| Front Page | 
No let-up in RMG workers' agitation
Garment workers' organisations yesterday vowed to launch tougher movements including a daylong countrywide workers' strike on June 12 if the factory owners keep delaying implementation of the decisions
|
| |
Saifur likely to quit politics after budget
Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman may quit politics on "health grounds" after placing the national budget for the coming fiscal next week, said family sources and leaders close to him.
|
| |
Prices up but wages unchanged for years
Workers of different garment factories at Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) who usually get their wages in time have also started agitating for higher wages and other benefits as per rules.
|
| |
Any obstruction to flare up rage
The Awami League (AL)-led 14-party opposition coalition is poised to launch a vigorous movement including a series of hartals if the four-party alliance government obstructs its June 11 Dhaka siege programme.
|
| |
JMB militants let the cat out of bag
It is now clear that Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militants had carried out the attack on Dr Humayun Azad on February 27 in 2004 but the case appears to be a classic example of how the ruling
|
| |
Many ministries often ignore govt rules
A number of ministries and divisions are frequently ignoring the government's Rules of Business in dealing with their foreign counterparts, prompting the Cabinet Division to issue a circular asking them
|
| |
2 outlaws killed in 'crossfire'
Two underground operatives were killed in separate encounters with the members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Kushtia and Khulna early yesterday.
|
| |
Victims' families contradict Rab claim
Family members of Alamgir and Faruq, killed in an 'encounter' with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) early Tuesday, claimed Rab arrested the two on Sunday evening.
|
| |
World Cup Fever
|
| |
Amnesty Int'l slams attack on journos in Kushtia
The Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the May 29 attack on a peaceful protest rally of journalists in Kushtia.
|
| |
Any reforms must be done before caretaker rule
BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said if there has to be any electoral reform, it must be done during the tenure of the incumbent government.
|
| |
Tremor jolts Ctg again
A minor tremor measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale jolted the port city and its adjoining areas yesterday. However, no causalities or damage was reported.
|
| |
Rights body demands probe
A human rights organisation yesterday filed a general diary (GD) with police to probe a former police official's claim that his wife gave birth to 14 children including septuplets.
|
| |
London police shoot, injure man in major anti-terror raid
British police shot and injured one man and arrested a second yesterday in a major anti-terrorist dawn raid on a house in east London that was reportedly being used as a bomb factory.
|
| |
World powers agree on incentives for Iran
Iran weighed its response yesterday to landmark proposals by key world powers designed to ease fears over its nuclear programme, as US spy chief John Negroponte warned that Tehran could have atomic weapons
|
| |
Hang Gyanendra, thousands shout at Nepali Maoist rally
Their fists raised in the air and clutching red flags, tens of thousands of Nepalis berated King Gyanendra yesterday as Maoist rebels held their first mass rally in the capital in over three years.
|
| |
Pressure mounts on US forces over Iraqi killings
Pressure mounted on US commanders yesterday over the conduct of their troops in Iraq as further footage surfaced of alleged atrocities committed by coalition forces.
|
| |
Kuwait emir due June 10
Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrives in Dhaka on June 10 at the invitation of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, official sources said.
|
| |
Militants hidden within 4-party
Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (Ahab) Acting Ameer Dr Muhammad Muslehuddin yesterday condemned Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh for 'conspiring' against his organisation, which he claimed has no links withany
|
| |
Savar OC stand released
Officer-in-charge (OC) of Savar Police Station Jamiruddin Sarkar was stand released on Thursday night for his failure to tackle the labour unrest at different garment factories in Savar, sources said.
|
| |
Bus strike in Patuakhali
Bus services between Patuakhali and other parts of the country remained suspended since yesterday morning due to an indefinite strike enforced by the bus owners.
|
| |
BSF kills 1
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) gunned down a Bangladeshi cattle trader at Tarali, a bordering village under Swarupnagar Police Station of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, early yesterday.
|
| |
Syria foils 'terror plot' in central Damascus
Syria yesterday said it foiled a "terror operation" in Damascus after security forces killed four militants and captured four others holding out in buildings next to state radio and television.
|
| Business |
Feeder operators likely to inform CPA of decision today
Feeder vessel operators are likely to inform the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) today whether they will impose surcharge on the port-bound containers from June 5 (Monday) or postpone the decision.
|
| |
Dearth of air cargo facilities stymies vegetable exports
Export of vegetables and fruits is not growing due to inadequate air cargo facilities, exporters said.
|
| |
EU duties on Vietnamese shoes hurt 1m workers
EU anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese-made footwear impact nearly one million people in the developing country, many of whom live on around one dollar a day, an anti-poverty group said Friday.
|
| |
Pakistan to tackle poverty with development budget
Pakistan will spend a record 415 billion rupees (6.92 billion dollars) on development this year to fight poverty and maintain a growth rate of more than six percent, officials said.
|
| |
Oil firms towards $71
Oil rose towards $71 on Friday, halting a two-day slide, as hiccups at two Texas refineries refocused attention to gasoline supplies in the United States, which rose less than forecast last week.
|
| |
Indian markets recover 3.7pc on strong global trends
Indian share prices rose 3.7 percent Friday, snapping three days of losses, led by firmer global market trends and investor buying at lower levels, dealers said.
|
| |
Eastern Bank launches SME banking
Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) launched small and medium enterprises (SME) banking on Thursday. The bank has categorised the SME loan into two products--'Asha' and 'Puji', says a press release.
|
| |
Nissan, Suzuki to expand cooperation
Nissan will supply pickup trucks for Suzuki to sell in North America in an expansion of the Japanese automakers' business cooperation that includes mutually supplying vehicles and sharing plants, both
|
| |
DaimlerChrysler to boost parts purchases in China
DaimlerChrysler AG (DCXGn.DE) plans to boost its purchases of China-made auto parts eightfold by 2008, the carmaker said on Friday, joining the rush for low-cost local content in the fast-growing Chinese market.
|
| |
Malaysian trade team due today
A high-profile Malaysian trade delegation arrives here today with significant investment proposals in port, infrastructure and chemical fertilizer.
|
| |
Raising interest rates an option Says China
China will look to upcoming economic data before deciding on further economic cooling measures such as an interest rate hike or an increase in bank reserve ratios, a report said Friday.
|
| |
HeidelbergCement declares 18pc dividend
HeidelbergCement Bangladesh Ltd has declared an 18 per cent dividend (eight per cent cash and 10 per cent stock) for the year 2005.
|
| |
Glaxo to bid for Pfizer unit
GlaxoSmithKline Plc is to bid more than $15 billion for the consumer healthcare business of U.S. rival Pfizer Inc, people familiar with the situation said on Friday.
|
| |
Apec to seek progress in stalled global trade talks
Asia-Pacific countries were due to make an urgent call Friday for progress in deadlocked talks aiming for a deal this year to free up global trade, with a deadline fast approaching.
|
| |
High fuel prices hit US automakers
The Big Three US automakers' reliance on trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to drive profits hit another pothole in May as consumers switched to more fuel-efficient passenger cars and cross-utility
|
| |
6th raffle draw of 'Coca-Cola Fun Island' programme held
The sixth raffle draw of 'Coca-Cola Fun Island' under the 'Crown Program 2006' was held recently in Dhaka under the aegis of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust.
|
| |
Weekly Currency Roundup
May 28-June 01, 2006
Local FX Market
Demand for US dollar was stable in this week and USD rose slightly against Bangladeshi taka.
|
| Sports |
Football:
France 1998: The wait is over for the hosts
Having won the World Cup for a record fourth time, Brazil seemed to have the players to make it five.
|
| |
Football:
Bits and Bobs
Santa Cruz fit for England
Afp, Oberhaching
Paraguay's star striker Roque Santa Cruz will be fit to face England in their opening World Cup match, the South Americans' coach Anibal
|
| |
Football:
Sumi's smile in Khulna
The youthful brigade of readers swept away the top prizes of The Daily Star-Rangs Toshiba World Cup Quiz Round 2 in Khulna on Friday with 22-year-old Sumi Aktar winning the first prize -- a 21-inch Toshiba
|
| |
Football:
Rabi treble takes Pabna school to final
A hattrick by Akhtaruzzaman Rabi took Younus Ali High School of Pabna to the final of the banglalink tiger trophy National School Championship yesterday.
|
| |
Volleyball:
Local spikers keep winning
Bangladesh volleyball team continued their domination over the visiting Nepal when they won an exhibition match at the Jessore Stadium yesterday.
|
| |
Football:
The acid test: Who can beat Brazil?
Brazil are so loaded with talent that they could probably field the best two teams in the World Cup.
|
| |
Football:
Enemies of the World Cup
They are in the minority but there are Germans who feel the World Cup invasion is not only over here, but over the top.
|
| |
Football:
Pele verdict irks Parreira
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has reacted peevishly to claims by Pele that his famous 1970 World Cup-winning side would be too strong for the class of 2006.
|
| |
Football:
Stars shining for Les Blues?
In sport, nuttiness and genius often walk hand in hand down the tunnel, whistling a happy tune.
|
| |
Football:
Lampard defends modified England
Frank Lampard has hit back at critics of Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to completely overhaul England's tactics less than two weeks before their World Cup opener against Paraguay.
|
| |
Football:
Ronaldinho fears Hiddink
World player of the year Ronaldinho is wary of the Guus Hiddink factor when defending champions Brazil take on minnows Australia in their World Cup Group F match in Munich on June 18.
|
| |
Football:
Dutch reserves down Mexico
The Netherlands' impressive build-up to the World Cup gathered pace Thursday after Marco van Basten's second-string downed fellow finalists Mexico 2-1.
|
| |
Football:
DCC offers big screen World Cup
Football fans in Dhaka will be able to watch the World Cup live on big screens at 30 city locations, officials said on Friday.
|
| |
Football:
Rooney starts kicking
Wayne Rooney's chances of playing in the World Cup were given a boost on Friday when he was seen kicking a ball during England's training session.
|
| |
Football:
Brazilians can visit nightclubs
Brazil's players are free to frequent nightspots on their days off, the world champions' coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Thursday.
|
| |
Football:
Violence may rise during WC
The month-long World Cup offers a chance for victims of domestic violence to escape while their partners are distracted, but could lead to an overall rise in violence, a charity said on Friday.
|
| |
Football:
Crouch re-enacts for Royalty
Britain's Prince William has been given a personal demonstration of "The Crouch", lanky England forward Peter Crouch's bizarre goal-scoring celebration during a World Cup warm-up match.
|
| |
Tennis:
Nadal, Hingis power through
Defending champion Rafael Nadal took his claycourt winning streak to 55 matches on Friday as he moved smoothly into the French Open third round.
|
| |
Cricket:
Pacers blow SL away
England captain Andrew Flintoff led from the front as Sri Lanka slumped to 160 for eight at tea on the first day of the third and final Test at Trent Bridge here Friday.
|
| |
Cricket:
Sachin sleepless
Unfit Indian batting ace Sachin Tendulkar says he is suffering sleepless nights and frustration in a bid to return to international cricket. "Thinking is everything in this game.
|
| |
Football:
Shevchenko bolsters Chelsea plot
With the purchase of Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea have taken the gloves off and laid bare their plan for world domination.
|
| |
Football:
South Korea held by Norway
An under-strength South Korea were held to a goalless draw by Norway Thursday in a World Cup warm-up match.
|
| |
Football:
Pernia will play for father
Mariano Pernia has dedicated his call up to Spain's World Cup squad to his father Vicente who missed out on a place in Argentina's squad for the finals in 1978.
|
| |
Football:
Arsenal deny secret dealings
Arsenal have denied breaching FIFA rules by funding a secret takeover of their Belgian feeder club Beveren -- a charge which, if proven, could result in the English club facing severe financial sanctions
|
| |
Football:
Ballack gets diplomatic
Trying to douse reports he was critical of Juergen Klinsmann, Germany captain Michael Ballack said on Thursday he was "by and large" in agreement with his coach on strategy.
|
| |
Football:
Hilario signs for Chelsea
Portuguese goalkeeper Henrique "Hilario" Sampaio has signed with English champions Chelsea on a two-year deal, the player said Thursday. "This is an extremely gratifying moment for me.
|
| |
Football:
Benitez inks new deal
Liverpool on Friday confirmed that manager Rafael Benitez has signed a new four-year deal to remain in charge of the club.
|
| |
Football:
Podolski focused on WC
German international striker Lukas Podolski has said that he was delighted to finalise a move to German champions Bayern Munich as it means he can now concentrate 100 percent on this month's World Cup.
|
| Metropolitan |
Road accidents claim eleven lives
Eleven people including a professor and his son were killed in separate road accidents across the country yesterday and on Thursday.
|
| |
Int'l Day of UN Peacekeepers observed
Paying tribute to thousands of men and women who currently serve or have served as UN peacekeepers, more than 60 former blue helmets gathered at Palais des Nations in Geneva on Thursday in observanceof
|
| |
Increased allocation for health sector demanded
Speakers at a discussion have demanded more allocation for health sector in the upcoming national budget to ensure better healthcare.
|
| |
'HIV positives must not be stigmatised'
People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) should not be stigmatised and their human rights must not be violated, said the speakers at a workshop yesterday.
|
| |
50 injured in AL-BNP clash in Comilla
At least 50 people were injured in a clash between BNP and Awami League workers at Damkandi village in Titas upazila yesterday over holding programmes at the same venue and time.
|
| |
Books worth several lakh taka burnt
Hundreds of books worth about several lakh taka were burnt to ashes in a fire that broke out at the book-shelf of the Co-operative Store in Sardaha Police Academy early yesterday.
|
| |
Hasina nominated for Mother Teressa Award
Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina has been nominated for the prestigious Mother Teressa Award for the political leader's service to humanity, which was the lifelong preoccupation of the world-famous missionary.
|
| |
Eight eminent personalities get Mercantile Bank Award
Eight eminent personalities received Mercantile Bank Award at a function in the city yesterday for their outstanding contributions to different fields.
|
| |
390 fake notes of Tk 500 seized
Adabar police seized 390 fake notes of Tk 500 denomination from a house at Baitul Aman Housing Society during a drive in the early hours of yesterday.
|
| |
Jalil protests killing of party man in crossfire
Awami League general secretary Abdul Jalil yesterday protested the killing of party activist Shaymol Kumar Sarker in crossfire after his arrest at Patkelghata in Satkhira.
|
| |
1 killed by tiger in Sundarbans
A fisherman was killed by Royal Bengal Tiger while he was catching fish in the river Kalinchi in Sundarbans on Thursday.
|
| |
Govt's move to shift Ramna Kali Mandir protested
Bangladesh Minority Sangram Parishad, an organisation of country's Hindu community, yesterday protested government's move to shift the Ramna Kali Mandir (Temple) and demanded immediate return of temple
|
| |
Bank manager robbed in city
A gang of muggers looted money and valuables from a bank manager after injuring him at Tejgaon in the city on Thursday night.
|
| |
7 shops gutted in B'baria
Seven shops burned down in a devastating fire that broke out at Rampur Bazar in Sadar upazila in the early hours of yesterday.
|
| |
Juba Dhara leader freed one hour after his arrest
Jahangir Alam Biplob, convener of Juba Dhara, the youth front of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, was arrested last night, but he was set free within an hour.
|
| |
34 killed by law enforcement agencies in May
A total of 34 people were killed by law enforcement agencies across the country in May. This was revealed in a report of Odhikar, a human rights organisation.
|
| |
Workshop on script writing
A three-month long workshop on script writing organised by Centre for Asian Arts and Culture (CAAC) will begin in the city on June 13, says a press release.
|
| |
Group art exhibition
A group art exhibition titled 'Bring her back to Life' begins at Galleri Kaya at Uttara in the city today.
|
| |
Early monsoon death toll hits 75 in India
The official death toll from lightning strikes and powerful storms has risen to 75 as annual summer monsoon rains tore through India ahead of schedule, authorities said.
|
| National |
8 rallies in Moulvibazar today in support of Saifur
Leaders of BNP and its front organisations in Moulvibazar have reacted sharply to Finance Minister Saifur Rahman's threat to resign from the party over his row with Ilias Ali MP in Sylhet.
|
| |
Rival BNP factions hold separate programmes in Satkhira
The two rival factions of Satkhira district BNP yesterday held two separate programme in the town in observance of the 25th death anniversary of its founder and late president Ziaur Rahman.
|
| |
Pick 'clean' candidates in next polls
Speakers at a workshop here yesterday called upon political parties to nominate honest and competent candidates in next general election in the interest of democracy and development of the country.
|
| |
Outlaws active again in Tangail shoals
Outlaws allegedly belonging to Purba Banglar Communist Party (ML/Red Flag) have become active again in shoal areas of Tangail Sadar, forcing many people to leave homes facing death threat failing to meet
|
| |
Journalists have great role in social uplift
Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star yesterday said journalists have to be honest and work hard if they want to contribute something to the nation.
|
| |
4 RU teachers face PBCP death threat in Rajshahi
At least four teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) received death threats from the outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP).
|
| |
Prisoner dies in Habiganj jail
Mystery shrouds death of a 45-year-old prisoner of Habiganj district jail.
|
| |
More areas in Moulvibazar flooded
Fresh areas in Juri and Kamalganj upazilas have been inundated in Moulvibazar district.
|
| Point-Counterpoint |
The garment crisis: Who done it?
LABOUR protests that spread from a sweater factory in Ghazipur on 11 May to Savar EPZ, Ashulia and Dhaka on 22 May, erupted in state violence and vandalism by 23 and 24 May.
|
| |
Charting a new course?
WHETHER the optimism exuded by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif is misplaced or not is yet to be tested. But both, whom I met at London a few days ago, are brimming with confidence.
|
| |
For compiling a pro-people, not election, budget
THE national budget of 2006-2007 fiscal year falls under the turbulent period of national election. It also falls under the regimes of caretaker government and freshly elected government.
|
| |
Reducing the apparel supply chain costs
In the last five years, the apparel supply chain has faced ever-decreasing margins and is currently working with less than 5 percent net margins.
|
| Culture |
A spooky, comic musical
INTERNATIONAL School Dhaka (ISD) staged John Gardiner's musical The Dracula Spectacula on May 31 and June 1.
|
| |
Memories of earthy colours
Kamrul Islam Nadim, who is known in the city as a modern dance instructor, is having his solo exhibition of paintings and sketches at the Nordic Club.
|
| |
Ginnee and Shunyashiri
Besides making drama serials Aguntuk, Nokol Poshak and Gaorachandrika, which are being aired on three TV channels; popular actor-director Shahiduzzaman Selim has made two single episodeplays,
|
| General |
Ancient life forms found in cave
Eight previously unknown invertebrate creatures have been discovered in an underwater cave in central Israel. The largest is a white shrimp-like crustacean.
|
| |
Tigers agree to talks on monitors' safety
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers said yesterday they had accepted an invitation by peace broker Norway for talks in Oslo on June 8-9 regarding the security of Nordic truce monitors, but stressed they would not
|
| |
US pushes for better military ties with Asia
Defence Secretary Donald H Rumsfeld is encouraging Southeast Asian nations to forge stronger military relationships with the United States, in the face of pressure from China and Russia to at times exclude
|
| International |
Lanka offers Tamils autonomy for peace
Sri Lanka moved closer yesterday to granting more autonomy to minority Tamils under a new initiative backed by the opposition, as the United States warned against a return to full-scale war on the island.
|
| |
$100m urgently needed for quake aid: UN
The United Nations said yesterday $100 million was urgently needed to help Indonesia earthquake survivors as the injured and bereaved marked the Islamic day of prayer amid the rubble of their homes.
|
| |
Iran nuclear talks exclude use of force as solution: Russia
Talks between six world powers in Vienna on the Iranian nuclear issue excluded all recourse to force as a method of solving the problem, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday.
|
| |
Another Indo-Pak road to peace
Excitement is palpable in this border district of Jammu and Kashmir as the nearly six-decade wait for meeting their family members and friends in Pakistan will end on June 19.
|
| |
4 Pak soldiers killed in suicide bombing
Four Pakistani soldiers were killed and eight wounded in a suicide car-bombing in a troubled tribal region near the Afghan border yesterday, officials said.
|
| |
Prayers in Indonesia as looters hinder quake aid
Thousands of survivors of the Indonesian earthquake held their first Juma (Friday) prayers since the disaster after looters raided aid convoys bringing food and medicines to stranded victims.
|
| |
'China to rival US as world power by 2020'
The United States will lose its position as the world's undisputed leading power over the next decade and a half, with China emerging as a formidable rival, according to a new survey from Germany's Bertelsmann
|
| |
UN resolution against Myanmar has 'broad'support, says US
The United States has "broad" support for a resolution it plans to introduce in the UN Security Council compelling Myanmar's military junta to change its repressive policies, the State Department said
|
| |
US imposes sanctions on Dawood Ibrahim
Nearly three years after designating him as a global terrorist, the Bush administration yesterday imposed sanctions on India's most wanted criminal Dawood Ibrahim and his organisation, denying him access
|
| |
Charmed woman marries cobra in India
A woman who fell in love with a snake has married the reptile at a traditional Hindu wedding celebrated by 2,000 guests in India's Orissa state, reports said yesterday.
|
| Editorial |
Editorial:
Loan default culture
When the governor of Bangladesh Bank expresses worries at the maneuvering of the bank loan defaulters to delay payment of the accrued instalments, we understand it would take more than the customary procedures
|
| |
Editorial:
Rising incidences of security breaches
With the steady growth of various commercial enterprises in the private sector, including national and international offices and institutions, more and more private security providers have been engaged
|
| |
RMG industry in quandary
People all over Bangladesh have watched with horror the dark days that affected the RMG industry between 22 and 24 May.
|
| |
Civil society and benighted criticism
That all is not well in our perilously polarised polity is a fact to which only a few may take exception.
|
| |
Threat to RMG needs deft handling by government
Readymade garment industry is not only a big earner of foreign exchange it is also a very big employer of skilled and semi-skilled work force.
|
| StarTech |
A community closely bonded yet oceans apart
Internet chatting is not just a means of passing time or 'entertainment', but to a large number of IRC users, especially those living abroad, it has become the only tool that keeps them closely bonded
|
| |
Samsung laptops replace HDDs with flash memory
A new chapter in the story of computing has been written. Samsung announced the world's first commercial PCs sporting NAND flash memory instead of traditional hard drives.
|
| |
TV tuners catch WC 2006 fever
Focusing the World Cup 2006 (WC 2006), Computer Source Limited (CSL) has launched an end-user promotion for its range of AverMedia TV Cards, says a press release.
|
| |
AMD Fab 38
|
| Literature |
Deepening light, 94F
Beans and cassava, fruit and plantain
Gari and egusi, corn and sugarcane
Run through the grass, by the trees with kola nuts
Cross the farms, through the fields, past the village chief's huts
|
| |
Astrid Lindgren and the Inner Child
Was it really twenty years ago? It seems so remote now. We were growing up in the heart of a Dhaka that was yet to be gorged by the huge apartments. Our community lived like an extended family.
|
| |
A Tale of Love and War
Every reading is a political construct. In modern times, human behavior takes place in the more tangible dynamics of national politics and history.
|
| |
Trash Bags
City sidewalk,
pressed into perfect squares
of four by four.
I see big black lumpy beetles
rustling as the wind blows
and their wings caress each other.
|
