Vol. 5 Num 778 Fri. August 04, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Environment World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page No specific charge brought against Bhaluka militants Police yesterday produced 27 militants, including the 25 arrested during Wednesday's raid near a Bhaluka madrasa by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and two others nabbed later, before a Mymensingh courtunder   PM calls for ceasefire Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Lebanon with total cessation of violence.   US wants all to talk polls discords over US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher yesterday said major political parties should sit together to talk all the electoral discords over so that the next polls could be held in a free and fair   GDP growth slows down in Q4 A Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) review says the country's economic performance in the 4th quarter (April-June of FY06) indicates that growth in GDP was marginally slower than that   Saifur now to allocate required fund Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, who once refused to allocate fresh fund for updating the voter list, yesterday surprisingly came up with an assurance of providing the Election Commission (EC) with as   Boucher says US wants fair polls Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard A Boucher yesterday said his country is keen to extend all sorts of cooperation in the conduct of a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh early   'Bangladesh sees rising Islamic movement with al-Qaeda link' The Washington Post on Wednesday carried a story headlined "A new hub for terrorism?: In Bangladesh, an Islamic movement with al-Qaeda ties is on the rise.   EC reforms a must for acceptable polls Democracy within the political parties, transparency in their financing and accountability at all stages of their activities need to be ensured to establish a participatory democracy in the country, said   Release of WB, IMF funds main agenda Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman leaves tomorrow for Washington to lobby the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for releasing $280 million loans as budget support within   Ershad's joining 4-party may be bad in long run Finance Minister and senior BNP leader M Saifur Rahman has said Ershad's joining the BNP-led alliance may be good for short term, but bad in the long run.   Schoolteachers begin hunger strike Registered non-government primary schoolteachers yesterday began hunger strike until death at Muktangon in the city keeping their educational institutions closed.   Many JP MPs to quit if Ershad joins 4-party Many of the Jatiya Party (JP) legislators, fearing the four-party alliance's defeat in the upcoming general election, may change their platform to contest the polls if JP Chairman Ershad joined the alliance.   Tk 5.5cr smuggled cigarette seized from container After a tip-off by a clearing agent, customs officials yesterday confiscated a huge amount of foreign cigarettes inside a 40-foot container, which was officially declared to contain electric-touch-lamps,   Barisal judges killed as plotted by top brass A Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) assailant confessed that he bombed two Jahalakathi judges to death in an outrageous attack laid out by his leaders Abdur Rahman, Siddqul Islam (Bangla Bhai), Ataur   Move to catch GSP document forgers The government has initiated a move to identify people involved in forgery of GSP (generalised system of preference) certificates after several European buyers of readymade garments complained about it.   4th ODI today Bangladesh's hope to win their first series abroad depends on how the cricketers react after a dreadful finish in the third match on Wednesday when the tourists face Zimbabwe in the fourth one-day international   UN powers close to ME truce deal Israel launched fresh air strikes on Beirut yesterday after a lull of several days, while UN powers inched toward agreement on a Security Council resolution to end the three-week-old conflict.   Malaysia to take more Bangladeshi workers Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday assured Prime Minister Khaleda Zia that his country would recruit more workers from Bangladesh.   Compath fined for using date-expired products A mobile court yesterday found serious irregularities and an unhygienic environment at Compath Limited, a notable diagnostic centre in the city, and fined the centre Tk 50,000.   Shibir men beat up RU exam controller Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) thugs physically assaulted the Rajshahi University (RU) controller of examinations and his associates yesterday as he refused to hand over a certificate to the ICS men in absence   Charge-framing not held, order to produce JMB accused Aug 31 A Dhaka court could not frame charges in the first sedition case against eight JMB leaders and activists of Dhamrai, as the lone arrested accused Rafiqul Islam alias Sentu was not produced before it yesterday.   Criminal killed in Rab 'crossfire' An alleged criminal was killed during a 'shootout' between Rapid Action Battalion and a gang of criminals at Devipur Kazipara in Joypurhat district early yesterday.   UP chairman hurt in Jhenidah bomb attack Three people including a Union Parishad (UP) chairman were injured in a bomb attack on Paglakanai road yesterday morning.   SC Bar leaders boycott HC judge's bench Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) leaders and anti-government lawyers yesterday boycotted a High Court (HC) division bench of Justice Joynul Abedin in protest at issuing the contempt rule on 11 anti-government   BSF kills 1 Indian Border Security Force (BSF) gunned down a Bangladeshi youth in Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon district yesterday morning.   Lanka offers talks as battle peaks Sri Lanka yesterday offered to talk to Tamil Tigers about their bitter water dispute as fighting that has already claimed some 156 lives threatened to spiral into all-out war.   Indian probe finds Natwar guilty in Iraq oil-for-food scandal An inquiry set up by the Indian government on Thursday found former foreign minister Natwar Singh and his son guilty of misconduct over the UN oil-for-food scheme in Iraq, reports said.   Correction In a report headlined 'Dhaka to lead LDCs in WTO again' published in The Daily Star on August 2, Gambia was inadvertently mentioned as the previous coordinator of LDCs. In fact Zambia was the coordinator. Business Govt to form nat'l body to devise strategy The government has decided in principle to form a national committee on 'Aid for Trade' to reap maximum benefits from the WTO's aid for trade packages following Doha Development Round deadlock.   SME fair from Sept 11 In a bid to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs), country's apex trade body is going to organise a weeklong SME fair in Dhaka from September 11.   Prime Bank arranges Tk 23cr loan for Virgo Pharma Prime Bank Ltd has arranged a Tk 23 crore 'syndicated hire purchase shirtakul melk' (syndicated loan) for Virgo Pharmaceuticals Limited (VPL).   Chinese GWM brand vehicle launched Le Meng Motors, the sole distributor of Chinese GWM brand vehicles in Bangladesh, has started marketing of the cars in local market for the first time.   Japan suggests 16-state FTA in Asia Japan will officially propose establishing a 16-nation free trade area (FTA) in the Asian and Oceania regions during a ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and its   Thai auto exports jump Thailand's auto exports for the first-half year jumped 38 percent year-on-year to a record high of 263,587 units on the back of robust global demand for light pick-up trucks, an industry group said Thursday.   Oil prices rise Oil prices were higher in Asian trade Thursday on concerns an approaching storm and a decline in US crude reserves.   G20 Brazil meet to show support for Doha Round The G20 group of developing countries opposed to agricultural subsidies is to hold a September meeting to strategize on unblocking failed global free trade talks, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim   EBL becomes partner of education, career fair Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) has become the partner of the '6th Edimexpo 2006', an international education and career-oriented exposition, to be held between August 31 and September 5 at Bashundhara Expo Centre   BARI, Getco Agro Vision sign deal on joint research Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and Getco Agro Vision Ltd recently signed an agreement on joint agricultural research and development for promoting technology transfer among the farmers,   US scraps cotton subsidies The US government said Wednesday it had repealed an illegal cotton subsidy programme that had drawn the threat of billions of dollars in sanctions from Brazil. Sports Football: Unhappy booters give ultimatum Frustration and uncertainty once again drove the footballers of the country to seek assurance of their near future from the governing body of football.   Cricket: Tigers' moment of truth Bangladesh will make a bid to wake up from Wednesday's nightmare and stay alive in the one-day international series when they take on Zimbabwe in the fourth match in Harare today.   Cricket: Proteas in Murali's den South Africa are set for another agonising battle when the second and final Test against Sri Lanka starts on Friday at off-spin wizard Muttiah Muralidaran's home club.   Abahani to observe Kamal's birth anniversary Abahanai Samorthok Gosthi will organise a two-day programme, starting today, to observe the 57th birth anniversary of Late Sheikh Kamal, the founder of the popular club.   GMG Open Squash from tomorrow The GMG Open Squash tournament will begin tomorrow at the Gulshan Club squash court.   Cricket: Strauss wary of Pak wrath England captain Andrew Strauss told his side they must maintain the standards they'd set for themselves at Old Trafford if they also wanted to win the third Test against Pakistan starting at Headingley   Cricket: SLC's U-turn on Dambulla Sri Lanka's cricket chiefs have cancelled plans to hold some matches of the upcoming tri-series against India and South Africa in the central town of Dambulla, an official said on Wednesday.   Cricket: India to host tri-series India would host a tri-series, likely to feature Sri Lanka and the West Indies, ahead of the 2007 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday.   Cricket: Lara says sorry Brian Lara looks set to remain as West Indies captain after issuing a public apology for criticising his own board during the recent series against India.   Football: Milan to face Red Star AC Milan will play Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round of the Champions League after being given a reprieve by UEFA on Wednesday.   Football: Real still hopeful of Kaka Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said he is still hopeful of completing his election promise to sign AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka, despite the player saying he was happy where he was.   Football: A new beginning for Argentine football An influx of foreign players and the homecoming of three veteran internationals will breathe new life into the Argentine championship which kicks off on Friday.   Cricket: Pak trio on the mend Pakistan head into the third Test against England starting at Headingley here Friday still without the services of injured pacemen Shoaib Akhtar (ankle), Mohammad Asif (elbow) and Navedul Hasan (groin).   Football: Zlatan likely to leave Juve The agent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic admitted on Wednesday that the Swedish striker could be the next high-profile player to leave scandal-hit Italian club Juventus.   Football: Red carpet for Zidane red card The red card that spelled the premature end to Zinedine Zidane's glittering career was presented to Argentine president Nestor Kirchner here on Wednesday.   Football: Barcelona's US tour set to net millions European and Spanish champions Barcelona expect to net around four million euros (4.8 million dollars) from their tour of the United States and Mexico, Spanish media reported on Wednesday.   Cricket: Marcus looks to elevate Marcus Trescothick is hoping for yet more success at Headingley as England look to wrap up their Test series against Pakistan when the third leg of the campaign starts Friday at the Leeds venue.   Tennis: Andy beats the heat British teen sensation Andy Murray won his first match under new coach Brad Gilbert, firing 13 aces to beat Paraguay's Ramon Delgado 6-4, 6-3 Wednesday at the 600,000-dollar ATP Washington Classic.   Tennis: Belgian lesson for Stosur Top seed Kim Clijsters won her 12th match in 13 starts, producing a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Samantha Stosur to bolt into the third-round of the 1.34-millon-dollar WTA event Wednesday.   Football: Turkey to probe new match-fixing allegations The Turkish Football Association (TFA) on Thursday announced an investigation into claims that a federation official offered to rig a match last season to save first division side Samsunspor from relegation.   Football: Gallas in deeper trouble Chelsea's French international defender William Gallas' days with two-time Premiership champions Chelsea looked distinctly numbered on Wednesday after they gave his number 13 shirt to German playmaker   Football: Foreign stars snub Bundesliga Bayern Munich's failed attempt to land Ruud van Nistelrooy epitomised a frustrating off-season in the transfer market for Germany's top-flight clubs.   Football: Nike keeps faith with Juventus US sportswear group Nike will still sponsor Juventus despite the club being demoted to Italian football's second division, a Nike spokesman said on Thursday.   Football: WC items up for auction A bench Germany used at the World Cup, one of Franz Beckenbauer's ties and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's boots are among 4,000 items of World Cup memorabilia being put up for auction byFIFA.   Football: Capello warns Gravesen Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has warned Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen about his behaviour after Tuesday's bust-up with Brazilian teammate Robinho in training.   Football: Goalkeeper turns violent Steaua Bucharest Portuguese goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes broke a photographer's camera during the Champions League second preliminary round, second leg match against NK Gorica of Slovenia on Wednesday.   Football: Cashing in on Zidane head-butt A Chinese entrepreneur has registered as a trademark the silhouette of French football star Zinedine Zidane head-butting an Italian player during last month's World Cup final, state press said Thursday.   Football: Rennes go Dutch on Melchiot Birmingham manager Steve Bruce's hopes of holding on to former Dutch international defender Mario Melchiot were dashed on Wednesday when French side Rennes announced they had signed him on a one yeardeal.   Tennis: Court rules against Maria A federal judge ruled against tennis star Maria Sharapova on Wednesday, saying a Florida production company was entitled to market a documentary on her despite her agents' attempts to halt distribution.   Cricket: Freddie aims to be fit for Ashes Andrew Flintoff is planning to regain match fitness well before the first Ashes Test against Australia which starts at Brisbane's Gabba ground on November 23.   Football: Hargreaves eyes Premiership move Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves has revealed that he was keen on a move to the Premiership. Metropolitan Suspend all activities regarding construction of pillar bridge Opposition leaders at a discussion in the capital yesterday demanded that the government immediately suspend all activities regarding construction of a pillar bridge across the river Karnaphuli in Chittagong.   More action needed to deal with climate change The government and the people should take more steps to deal with the global climate change as Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries, experts at a seminar said yesterday.   Reduce sufferings of overseas workers Expatriate Bangladeshi citizens yesterday urged the government to take effective steps to reduce the sufferings of overseas workers and simplify the procedure for casting votes in national elections.   Arrest of militants an eyewash: Hasina Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the nabbing of 26 militants by BNP-Jamaat-led coalition government from Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh   SKOP suspends participation of Sramik Dal in its activities Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) suspended the participation of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal in all its activities, said a press release yesterday.   One burnt alive, three vehicles gutted One person was burnt alive and 20 others injured while three vehicles were completely gutted in a road accident on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway yesterday.   25-storey Press Club media complex okayed The design of the 25-storey media complex of National Press Club (NPC) was unanimously approved yesterday at the Extraordinary General Meeting of the club members.   JCD leader caught red-handed for mugging in Sylhet Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday caught a JCD leader red-handed yesterday afternoon while he was running away after robbing a businessman of Tk one lakh and two mobile phone setson   46 more infected with dengue Forty-six more people became infected with dengue virus yesterday, raising the number to 987, according to Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) sources.   Cops beat JCD men at JN varsity: 10 hurt At least ten activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were injured at Jagannath University as police beat them up following a clash between two factions of JCD on the campus yesterday over a trifling   New polio cases prompts further immunisation drive Only a month after completing three Polio National Immunisation Days (NIDs), the government has ordered a further three Polio NIDs this year in response to at least 10 new cases of polio detected in the   Decomposed body found in handcuffs The body of a man in handcuffs was recovered from a ditch at Demra in the city area yesterday.   Indonesia offers scholarships to 16 students The government of Indonesia has offered postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships for 2006-2007 to Bangladeshi students for the first time, says a press release.   Medical Exhibition begins in Ctg A three-day exhibition styled 'Chittagong International Medical Exhibition 2006' (ChiMexpo-2006) began here in the port city yesterday with a view to showcasing health care services, facilities and modern   Vote out 4-party alliance in next election, says Badruddoza President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday called on the people to vote out the BNP-led four-party alliance in the upcoming general election as, what he said, theyhave Point-Counterpoint Prayer for a new dawn An Indian colleague was visiting Dhaka last week when he happened to find a news item in the dailies on corruption pertaining to a certain ministry that he is well aware of.   Dengue virus: once again! Introduction: The reemergence of the dengue virus has been very dreadful in recent times.   Statement on Lebanon We, the members of SANGAT, from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, meeting in Colombo, condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Israel's unwarranted aggression on Lebanon, which has led Culture "There is no ingenuity in our current films"-- Riaz DASHING, charming, sporty, charismatic, academically brilliant -- several adjectives can be dedicated to Riaz, who has been one of the leading actors in Bangladeshi cinema for 10 years now.   A secular narrative of 'Ramayana' Madhab Gonshai and his troupe from the Gopal community of Kustia delighted the Dhaka audience with their performance of Pala Gaan (narrative of epics or folklore) on August 2 at Bengal Shilpalaya.   Current music scenario: Moving ahead or making a U-turn? Jago Kholo Go Ankhi is perhaps one of the most impressive recent audio productions.   Special programmes on Tagore's death anniversary on channel i To mark Rabindranath Tagore's 65th death anniversary on August 6, Channel i will telecast special programmes. The channel will feature musical programmes, talk shows, special plays and dance programmes.   'Omkara': An 'Othello' in Uttar Pradesh When one decides to adapt anything by William Shakespeare, a lot of courage is needed. Tales that have been told and retold in all known corners of the globe for over 400 years calls for that kind ofcourage. Editorial Editorial: A thought in the right direction We are happy to learn that the Opposition may be seriously considering a change in its agitational strategy.   Editorial: Uproot them with full force When everyone thought that the last of the JMB operatives had been netted and done away with, the news of the arrest of 26 more along with the most wanted leader came as a surprise and also as welcome   BNP plays its joker The drama continues. Like the monster in a 1950s B-grade horror movie, just when you think he has finally been dispatched for good, ex-president HM Ershad once again rises from the dead to confound his critics and show that there is some life left in his political career yet.   From Bible to Beirut If you think of the war in Lebanon as a movie, the plot is taken straight from the Bible. The Palestinian Arabs complain that they have been expelled them from their homeland by the Jews.   South Asia badly affected by the Lebanon crisis The escalating hostilities in Lebanon is definitely the most serious international crisis now threatening international peace and stability, and what is more disturbing is that no indication is in sight Letters to Editor Tributes to Novera Novera, a talented young journalist, is no more with us. She took her life under very tragic circumstances. Her smiling and glowing face did never tell the pains she had been enduring.   Israeli war crime! The Israeli massacre of more than 54 civilians including 34 children at Qana, Lebanon, the other day is the latest war crime by the blood thirsty Zionist state.   Buet incident The whole country witnessed what happened in BUET on that day. Here we want to point out some other things which were not covered by the newspapers and TV channels.   Ershad factor President Ershad has opened his mind. His addresss to party workers was aired on ntv on Monday July 31st evening news.   Election fever As the election is approaching very fast, its impact is now quite visible on our present day politics.   Naushad A brilliant write-up by Syed Maqsud Jamil on Naushad, widely respected as one of the greatest music directors this sub-continent has ever produced was published in your weekly magazine (July,07,2006 ).   A game of cards! It is told that a game of cards has got such a wide range of variety that fifty-two cards can provide much more variations than the cards are in number! The present political situation in the country   Local television channels It is true that our local satellite television channels are not at all worth watching. I can't name a single magazine programme or drama series that is good enough.   Role of NGOs In the recent months, many write-ups have been published against a few renowned NGOs and other private organisations in the national dailies covering such activities known as microcredit programmes.   Internet for research organisations The Ministry of Post and Telecommunication has taken a very wise and proactive decision of providing free Internet facilities to the educational institutes.   Gold medal award by Academy of Sciences Recently, the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious and influential organisation of scientific professionals, has awarded gold medal to eight scientists for their contribution in scientific Environment Bio-diversity in peril SO goes the Indian prophecy: Only after the last tree has been cut,/Only after the last river has been poisoned,/Only after the last fish has been caught,/Only then will you find,/That money can not   To save Dhaka wetlands DHAKA City is located between latitudes 23040¢ and 23054¢ and longitudes 90020¢ and 90031¢ having total area of about 304.38 sq km. World South Asia: Suicide bombing kills 21 in southern Afghanistan A suicide car bomb exploded yesterday in a bazaar in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, killing at least 21 civilians and injuring 13 while 11 others were killed in fighting, the interior ministry   South Asia: Pakistan, US sign deal to bolster frontier security The United States will supply key ally Pakistan with an extra 2.7 million dollars worth of equipment for forces on the Afghan frontier under an agreement signed yesterday, a statement said.   South Asia: Aid workers can't help as Lankan fighting rages Artillery pounded Tamil Tiger positions in northeast Sri Lanka, while rebels fought firefights with troops yesterday as the island slipped back towards civil war.   South Asia: Nepal govt close to deal with Maoists on weapons control Nepal's government said yesterday it was close to a deal with Maoist rebels on how to manage weapons held by both sides as they work toward establishing a lasting peace.   OIC demands truce Muslim nations yesterday demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and warned that boiling anger over the Israeli offensive in Lebanon could launch a new wave of terrorism.   8 Palestinians killed in Israeli offensive Israel pressed its month-long offensive into the Gaza Strip yesterday with eight Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy, being killed in military strikes around Rafah in southern Gaza.   Command, logistics pose main problems The biggest obstacle to creating an international peacekeeping force in Lebanon is determining who will lead it, while questions remain over troops and transport, defence analysts said on Thursday.   Civil war 'more likely' in Iraq: British envoy Britain's outgoing ambassador to Iraq has warned that civil war is the "more likely" outcome there than a transition to stable democracy, according to details obtained by the BBC yesterday.   HRW slams Israeli air raids on civilians Israel's military appears to have deliberately bombed civilians in Lebanon and some of its strikes constitute war crimes, US-based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. 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