Vol. 5 Num 979 Fri. March 02, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan Culture General Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Next graft suspect list by end March A new list of corruption suspects might be released by the end of March after the government brings amendments to the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Act and formulates necessary ACC rules.   80,000kg formalin fish enter country every day At least 80,000kg of formalin-treated fishes daily enter the country from Myanmar, posing serious health hazards to millions of consumers.   NBR asks banks to suspend transactions with 53 people The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday asked all commercial banks to suspend immediately all transactions of accounts of the 50 graft suspects listed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, and three   EC drafts poll reform plan The Election Commission (EC) has drafted a set of electoral reform proposals including those for barring civil or military bureaucrats from contesting the parliamentary election within three years since   No JS body exists, yet hiring goes on Though the immediate past parliament's tenure expired more than four months ago, appointments at different offices of it are going on.   New CJ for restoring discipline in judiciary Newly appointed Chief Justice (CJ) Mohammad Ruhul Amin in his maiden speech yesterday stressed the need for restoring discipline in the Supreme Court.   More CI sheets seized from BNP, Jamaat men's houses Joint forces yesterday arrested Baufal upazila Jubo Dal president and a local Awami League leader of Noakhali and seized 159 corrugated iron (CI) sheets meant for relief mostly from the houses of BNPand   Pollution of the river...   Yunus asks researchers to solve problems with open mind Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday urged Bangladeshi researchers to get off the beaten track by keeping an open mind in their assessment of the country's problems and devising ingenious solutions.   Industries ministry probe body may submit report today The industries ministry probe body for investigating Monday's blaze at BSEC Bhaban at Karwan Bazar in the capital has almost finished its job and is likely to submit its report to the ministry today.   ACC gets Mir Nasir's house prices assessed Instructed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on February 22, the Public Works Department (PWD) yesterday started assessing the price of two houses of arrested former state minister for civil aviation   Harris Chy's driver, relative on remand A Dhaka court yesterday placed the driver and one of the brothers-in-law of Harris Chowdhury on a three-day remand each.   Govt makes formalin test of fish mandatory The government has decided to make formalin test mandatory for imported fish that will come into effect with the test of formalin presence in fish at Teknaf land port from today.   HC asks Amini to surrender in 2 weeks Turning down the plea for anticipatory bail in a shop looting case, the High Court (HC) yesterday asked Fazlul Huq Amini, chairman of a faction of Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), to surrender before the lower   Bail sought for Mirza Abbas, Pintu, Akhtar The lawyers of detained former housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas, ex-lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and former power secretary ANH Akhtar Hossain yesterday sought bails for their clientsfrom   Rajuk demolishes illegal parts of 2 commercial buildings The eviction team of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) yesterday demolished some portions of the Siemens building and the Malaysian Airlines office building on the Tejgaon Gulshan Link Road.   Ex-AL MP held for assaulting cops A former Awami League (AL) lawmaker was arrested yesterday for physically assaulting law enforcers and journalists as he was prevented from passing through an off-limit road near the Supreme Court byrickshaw.   10 JMB suspects held in Bagmara Police arrested 10 suspected activists of the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) including an alleged associate of Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai at Bagmara upazila in Rajshahi early yesterday.   Elderly woman dies during robbery Two robberies in the capital yesterday left one person dead and two others injured.   Leaves shedding...   Fake army alert People have been advised to remain alert about fake army men, who blackmail unwary people or different organisations using the name of army.   Contracts of 3 ambassadors cancelled The caretaker government has cancelled the contractual appointment of three Bangladesh ambassadors posted in Libya, Turkey and France.   BNP terms news on Khaleda's house baseless Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has protested and condemned a report published yesterday in a section of newspapers regarding the presence of joint forces at the residence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda   BSF kills 1 Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi youth on Chamusa border in Bholahat upazila of the district yesterday morning.   Journos' entry to RMCH prohibited Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) authorities on Wednesday evening prohibited the entrance of journalists on the hospital compound and threatened with legal actions against newsmen failing to comply.   Robbers kill 1, loot Tk 50 lakh jewellery Unknown assailants killed the son of a jewellery storeowner, injured a worker critically and robbed at least Tk 50 lakh worth gold from the store on Station Road in the town yesterday.   Unhygienic Biscuits...   BTV director, news editor made OSD State-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) Director M Mahbubul Alam and News Editor DK Fuad Hasan have been made OSD (officer-on special-duty) as part of the administrative reshuffle under the caretaker government.   Pak pace duo Akhtar, Asif left out of WC Pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, a senior official of Pakistan Cricket Board said on Thursday.   N Korea pledges to give up nukes in talks North Korea's No. 2 leader pledged his country's commitment yesterday to giving up its nuclear programme during a meeting with a visiting high-level South Korean delegation.   Iran's participation at ME summit uncertain Iran's level of participation remained uncertain yesterday as Iraq pushed ahead with plans to hold a March 10 conference with its neighbours and key Western countries on the Iraqi security crisis.   South Korea urges Japan to atone for atrocities Japan must atone for the atrocities committed during World World Two through concrete measures, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said yesterday, adding it was key to better ties between the two countries.   Car bomb kills 5 guests at Iraqi wedding A car bomb targeting a convoy of cars carrying guests at the wedding of an Iraqi policemen killed five people and wounded 10 in the western city of Falluja yesterday, a police source said.   al-Qaeda invoked in US embassy at Jakarta threat A bomb threat against the US Embassy in Jakarta yesterday was conveyed to authorities by a pair of cell phone text messages signed, "al Qaeda," local officials said. Business Green channel at Ctg port to be introduced Chittagong Customs Authority has decided to introduce 'green channel' facility at Chittagong Port to ease container congestion and lower the turnaround time for vessels, sources here said yesterday.   Businesses urge govt to define 'hoarding' Country's businesses yesterday urged the government to provide them with a guideline defining the volume of stock of essentials that will be treated as hoarding.   EU-style community for Asia 'not feasible': ADB president Trying to set up a grand European Union-style economic community for Asia "does not appear feasible" the president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday.   Indian economy grows slower than expected India's economy expanded by a lower-than- expected 8.6 percent in the third quarter to December, hit by weak farm growth on the back of poor monsoon rains, data on Wednesday showed.   BASIS seeks tax exemption for three more years Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has appealed to the government to continue the tax exemption for the industry for next three years to help it flourish properly.   BEI roundtable on CSR held The Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) organised a roundtable on CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) practices and challenges in Bangladesh on Wednesday, says a press release.   Int'l poultry show kicks off The 5th international poultry show began in Dhaka yesterday to introduce local poultry growers to the latest technologies and developments in the sector.   IT fair in Khulna Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) is organising a three-day information technology fair in Khulna, says a press release.   No Asian country on track to attain MDG targets The Asia-Pacific region has done much to fight poverty, but no country is on track to meet a set of UN-agreed goals that range from stemming AIDS to reducing infant mortality, experts said Thursday.   New head of operations of BAT Bangladesh Nishantha Gooneratne has joined British American Tobacco Bangladesh as head of Operations, says a press release.   US-Singapore trade up 19pc in 2006 Trade between Singapore and the United States rose 19 percent in 2006 from the year before, the second fastest growth rate among Washington's major trading partners, the American Chamber of Commerce here   Sinochem to bid for US assets in Egypt China's Sinochem Corp., the country's largest oil product trader, will bid for the Egyptian oil assets of the US-based energy explorer Devon Energy Corp, state press said Thursday.   Currency Sports Cricket: Sublime Shakib Skakib Al Hasan hit the highest one-day inter-national score by a Bangladeshi and took two important wickets, as the Tigers prevailed over Canada by 13 runs in a compelling final match of the pre-World   Football: Football's new beginning Football goes professional in the country today with Abahani and Muktijoddha all set to make history as opponents of the B. League's opening match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.   Football: Foreigners uncertain In spite of spending over crores, neither Abahani nor Muktijoddha go into today's B. League opener with their confidence sky-high.   Cricket: Cup format & regulations Format and regulations of the cricket World Cup starting in the West Indies on March 13. FIRST ROUND The ninth edition of the World Cup will be contested by 16 teams, the most ever.   Cricket: First day's play washed out The first day of the second four-day Test between Bangladesh A and visiting England A was washed out due to rain without a ball being bowled at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday.   Football: A caution for BFF Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Dato Paul Mony yesterday urged the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to show professional attitude towards the game or lose the assistance of the   Cricket: Full marks to Sylhet Sylhet spun to their second overall win in the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 8th National Cricket League yesterday but the remaining two matches ended in draws on the final day of the four-dayers.   Cricket: Watch out for Nafees Shahriar Nafees is not a big name in the world of cricket, but Ricky Ponting's all-conquering Australians will not easily forget the Bangladeshi left-handed opener.   Cricket: Arjuna's money on India Sri Lanka's World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga said on Thursday he thought India would win the sport's biggest prize even though the 2007 tournament was wide open.   Cricket: Bond - Shane Bond When Shane Bond starts his run up he instils an air of confidence in the New Zealand cricket team -- the bulletproof feeling that can only be ignited by a world class player.   Football: Violence mars Cup night Violence marred the Spanish Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday as the second leg between Real Betis and city rivals Seville was suspended due to crowd violence after the latter's coach was hit by a bottle.   Cricket: 1987: Birth of a dynasty India and Australia ended up with 20 points each from their group to reach the semifinals while Pakistan and England made it through from Group B.   Cricket: No Akhtar, no Asif Pakistan pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Moham-mad Asif were ruled out of the World Cup on Thursday in a move that cricket chiefs insisted was due to injury and not doping.   Football: Udinese defy Inter Inter Milan's record run of 17 consecutive Serie A wins was brought to an end after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Udinese on Wednesday.   Local Snippets Bangladesh's International Masters Enamul Hossain Rajib and Abdullah Al Rakib were trailing joint leaders GM Tigran Petrosian (Armenia) and GM Darmen Sadvakasov (Kazakhstan) by one point after Thursday's   Cricket: Symonds gives Australia boost Injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds has boosted Australia's World Cup cricket hopes by saying he could be available before the pool match against South Africa, reports said Thursday.   Cricket: ICC's war against doping The International Cricket Council (ICC) will step up its battle against doping by target-testing players at the World Cup.   Cricket: Bopara extends Essex contract England all-rounder Ravi Bopara has extended his contract with Essex through to the end of the 2009 season.   Cricket: Secret of Sachin's energy Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar says he is fired up by the prospect of helping India win the World Cup.   Football: Klinsmann honoured Juergen Klinsmann, who coached Germany to third place at last year's World Cup, received the country's highest honour on Wednesday at a private ceremony at the chancellery.   Cricket: Odoyo sounds WC warning Kenyan seamer Thomas Odoyo said he will bid to maintain his aggressive form at the upcoming Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.   Football: Van Bommel punished by UEFA Bayern Munich's Mark van Bommel has been punished by UEFA for his gesture to the Real Madrid crowd during his side's 3-2 defeat in a Champions League match at the Bernabeu last week.   Football: Grip calls for Beckham Tord Grip, assistant to former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, said ex-captain David Beckham should still be playing for his country.   Football: Take it easy Terry One of Britain's top brain surgeons has urged England captain John Terry not to rush back to action after suffering an horrific head injury last weekend.   Football: Gunners woes compound A Benni McCarthy super strike handed Arsenal their second Cup disappointment in four days and booked Blackburn Rovers' place in the FA Cup sixth round on Wednesday.   Football: Blatter dubs Magpies 'greedy' FIFA President Sepp Blatter has accused Newcastle of being greedy in their demands for compensation for the serious injury suffered by Michael Owen at the World Cup in Germany last year.   Football: Lens, PSG bite the dust Champions League hopefuls Lens were bundled out of the French Cup by determined amateur side Montceau-les-Mines on Wednesday.   Football: Stuttgart reach semis VfB Stuttgart beat Hertha Berlin 2-0 at home in dreadful conditions on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals of the German Cup and keep alive their hopes of a domestic double.   Football: Romario up to 992 Former Brazil striker Romario scored twice to take his career tally to 992 goals as Vasco da Gama crushed part-timers Fast Club 6-0 in a Copa Brasil tie on Wednesday. Metropolitan Rotary Pacemaker Bank for poor patients opens Nobel peace laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the country's first Rotary Pacemaker Bank at the National Heart Foundation in the city yesterday.   Transport waives 50pc fare for people with disability in Rajshahi Rajshahi Sarak Paribahan Group and Motor Sramik Union have decided to waive off 50 percent fare and keep two seats reserved for people with disability.   Plan to vaccinate 2.4cr children against polio The caretaker government yesterday decided to observe the 15th National Immunisation Day (NID) to administer polio vaccine to some 2.   9 DMP stations begin to provide legal service Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) yesterday launched round-the-clock service to provide legal service for the people.   Valuables worth Tk 41 lakh gutted Valuable printing machineries, computers and furniture worth over Tk 41 lakh were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire at the printing press of Chittagong University (CU) on the campus early yesterday.   Tribute paid to Waheedul Haque Speakers at a memorial meeting yesterday paid tribute to Waheedul Haque, a renowned journalist and Tagore song specialist, saying that he was a man of vast knowledge, integrity and secular thinking.   Education UK Exhibition 2007 begins Deputy High Commissioner of Britain to Bangladesh Stephen Bridges yesterday said his country wants to promote the linkages with Bangladesh through education.   NGO official robbed of Tk 70,000 in city An accounts officer of an NGO was robbed of Tk 70,000 in cash including a mobile set and left unconscious at a city bus stand yesterday.   4 cases detected in Banshkhali Bangladesh witnessed an unexpected comeback of polio virus after more than five years in 2006 and four of the 17 new cases have alone been detected at Banskhali in Chittagong, officials of civil surgeon   Conjoined twins die at DMCH The conjoined twins that were born at Jobaida Memorial Hospital in Gazipur on Sunday breathed their last at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Wednesday night, as their eight-chambered-heart   BSF, BDR trade fire Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) traded gunfire on Laxmidari border under Sadar upazila in the district yesterday.   Fire breaks out at Gazipur thread factory A devastating fire broke out at a cotton godown of a thread factory at Kuniapachhar in Sadar upazila yesterday.   Public Library hours cut The Public Library authorities in a sudden move yesterday reduced the library opening hours, sparking off protests from readers.   ntv transmission to resume soon Managing Director of ntv Enayetur Rahman yesterday said the transmission of the private TV channel will resume soon although its equipments and machineries were destroyed by an inferno at Bangladesh Steel   HC rule on govt The High Court yesterday issued a rule upon the government to explain why the detention order of Helaluzzaman Talukder Laloo, a former BNP MP, should not be declared illegal.   McKinnon due on Mar 20 Commonwealth Secretary General Donald C McKinnon is scheduled to arrive here on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh on March 20.   JMB cadre gets 30 years A special tribunal in Rajshahi yesterday sentenced JMB cadre Abdur Rahman alias Khalid to 30 years' imprisonment. Fourth Special Tribunal Judge Abu Saleh Sheikh Md Zahrul Haq handed down the verdict.   Nikli police SI suspended for taking bribe A Sub-Inspector (SI) of Nikli Police Station was suspended on charge of taking bribe in the district. The policeman is identified as SI Abdul Malek.   EWU scholarship award ceremony East West University (EWU) held a merit scholarship award ceremony for Spring Semester 2007 at its auditorium in the city yesterday, says a press release.   Death anniversary Today is the 5th death anniversary of journalist Shaikh Harun-ar-Rashid Khokan. Khulna Press Club and Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) have chalked out separate programmes to observe the day. Point-Counterpoint An umbrella university for South Asia Everybody welcomes the idea of a "South Asian University;" it's like mother's milk. But even mother's milk has to have the proper nutrients, or the baby will grow up malformed.   Responding to TB in Asia China, India and Indonesia are home to two-in-three of the world's tuberculosis (TB) cases and the countries are expanding coverage of its TB programme at record-breaking speed.   Fighting corruption: Why this ambivalence? Right now the nation is fighting an uphill battle against corruption. In our 36-year history, this is the first time we are seeing such a large number of rich, powerful and untouchable people behind bars.   Police and ethics It is widely recognized that the first organized police force were the Roman vigiles, the first group of nonmilitary and nonmercenary police. Culture Ilias Kanchan: An actor fighting for safe roads It has become a status symbol for artistes all around the world to give charity and participate in awareness building programmes.   'Ramayana' presented through 'Kushan Gaan' How aesthetically rich an indigenous performing art can be, was evident in the performance by Kripashindhu Roy and his troupe from Kurigram.   Film festival on Liberation War, humanism and harmony begins tomorrow As part of the silver jubilee celebration of Chalachchitram Film Society, a weeklong film festival on Liberation War, humanism and harmony' will be held from March 3 to 9 at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium   'Path-er Sheshey': Down memory lane with Nilufar Yasmin Her breathy voice, finesse and absolute command over every tune she rendered made her inimitable. Impeccable vocals were accompanied by refreshing subtlety and modesty -- like the melody of a banshi.   Amar Ekushey Granthamela: A successful conclusion The month long Amar Ekushey Granthamela, the greatest assemblage of book lovers in the country, ended on the last day of February.   New serials on Channel i Drama serial Ankush, written and directed by Abu Sufian, is to be aired on Channel i, every Friday at 9.35pm, beginning tonight. The serial is based on common characters and events.   Guillermo Del Toro talks 'Tarzan' Awards glory hasn't gone to Guillermo Del Toro's head.   Woody Allen's next project Spanish actors Javier Bardem and Penelopé Cruz have been pegged for Woody Allen's next film. As usual, the diminutive director is keeping the plot under wraps as well as the title. General Five killed in road accidents At least five people were killed in separate road accidents in Gaibandha, Comilla, Kishoreganj and Patuakhali yesterday.   Domestic help found dead in city house Police recovered body of a domestic help inside a bathroom of a house at Pallabi in the city yesterday.   Call to free environmental activist Shahidul Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) has appealed to the caretaker government to immediately release environmental, developmental and human rights activist Shahidul Islam, if there is no specific allegation   Hasina visits ailing Jalil at hospital Awami League President Sheikh Hasina visited the party's General Secretary Abdul Jalil at Labaid Specialised Hospital at Dhanmondi in the city last night. Editorial Editorial: Muhammad Yunus at DU Professor Muhammad Yunus' remarks at the 43rd convocation of Dhaka University on Wednesday are certainly a commentary on some very serious issues involving our education system.   Editorial: Demolition drive by Rajuk The massive drive undertaken by Rajuk to demolish unauthorised structures built without permission on government land has brought many illegal structures down in last couple of weeks.   The ripple effect Ever since Dr.   Going after the thought criminals 1984 was the dystopian deadline set by George Orwell when everything was going to turn bad. The world would be ruled by an authoritarian ruler, and his party would change history through manipulation.   Indian state assembly elections: A clear setback for the Congress The results of the state assembly elections in India have, by and large, been along expected lines, without any major upsets but not fully without elements of surprise. Letters to Editor Private schools Reports appearing in the local press indicate that the private schools (especially the English medium) in Dhaka (and elsewhere) are doing roaring business, and the Education Code of the government does   Bangladesh marching ahead Bangladesh under the present caretaker government seems to be marching ahead in the right groove, after the political impasse and nightmarish horror emanating from widespread corruption, anarchy andterrorism   Palestinian State? As the years go by, the Palestinian state as envisaged by the US President George Bush to materialise by 2005 appears to be still farther off, even after a lapse of another two years! In the meantime,   Netting 'big fish' We were surprised but not disheartened to see the recent political developments in the country. The interim government has launched massive operations to catch corrupt politicians and businessmen.   MP candidates The present caretaker government can now easily make our politics free from all pollution. Dr.   A new hope Our deepest gratitude and thanks to the caretaker government for performing its duties efficiently, people are feeling relieved.   Tackling power crisis The government has taken a desperate but much effective step to reduce the sufferings of people from growing shortage of electricity by introducing shopping time until 7:00pm.   Be patient! Both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia 'cannot' wait for the next general election.   Hasina's reference to Dr. Yunus In my humble opinion, the truth behind Sheikh Hasina's remark is one based on fear.   Honour our heroes The quick action of some spontaneous super-heroes kept the human losses at the BSEC Bhaban fire to a minimum.   Dr. Yunus Dr. Yunus in his letter did not write anything about his party's policies and ideology. World Iran, Sudan close ranks in face of Western pressure Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his first visit to Sudan on Wednesday extended full support to his opposite number Omar al-Beshir, blaming the United States and its allies for the region's woes.   Tiger proxies urge India not to give warship to Lanka The Tamil National Alliance, seen as proxies in parliament for the Tiger rebels, yesterday asked India not to help Sri Lanka's navy.   Congress gets wake-up call from prices, polls Stung by soaring prices, state election defeats and a resurgent opposition, the ruling Congress party will likely stay in damage control mode with an eye on polls in the next two years.   Militants to be forced out President Pervez Musharraf said Pakistan will force foreign al-Qaeda and Taliban militants to leave the troubled tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, state media reported yesterday.   Iran kills 17 rebels in northwest province Iranian security forces killed 17 rebels in the latest clashes in West Azarbaijan province close to the Turkish and Iraqi borders in northwest Iran, a Revolutionary Guards commander said yesterday.   Embattled Israeli PM faces fresh scam Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was yesterday accused of unlawfully appointing scores of political cronies from his former Likud party in the latest scandal to mar his beleaguered leadership.   Ex-PM's party threatens to quit Iraqi govt The secular party led by former Iraqi interim prime minister Iyad Allawi threatened yesterday to quit the country's embattled government of national unity, accusing officials of sectarian bias.   Indian SC orders probe against Mulayam Singh The Supreme Court ordered a probe yesterday into allegations that the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh had illegally made around 1 billion rupees.   Hawking to make zero gravity flight Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who authored the best-selling book, "A Brief History of Time," soon will experience a brief history with weightlessness.   McCain enters 2008 US presidential race Influential Republican Senator John McCain announced Wednesday that he will run for the White House in the 2008 race. McCain, who lost his party's nomination in 2000 to now-President George W.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.