Vol. 5 Num 1008 Sun. April 01, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Militant patrons also to face same fate Hours after the execution of the six linchpins of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), the government high-ups yesterday gave hints that it is now the turn of the patrons and masterminds of the militants   McGrath mauls Tigers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden followed up the record breaking exploits of Glenn McGrath to make Bangladesh's debut in the Super 8's a forgettable one at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua earlier today.   Trade, connectivity, terrorism main focus The forthcoming 14th Saarc Summit in New Delhi is expected to focus particularly on trade, terrorism and connectivity amongst the member countries.   BDR intervention brings down essentials prices Prices of produce in different kitchen markets in the capital are in a downward trend since Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) started setting up open markets where retailers may sell their produce for lower prices   Shipbuilding firms get foreign orders Some local ship building companies are receiving orders worth millions of dollars from foreign buyers for large ocean-going ships as they are diverting orders from developed East Asian countries to labour   Torture victim sues ex-BNP minister Aminul Huq Former post and telecommunications minister barrister Aminul Huq was sued on Friday night for aiding and abetting the militants of banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).   Dhaka asks Delhi for duty free access, removal of non-tariff barriers Bangladesh yesterday asked for duty-free access for its goods to the Indian market and the removal of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers to reduce nearly $8 billion cumulative trade deficit between Bangladesh   Saarc FMs agree on university, food bank Saarc foreign secretaries yesterday discussed taking Safta to the next level by including a free trade in services and unanimously deciding to recommend the setting up of South Asian University, creation   Miladunnabi today The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, marking the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH), will be observed across the country as elsewhere around the Muslim world today.   Regional co-op meet for transport connectivity As the seventh meeting of the Forum for Regional Cooperation among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) began in Dhaka yesterday, speakers at its inaugural session emphasised that transport connectivity   Scorching heat...   Wari-Bateswar reminds Ptolemy's 'Sounagoura' Greek geographer Ptolemy (circa 90-168 AD) probably referred to Wari and Bateswar, two remote villages in Narsingdi, as Sounagoura in his "Geographia", said experts.   Mamun placed on 5-day fresh remand in extortion case Giasuddin Al Mamun, controversial businessman and a close friend of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, was placed on a five-day remand in connection with a Tk 1.   22 Hizbut Tahrir members sent to jail A Dhaka court yesterday sent 22 members of Hizbut Tahrir Bangladesh's cultural wing to Dhaka Central Jail after police produced them before the court in connection with violation of the provisions ofthe   Indian agencies get info of 'militant attack' on summit Indian intelligence agencies have received information that four Sikh and Islamist militant organisations are planning to attack New Delhi targeting the 14th Saarc summit to be held on April 3 and 4 in   BTRC sues Aktel for illegal VoIP business Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) filed a case with Gulshan Police Station accusing private mobile phone operator Aktel of running illegal voice over internet protocol (VoIP) business   Ukrainian rivals mass in capital A power struggle inside the government in Ukraine has brought thousands of demonstrators out on to the streets in the capital, Kiev.   Rejoinder Sundarban East Forest Division sent a rejoinder disagreeing with some parts of the news item that The Daily Star published on March 21 under the title "Forest Fire: Trees on 250 acres burnt in Sundarbans".   5 more JMB suspects held in Bagmara Police arrested five more suspected militants of outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in Bagmara upazila yesterday afternoon.   1,500 more chickens culled Around 1,500 chickens were culled at two farms in Dhaka and Jessore yesterday, central bird flu control room sources said.   Bangladeshis among 80 migrants held in Turkey Turkish police yesterday detained 83 illegal immigrants planning to cross into Europe from Turkey's northwestern border with Greece, the Anatolia news agency reported.   Iran warns Britain over politicising sailor crisis Iran yesterday again warned Britain against politicising the seizure of its 15 navy personnel, saying that could complicate efforts to resolve the escalating crisis.   EU gives nod to Arab-led ME peace efforts EU foreign ministers agreed yesterday to lend their full support to a renewed Arab-led Middle East peace initiative and to work with the non-Hamas members of the new Palestinian government, an official   Fighting erupts for 3rd day in Mogadishu Heavy weapons fire broke out before dawn yesterday in the Somali capital Mogadishu, as the Ethiopian army pressed its land and air offensive against insurgents for a third consecutive day. Business BoP surplus reaches $360m in Jul-Jan Despite slow foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign aid, the country's overall balance of payment (BoP) surplus reached $360million in the first seven months of the current fiscal, thanks to continued   Joint venture firm to assemble TVS motorcycles TVS Auto Bangladesh Ltd, a joint venture between India's TVS & Sons Ltd, and Bangladesh's Rian Motors Ltd, will assemble and market TVS motor cycles in the local market.   Corporate profit: Justifiable necessity versus undesirable obscenity Recent developments in our country have maligned the image of private sector companies and corporations to a great extent.   BASIS software show concludes today The BASIS SoftExpo2007 is heading towards its final momentum with a considerable turnout as the five-day IT and IT-enabled services fair comes to a close today.   India allocates more credit for farm sector The government has decided to allocate more funds for extending credit to agriculture in order to raise its contribution to about four per cent to the GDP.   Law to protect consumers' rights demanded Speakers at a roundtable here yesterday urged the government to enact a comprehensive law for protecting consumers' rights.   Iran plans to stop pricing oil in dollars Giant petroleum producer Iran plans to stop pricing its oil in dollars, the state-run television quoted the central bank governor as saying on Friday.   Decision on Vodafone's purchase of Hutch delayed India has delayed the approval of British telecoms giant Vodafone's multi-billion-dollar deal to buy Hutchison Essar while it decides whether the Indian cellular company's shareholding structure meets   Etihad adds new flight to Dhaka-Abu Dhabi route Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has added another flight to its Dhaka-Abu Dhabi route.   ROK-US FTA talks resume after deadline extended US and South Korean officials on Saturday resumed talks on a long-sought free trade deal after agreeing to extend a deadline in a bid to secure agreement after 10 months of tough bargaining.   Pubali Bank declares 75pc stock dividend Pubali Bank Ltd has declared a 75 percent stock dividend (three bonus shares for every four ordinary shares) for its shareholders for the year 2006.   WTO powers to seek agriculture trade breakthrough in April Ministers from four key trading powers in the WTO will meet in New Delhi in mid-April to try to broker a deal in global talks on opening up farm trade, diplomats said Friday.   WTO rules against US online gambling A World Trade Organisation panel said Friday that the United States had failed to comply with a previous ruling ordering it to open up the multi-billion dollar cross-border internet gambling industry.   China strongly dissatisfied on US trade sanction The Chinese government expresses strong dissatisfaction about the US decision to impose penalty tariffs against the imports of Chinese coated free sheet paper, Wang Xinpei, spokesman for China's Ministry   Prime Bank declares 30pc stock dividend Prime Bank Ltd has declared a 30 percent stock dividend for its shareholders, says a press release. The dividend was announced at the 12th annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank on Thursday inDhaka.   Mutual Trust Bank recommends 20pc cash, 5pc stock dividends Mutual Trust Bank Ltd has recommended a 20 percent cash dividend and a 5 percent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2006. Sports Cricket: A sweet problem What has al-ready happened in West Indies is something new for the Tigers.   Cricket: Fight is already on West Indies captain Brian Lara is looking forward to an impro-ved performance from his batsmen in a crucial World Cup Super Eights match against Sri Lanka here on Sunday.   Cricket: Shields calls old friends A team of Bri-tish detectives is expec-ted to arrive in Jamaica next week to assist in the Bob Woolmer murder in-vestigation, two weeks after the Pakistan cricket coach was found strangled in his hotel   Cricket: Inzy quashes fixing rumours Former Pa-kistan captain Inza-mamul Haq has denied that members of his team may have been involved in match-fixing.   Cricket: Rajshahi atop alone Defending champions Rajshahi forced Sy-lhet out of the top slot with an emphatic 79-run victory in the third round of the limited-overs Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 8th National Cricket League at the Fatullah   Cricket: Govt hands over cheques to Rana, Shetu's families The government on Saturday provided financial support to the families of two talented cricketers Manzarul Islam Rana and Sajjadul Hasan Shetu, who were killed in a tragic road accident in Khulna recently.   Cricket: A team improve batting, yet lose Even a much improved batting performance was not enough for Bangladesh A to taste their first victory in the trip as they lost the first game of the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka A by five   Local Snippets Rising star Prithul Mandal fought back to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 against Mazharul Islam to reach the quarterfinals of the Independence Cup tennis tournament at the Ramna Tennis Complex yesterday.   Cricket: Fans irate at Pak exit With the local mosque decorated in the green and white colours of Pakistan, Wasim Karim dreamed of watching the Asian giants play in the World Cup Super Eights here.   Cricket: Colly carries England England rode on Paul Collingwood's fighting half-century and four wickets by Andrew Flintoff to beat Ireland by 48 runs in their Super Eights match here on Friday.   Cricket: The Narail Express Bangladesh's youngsters are suddenly the talk of the tournament.   Cricket: Control pleases coach New Zealand coach John Bracewell believes his attack are starting to reap the rewards of their work with bowling guru Dayle Hadlee as they bid to reduce their extras count at the World Cup.   Cricket: Vaughan form 'patchy' England captain Michael Vaughan has conceded he will have to work hard to regain his form ahead of the remaining World Cup Super Eights matches.   Cricket: Lara, Murali lick lips Sparks are bound to fly when West Indies skipper Brian Lara bats against ace Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran in a World Cup Super Eights match here on Sunday.   Football: Muktis thrash Ctg Abahani Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra notched their third consecutive victory in the B League as they crushed Chittagong Abahani by 4-0 goals at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Ponting wants WI to stay Australia captain Ricky Ponting fears the already small crowds at the World Cup will be further reduced if hosts West Indies go out in the second round Super Eights.   Cricket: All's well with McGrath Being criticised by an angry fast bowler is not most people's idea of fun. But so long as Glenn McGrath is nagging away at Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain knows all is well with his champion quick.   Cricket: Pakistan holds Bob memorial service today A memorial service will be held for murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said.   Swimming: Ian Thorpe tested positive! Former Olympic champion Ian Thorpe of Australia tested positive for testosterone and a banned hormone in 2006, according to French newspaper L'Equipe's website on Friday.   Kite Festival   Football: Gunners live Anfield nightmare Peter Crouch hit a classic hattrick as Liverpool launched their new era under new American ownership in style with a 4-1 hammering of Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.   Football: No regrets, says Becks Former England captain David Beckham has insisted he does not regret his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, despite the likelihood he will end his four-year stint there without a trophy.   Swimming: Phelps bags sixth Michael Phelps banked his sixth gold medal of the world championships Saturday and Australia set a new world record, but their heroics were overshadowed by doping allegations against Ian Thorpe.   Swimming: Swimmers behind Thorpe Leading coaches said Saturday they are concerned Australian great Ian Thorpe's celebrated career may be smeared by doping allegations as the swim world rallied around him.   Football: Dortmund in drop zone Former European champions Borussia Dortmund's miserable season hit a new low as they slipped into the relegation zone following a 1-0 defeat at Arminia Bielefeld.   Football: Maradona still in hospital Football legend Diego Maradona remained in hospital Friday for alcoholic detoxification, two days after being admitted, with a psychiatric nurse by his side, the hospital director said.   Football: Barcelona set for Asia tour Spanish giants Barcelona, spearheaded by Ronaldinho, are planning pre-season matches this summer in Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo, a report said Saturday. Metropolitan Be more people-sensitive than to give primacy to trade The 5th Saarc Peoples Forum (SPF) yesterday urged the leaders of Saarc summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi this week to be more people-sensitive than to give primacy to trade and economic issues.   'Ease restrictions on labour movements' The government yesterday urged the developed nations to ease the restrictions on labour movements and suggested special emphasis on poverty alleviation to reduce human trafficking and modern slave trading   5 killed in road accidents Five people were killed and 25 injured in separate road accidents in Manikganj, Satkhira and Rajshahi in the last two days.   Form nat'l commission to investigate militancy Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday stressed the need to form a national commission to investigate and root out militancy from the country.   65,000 households connected to power supply by solar power Over 65,000 households got connected with power supply under a programme backed by the World Bank and administered by the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).   'Form task force to implement Saarc Convention on Trafficking' A task force should be formed immediately to implement the Saarc Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, said the speakers at a press conference yesterday.   60 houses gutted in N'ganj Sixty houses were burned down in a devastating fire that broke out in West Masdair area in Narayanganj yesterday.   'Gandhi harmonised spirits of all religions' Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha Andolon harmonised spirits of all religions that can contribute in establishing peace in the world, said speakers at a discussion yesterday.   Seminar on 'Rethinking political dev' tomorrow A daylong regional seminar on 'Rethinking political development: Security and democracy' will be held at Sheraton Hotel in the city tomorrow. Army Chief Lt.   One arrested for offering bribe to OC in Golachipa One person was arrested on charge of bribing the police at Golachipa in Patuakhali yesterday.   Nurse found dead in city hospital A nurse was found dead in a private hospital in the city's Kafrul area yesterday.   Robbery at house of army man in city Armed robbers looted cash and valuables from the house of an army man at Mirpur in the city yesterday evening.   Withdrawal of increased fees demanded at RU Agitating residential students of four female dormitories of Rajshahi University (RU) demanded withdrawal of increased seat rent, examination and certificate fees imposed last month.   Book on martyred intellectual published The publication ceremony of the 2nd edition of 'Martyred Intellectual Selina Parvin Memorial Book' (in Bangla) was held at city's Liberation War Museum on Friday. National Boro output likely to be hampered in N districts Boro production is likely to be hampered in 16 northern districts due to late application of fertiliser as farmers did not get urea in time this year, according to sources in the Department of Agriculture   'Extract coal from Khalashpir mine' Speakers at a dialogue here yesterday demanded of the government to take immediate steps for extraction of coal from Khalashpir mine at Pirganj.   No bird flu in B'baria All poultry farms in the district were found free from avian influenza virus (bird flu).   18 injured in Patuakhali road mishaps Eighteen persons including a four-month baby were injured in separate road accidents at Dumki and Kalapara upazila town on Saturday and Friday night.   Arms recovered: 1 arrested Police recovered two pipe guns and three rounds of bullets from Sirajganj and three cartidges and 270 bottles of Phensidyl syrup from a private car in Satkhira yesterday.   4 cases pending with Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal Only four cases are now pending with Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal. Point-Counterpoint Saarc: Make human rights a priority As the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) meet in New Delhi on April 3 and 4, the discussions will inevitably focus upon economics and regional security.   The greatest guide for mankind It was on the 12th of Rabiul Awal in Amul Fil or the Year of Elephant (570 Anno Domini) that the benighted world was blessed with the most coveted boon and Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon Culture 'Badolo Borishoney': A spectacular production by Nrityanchal It was a great evening for dance. National Theatre Stage at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was packed, to the extant that people were seen sitting on the floor.   National Rabindra Sangeet Conference begins The 26th annual conference of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad (JRSSP) began with a call to translate Tagore's thoughts into practice in building the nation at Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban   Images from Ibsen's life and plays The art exhibition featuring images of Ibsen and his plays by 32 Bangladeshi artists, held last year in Dhaka, has found a permanent position in the Ibsen Museum in Norway.   Ethnic-diversity theatre festival begins tomorrow A five-day theatre festival titled Ethnic Diversity Council, featuring the diverse cultural heritage of the ethnic minorities spread over different corners of the country, will begin tomorrow, says apress General 'Implement Benarashi Palli Project to save industry' Adviser for Textiles and Jute Geeti Ara Safiya Chowdhury yesterday underscored the need for training of the artisans of indigenous handicrafts to meet public demand.   Blind adventurer Miles arrives tomorrow Miles Hilton-Barber, a blind adventurer and aviator, will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow on a three-day goodwill visit to support the fund raising for Standard Chartered Bank's 'Seeing is Believing' programme, International Wrangling delays Maoists' entry into Nepal govt Nepal's parliament delayed yesterday ratifying a landmark pact to bring former Maoist rebels into government and cement an end to a decade of bloody civil war.   Pak tribal offensive to curb cross-border attacks: Officials Pakistani officials have said an "onslaught" by local tribesmen against foreign al-Qaeda militants in which 56 people died could curb cross-border attacks by the rebels in Afghanistan.   Iran winning propaganda war with UK: Experts While Britain battles to rally international pressure in its standoff with Iran over 15 detained sailors, for the moment Tehran seems to be winning the propaganda war, experts admit.   India sets up panel to cut Kashmir troops India has set up a panel to review a possible cut in troop levels in insurgency-racked Kashmir, the prime minister's office announced Friday.   Bombs kill 14 as US envoy vows to end bloodshed A string of bomb attacks killed 14 people in Iraq on Saturday as Washington's new ambassador vowed that the United States would do everything to curb the unrelenting bloodshed.   Architect uncovers pyramid secret A French architect claimed Friday to have uncovered the mystery about how Egypt's Great Pyramid of Khufu was built with use of a spiral ramp to hoist huge stone blocks into place.   Tigers blame Lanka for killing civilians Tamil Tiger rebels yesterday accused government forces of shelling civilian settlements in eastern Sri Lanka and killing at least eight villagers.   UN pact on disabled rights signed In what the UN human rights chief called an unprecedented show of support to empower the physically and mentally impaired, 80 countries signed a UN convention enshrining the rights of the world's 650million   Pakistan test-fires N-missile Pakistan successfully tested an indigenous short-range, nuclear-capable missile on Saturday, the military said. Editorial Editorial: Executed JMB men The execution of six Jama'atul Mujahideen militants hopefully brings to an end a very horrific phase in the country's history.   Editorial: An auspicious occasion It's a great day we are celebrating today.   Regional cooperation without inhibitions Harvard University professor and historian Niall Ferguson has painted a disturbing picture of sinking globalization by comparing the conditions existing now with the conditions existing before the First   Amending Election Code of Conduct The recent media reports suggest that Election Commission (EC) is working on the preparation of proposals to discuss it with the political parties next month for effecting further reforms in The Representation   Information disclosure and electoral process Economic analyses of government are typically divided into two broadly overlapping groups: one underscores government as an agent for providing public goods through regulating markets, distributing resources, Star Health Let's break the silence A four-year-old Tanim went to the riverside to play and fell down into the water. His companions rushed back home to inform his mother. She rushed to the site and called for help.   Which one is more important¿ Zinc or ORS? Diarrhoea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries like Bangladesh. The mainstay of treatment of diarrhoea is oral rehydration saline (ORS).   Meeting to highlight burden of meningitis and pneumonia Ever year the deadly diseases meningitis and pneumonia kill an estimated 2 million children globally under the age of 5 years. Of these deaths, many occur in Africa and Asia.   Childhood obesity triggers early puberty Childhood obesity in the United States appears to be causing girls to reach puberty at an earlier age, for reasons that are not clear, a study said.   Your Doctor Dear doctor, Since puberty, I have been experiencing excessively oily skin of my face and scalp. This makes my skin itch and is also socially embarrassing as I often look unwashed and unclean. Star City Shocking demolition of old buildings A number of old buildings with immense architectural and historical significance in the city's Tantibazar area have recently been marked for renovation and demolition by their owners, to the utter shock   Service improved, investigations limp Number of cases at 33 police stations of the capital has been increasing fast while the investigation capacity of the police remains unchanged.   Wildlife on sale here! The existing laws are too poorly enforced to effectively constrict the trade of various species of endangered birds in the city and conserve the rich biodiversity.   City dwellers' respite in 100 Km walk Bravery can take many forms. It can be war against hunger, illness, terrorism, corruption or simply a 100-mile walkathon along the longest sea beach of the world.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.