Vol. 5 Num 1068 Sun. June 03, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Frigate torpedoed by mean politics The state of the art frigate of the Bangladesh Navy, purchased in 2001 for Tk 500 crore, has remained idle for more than five years now because of sheer 'political meanness' of the immediate past BNP-led   ADP's top priority on power sector The government yesterday approved a Tk 26,500-crore outlay, 23 percent higher than the current one, for the next fiscal year's Annual Development Programme (ADP).   Hasina regularly took money from magnates The detained high profile political and business leaders continue to divulge startling information to the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) about their corruption.   Price spiral calls for immediate attention The spiralling price hike of essentials is currently the biggest pressure on the economy.   WB pledges urgent budgetary support The World Bank (WB) has committed emergency budgetary support for the power sector development as it believes the interim government needs to be on a war footing to cut down the massive power shortage   Govt must show some 'teeth' in prosecution World Bank (WB) Vice President for South Asia Praful C Patel yesterday said the government will have to show some 'teeth' in quickly prosecuting the arrested 'big fish' to ensure its credibility.   Forest boss turned to faithfuls for safekeeping As most of the property of arrested chief conservator of forests Osman Gani is entrusted to his relatives and faithful employees, the law enforcers investigating his corruption are yet to determine the   WHO finds no truth in Indian reports on Bangladesh Following Indian newspaper reports of sudden outbreak of smallpox in Bangladesh and Myanmar border areas, World Health Organisation (WHO) has generated feverish activity among the health workers in the   Advisers okay deal with India to remove non-tariff barriers The Council of Advisers yesterday approved a proposal for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)   Kamal says sorry for standing by pledge-breaking politicians Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday apologised to the countrymen for standing by the politicians whose words contradicted their deeds.   4 grenades found in Banani Police recovered four hand grenades, a bomb, 25 machine gun bullets and magazines near a school in Banani in the capital last night.   Price hike of ice...   AL leaders meet Hasina, talk Jalil issue Senior Awami League (AL) leaders, mostly lawyers, visited party chief Sheikh Hasina at her Dhanmondi residence last night and discussed various issues including legal assistance for party's detained General   Rehearing of Mohiuddin's asylum case likely Tuesday San Francisco Circuit Court was learnt to have considered a rehearing of the asylum case of AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed, the condemned killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on Tuesday.   18 eminent citizens for release of Jalil Expressing deep concern over the arrest of Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, 18 eminent citizens yesterday in a joint statement urged the government to release him on humanitarian grounds as   5 killed in Gazipur road crash Five people died and ten others were injured when a minibus plunged into a ditch in Nimtali rail gate area on Tongi-Kaliganj road yesterday morning.   Ex-MP MAH Salim sued for land grabbing Another case was filed on Friday night against detained former BNP lawmaker MAH Salim on charges of land grabbing.   Ashraful Tigers' new captain Ace batsman Mohammad Ashraful has been appointed captain of Bangladesh cricket team in both Tests and one-day internationals.   Advocate Rafique's statement on Rangs Bhaban Senior Advocate of Rangs Group Rafique-ul Huq in a statement has said, "It is reliably learnt from the advocate of the Rangs Group that the Appellate Division as a special case shall hear the appealsfiled   US warship bombs in N Somalia A US warship shelled suspected al-Qaeda targets in northeastern Somalia after Islamist fighters clashed with troops from the country's semi-autonomous region of Puntland, witnesses and officials saidyesterday.   Crowd, police clash at protest of G-8 Masked demonstrators hurled stones and flagpoles at police during a demonstration yesterday by tens of thousands of people against the upcoming Group of Eight summit in Germany, engulfing the harbor of Business Importers seek support to offer used Japanese car at Tk 5 lakh Pleading for a business-friendly policy, reconditioned car importers told a roundtable in Dhaka yesterday that this policy support would enable them to offer the middle class people a reconditioned vehicle   Managing food security to sustain political transition [This article summarises in two instalments a paper available at www.ergonline.org. The first part looks into the plausible reasons of price increase observed.   No economic slowdown for China after 2008 China's economy will not suffer a slowdown, and the country will remain a developing nation, after the 2008 Olympic Games, according to a senior Chinese economist.   Metal hammers higher, oil skids lower Metal prices jumped higher this week as the US dollar struggled to find higher ground, while lead hit a record high on worries over critically low stockpiles and Chinese demand.   Eurozone set for brisk growth The 13-nation eurozone economy is set for brisk growth this year despite losing some pace in the first three months, official data showed on Friday as unemployment fell to a record low point.   Global airline industry leaders meet today The world's airline industry opens its annual meeting in the Canadian city of Vancouver Sunday with the link between increased air traffic and global warming front and center on its radar screen.   Pakistan economy posts 7pc growth Pakistan economy has shown a robust growth as the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has registered an average growth rate of 7 percent for the fourth consecutive year.   Tata Tea aims high Tata Tea, which recently sold its stake in US energy drinks maker Glaceau to Coca Cola for nearly Rs 4,800 crore, on Thursday said it would buy about 46 per cent stake in Mount Everest Mineral Water Ltd   Best Weatern plans 100 hotels in India The world's largest chain of hotels, Best Western International (BWI) on Thursday announced its plan to expand in India by starting 100 hotels in the next 10 years.   DBBL, Teletalk sign deal to offer SMS banking service Clients of Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL) will be able to pay their mobile phone bills, check account balance, get mini statement and change PIN (personal identification number) by sending SMS (short message   GM US sales up 4.7pc in May General Motors Corp.'s US sales rose 4.7 percent in May to 375,682 vehicles as a new product lineup offset planned reductions in sales to rental car companies, the automaker said Friday.   Prime Bank executive body's new chairman, vice chairman Mohammad Aminul Haque and Quazi Sirazul Islam have been elected chairman and vice-chairman of the executive committee of the Board of Directors of Prime Bank Ltd.   $620m ADB loans for India India is to get two Asian Development Bank loans totalling 620 million dollars to improve rural roads and basic urban services in two states, the Philippines-based lender said Friday.   Kuwait Airways cuts losses in 2006-07 The Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) said Friday its losses in the past fiscal year ending on March 31 were estimated to reach 9.2 million Kuwaiti dinars, or about 31.   Indian exports may get a breather from govt Indian government on Friday said it would formulate a package to soften the impact of rising rupee on exports from employment-intensive sectors which do not rely on imports in a big way. Sports Cricket: Ashraful in, Bashar out Bangladesh cricket entered a new era with the naming of Mohammad Ashraful as captain for both one-day and Test teams and pace spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as his deputy yesterday.   Cricket: Tigers fly to Bangalore tomorrow Bangladesh players who will represent the Asian teams at the second Afro-Asian Cup will be off to the south Indian city of Bangalore tomorrow.   Football: Rahmatganj win at last Rahmatganj registered their first win in the B League when they defeated Arambagh Krira Sangha 2-1 in the second-leg match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: It embarrasses Moody Former Sri Lankan cricket coach Tom Moody says he is embarrassed by the derogatory reaction and constant harassment directed by Australian crowds towards Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralidaran.   Tennis: Safarova shatters Mauresmo dream Amelie Mauresmo's hopes of finally winn-ing her home Grand Slam tournament were left in tatters on Saturday when she lost 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in a third round tie.   Cricket: Players, PCB at odds Less than a month before the new central contracts are put into place, differences between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and players over the terms and conditions have come to the fore.   Cricket: It's not a murder? Jamaican police are set to announce that Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was not murdered, but died of natural causes, a British newspaper said Saturday, citing a source close to the inquiry.   Football: Beckham shines on return David Beckham does not do low key. The Real Madrid midfielder is modern football's most remarkable marketing phenomenon and his return to international football was always likely to be a show-stopper.   Football: Diego saves Brazil blushes David Beckham was denied a winning return for England as Diego headed a late equaliser to earn Brazil a 1-1 friendly international draw on Friday.   Football: Uruguay conquers down under Understudy goalkeeper Brad Jones dropped a clanger to allow Uruguay to come from behind and beat Australia 2-1 in a football friendly here Saturday.   Football: Pizarro Chelsea's Chelsea have followed Manchester United's recent spending spree by boosting their attacking reserves with the signing of Peruvian forward Claudio Pizarro.   Football: Porto snap up samba star FC Porto have snapped up Brazil under-20 midfielder Fernando Francisco Reges on a five-year deal, according to the Portuguese first division champions' website Saturday.   Football: Lehmann unsure of Arsenal place Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said Friday that he agreed a new contract at the London club, despite knowing he was not guaranteed a starting berth in Arsene Wenger's team.   Cricket: Freddie has ankle op England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff underwent surgery on his troublesome left ankle on Friday, according to the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).   Tennis: Federer focussed on game Roger Federer speaks fluent English, French and German but he'll be more than happy to just let his tennis do the talking if it secures him a first French Open title.   Football: McClaren to stick with Becks Steve McClaren gave David Beckham a clear hint that the midfielder has played his way into England's long-term plans after his influential display against Brazil.   Local Snippets GM Reefat Bin Sattar is in the lead along with Iranian GM Ghaem Maghami and Vietnamese GM Nguyen Anh Dung in the United Leasing and United Insurance eighth Grandmasters chess tournament at the NSC conference   Cricket: Dhoni given extra cover Even after denying any Naxal threat to Indian superstar cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Jharkhand police have decided to leave nothing to chance and provided complete security cover for the wicketkeeper.   Cricket: Pawar's no to short term India's board president, Sharad Pawar, has said he will not be seeking to step in as Percy Sonn's short-term successor at the ICC, adding that the post should be filled by a fellow South African at least   Cricket: Sonn laid to rest International Cricket Council (ICC) president Percy Sonn, who died last weekend following complications after undergoing minor colon surgery, was laid to rest in Cape Town on Saturday.   Cricket: Edwards, Sammy brighten Test chance West Indies pace duo Fidel Edwards and Darren Sammy boosted their chances of a starting the third Test with England by wrapping up the MCC innings on Day Two.   Cricket: Katich full of hope Discarded batsman Simon Katich has not given up hope of a return to Australia's Test and one-day teams. Metropolitan Stop interference by bureaucrats, MPs to strengthen local govt With a view to strengthening the local government, the interference by bureaucrats and lawmakers should be stopped right now, said the speakers at a seminar yesterday.   'Lack of awareness to make situation worse' Experts at a roundtable yesterday stressed the need to strengthen coordination between the government and non-government organisations in their efforts to mitigate damage in the event of massive earthquake.   Saarc parliamentarians for creating South Asian Union Parliamentarians representing all major parties and from all shades of opinions from the Saarc countries yesterday expressed their commitment to act in accordance with the peoples' desire for shaping   Fobana convention on August 31 The 21st Convention of the Federation of Bangladesh Associations in North America (Fobana), the largest organisation of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United States, will be held with due festivity on   Eight eminent personalities get Mercantile Bank Awards Eight eminent personalities received Mercantile Bank Annual Awards at a function celebrating the bank's 8th founding anniversary yesterday.   Initiative to turn wastes into 'wet','dry' substances For the first time in Bangladesh, an initiative to turn wastes into 'wet' (biodegradable) and 'dry' (non-biodegradable) substances was launched by the Uttara Sector 5 Welfare Association at Uttara Model   Rare surgery at BSMMU today to mend jaw deformities A rare surgery is going to be performed on three patients by oral and maxillofacial surgery department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the city today.   Nurjahan Murshid's birth anniversary programme tomorrow A programme celebrating the 83rd anniversary of birth of Nurjahan Murshid, a renowned leader of women renaissance of Bengal and one of the major organisers of the Liberation War, will be held in the city   Woman found dead in city Police recovered a woman's body inside an under-construction building at Harirampur Anandanagar of Mirpur in the capital yesterday. The assumed 20-year-old woman was yet to be identified.   Charge framing against Lobi today The hearing on charge framing of a graft case against detained former BNP lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi takes place at the special Judge's court today.   Mamun's associate held in Gazipur Joint forces arrested a close associate of controversial businessman Giyasuddin Al Mamun at Kaliakoir in Gazipur yesterday afternoon.   Tree plantation movement begins today The three-month National Tree Plantation Movement and Tree Fair 2007 with the theme "stop felling trees, plant rare trees" will be formally inaugurated today.   Road crash kills one in Chandpur One person was killed in a road accident on Kaliapara-Kochua Road under Shahrasti Upazila on Friday evening.   10 injured in clash over cricket match At least 10 people were injured in a clash between two groups over a cricket match at Sweeper Colony of Hazaribagh in the city yesterday. National Mayor Sarwar owns Tk 20cr lands in Barisal The special task force of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has found 15 acres of prime land owned by Barisal City Corporation Mayor and former whip Majibor Rahman Sarwar.   Bomb found again at RUET A bomb was recovered from a bathroom at Shaheed Salim Hall of Rajshahi University Engineering and Technology (RUET) yesterday.   Nazrul University starts academic activities today Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Biswabidhalaya (JKKNIB) at Darirampur in Trishal begins its academic activities today.   One killed, 15 injured in attack by land grabbers A landless person was shot dead and 15 others were injured, three of them seriously, in an attack on them by land grabbers at village Bairagirchak in Kaliganj upazila.   Eight named in case, woman witness held Mostafa Awaluddin lodged an FIR with Jessore Kotwali police Friday night naming eight persons as accused in the murder of his elder brother Mostafa Kamal who was editor of Weekly Haq Protibad.   Tk 1cr given for re-excavation of Shyamasundary canal in Rangpur The government has sanctioned Tk one crore for re-excavation of Shyamasundary canal, the main out let for sanitation and drainage in Rangpur town.   5 of fake NGO held for cheating Police yesterday arrested five officials and staff including female ones of a fake NGO for allegedly cheating about 300 unemployed youths by collecting over Tk 15 lakh from them in name of employment.   Lightning kills five in Sirajganj At least five people including a woman have been killed in lightning here.   Arms recovered in Khagrachhari Army yesterday recovered arms and ammunition from a criminals' den at Goaipara of Batnatali under Manikchhari upazila.   BNP leader arrested in Srimongal A BNP leader and Satgaon Union Parishad (UP) member of Srimongal upazila Masuk Ahmed has been arrested. Point-Counterpoint 5-points against Tata Economists are famous for making ambiguous, guarded, and qualified statements. However, at times a spade needs to be called a spade.   Mountbatten and the June 3 plan Louis Mountbatten arrived in Delhi on March 22, 1947.   Checks and balances Power tends to corrupt," goes the familiar dictum of English historian Lord Acton (1834-1902), "and absolute power corrupts absolutely.   What reform? One of the signs of Bengali band-wagon mentality is that sometimes we get used to a slogan and keep repeating it endlessly without doing much reflection. "Reform" has suddenly become a refrain. Culture Creating a niche in Lalon songs Folk artiste Chandana Majumdar has received much acclaim for her passionate performances over the years. She is among the few urban singers known for singing the immortal tunes of Lalon with utmost conviction.   An evening of classic film songs Nibedan, a cultural organisation, held their 14th production -- a musical programme -- at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum on June 1.   Rokeya exhibits in Oman Rokeya Sultana had her exhibition of her work at Oman recently, along with that of Mahmudul Haque, and a local artist Abdullah al Maimani. The exhibition had been arranged through the Bangladeshi embassy. General 80 houses gutted, 10 injured in Thakurgaon fire About 80 houses were gutted and 10 people were injured in a fire at Rator village in Ranishankoil, Thakurgaon, on Friday midnight.   Woman crushed under wheels of train A woman, aged about 85, was killed under the wheels of a train at Roghunathpur rail gate while crossing the rail line at around 3:00pm on Saturday.   Price spiral has created suffocating situation The countrymen have been going through a suffocating situation as the prices of essentials have continued to spiral, speakers at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap programme said yesterday.   Two armed criminals held in city Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two armed criminals from Demra in the city on Friday evening. The arrestees were identified as Abdul Wahab Faruq and Mohammad Rafiqul Islam. International Thousands join protests against Musharraf defying demo ban The government banned demonstrations in Pakistan's capital Friday, the latest effort to quell mounting political turmoil over President Gen Pervez Musharraf's decision to suspend the chief justice.   Lanka launches air raids against rebels Sri Lanka's air force yesterday bombed suspected rebel Tamil Tiger targets located in a jungle in the island's east, the defence ministry said.   Taliban to liberate Afghanistan from ‘American slavery’ A man described as the Taliban's new top field commander has vowed to liberate Afghanistan from "American slavery," a pro-Taliban cleric said yesterday.   Tens of thousands protest in Germany Tens of thousands of protestors marched through this northeastern German port yesterday to show their opposition to next week's G8 summit of the world's wealthiest nations.   3 more GIs killed in Iraq Three more American soldiers have been killed in action in Iraq while 11 more civilians died in mortar barrage in Sunni neighbourhood, the military said yesterday.   60 die in Afghan boat capsize A boat crossing a river in Afghanistan's most dangerous province sank yesterday, and at least 60 people were killed, including Taliban militants, the Defence Ministry said.   War in Iraq cannot be won There is "no way" the war in Iraq can be won by the United States and its allies, a former British Army commander said Friday as he called for the troops to be withdrawn.   Madrid N-talks 'step forward' Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani yesterday described his talks in Madrid with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Iran's nuclear programme as a step forward.   10 killed in Pak tanker accident A speeding oil tanker crashed into a roadside market yesterday after its driver lost control, killing 10 people and injuring 15 others in central Pakistan.   India's PM urges calm after Rajasthan riots India's prime minister appealed yesterday for peace in the desert state of Rajasthan, where 28 people have died in ethnic violence in the past week. Editorial Editorial: Power and water crisis A severe power and water crisis has kept the country in a vicious grip. Where power is the issue, we have of late noted certain measures the authorities have taken toward redressing the situation.   Editorial: Implementation of CHT accord The caretaker government must be thanked for resuscitating the Advisory Council of the Ministry of the Chitttagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs.   Bangladesh at a crossroads Adrian Leftwich (of the University of York) observes that Western governments and institutions do not appreciate that good governance and democracy are not mere components that can be inserted into asociety   Making bureaucracy dynamic The chief adviser (CA) of the caretaker government (CTG), Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, has asked the top bureaucrats to fulfill their responsibilities to the people through ensuring prompt delivery of services.   Can we afford it? We are talking about democracy and election. After casting his vote a citizen becomes absolutely powerless. We are going to spend a colossal amount of money for holding our national election. Letters to Editor Peacekeepers' Day The International Peacekeepers' Day was globally observed on 29 May.   Morality and politics Badrul Ahsan's essay (May 16) did not mention morality as such. However the cowardly or maybe greed-driven swing in our politicians' principles is a shameful example before us.   Bangladesh postal service We appreciate the advancement of our postal services. Unfortunately, a few small groups of corrupt employees are still reportedly engaged in illegal opening of envelops. These activities must bestopped.   Public libraries It is imperative and also a priority work for the government to open a public library in each municipality of the country as a civic amenity! The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information   Let there be light! According to the government's proclamations, all shops are to be closed after 7:00pm excepting food courts and medicinal shops.   Reform issue Reform is the word very much talked-about nowadays as far as the survival of the biggest ( not necessarily the best) two political parties is concerned.   Mugging on autorickshaw Mugging of autorickshaw passengers has increased manifold in recent times. The muggers target their prey mostly in traffic jams and in deserted areas.   27th BCS The new PSC Chairman in a recent TV coverage assured that justice would be done to all the candidates selected in the 27th BCS. I sincerely hope that the government will live up to its promise.   Musharraf's candidness If political mobilisation and statements of various Kashmiri leaders (whether Muftis or Abdullahs or Yasin Malik or Mirwaiz Umer Farooq or Syed Ali Shah Geelani etc.   Abhor the corrupt They reduced our capability, destroyed our economy, undermined the national security, played dirty politics to achieve their goals, killed our conscience, kidnapped our freedom and made us a helpless,   Human-animal embryos Last week the British government, in violation of European law, overturned its ban on the creation of human-animal embryos. Star Health Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor blood sugar If you have diabetes and you want to exercise, that is great. Exercise can help you improve your overall fitness and help you manage your condition.   An important strategy to provide effective healthcare to under five children of the country Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) is one of the most important component of under five health management programme.   Coffee may cut risk of gout If men ever needed a reason to justify that extra cup of coffee, here it is: four or more cups of coffee a day appear to reduce the risk of gout, Canadian researchers said.   Once-a-year treatment prevents osteoporosis The Novartis osteoporosis drug Reclast, given once a year, reduces the risk of broken bones for three years but may spark an abnormal heart rhythm in some patients, researchers said.   World's first lung transplant on HIV patient performed Doctors in Italy have performed the world's first lung transplant on an HIV patient, a medical institute in the southern city of Palermo said.   Art of Living members donated blood Art of Living, Bangladesh members donated blood for Thalassemia patients on May 13, 2007 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Sri Sri Ravi Shankar", the spiritual leader and founder of the organisation.   Facts on Diabetes There is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increases in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity. Star City Careless DCC plunders public parks Though entrusted with maintenance of around 50 public parks and playgrounds, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has consistently facilitated encroachment and destruction of them denying the city dwellers open   More talks needed to sort out nitty gritty While the Bangladesh Railway (BR) authority continues to prepare for the historic start of Dhaka-Kolkata direct train service, the scheduled date for starting the train communication is yet to be fixed.   Fixed fares unfair for passengers Most of the inter district bus companies, on different routes from Dhaka, charge less than government fixed fares but continue to make profits.   Mayor finds city bus sheds extra hassle to manage Commuters in the streets of Dhaka suffer immensely due to lack of passenger sheds especially during the monsoon while Dhaka City Corporation officials say they have no immediate plans to construct any   Local government should be strengthened, seminar told Everybody should play a strong role to strengthen the local government in order to develop the country, said speakers at a seminar at LGED Bhaban yesterday.   BIWTA heedless of passengers, Buriganga The BIWTA (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority) officials, currently active to save the river Buriganga, fail to notice the dirt under their own nose.   Chronological Accounts Of Two Gulshan Parks Gulshan South Park * Public Works Ministry hands over the park to DCC in 1982 for maintenance. * DCC's 416 sweeper families took illegal possession of it.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. 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