Vol. 5 Num 807 Sat. September 02, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Write to Editor Sections StarTech Literature Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page RMG workers resume agitation Different labour organisations launched agitation programmes in the capital and other adjacent areas as the three-month deadline for fixing the minimum wage for garment workers ended Thursday withoutany   PM trying to influence army, alleges AL The Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) has alleged that Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is exercising extra-constitutional powers by giving guidelines to the army about its role in the next election.   28 on Cox's Bazar land grabbers' list The Chittagong Coastal Forest Department has published a list of 28 land grabbers featuring some local union parishad (UP) chairmen and political leaders, and sought the administration's interventionin   Appointment of new EC seen as pressure tactics The appointment of a new election commissioner is meant to keep pressure on Awami Legue (AL)-led 14-party opposition coalition while an influential section of the government is currently planning to appoint   14-party to lay siege to EC on Sept 6, PMO Sept 12 The 14-party opposition combine will lay siege to the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat on September 6 and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on September 12, seeking to force the ruling alliance to   BSF, BDR trade fire in Satkhira Indian Border Security Force (BSF) fired on two camps of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in sadar and Kalaroa upazilas early yesterday, triggering fresh tension across the border between the two countries.   14-party sees a series of major challenges ahead Awami League (AL)-led 14-party opposition coalition sees politicisation of the administration, violence by militants, possible attacks on its leaders and candidates, and armed forces' role as major challenges   Khulna factions hold separate programmes Two feuding factions of Khulna BNP held two separate rallies and processions in the city yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the 28th founding anniversary of the party.   Ahab to float 'Insaf', contest next election Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (Ahab) will soon float a new political party styled 'Insaf' and field candidates to contest the next general election from at least 65 constituencies that are widely considered   4 bullet-hit as shop owners at Fulbaria clash Twenty-five people were injured, four by bullets, in a clash between two groups of shop owners at Fulbaria near Gulistan in the city yesterday.   Criminal killed in Bagerhat 'shootout' A notorious robber of the Sundarbans was killed in an encounter between members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and his accomplices at West Bisharighata under Morrelganj Police Station of Bagerhat district   Tehran won't give up an iota of its nuclear rights President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a curt message to global powers yesterday vowing Iran "will not give up one iota" of its nuclear rights, in the first official reaction to a critical International Atomic   29 die in Iran air disaster, 148 survive Twenty-nine people were killed yesterday when an Iranian airliner caught fire after landing in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran's civil aviation chief said, lowering earlier reports of up to 80dead.   Regional dialogue in Tangail today The 14th regional dialogue on "National Election 2007: Civil Society Initiative for Accountable Development" will be held in Tangail today.   Tribute to Zia on BNP founding anniversary BNP leaders and workers yesterday paid rich tributes to late president Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave to mark the 28th founding anniversary of the party.   UK anti-terror police probing 'thousands' of suspects British police are currently trying to monitor "thousands" of potential security suspects, the head of the anti-terrorism unit at London's Metropolitan Police said in an interview to be broadcast Sunday.   Abandoned Nigerian boy in custody of HC official The Nigerian boy who was found abandoned at the Zia International Airport (ZIA) on July 23 was handed over to an official of the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi yesterday.   Dhaka should protect foreign investment The British High Commission here yesterday said Bangladesh should encourage and protect foreign investment that is in the interest of this country.   Family to appeal against verdict if JMB chief allows If Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman permits, his family will appeal against the High Court verdict that confirmed death sentence to seven JMB kingpins including the chief   Suspect handed over to police in Manda Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) handed over arrested outlaw Firoz alias Farhad, a suspect in the recent murder of four policemen and a Jubo Dal leader in Naogaon, to Manda police yesterday.   Taxi cab blows up while refuelling A compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station caught fire at Mirpur as a CNG-run taxi blew up while refuelling early yesterday injuring two people.   2 criminals held, arms recovered Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two listed criminals in the city's Lalmatia and New Eskaton areas on Thursday night and recovered a revolver and three bullets from their possession.   Fears of Shia reprisals after Iraqi bloodbath Iraqis gathered for weekly prayers yesterday fearing violent reprisals after a spate of attacks on mainly Shia areas of the capital killed 67 civilians and raised already sky-high tensions.   Syria to respect arms embargo against Hezbollah: Annan UN chief Kofi Annan said yesterday he has won a Syrian pledge to respect an arms embargo against militant group Hezbollah, on the latest leg of a Middle East tour aimed at shoring up a truce in Lebanon. Business Govt mulls action against errant insurance firms The government mulls stringent measures against some insurance companies, which have failed to comply with corporate rules.   3-day Batexpo to begin Sept 21 A three-day exposition of Bangladesh apparel and textile products will begin in the capital on September 21 with the organisers expecting substantial numbers of foreign buyers and representatives of leading   IMF calls for more forceful reform measures on yuan Beijing should take more forceful measures to allow greater flexibility in the value of the yuan and its forex regime, a move which would benefit both China and the world, the International Monetary Fund   Steady flow of foreign capital into Asean Discard the perception that all of Asia is losing foreign investments to China.   India sustains $1.2b trade deficit in 7 months India sustained a trade deficit of 1.2 billion US dollars during the first seven months of the year while the bilateral trade volume has touched 13.   Vietnam protests proposed EU anti-dumping duties on shoes Vietnam rejected again Friday a European Commission (EC) proposal to levy 10 percent anti-dumping duties on imports of Vietnamese shoes, reducing current emergency levies.   Tata plans to enter Russian market with diverse products As part of its global growth strategy, India's largest automaker Tata Motors are planning to enter the Russian market with diverse range of its products.   Bangladesh trade show in Siliguri from today Bangladesh's first trade fair in India's tourist-town Siliguri gets off to a festive start today to showcase a wide range of products, including the country's famous hilsa fish.   Mahbub Jamil vice president of Singer Corp Mahbub Jamil has become vice president of Singer Corporation, says a press release. Stephen H Goodman, chairman, president and CEO, has made this announcement from New York.   UAE to host major oil confce in Nov More than 1,000 major oil and gas companies from some 50 countries will take part in an international energy exhibition in Abu Dhabi in November, the official WAM news agency said Friday.   Keari Tours launches yacht service in Rangamati Keari Tours and Services, a sister concern of Keari Limited, on Thursday launched a yacht service in Rangamati in a bid to promote tourism in the hill district.   IMF agrees to give bigger say to developing countries IMF directors have agreed to overhaul the institution to give more influence to developing countries including China, reflecting the shifting balance of power in the global economy.   Global economy needs boost: UN Japan and Germany are failing to stimulate the world economy, leaving the United States with the difficult burden of generating enough demand for goods and services to sustain growth around the world,   Islami Bank declares 25pc stock dividend Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd has declared a 25 per cent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2005.   Weekly Currency Roundup August 27-August 31, 2006 Local FX Market Demand for US dollar was stable in throughout the week and USD fell slightly against Bangladeshi taka. Sports Football: Parvez powers N'ganj to final Abdullah Parvez took Narayanganj to the final of the Jubok Phone National Football Championship as his 12th minute strike helped the holders' edge past star-studded hosts in the second semifinal at the   Cricket: Only the beginning Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar warned England on Friday that he will get faster and stronger after making a three-wicket return following a six-month absence from one-day international cricket.   Cricket: Academy play final ODI today Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) National Academy will play their third and final one-day match against the Pakistan Cricket Academy at the Bagh-e-Jinnah Stadium in Lahore today.   Cricket: Second ODI today Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer believes his side are more determined as a result of the ball-tampering row which threatened to end their tour of England.   Football: DC Cup final today The first DC Cup football tournament will see its finale today at the Khagrachhari Stadium when the hosts take on surprise package Dighinala.   Cricket: Sourav hurt but not out Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said on Friday he was hurt at his continued exclusion from the team and insisted he was good enough to play international cricket.   Tennis: Agassi fights to live another day Andre Agassi wasn't ready to take his final bow. It would probably hurt too much anyway.   Tennis: Sania crashes out Sania Mirza flattered to deceive once again as she bowed out of the US Open women's singles with a three-set loss to Fransesco Schiavone of Italy in the second round on Thursday.   Cricket: Inzy confident of clearance Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq is confident his team will be cleared of ball tampering charges he described as concocted and unjustified.   Football: Qualifiers kick off today Italy will be hoping to mark their World Cup success in July by giving their fans more to celebrate in their opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania in Naples on Saturday.   Football: Coaches call for rule changes Top European coaches called on UEFA to change key rules during a meeting here on Friday.   Football: Lampard to resume spot-kick duties Frank Lampard has announced he is ready to resume penalty duties for England after putting his World Cup misery behind him.   Football: Cole-Gallas switch allegiances England defender Ashley Cole moved from Arsenal to Chelsea on Thursday with French defender William Gallas moving in the opposite direction to bring to an end one of English soccer's most protracted transfer   Football: Totti to return next year Francesco Totti said Friday he will make an international comeback in 2007. The Italian playmaker indicated he would retire from the international scene after his country's World Cup victory in July.   Football: Friedrich relief for Loew Hertha Berlin defender Arne Friedrich is fit for Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier against Ireland on Saturday after recovering from illness, coach Joachim Loew said Friday.   Football: Italy squad expanded Italy coach Roberto Donadoni on Friday added Gennaro Del Vecchio and Angelo Palombo to his squad for the first two matches of the world champions' Euro 2008 group B qualifying campaign.   Football: Platini drops TV job Former France coach and captain Michel Platini announced Friday he was standing down as consultant with cable channel Canal Plus to concentrate on his UEFA presidency bid.   Football: Corinthians dream in tatters In late 2004, a London-based group called Media Sports Investment (MSI) signed a multimillion-dollar partnership deal with Corinthians promising to turn Brazil's second-most popular club into the pride   Cricket: Boje, Gibbs available for India South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and bowler Nicky Boje have made themselves available to play in the Champions Trophy tournament in India starting next month.   Cricket: Strauss issues time alert England captain Andrew Strauss has conceded that with next year's World Cup on the horizon his side does not have long left to find a winning formula in one-day cricket.   Football: Juventus drop legal action Juventus, who were relegated to Serie B and given a 17-point penalty for match-fixing, on Thursday dropped their planned civil court action against the Italian football federation (FIGC).   Football: Reyes-Baptista in loan swap move Real Madrid on Thursday agreed to a one-year loan swap deal involving them securing the services of Arsenal's Spanish international winger Jose Antonio Reyes with Brazilian midfielder Julio Baptista going   Football: Hammers hail Argentine coup West Ham were on Friday glowing in the satisfaction of beating a host of top clubs across Europe to sign Argentina aces Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians.   Football: Parreira salary creates discontent New South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira arrived here Friday against a background of media fury over his 1.8-million-rand (about 250,000 dollars) salary.   Football: Inter deny Real swap No swap deal between Inter Milan and Real Madrid concerning Adriano and Ronaldo would be taking place said an official of the Italian club, ANSA news agency reported on Thursday.   Football: Deportivo release Tristan, Scaloni Former Spain striker Diego Tristan and Argentina midfielder Lionel Scaloni have been released from their contracts with Deportivo La Coruna.   Football: Kranjcar joins Portsmouth Hajduk Split's Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar on Thursday joined English Premiership side Portsmouth on a 4.5 million euro (5.8m dollars) four-year deal.   Football: Cygan moves to Villarreal French defender Pascal Cygan on Thursday left English side Arsenal to sign for Villarreal in Spain on a two-year contract, the Spanish club saiid.   Cricket: India preparing at 'ideas camp' India's preparations for next year's World Cup in the West Indies have begun in earnest with a novel training camp, vice-captain Virender Sehwag said on Thursday.   Hockey: Wanderers, Wari keep winning Dhaka Wanderers Club blanked Combined Sporting Club 3-0 in the Green Delta Insurance First Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium yesterday.   Football: Sheikh Russell football meet kicks off Bahadur Bazar Club put five past a hapless Mission Road Sporting Club in the opening match of the Sheikh Russell Memorial Gold Cup football tournament at the Dinajpur Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maidan yesterday.   Tennis: Open Secrets Vania King hoped fans would hear from her at the US Open. They did, on and off the court.   Cricket: Aussies talk up Eng chances Australia's top cricketers are preparing for a battle royale against England when the Ashes series starts Down Under in November.   Cricket: No jackpot Plans for a $5m winner-takes-all match in the Caribbean have been shelved because of a scheduling conflict.   Cricket: 'Unseen tampering possible' Sanjay Manjrekar, the former Indian batsman, has said that ball-tampering can be done without being caught on any of the numerous television cameras.   Cricket: Twice better: McGrath Australia are twice the team they were when losing the Ashes last year and are ready to wrest back the urn from England, according to Glenn McGrath. Metropolitan 8 die, 60 hurt in road accidents At least eight people were killed and 60 injured in separate road accidents in Sirajganj, Faridpur and Rajbari on Thursday night and yesterday.   Man like Osmani need of hour A democratic society will not be established unless honest and patriotic people are elected in the upcoming general election, said the speakers at a discussion.   Move to provide selection grade for diploma pharmacists The finance ministry has taken an initiative to provide selection grade for diploma pharmacists under the health ministry, although a case regarding the issue is pending with the administrative tribunal.   36 killed by law enforcers in Aug A total of 36 people were killed across the country by law enforcement agencies in the previous month, a report of Adhikar based on newspaper analysis reveals yesterday.   Journos can help make local govt stronger Speakers at a daylong workshop here on Thursday said journalists can play a vital role in establishing democracy at grassroots by making the local government stronger.   Domestic wastewater can be turned into fertiliser Domestic wastewater can be turned into fertiliser through extracting 90 per cent of phosphate from it.   Follow Cambodia in collecting evidences Bangladesh should follow Cambodia in collecting evidences of brutal activities by the war criminals to put them under trial, said the speakers at a programme yesterday.   Hasina to visit Phulbari on Monday Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina will visit Phulbari in Dinajpur on Monday, an Awami League press release said yesterday.   Victims still wait for relief Two sisters, Hawa Begum, 40, and Aysha Begum, 38, were standing with a blank look in front of one of the relief collection points on Basila Road in Mohammadpur yesterday as the victims of Basila slumfire   EIU sees it as a blow to foreign investment prospects The Bangladesh government appears to have denied permission for a US$1bn-plus open-pit coal mine in Phulbari in response to violent protests over the proposed project, says Economist Intelligence Unit   Death of Bangladeshi peacekeepers condoled Coalition of Local NGOs, Bangladesh (CLNB) yesterday held a condolence meeting followed by a mourning procession at Muktangan in the city in memory of the six Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were killedin   1 killed in Jhenidah clash A man was killed and five others were injured in a clash between two rival groups over transaction of money at Pabahati in Jhenidah municipal area yesterday.   Osmani didn't compromise on democracy: Dr Moyeen Science and Information and Communication Technology Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan yesterday said people would remember Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Forces General MAG Osmani for his contributions   Pregnant woman dies in Khulna clinic A pregnant woman died due to alleged wrong treatment at a clinic in Khulna city on Thursday afternoon.   CU Persian Dept activities suspended Chittagong University (CU) authorities have suspended all academic activities of the Department of Persian Language and Literature for a year due to shortage of teachers.   2 get life for raping minor girl A court here on Thursday sentenced two people to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl. The convicts are Hafez Bokaul and Alam Sheikh of Ibrahimpur village under Sadar upazila. National Mudslinging in Magura BNP on founding day Intra-party feud in Magura district BNP took a new turn yesterday as two rival factions brought out separate processions and held discussions meetings in the town in observance of the party's founding   'Deprived' leaders demand dissolution of new committee A section of Awami League leaders and workers continued their protest against the newly formed 71-member distict committee for the second day on Thursday, widening the intra-party feud over leadersip.   Whip Ashraf to announce next step at tomorrow's rally BNP Whip Ashraf Hossain has said he is form on his observation about 'undemocratic activities' in the party hierarchy, disrespecting seniors.   Special prayers, rally held in Phulbari Special prayers were held at all mosques, temple and churches in Phulbari in Dinajpur yesterday for those killed in the August 26 fire by law enforcers during demonstrations opposing the coal mine project.   4 JMB cadres get life Four militants of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were sentenced to life term rigorous imprisonment (RI) by a special tribunal here for their involvement in August 17 serial blasts in Gaibandhatown   Workshop on TB held TB (tuberculosis) germs become drug resistant if a patient gives a gap in taking medicine before competing the course. Point-Counterpoint The physics of consent and the premonitions POLITICAL thinkers are of the considered opinion that in terms of a hierarchy of constitutional rights, the right to vote should be placed at the top of the list because it concerns the right to fullpolitical   Morality in politics POLITICS as an area of study is concerned with enriching knowledge and understanding of government and society.   Growth and development of parliamentary government NOTWITHSTANDING the reintroduction of constitutional order with distinctive features of parliamentary system of government in 1991, the operation of its political and constitutional process in Bangladesh   Begum Noor Jehan Murshid SHE was a ray of sunshine and the centre of our universe. Ever patient and understanding, she was aware of all our needs, even before we could articulate them. Culture An evening of accolades One of the biggest cultural events of this year, Citycell-Channel i Music Award 2005 was held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on August 31.   Preparation of up-coming Lalon devotees A visitor to the Chhewria Lalon's Akhra, now known as Lalon Academy Complex, is likely to encounter a group of young ones playing the ektara and singing Lalon songs with the elderly fakirs.   Film posters aglow with spirit A film poster exhibition, dedicated to the anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and Russia, is being held at the Russian Cultural Centre. International EU calls for diplomacy to end Iran's nuke deadlock The European Union expressed determination yesterday to keep dialogue open with Iran amid rising calls for sanctions after the Islamic republic refused to suspend its nuclear activities.   Lanka mounts offensive for key rebel territory Sri Lanka's army mounted an offensive to capture rebel-held territory south of the strategic northeastern harbour of Trincomalee yesterday.   Slapping sanctions on Iran face rough ride The international community is moving towards sanctioning Iran for its disputed atomic program but seems to have ever decreasing leverage to halt Tehran's nuclear ambitions, diplomats and analysts said   Donors pledge $940m International donors pledged more than $940 million on Thursday for war-torn Lebanon's immediate relief efforts, nearly double the target amount.   Blair defiant over departure date British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for an end to speculation about when he will leave office, sparking renewed calls yesterday for a departure timetable from critics within his party.   Cracks in Israel coalition over Lebanon war Cracks emerged yesterday in Israel's coalition government over the Lebanon war, as Defence Minister Amir Peretz demanded a full-scale inquiry, putting himself at odds with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.   Merkel tops Rice as most powerful woman German Chancellor Angela Merkel has unseated US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as the world's most powerful woman, according to a new ranking by Forbes magazine.   Slain Baluch leader gets lonely burial Pakistan's nationalist leader was quietly laid to rest yesterday six days after he was killed in a military offensive, with the speedy burial sparking an outcry from his relatives.   Dams worsen north Indian floods Soldiers were called out on Thursday to rescue thousands of marooned villagers in Uttar Pradesh after water was released from dams in neighbouring Nepal.   Lockheed Martin to build moon-bound spaceship Nasa named Thursday a consortium led by US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp. to design and build a new spacecraft that will take astronauts back to the moon.   Philippines peace process fails to ring changes Manila's church bells pealed yesterday to usher in "national peace consciousness month" -- an event that rings hollow for conflict-stricken communities in the southern Philippines.   Heat, drought take rising toll on SW China The worst drought to hit southwest China in more than a century is spreading to neighbouring provinces with temperatures reaching record highs, state media said yesterday.   Sri Lankans flee horror for poverty and safety in India Fisherman Chinnathambi Ravikumar was returning home from a fishing trip when a sea-battle broke out between the Sri Lankan navy and Tamil Tiger rebels.   Bush rejects call for Iraq withdrawal US President George W. Bush on Thursday predicted an apocalyptic future if the United States hastily quits Iraq, and warned Iran would pay a price for not freezing sensitive nuclear work.   Russia rejects Iran sanctions Iran said yesterday that a nuclear standoff with the West could only be settled through negotiation while Russia called imposing punitive sanctions on Tehran for not ending sensitive atomic work a dead Editorial Editorial: Mounting violence in Iraq We have written on Iraq on a number of occasions in this column, but every time we wrote we hoped to write something better, something positive next time that would come as a breath of fresh air.   Editorial: A public interest ruling Taking cognisance of a Janakantha report under the title "no whereabouts of the youth for four days after arrest ...   Is Britain tired of its multiculturalist mantra? RECENT events in Britain have pushed questions on increased immigration and multiculturalism to the forefront.   Only through dialogue I HAD the privilege of meeting Akbar Khan Bugti, the slain Baloch leader, after the birth of Bangladesh and before the Shimla conference.   A policy for foreign investment should be in force WHEN investors from abroad come to invest in a foreign country, obviously their goal is to make profit and repatriate it. The investors do not come to do any favour to the country receiving foreign investment. StarTech One laptop per child We have known about the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) of the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Media labs and their revolutionary $100 laptops for a while now.   Local writer's work complements ACMICPC With the evolution and development of the information and communication technology (ICT) throughout the world focusing more on the making of a 'World IT Village', programming contests are becoming animperative   Kingston delivers style and functionality with Mini Fun Kingston Technology Company, Inc.   Entertaible Literature Ghost Alley* -Part I Late at night, Qismat sneaks into their house on Bhooter Golley.   London, Ian Jack and Granta magazine "Can you come in on Friday morning at ten am?" Ian Jack, editor of Granta, had emailed me on July 11. The address: Hanover Yard, Noel Road, behind the Queen's Pub.   Descent Many times have I tumbled over backwards, gotten up, in the mud Huffed-puffed, dusted myself down, a broken-ribbed umbrella Mended-patched, stood up to again be held in some soft hand A wet fist,   Poem Dessert Let's look inside One last time For the hurricane light And the aftertaste of a sloppy night Words lend a hand To crippled plots that demand The last audience How much for the   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.