GMO' Many farm labourers might lose their jobs and bio-diversity would be lost with the massive usage of genetically modified organism (GMO) in the country, said the speakers at a workshop yesterday.   One held with fake certificates Detective police arrested a youth at Motijheel T&T Colony in the city yesterday and seized fake seals, police clearance forms and other fake papers from his possession.   Devote yourself to improve quality of edn Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon the people of all professions and strata, including the teachers to get united and work for development and prosperity of the country.   TB claims 70,000 a year Tuberculosis (TB) claims an estimated 70,000 lives in the country while 3,00,000 new cases are added each year, speakers at press conference said yesterday.   Govt has violated constitution: AL Leaders of the Awami League and its front organisation yesterday demanded immediate removal of the law minister and the state minister for home from the cabinet, saying that they were involved in securing   Pro-govt lawyers' counter grand rally Aug 5 Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a pro-government lawyers' organisation, will organise a grand rally on the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) premises on August 5 to counter the Sammilita AinjibiSamannay   Killing of NGO workers condemned Different political, religious and social organisations have condemned the killing of two non-government organisation (NGO) workers as well as preachers of Christian religion at Boalmari upazila in Faridpur   Students threaten to leave dormitory The students of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall of Dhaka University yesterday threatened to leave the dormitory if the university authorities take action against any of them for the agitation on July 17   284 killed, 49 raped last month Reports say At least 284 people were killed across the country last month, said a Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC) report yesterday.   Plan to strengthen BSTI The government plans to strengthen the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) with additional manpower and modern equipment in order to prevent adulterated and substandard commodities from entering   '60pc sanitation by Dec' Sixty percent of the population will be brought under the coverage of sanitary latrine by December next, said the speakers at a roundtable yesterday.   University Fair from Aug 11 The first ever three-day All University Fair-2005 with the participation of government approved universities begins at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on August 11.   Nazrul, Mayenul elected FBUTA president, secy general Prof Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Rajshahi University and Dr Mayenul Islam of Open University have been elected president and secretary general of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association   Amended Wdp Rights bodies submit memo to PM A total of 17 women and human rights organisations submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on Saturday demanding cancellation of the amended Women's Development Policy (WDP).   Teletalk draw for countrywide applicants Aug 8 The Teletalk lottery for the countrywide applicants will be held at Lake Shore at Gulshan 2 at 3.30pm on August 8, sources said. It was decided at a meeting at the Teletalk office yesterday.   Criminal case against Babul A criminal case has been filed against four officials of Jamuna Beverage Company Limited, including its chairman Nurul Islam Babul, on charge of mixing excessive alcohol in its three soft drinks.   Death threat to Duta president Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) President Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique received another death threat through a letter on Saturday night. National Costly complexes unused for years in 8 N-dists Sixty-one Union Council complexes constructed in eight northern districts to improve services of government agencies and gear up development work are lying unused for years.   Reforms must for free, fair polls The electoral and caretaker reform proposals have been put forward with a very impartial motive so that all future national elections in the country can be held in an absolutely free and fair manner,Awami   Photojournalist assaulted for snapping scuffles A photojournalist was injured seriously when he was performing professional duty at a BNP meeting, held at a community centre in the district town Saturday night.   Deadlock at Benapole continues as talks yield no results Export-import through Benapole land port remained suspended for the 11th day yesterday as port users continued their indefinite strike to realise their 12-point demand.   Wife killed for resisting second marriage Jahangir Alam, brother-in-law of slain Jahanara Begum, yesterday confessed that he and his brother were involvement in her murder.   7 hotels fined in Comilla for selling stale food As part of a drive against sale of adulterated food launched on July 14, four mobile courts headed by four Magistrates raided different hotels, restaurants, sweetmeat shops and rest house in Shassongacha   5 fishermen out of 14 missing in Bay rescued Five of the 14 fishermen who were missing in the Bay since Friday were rescued on Saturday night by another fishing boat. Point-Counterpoint A no-nonsense mechanism for reforming the caretaker government The Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) "getting-to-know" meetings with all political parties has apparently flopped.   Travels in Pakistan: Sorry, I do not speak Urdu Recently I went to Pakistan primarily because I consider myself an amateur history enthusiast and wanted to see Lahore with it famous Mogul monuments, and overindulge on its much acclaimed food.   Kyrgyzstan: What does the future hold? The first step towards democracy was successfully accomplished in Kyrgyzstan on July 10, as promised by the new leadership, and in the eyes of 800 or so international observers, they were by and large   Occasional fasting--an amazing prescription All health information to keep you up to date Once Benjamin Franklin said, 'The best of all medicines are rest and fasting'. Culture Wrishij celebrates Fakir Alamgir's 40 years in music Fakir Alamgir has firmly established himself as a popular singer of the masses. His songs manifest the mass movements and the sorrows of common people.   "I live in the world of music" - Shakila Khorasanee "It is always a pleasure singing in Dhaka because people are so attuned to music. I have always believed that Bangalees as a nation are very creative and are inclined towards anything artistic.   Week-long workshop on Kathak Dance Speakers at the concluding ceremony of a week long workshop on Kathak Nritya (Kathak Dance) held on July 30 evening said there is no other alternative to hard work, when it comes to dance, as well   Did you know? Sridevi was just 13 when she played the role of stepmother to Rajnikant in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu. International Fresh rains compound Mumbai's misery Police urged millions of Mumbai residents to stay at home as heavy rains brought more flooding to India's financial hub yesterday and relief officials said the death toll in the region could reach 1,000.   Over 4,000 Iraqis killed in violence this year More than 4,000 Iraqis have been killed since the start of the year, half of them civilians, official figures said as legislators struggled to reach agreement on a draft constitution by today.   US asks Nepali king to restore democracy The US has asked King Gyanendra to reconcile with political parties for immediate restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal.   London police seeks Muslim recruits London police chiefs are battling to boost stubbornly low numbers of Muslim officers, in a bid to bolster ties with local communities and help fight Islamist terrorists after the recent bombings.   One war ends, another starts for Londoners For many Londoners, the Islamist terrorist threat now gripping the city recalls the decades of IRA violence, which blighted the British capital -- but most agree it is much more serious.   Iran, EU on collision course over nukes Iran and the European Union are on a collision course this week over Tehran guaranteeing it is not making nuclear weapons, in the first crisis on this issue since hardliner Mahmood Ahmadinejad was elected   Black teen killed in axe Attack in UK A black teenager who was followed through a park by a group of men shouting racist taunts died Saturday after an attacker embedded an axe in his skull.   N Korean nuke talks struggle to issue joint statement Negotiators at six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programmes struggled yesterday to thrash out a joint statement of principles that has eluded them for nearly three years.   Blasts kill 5 GIs, 7 Iraqis Five US soldiers were killed by roadside bombs in two separate incidents in Baghdad while seven Iraqis were killed in another bomb blast, the US military said yesterday.   CPI(M) opposed to Indo-US nuke deal Notwithstanding the Prime Minister's statement on Indo-US joint agreement which senior party leaders described as "generally alright", CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat yesterday maintained hisparty Editorial Editorial: JCD tender outrage We are not the least bit surprised but greatly shell-shocked at the outrageous and scandalous act that some members of the student wing of the ruling BNP played out at the highest seat of the administration,   Editorial: RAB draft rules Typically, if an offence has been committed by any member of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) he would be sent back to his parent organisation. RAB itself has not had any authority to deal with him.   The rise of China: Relations with the US The ambivalence is what shrouds the US' relationship with China. They eye each other with suspicion but have so far been able to rub along nicely without causing friction.   Revolt of the 19th century Everything has been happening when nothing happens. Good manage-ment is not about solving problems; it is about preventing problems.   CEC has said it all The newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in a recent move has invited "all" the political parties to sit for dialogues with the Election Commission (EC) to get their views on the voter list. Letters to Editor Iraq bleeds... Has this invasion brought any change in Iraq? Have Iraqi people been benefited by the elected government by any means? Has the government taken any action to ensure better prospects for its citizens?   Bush-Blair duet The Bush-Blair global strategy on containing the deep motivation leading to the 9/11 WTC NY and 7/7 London tragedies has failed dismally; creating more problems than solving any.   Biman flight If ever I'd wanted to savour the decadence of flying in a private jet, this was it. The F28 seats 78, less one for the flight engineer.   Unethical politics Our political leaders (not the followers) never talk about the weaknesses in our deteriorating political culture, while the print media is full of feedback of the citizens.   Derailed railway! Bangladesh railway has no caretaker.   No spicy development! Our politics is jhaal-morich (spicy), but we are very short on adequate local production of spices and edible oil, as revealed in the DS report (July 17).   Shocking news I'm extremely shocked to read the news that 131 hapless women of Ansar-VDP will be sent to Saudi Arabia as maids! What a heartless decision! We usually know that the Saudi Sheikhs treat womenlike   Fatal diseases HIV/AIDS is a fatal disease that may spread all over the world within the next few years.   Fast growing metropolis It is indeed heartening that Dhaka is one of the fastest growing cities of the world. It is amazing that Dhaka would soon be a megacity, much bigger in size and population.   Save our culture I was astonished at the letter by Zeenat Z. Syed, (DS 13/7/05) titled "Save our culture-Why?" She is living in Bangladesh and writing against the country's culture. That is unacceptable.   Cheating on medical reports As indicated in the DS report of July 11, cheating and swindling in medical diagnostic tests and issuance of medical reports have become big business, in a sustained environment of corrupt practices,   Laws and our text books To keep the law and order situation under control is one of the prime responsibilities of the government. So, the law and order situation always gets a high priority in any administration.   Strengthening Saarc This is in reference to Mr. Zia Uddin's letter on 13 July.   All pervasive corruption We are poor but as a nation we have a glorious history. We agitated for our language and freedom and were crowned with great success. We are proud of Bangladesh.   Adulteration Your reports on adulteration have been quite revealing. It is now clear that even the best restaurants in the city are nor safe, nor are the well known food producers. Star City BTTB issues demand notes; unable to give connections Subscribers who applied for land phones in the city have to wait for a long time as Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) cannot give connections due to lack of required infrastructure.   Billboards without registration to come down from today With the deadline yesterday, the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) received only 150 applications for registration out of the thousands of billboards, signboards and neon signs existing in the city.   Residents welcome eviction drive Residents of the DND (Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra) Dam area have expressed their satisfaction over the on going drive by the Water Development Board (WDB) to eradicate illegal structures from 32 canals.   South Banasree area waterlogged, lacks civic amenities The residents of the city's South Banasree area under Eastern Housing Project are suffering from severe waterlogging, drainage problem, mosquito menace and lack of civic amenities.   Community centre incomplete even after a decade Locals of Bashabo are frustrated over the delay in completion of a community centre although work had started nearly ten years ago.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. All Rights Reserved.