Vol. 5 Num 897 Tue. December 05, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Advisers decide to recast EC, transfer secretaries The council of advisers to the caretaker government yesterday decided to reconstitute the Election Commission (EC) and transfer secretaries of some ministries that are considered to have an importantbearing   3 die in AL-BNP gunfight At least three people were shot dead and 50 wounded in a fierce gunfight between BNP and Awami League (AL) men in Moheshkhali Island under Cox's Bazar district yesterday as the renewed transport blockade   14-party to observe advisers' work to fulfil promises In a positive political development, the Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday suspended the fourth round indefinite blockade programme as the council of advisers decided to implement several of   Major changes in admin on cards, 353 promoted The caretaker government yesterday announced to bring major changes in the civil administration as demanded by the Awami League-led 14-party alliance.   EC meets urgently to find ways of correcting voter list In the wake of a proposal by the council of advisers to the caretaker government (CG), the Election Commission (EC) at an emergency meeting last night started searching for ways to correct mistakes in   Nothing to be accepted beyond constitution On the caretaker government's latest decision on Election Commission reconstitution, changes in election schedule and voter roll, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said BNP will not   BNP keeps 45 seats reserved for allies Three allies of BNP in the four-party alliance have demanded 115 parliamentary seats for their candidates in the next general election but BNP has kept only 45 seats reserved for them, sources said.   Gastright for flexibility to end political crisis US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs John Gastright has urged all political parties to show a flexible approach and think with an open mind as much as possible to have a creative   AL-leaning lawyers to probe SC vandalism The pro-Awami League (AL) lawyers yesterday formed a committee to probe the vandalism on the Supreme Court (SC) premises while those loyal to the BNP kept pressing the chief justice for a suspension of   15,000 hajj pilgrims keep fingers crossed for flights Despite solving the problem of 'Tasria' -- residential rental documents in Saudi Arabia -- hajj pilgrimage by intending non-ballottee pilgrims is still uncertain as Biman Bangladesh Airlines is unable   Blind eye to urban poor to spell social disaster Experts and development activists in a conference yesterday warned of a social disaster in the coming decades if the issue of development programmes for the urban poor were not addressed.   Dhaka court summons Ershad, 18 ex-MPs A Dhaka court yesterday directed Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad and 18 former BNP, Awami League (AL) and JP lawmakers to appear before it on December 27 in connection with criminal cases filed against   Outraged villagers torch 100 houses in Kishoreganj Outraged by frequent kidnapping, people of Hossainpur upazila in Kishoreganj district and Nandail upazila in Mymensingh district yesterday set fire to over 100 houses of the suspected kidnappers at Tekpara   Defying blockade...   Man standing idle during clash faces quizzing Police yesterday started interrogating an Awami League (AL) supporter in connection with a murder case as he was spotted in a photograph standing idle at a corner at Paltan in the city during the October   Bangladesh aim at clinching ODI series today On the back of two strong displays, Bangladesh go into today's third one-day international with a hope of wrapping up the series against Zimbabwe here at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium.   Mahfuz Anam granted bail in Mirza Abbas' defamation case A Dhaka court yesterday granted bail to the Shaptahik 2000 publisher Mahfuz Anam in a defamation case filed by former housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas for running a ''defamatory'' reportalong   NDI clarifies voter list survey National Democratic Institute (NDI) has said in a clarification that its second voters' list survey released on Saturday identifies duplicate and incorrectly listed names, but does not judge them as fictitious   Rab member's body recovered from Pashur The rescue team recovered the body of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-6 Platoon Commander Kanchan Ali yesterday morning from Karamjol, seven miles off Pashur estuary near Mongla seaport.   Next election very crucial for Bangladesh's progress Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue called on Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina at Sudha Sadan yesterday.   2 Rab members hurt as criminals hurl bombs Two Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members were injured at the city's Lalbagh on Sunday when criminals hurled bombs at the law enforcers during a raid that yielded arrest of six.   Chavez clinches a cakewalk re-election Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stormed to a re-election victory in Sunday's vote, handing him an ample mandate to broaden his promised socialist revolution and challenge Washington's influence in Latin   80 Taliban killed in Nato raid About 80 Taliban fighters were believed killed in a clash with Nato-led troops and Afghan security forces in insurgency-hit southern Afghanistan at the weekend, a Nato spokesman said yesterday.   Iraq violence worse than civil war: Annan At least 30 Iraqis were killed Sunday and 50 bodies were found in Baghdad as UN chief Kofi Annan described the situation in Iraq as far worse than what was considered a civil war in Lebanon.   Thai king praises post-coup govt Thailand's enormously popular King Bhumibol Adulyadej has praised the country's post-coup government as "wise and experienced", but hinted he expected to see a new premier within a year. Business Industrial credit up 30pc, farm loan down 10pc in Q1 Industrial credit marked a staggering 30 percent rise in the first quarter this fiscal, while farm credit registered around 10 percent fall.   SEC issues show cause notices on 4 companies Capital market watchdog Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday issued show-cause and hearing notices on four companies and warned two others for violating rules.   Beximco Pharma enters Somalia market Leading drug manufacturer Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd has stepped in Somalia drug market, says a press release.   Call for narrowing digital divide to fight poverty Government regulators worldwide must narrow the "digital divide" that bars poor communities from benefiting from the hi-tech revolution, Hong Kong's financial chief urged Monday.   Tata Consultancy inks $100m deal in China Indian IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has won a landmark deal worth a whopping USD 100 million from the state-run Bank of China (BOC), industry sources said on Sunday.   Dollar's sharp fall revives fears of global economic imbalances A sharp fall in the dollar over the past two weeks has revived fears among analysts that major imbalances in the gloabl economy could trigger a far-reaching financial crisis if they intensify.   Currency Sports Cricket: Tigers going for the kill After two convincing victories, Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar got out of the shell as he said that they were ready to be ruthless against Zimbabwe in the third match to confirm the series victorywith   Cricket: Nafees sets the standard It's true that left-handed opener Shahriar Nafees got the chance to play teams like Zimbabwe and Kenya more frequently than his predecessors, but whatever the case, his splendid run with the bat can never   Cricket: Tons-up Rajshahi Centuries by Jahurul Islam and Nayeem Islam put Rajshahi in the driving seat in their home match against Barisal while Alok Kapali's lone battle on Monday was competently supported by Nabil Samad andNazmul   Hockey, kabaddi teams lose badly Captain Dilip Tirkey converted three penalty corners as India crushed Bangladesh 6-0 in their Pool B match in the 15th Asian Games hockey competition at the Al Rayyan hockey ground in Doha yesterday.   Soccer, cricket transfers delayed Transfers of both domestic football and cricket, scheduled to begin from today, have been delayed due to the ongoing political unrest.   Cricket: Rain feared at Rawalpindi Torrential rain threatens the first of game of the five-match one-day series between Pakistan and the West Indies scheduled for Tuesday.   Cricket: Nilphamari win NCC title Nilphamari captured the regional title of the National Cricket Championship (NCC) defeating hosts Dinajpur by seven wickets at the Gor-e-Shaheed Baramoydan yesterday.   Cricket: Zim cricket on a sticky wicket Zimbabwe's cricket body was on Monday convicted by a Harare magistrate's court for breaching the country's stiff foreign exchange laws.   Cricket: Giles dropped the Ashes! Ashley Giles may have dropped the Ashes with his costly fumble to give prolific-scoring Australian captain Ricky Ponting an early life in the second Test, media said Monday.   Tennis: Russia regain Davis Cup The 2002 Davis Cup winners Russia won their second trophy here on Sunday after Marat Safin beat Jose Acasuso of Argentina in the deciding rubber of the final.   Cricket: Draw likely at Adelaide A stylish century by youngest team member Michael Clarke defused the prospect of a series-levelling victory by England in the second Ashes cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval Monday.   Football: Milan falling free Third-placed Palermo were held to a goalless draw at Parma on Sunday, falling eight points behind leaders Inter Milan, while AC Milan's poor season continued when they were held 2-2 at Cagliari.   Football: Old guard reignite Real Goals from Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos moved Real Madrid up to second in the Primera Liga on Sunday, as they came from behind to beat struggling Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the Bernabeu.   Football: Barcelona face crunch tie Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is unlikely to entertain thoughts of conspiracy theories ahead of arguably the club's most crucial fixture of the season at home to Werder Bremen on Tuesday.   Cricket: Lee fined Australian paceman Brett Lee has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for excessive appealing during the second Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval, the ICC said Monday.   Cricket: Sehwag eyes Test revival Acting India skipper Virender Sehwag hoped for an improved showing in the Test series after South Africa completed a 4-0 rout in the one-dayers.   Football: We don't need Sheva: Galliani AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani on Monday ruled out a January transfer return for under-achieving Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.   Football: Werder open to Klose offers Werder Bremen will consider letting striker Miroslav Klose leave at the end of the season, according to club sporting director Klaus Allofs.   Football: Totti misses Valencia tie AS Roma captain Francesco Totti will miss Tuesday's Champions League game against Valencia due to an ankle injury.   Football: Schalke held at Nuremberg Schalke 04 missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga after a 0-0 draw at FC Nuremberg on Sunday.   Football: Second spot crowded out Sochaux and Lille joined Lens in second place on Sunday as the battle for the 'other two' Champions League places hots up in France.   Football: Hammers flirt with relegation West Ham United's revival under their new Icelandic owners proved to be short-lived as Everton's Leon Osman and James Vaughan claimed the goals that pushed the London club back down into 17th place just   Football: Violence around Europe A police car in Florence was set ablaze by Lazio fans before their team's Italian league match at Fiorentina on Sunday.   Football: Werder fired up Werder Bremen's players can hardly contain their excitement ahead of Tuesday's Champions League battle with Barcelona as they bid to reach the last 16 and eliminate the holders.   Football: Henry wants a break Arsenal captain Thierry Henry says he needs to rest for at least a month as he bids to recover from nagging injuries.   Football: I'm no flop: Tevez Carlos Tevez has endured a miserable time since joining West Ham but the Argentina striker insists he is not a Premiership flop.   Football: Liverpool-Arsenal in FA Cup Holders Liverpool and 2005 winners Arsenal were drawn together in the FA Cup third round after the draw was made on Sunday. Metropolitan 2nd generation British Bangladeshis keen to uphold cultural heritage Their forefathers once migrated to a foreign land far from their home in search of better opportunities.   Tk 20 lakh jute gutted in Ctg Jute worth Tk 20 lakh was gutted in a fire at a godown in the port city yesterday.   Row over resignation of BMC vice-principal Mystery shrouds the resignation of chairperson of Physiotherapy department at Bangladesh Medical College (BMC) hampering the study of around 200 students.   Major parties should show flexible attitude: UK envoy Major political parties should show compromising and flexible attitude in order to resolve the current political deadlock and hold a fair election, said British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury yesterday.   Bangladeshi visitors to HK to require visa from Dec 11 The immigration authorities in Hong Kong have decided to introduce a system requiring Bangladeshis to obtain visa before flying to Hong Kong.   Family members demand impartial probe Family members of two accused in an arms case yesterday alleged that the case filed by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) with South Keraniganj Police Station on November 19 was false.   Strike at all edn instts Thursday Chhatra Sangram Parishad (CSP) will observe a daylong strike at all educational institutions in Rajshahi on Thursday protesting the killing of BCL leader Ahsan Habib Babu.   'Step up AIDS awareness campaign' Different organisations observed the World AIDS Day across the country yesterday with the slogan 'Stop AIDS, keep the promise'.   Sirajul Hossain's 'Vanishing Ape' goes Cambridge Thirty photographs of hoolock gibbons by Sirajul Hossain have been selected for the exhibition at the Primate Society of Great Britain (PSGB) and Cambridge audiences starting from today, says a pressrelease.   Certificate giving ceremony of Bar Council deferred The function for distributing certificate among the advocates, who were listed in the Bangladesh Bar Council on October 29, 2005, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.   TIB concert postponed Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday postponed an open-air concert scheduled for December 9, says a press release.   JN University examinations postponed Jagannath University authorities have postponed the 2nd year examinations-2005 scheduled for December 6 and 7 due to unavoidable reasons, says a press release. National BJP feels 'betrayed' as BNP candidate files nomination The feud between alliance partners BNP and BJP (Naziur) in Satkhira- 4 (Kaligonj- Debhata) constituency intensified after a BNP aspirant sought nomination for the Jatiya Sangsad seat, won by BJP in last   FFs oppose Mehedi in Kushtia-4 Kumarkhali municipal unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad has urged BNP high command not to nominate immediate past lawmaker Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi from Kushtia-4 constituency again in the coming election.   Lobi's men lobby for Tayebur, rival demands ouster from BNP Leaders of Ali Asghar Lobi faction of Khulna BNP have demanded 4-party alliance nomination for city Mayor Shaikh Tayebur Rahman from Khulna-3 constituency in coming election instead of former Whip Ashraf   AL leader Muhibur among 29 accused BNP leaders at a rally in Biswanath yesterday demanded arrest and punishment of the killers of JCD leader Foyez Ahmed Anu. Any was killed in a clash between activists of Awami League and BNP on Sunday.   Hartal observed in Jhenidah A half-day hartal was observed here yesterday protesting killing of district Juba Dal organising secretary Haider Ali Hadu who was killed by criminals Friday night. Point-Counterpoint The Constitution is neither Bible nor play-thing "In a situation where politics takes to the streets, the niceties and literal meanings of the Constitution lose their significance and the Constitution becomes less important than the demands of the   SM Ali: A life in dedication Birth anniversary is high on the list of life's most exalting and emotionally charged experiences, -- both in personal and social terms.   Bangladesh from a foreign volunteer's perspective I found Bangladesh hot and full of diggings along the sidewalks when I arrived in this country last March. As weeks rolled by, Bangladesh could really be that hot. Politically. Culture "Nirontor" bags Silver Peacock Director Abu Sayeed has cause for jubilation.   Glimpses of life and times of Rafiqun Nabi Smritir Thikana, a documentary on the life and work of Rafiqun Nabi, a leading artist of Bangladesh, was screened at Bengal Shilpalaya on December 3.   Tajuddin's latest feat at Paris Internationally famed artist, Tajuddin Ahmed's latest feather in the cap is his recent second solo exhibit, at Musee Atelier Adzak. Paris. The display features numerous semi-abstract oil paintings inacrylic.   10th National Television School Debate Competition begins A year-long school debate competition, titled 10th National Television School Debate Competition was inaugurated on December 3 with the topic Bortoman Projonmer Bhobishshyat Alokito (The future is bright   Drama serial 'Kagojer Manush' on Rtv Kagojer Manush, a drama serial, features stories based on and inspired by newspaper reports as well as life and works of noted journalists of our country. General 20 rare trees felled on campus Rajshahi Government College authorities cut down at least 20 old and rare trees on the campus in last several months.   4 die in road crashes At least four people were killed and 14 others injured in separate road accidents in Brahmanbaria and Sirajganj yesterday.   'Ensure neutrality in admin' Prokowshali Krishibid Chikitshak Oikya Parishad, a platform of engineers, agriculturists and doctors, yesterday put forward a 24-point suggestion to chief adviser (CA) to the caretaker government toensure   Call to start admission process soon Successful candidates of MBBS admission tests for 14 government medical colleges under the academic session 2006-07 yesterday reiterated their demand for immediate start of the admission process.   Reforms in EC demanded Progatishil Chhatra Jote (PCJ), a combine of left-leaning student organisations, yesterday demanded an independent Election Commission and electoral reforms.   Youth found dead in city Police recovered the body of an unidentified youth at Badda in the city yesterday. The victim aged about 22 was found lying dead in Solmait Bashumati Housing Project area at around 11:00am.   SEU exam time Admission tests of Southeast University for BBA and MBA (regular) course of Spring Semester 2007 on December 8 will be held at 3:00pm instead of 10:00am, says a press release. International LTTE accuses Lanka of scuttling peace move Sri Lanka has effectively ended a Norwegian-led peace process with the Tamil Tigers, a pro-rebel website reported, as fresh fighting yesterday killed seven people on both sides.   India eyes dilution of tough US nuclear deal terms India is keeping its fingers crossed over the fate of a landmark civilian nuclear pact with the United States, hoping that binding and deal-breaking conditions are not included.   India, Naga rebels hold peace talks Leaders of a powerful separatist group in India's northeast will hold a new round of talks with government negotiators in Amsterdam on Monday with threats of violence from a rival group hanging over the   De facto partition takes hold in Iraq For months, the Waheed brothers steadfastly endured the killings raging around them in their mainly Sunni district, staying put as fellow Shias packed up and left.   Israel moves to bolster truce with Palestinians Israel moved to bolster a fragile ceasefire with Palestinian militants yesterday by ordering its troops in the occupied West Bank to avoid "unnecessary friction" as the truce entered its ninth day.   Lebanese army boosts forces in tense Beirut Lebanon's army deployed more soldiers in Beirut on Monday after the killing of a pro-Syrian Shia Muslim demonstrator raised fears anti-government protests could turn into sectarian violence.   Military tightens grip on Fiji as police, PM's bodyguards disarmed Fijian troops locked down the Pacific island nation's capital Monday, disarming police and government bodyguards and setting up roadblocks as the nation faced its fourth coup in two decades. Editorial Editorial: Uphold the spirit of the constitution The nation has been waiting for election for the last five years.   Editorial: Keep Chittagong Port out of politics We are concerned at the disruption of the operations of the Chittagong Port.   Conundrum in the court Very sadly, the chief justice (CJ) of the Supreme Court seems to have entangled himself in controversy.   Do we need such a large Election Commission? At present, we have a six-member Election Commission (EC), including the chief election commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz who is on a 90-day leave since November 22.   New turn in China-India relations Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India surpassed some of the upbeat expectations it had raised.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.