Vol. 5 Num 777 Thu. August 03, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Special Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page 26 JMB men held during training Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday captured 26 Islamist militants while they were receiving military training in a remote jungle in Mymensingh.   EC finally gets truncated fund of Tk 25cr Two weeks after the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat's proposal for a fund of Tk 40.86 crore for updating the voter list, the finance ministry yesterday allocated Tk 25 crore.   Alliance fever sidelines electoral reform talks The much talked about electoral reforms have been sidelined by the latest politics of expanding electoral alliances, prompting political analysts to believe that the possibility of brining the reforms   Edible oil turns too pricey in fortnight Prices of the edible oil, spice, pulse and some import-based essentials shot up in the city markets as a syndicate of importers and wholesalers allegedly manipulated the market on the pretext of recent   Caught red handed, let off the hook twice The government did not take any action against Moulana Mufti Abdur Rouf, a veteran of the previous Afghan war, although he was arrested twice with militancy-related documents and training materials in   Mashrafee spoils Shahadat party Mashrafee Bin Mortuza was flayed for 19 runs in the final over as Bangladesh suffered a painful two-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe in the thrilling third one-dayer at the Harare Sports Club ground onWednesday.   Indo-Pak trade dispute to be reviewed before next summit The Saarc Council of Ministers yesterday unanimously agreed that the commerce ministers of the member states would review the India-Pakistan trade disputes under Safta framework agreement before the 14th   Next Saarc summit in Delhi Apr 3-4 India yesterday formally announced to host the 14th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) in New Delhi on April 3-4 next year.   Faulty projects, donor conditions blamed Bangladesh has failed to take advantage of foreign aid for poverty reduction programmes due to faulty project designs, corruption and donor conditions, a recent study finds.   Khaleda accorded warm reception in Kuala Lumpur A warm reception was accorded to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia when she flew in here yesterday to attend an emergency meeting of the executive committee of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) on   Non-govt pry teachers start indefinite strike Registered non-government primary school teachers went on an indefinite strike at their educational institutions and non-stop sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital yesterday.   14-party to hold road march in 8 districts The 14-party opposition combine yesterday announced fresh anti-government agitation programmes including road march programmes in eight districts which are considered to be ruling BNP's strongholds.   Alliance to use black money in polls Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday apprehend that BNP-Jamaat alliance might use muscle and black money to snatch people's mandate and voting rights in the upcoming parliament election scheduled   Lobi among 100 hurt as BNP men clash with police in Khulna Over 100 people were injured in a clash between police and activists of BNP loyal to lawmaker Ali Asghar Lobi yesterday afternoon at the Kalibari square near Khulna thana.   Hearing of death reference case continues Hearing of the death reference case of seven militants including JMB kingpin Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai continued yesterday while the state counsel completed reading half of the   BNP alone can win polls, says Bhuiyan LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said the BNP alone is can easily win the next election. He also said his party will welcome anybody willing to join the ruling alliance.   Home alerts police, local administration The government yesterday instructed field-level police and administrative officials to ensure a sound law and order situation in the country during the remaining days of the ruling coalition's government   1st expert group consultation session today Nagorik Committee 2006, which has identified eight goals for Vision 2021 for Bangladesh, is organising separate expert group consultation sessions for each goal throughout this month.   Richard Boucher arrives, talks to Imams US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a two-day visit.   2 indigenous people shot dead in CHT Unknown assailants opened fire and killed two indigenous people, an 11 year-old child and his elderly grandfather, in the early hours yesterday at Robindra Karbari Para, a remote village in Matirangaupazila.   Hezbollah showers rockets into Israel after commando raid Israeli commandos struck deep into Lebanon early Wednesday and snatched five suspected guerrillas in a helicopter raid that provoked the heaviest rain of Hezbollah rocket fire in the 22-day-old conflict.   Outlaw killed in 'shootout' with Rab An outlaw of Banglar Communist Party (BCP) was killed during 'shootout' between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and his cohorts at Nagda of Alamdanga upazila in Chuadanga early yesterday. Business 24 out of 44 Bangladesh missions abroad fall short of export targets More than half of Bangladesh missions abroad failed to achieve their respective export targets for 11 months of the fiscal 2005-06.   Minister frustrates over less fund for rural ICT centres The science and ICT minister has voiced his frustration as ICT centres for the disadvantaged population are yet to be set up in the country's rural areas due mainly to inadequate fund allocation.   ICB AMCL dividends on mutual, unit funds okayed ICB Asset Management Company Ltd (AMCL), a subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), has declared dividends on its two mutual funds and two unit funds for the financial year 2005-2006.   Women entrepreneurs need incentives As women entrepreneurs in the country are lagging behind in export sector, congenial environment and adequate incentives should be ensured for them to augment their performance in the sector, speakers   Int'l medical expo begins in Ctg today With a view to introducing modern healthcare facilities to people, a three-day Chittagong International Medical Exhibition begins today.   Mahathir wants ban on dollar Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad has called on the world to ban transactions in US dollars and British pounds as a way to stop Israel's military campaign in the Middle East.   SingTel's mobile subscriber base tops 92 million Strong growth in India and Indonesia helped push Singapore Telecommunications' regional mobile phone user base above 92 million at the end of June, Southeast Asia's biggest phone company said Wednesday.   Australia eyes FTA talks with Japan Australia hopes to start negotiations next year on a free trade agreement (FTA) with its largest market Japan, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was quoted as saying Wednesday.   Ceiling on Cash sales in Zimbabwean shops Zimbabwe's central bank has barred shops from receiving cash payments for goods worth over 400 US dollars as it battles an inflation rate of nearly 1,200 percent, a state daily said Wednesday.   Russian region seeks Chinese farmers to fill workforce gap The central Russian region of Sverdlovsk is seeking to overcome its lack of agricultural workers by employing farmers from northern China to fill the gap, a local official said Wednesday.   Oil prices jump above $75 Oil prices jumped back above 75 dollars in Asian trade Wednesday as hopes for a quick ceasefire in Lebanon faded while concerns grew at the approach of a tropical storm in the United States, dealers said.   Australia to host confce to salvage Doha trade talks The world's largest trading powers will meet in Australia next month in a bid to salvage failed global free trade talks, the government said Wednesday.   Southeast Asia key to Japanese automakers' strategy In an effort to capitalise on improved quality at production plants overseas, Japan's major automakers have started to attach greater importance to the opportunities offered by South-East Asia.   Janata Ins chairman re-elected Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury has been re-elected chairman of Janata Insurance Company Ltd, says a press release.   Arcelor, Mittal report profits drag but see shining future Mittal Steel and Arcelor reported flat to weak interim profits on Wednesday but were robustly optimistic about their controversial merger creating by far the biggest steel producer in the world.   $350m ADB loan for Indonesia gas project The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced Wednesday it had signed a 350 million-dollar private sector loan to help develop a natural gas project in Indonesia. Sports Cricket: Shahadat has it in him Shahadat Hossain etched his name in the cricket annals as the Bangladesh paceman became the first bowler from the country to claim a hattrick in one-day internationals.   Cricket: Extreme headache Let alone the purists, even the less knowledgeable cricket watcher would have been shocked by the shots employed by the Bangladesh batsmen in the face of some inept bowling by the Zimbabweans in the crucial   Football: Joypurhat in final round Joypurhat managed a solitary goal victory over Rajshahi to advance into the final round of the Jubok Phone National Football Championship yesterday.   Football: Sonali Otit praises Salahuddin Sonali Otit Club, an organisation of ex-footballers, appreciated Kazi Salahuddin's decision to resign as the vice-president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) saying his move held players' heads   Football: Booters will depart first The departure dates of the Colombo-bound Bangladesh contingent for the 10th SA Games have been finalised with the football team being the first to leave on August 11.   Cricket: Farhat to miss third Test Pakistan batsman Imran Farhat is set to miss the third Test after sustaining a finger injury during England's innings and 120-run win in the second match of the series at Old Trafford.   Football: Brazil-Argentina showdown next Deposed World Cup holders Brazil will face bitter rivals Argentina in a friendly at last season's Champions League finalists Arsenal's new ground on September 2 the Brazilian Football Confederation announced   Cricket: SLC wants ties in Dambulla Sri Lanka's cricket chiefs are planning to shift some matches of the upcoming tri-series against India and South Africa to the central town of Dambulla, officials said on Wednesday.   Football: Milan allowed into Europe UEFA gave AC Milan a reluctant go-ahead on Wednesday to play in this season's Champions League, but only after heavily criticising the club for its part in the Serie A match-fixing scandal.   Tennis: Maria, Martina move on Second seed Maria Sharapova and Swiss comeback queen Martina Hingis advanced in straight sets Tuesday, both reaching the third round of a 1.34-million-dollar WTA hard-court event.   Football: Gravesen & Robinho fight in training Real Madrid's Danish star Thomas Gravesen and Brazilian teammate Robinho came to blows on Tuesday during a training session in Austria and were promptly 'sent off' by coach Fabio Capello, Spain's Cadena   Football: Mourinho stokes old fire Jose Mourinho has stoked his simmering feud with Liverpool's manager Rafael Benitez by dismissing Liverpool's title chances and style of play.   Cricket: Pollock boosts Proteas South Africa's veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock returns for the second Test against Sri Lanka from Friday with a war cry to teammates to rise from despair and defeat.   Football: Hiddink unwelcome to certain quarters Guus Hiddink has not even started work as Russia soccer manager yet he has already become the darling of local fans and media.   Cricket: KP ton round the corner Kevin Pietersen has insisted a hundred is "just around the corner" as he bids to join England's list of century-makers in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.   Cricket: Zim to return soon: Speed Zimbabwe could return to Test cricket in six months, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Tuesday.   Swimming: Russians rule Day 2 A violent storm put a premature end to the second day of the European Swimming Championships here on Tuesday but not before eastern European countries had swept almost all before them.   Cricket: Hollies cap put on sale The cap worn by Eric Hollies, the England leg-spinner who denied the great Don Bradman the chance of averaging 100 in Test matches, is to be auctioned in Melbourne this month.   Chess: Sandipan finish in style Sandipan Chatterjee of Kolkata completed a brilliant trip as he finished as unbeaten champion in the Class VI to X group in the 8th Standard Chartered School Chess Tournament at the NSC conference room   Football: Nazrul no more Renowned sports organiser Nazrul Islam Khan died in the city early Wednesday. He was 75. Nazrul Islam, popularly known as Badal bhai, had been suffering from old age complications for a long time.   Football: Real confirm Carlos stay Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos has decided to stay at Spanish club Real Madrid until his contract finishes, ending speculation about his future.   Cricket: Steve pushes for bounce England paceman Steve Harmison has urged Headingley groundsman Andy Fogarty to provide a bouncy surface for this week's third Test with Pakistan.   Cycling: Landis knows his fate on Saturday Tour de France winner Floyd Landis will know on Saturday whether he will be stripped of his title, the International Cycling Union said.   Football: Ballack puts team first Germany midfielder Michael Ballack, sporting a close-cropped haircut and smiling readily, was officially presented to the media with his number 13 Chelsea shirt on Tuesday.   Football: Superstar sweepstakes Did you pay attention in Econ 101? Remember the law of supply and demand? If you do, you probably know that this is the single most unusual transfer market in recent history.   Football: Bremen reach League Cup final A late strike from Torsten Frings gave Werder Bremen a 2-1 victory in the semifinal of the Bundesliga pre-season League Cup tournament on Tuesday.   Football: Vieira off to Inter France international Patrick Vieira completed his transfer from crisis-torn Juventus to Inter Milan on Wednesday.   Football: Bates demands Chelsea penalty Leeds United chairman Ken Bates said Wednesday he will report his former club Chelsea for allegedly making illegal approaches for three young Leeds players, demanding the Premiership champions be docked   Football: Juve lodge appeal with Coni Disgraced Italian football giants Juventus on Tuesday lodged their appeal with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) against relegation to Serie B and a 17 point penalty for matchfixing seeking a reduction   Football: Henry to miss UCL opener Thierry Henry will not feature in the first game of Arsenal's Champions League campaign next week as he will have only just returned to training, manager Arsene Wenger said on Tuesday.   Football: Blair in Chelsea camp British Prime Minister Tony Blair indulged his passion for football during his visit to Los Angeles, meeting players from English Premiership champions Chelsea on their pre-season tour, his spokesmansaid   Football: Gallas in hot water French international defender William Gallas will not join Chelsea on their US tour, the English Premiership champions announced on Tuesday.   Football: Chevanton signs for Sevilla Uruguayan international striker Javier Chevanton on Tuesday completed a five-year deal with Spain's UEFA Cup champions FC Sevilla for a fee of 8million euros from 2004 Champions League finalists Monaco,   Cricket: NZC receives government recompense The New Zealand government on Wednesday paid the national cricket body 406,000 New Zealand (250,000 US) dollars in compensation for the cancelled tour by Zimbabwe. Metropolitan Media urged to help curb domestic violence Speakers at a dialogue yesterday called on the media to play an important role in curbing domestic violence.   'Resist war criminals in next general election' Speakers yesterday demanded electoral reforms and resignation of chief election commissioner including two of his deputies to ensure fair polls in the next general election.   IT to minimise rich-poor gap Proper use of information technology (IT) can turn the digital divide into digital dividend, said Science and ICT Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at a seminar yesterday.   High price of newsprints a major barrier Editors of the newspapers and news agencies yesterday said high price of newsprints due to high import duty and cost of locally produced ones a major barrier to the entire 'knowledge industry', including   'World environment affected for unplanned dev of rich countries' Food and Disaster Management Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf yesterday said loss of lives and assets can be reduced by using modern technology in facing natural disasters.   200 fall sick at CEPZ garment factory Around 200 workers fell sick after drinking contaminated water at a garment factory in Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) yesterday. Around 150 workers were admitted to the EPZ hospital.   Construction of Padma bridge to begin by 2008 Construction work on the proposed Padma bridge will begin by 2008 depending on the availability of funds, said Communications Minister Nazmul Huda.   Tension mounts at JU Tension mounts high at Jahangirnagar University (JU) as both the feuding factions of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) yesterday continued gathering more firearms at dormitories coupled by the university   China Major Bridge starts preliminary work China Major Bridge (CMB), a company entrusted to construct the third Karnaphuli bridge, has started its preliminary work.   Names of JCD, Shibir men proposed for BCL body ? The alleged inclusion of some Jatiyatabdi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) men in the proposed full-fledged committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Jahangirnagar University (JU)unit   Polytech teachers postpone agitation Bangladesh Polytechnic Teachers' Association (BPTA) yesterday postponed all their agitation programmes following an assurance given by the education ministry that the 10-point demand of the teachers will   RU recruiting six teachers on 'political considerations' Rajshahi University (RU) authorities have allegedly taken political background into consideration and gave preferential treatment to their relatives while selecting six recruits for three advertised lecturer   SC Bar to boycott court of Justice Joynul today Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) lawyers will boycott the court of Justice Joynul Abedin today protesting issuance of a contempt rule to 11 lawyers on Monday and not showing respect to SCBA and its   One killed, 20 hurt as trawlers collide in river Turag A woman was killed and 20 others were injured while two people allegedly remained missing as a sand laden trawler collided with a passenger trawler in the river Turag at Jaluabhati of Kalialoir upazila   Domestic help succumbs to burn injuries A maid succumbed to her burn injuries yesterday after fighting for life for five days.   Afghan FM calls on Hasina Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta made a courtesy call on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence yesterday and discussed various issues, including ways to combat   Four commit suicide in city Four people, including two domestic helps and two youths, allegedly committed suicide in separate incidents in the city yesterday.   Israeli attacks on Lebanon condemned Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) yesterday condemned the Israeli invasion on Lebanon.   50 injured as hawkers clash with police At least 50 people were injured in a violent clash between police and hawkers during eviction drive by Dhaka City Corporation in front of New Market and Gausia market in the city yesterday.   Rights activists condemn threatto Jamat Khan Human rights activists and environmentalists yesterday condemned the alleged threat to kill Convenor of Rajshahi Protection Action Council Jamat Khan in 'crossfire'.   New Thai chancery opens Aug 6 The Royal Thai Embassy will open its new chancery at Baridhara in the city on August 6.   Ittefaq staffs continue token hunger strike Staffs of the daily Ittefaq observed a token hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day demanding trial of the killing of Ittefaq staff Kamaluddin and compensation to his family.   Security guard shot in city Unknown criminals shot a security guard at the city's Ramna area yesterday night.   UNDP, CRC sign agreement A cooperation agreement between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CRC-Bangladesh, a socio-legal development research organisation, was signed at the UNDP office in Dhaka on Tuesday,says National 100 hurt as BNP men clash with police in Khulna Over 100 people were injured in a clash between police and activists of BNP loyal to lawmaker Ali Asghar Lobi yesterday afternoon at the Kalibari square near Khulna thana.   IU teachers boycott VC's meet as deadlock persists Teachers of Islamic University boycotted a meeting yesterday called by Acting Vice-chancellor Prof Anwarul Karim to discuss the deadlock in the institution.   Political activities banned at SUST for 6 more months Authorities of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SST) have extended the restriction on political activities on the campus for another six months.   Allocate more funds for Khulna The Greater Khulna Development Co-ordination Action Committee (GKDCAC) brought out a procession in the city carrying mock coffins yesterday as part of its agitation protesting non-allocation of development   Ferry stuck up on Padma Ferry Shah Paran with 500 passengers on board was stuck up in an underwater shoal near Paturia ferry terminal on Padma river for two and half hour from 2:30 pm yesterday as the water level decreased.   Half-day hartal observed in Jamalpur A half-day hartal was observed in Jamalpur yesterday at the call of district unit of Awami League (AL) demanding release of an AL leader and a Jubo League activist, arrested by Rab on Sunday.   UP chairmen demand UNO's removal Nine out of 11 Union council chairmen in Rangpur Sadar upazila at a press conference here yesterday urged the district administration to withdraw Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) ATM Siddiqur Rahman forhis   Acid victim fighting for life Acid victim Ranu Begum is fighting for life at Khagrachhari Adhunik Sader Hospital but perpetrators of the heinous crime are at large.   Sylhet education board chairman confined at office Employees and officials of Sylhet Education Board kept its chairman confined for about five hours yesterday at his office yesterday to press their demand for a uniform pay scale with employees of other Point-Counterpoint Asian wars, non-Asian actors For purely selfish reasons -- maintaining sanity, keeping alive the flickering hope for justice in human affairs, etc.   Standing in the shoes of the enemy In Harper Lee's classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," the precocious Scout Finch recalls something her father told her once: "Atticus was right. Culture Tagore's thoughts and philosophy on death It was midnight when Rabi, who would one day become Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore, was woken up and told his mother had died. He was too young to feel anything.   Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan remembered To celebrate Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan's 91st birth anniversary a cultural programme was held by Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan Academy on August 1.   Mohammad Rafi: The creative musical titan A little-known story about great Hindi and Urdu playback singer Mohammad Rafi (December 24, 1924-July 31, 1980): Once when a less known composer Nisar Bazmi, who migrated to Pakistan in the early 1960s,   'Kabuliwala' comes alive on celluloid Based on Rabindranath Tagore's short story, the film Kabuliwala will be released on August 4 at movie theatres, says a press release.   French adore Zidane headbutt song Zinedine Zidane's infamous World Cup headbutt has inspired a song that, thanks to the internet, has rocketed to the top of the French pop charts. The hit was written as a "joke... International Fierce fighting in Sri Lanka kills 47 Tiger rebels attacked three army camps and a town in Sri Lanka Wednesday, sparking fierce fighting which killed at least 47 by official count and opened new fronts in a week-long battle over water.   US faces urgent task of revising Cuba policy after Castro The United States for nearly half a century has enacted a crazy quilt of restrictions and sanctions to weaken the regime of Fidel Castro -- laws which likely will have to been urgently rewritten after   Iran remains defiant in nuclear stand-off President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Tuesday that Iran would not bow to "the language of force and threats", a day after the UN Security Council ordered it to freeze sensitive nuclear work by the end of   10,000 dead or missing in N Korea flooding Up to 10,000 North Koreans were believed dead or missing in what Pyongyang's official media is describing as the worst flooding in a century, an independent South Korean humanitarian group said Wednesday.   Castro survived hundreds of plots in five decades President Fidel Castro, who ceded power temporarily for the first time in almost five decades, following intestinal surgery, has slipped out of the crosshairs of hundreds of plots on his life, authorities   9 more Somali ministers resign Nine more Somali government ministers resigned on Tuesday, citing the 18-month-old administration's "unpopularity", while hardline Islamists widened their control in the centre of the war-shattered east   OIC chief for action against 'state terror' The head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Tuesday condemned Israel's deadly raids on Lebanon and the Gaza Strip as "state terror" and urged Muslim countries to take firmer action in   Philippine army hunts militants linked to al -Qaeda: 4 killed The Philippine military said Wednesday four people were killed in a major operation aimed at capturing militants linked to Al-Qaeda including two suspected Bali bombers.   Castro in stable condition and good spirits Cuban President Fidel Castro, who relinquished power after an operation, is in stable condition and in good spirits, according to a statement from the leader read on Cuban television Tuesday.   Christians gather in Kabul for 'peace rally' More than 1,000 South Korean Christians are in Afghanistan for a "peace rally" in the capital, officials said Wednesday, raising concern in a strictly Islamic country where proselytizing is banned.   Thaksin's rare meeting with Myanmar junta leader Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra flew Wednesday to neighboring military-ruled Myanmar where officials said he held a rare meeting with the junta's reclusive leader, Senior General Than Shwe.   Indian Ocean nations shift stress to tsunami response Indian Ocean nations agreed yesterday on the need to shift the emphasis from setting up a tsunami detection network for the region to ensuring countries are ready to act effectively after a tsunami warning.   India bans employing children as domestic helps The Indian government has banned the employment of children under age 14 as domestic servants or in hotels, restaurants or small teashops in a bid to protect the rights of poor children. Editorial Editorial: Election disputes Adjudication by the High Court Division of 13 dispute cases of the 2001 elections has not been complete with only two months remaining before the present government hands over power to a caretaker administration,   Editorial: Leading the LDCs in WTO On the heels of our rather lacklustre performance at the Hong Kong WTO round, it is a highly welcome tiding that the mantle of leadership of the least developed countries (LDCs) has fallen on Bangladesh.   Killing with a smile Smile is supposed to endear one to the beholder. But if there was one smile that has not been surpassed in its contemptuous ugliness in recent times, it is the one that the US Secretary of State wore in Tel Aviv, while posing for the press photographers, shaking hands with the Israeli Prime Minister during her most recent trip to the region.   The unkindest cut of all Declaring "no confidence" in the chief minister of Sindh, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, MQM's provincial ministers handed over mass resignations.   Moment of truth for former president The way national politics has been unfolding, November 2006 onward is getting more and more uncertain and cloudy. No one dares to predict what kind of government we are going to have after next January. Letters to Editor Gender discrimination - a reply Rehela Yasmin (July 28) has very unswervingly and clearly pointed out one of the main issues that has held back the economic growth of the country - gender discrimination.   Tree plantation In our life and economy trees play an important role. Bangladesh is a lower riparian country. High lands are the best suitable places to plant trees. There are many roads and highways in our country.   Sectarian violence On July 14, a Sunni suicide bomber blew himself up outside the home of a Pakistani Shiite cleric Allama Hassan Turabi, killing the cleric and his bodyguards and triggering a riot in the port city of Karachi.   A misunderstood religion I am an American Fulbright fellow in Bangladesh, researching engagement between development organisations and imams and the increasingly active role of imams in community development.   Is student politics needed? The question "Is student politics needed?" has really drawn my attention. According to the prevailing situation of our country, it's now a sensitive issue.   A good article I have read Muhammad Zamir's article "Search for peace through violence?", published on July 29, 2006.   Proposed still mills There are two main types of coal. They are thermal coal and coking coal. Thermal coal is used for electricity generation, whereas coking coal is primarily used in the steel mills.   Tortured children When will the news media start talking about abuse of children? We must, as normal human beings, not let children work as domestic helps.   Back to square one? I feel a mix of bewilderment and despair. All this time, we were hearing that the reason behind the prime minister's popularity (and that of her party) was the uncompromising refusal to cooperate with the military dictator Ershad. Special Between the devil and the deep blue sea Shipbreaking yards in Bangladesh alone dismantle about 90 giant ships a year, mostly oil tankers, generating millions in revenue, employing tens of thousands, and providing a significant proportion of   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.