Vol. 5 Num 1070 Tue. June 05, 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 Insatiable greed wipes out a reserved forest Jugalchhari Reserved Forest in the hill district of Khagrachhari does not exist anymore because of mismanagement and misdeeds of forest department officials, sources said.   Litu remanded, Mintoo in jail The Anti-corruption Commission yesterday pressed charges against former communications minister Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda, and against Sonali Bank CBA leader Feroz Miah and his wife RoushanAra   Seoul reopens door to Bangladeshi workers Bangladesh and South Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Gwacheon City yesterday to restart manpower export and allow Dhaka to tap deeper into the Korean demand for 50,000 workers in textile   No place for defaulters, tax dodgers, criminals in FBCCI polls Loan defaulters, tax evaders and persons convicted of crimes, corruption and moral turpitude will not be eligible to contest election of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry   Short scope for 'legal' money whitening The government will allow whitening of the legally earned but undisclosed money until July 31. The National Board Revenue (NBR) issued a circular to that effect yesterday.   EC moves to free its secretariat from PMO The Election Commission (EC) is to send a proposal to the chief adviser within a couple of days to promulgate an ordinance in order to free the EC Secretariat from the control of the Prime Minister'sOffice   Proposal to hike power tariff again suspended The Advisers Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday deferred a proposal for a further hike in electricity price and instead formed a high-level committee to review the power tariff situation first.   UN offers help to recover laundered assets The visiting UN counter-terrorism team yesterday offered technical support in recovering laundered assets from overseas and help Bangladesh Bank's (BB) coordination with other central banks' financial   Pollution   Polls to be held within caretaker govt's timeframe President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said Bangladesh is a democratic country and the next parliamentary polls will be held as soon as possible within the timeframe set by the government.   AL runs on subscription, not extortion Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Awami League is a people-oriented political party, not a business organisation, which runs on subscriptions of party's leaders, workers and sympathisers.   Osman Gani paid Tk 80 lakh bribe to get top post Detained former chief conservator of forest (CCF), Osman Gani, yesterday confessed to paying Tk 80 lakh as bribe to get appointed as CCF.   ACC to probe graft allegations against its staff The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to constitute an internal committee to investigate allegations of corruption against its own staff. "An important decision was taken today...   Canada wants polls as soon as possible Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson yesterday said her country encourages the caretaker government to hold election as soon as possible as Bangladesh people want to return to a sustainable democracy.   Chinese ship catches fire at Ctg port A Chinese cargo ship caught fire yesterday morning at Chittagong Port leaving one of its crew hurt and the officers' cabins gutted.   Squad for SL tour named Mahmudullah Riyad was the only fresh inclusion in Bangladesh's squad to tour Sri Lanka in June-July for three Tests and as many one-day internationals.   82 killed as fighting rages in Sri Lanka Artillery and mortar battles between government troops and Tamil rebels raged in northern Sri Lanka yesterday, the day before an attempt by top donor Japan to revive the tattered peace process.   Iran ready to resist West on nukes Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Western powers yesterday that Iran was prepared to "pay a price" and "resist" in the intensifying global standoff over its nuclear programme.   Himalayan glaciers may go in 50 years Himalayan glaciers are retreating fast and could disappear within the next 50 years, experts warned yesterday at a conference in Nepal's capital looking at the regional effects of global warming.   Work on Padma Bridge to start in FY 2008-09 The construction work of the Padma Bridge will commence in 2008-09 fiscal year with three donor agencies having so far committed to provide around $1 billion as project loan to the government.   Judgement in Mamun's graft case Thursday A special court dealing with graft cases yesterday fixed next Thursday for delivery of the verdict of a case filed by Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) against Giasuddin Al Mamun.   Special court to take up Nasim's WorldTel case The special judge's court, trying high-profile corruption suspects, will take up the WorldTel scam case against former post and telecommunications minister Mohammad Nasim on Wednesday for charge hearing.   Dhaka Club staff robbed of Tk 2 lakh Muggers injured and robbed a man of Tk 2 lakh in Eskaton Garden area in the capital yesterday while returning with cash drawn out from a bank.   Fire at Savar spinning mill Fire damaged machinery, raw materials and other valuable items at a spinning mill in Ulail Industrial Area under Savar municipality yesterday morning. Business World Bank for merger of BKB, RAKUB The World Bank (WB) has suggested merger of two state-run specialised agricultural banks, Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB), for the banks' effective functioning as   Market capitalisation on DSE reaches new high at Tk 44,891cr Market capitalisation on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday reached an all time high at Tk 44,891 crore as the Dhaka bourse has been witnessing a bullish trend for one month.   Patent act to be updated to boost medicine export Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said his caretaker government (CG) would take step to update the age-old Patent Act to avail of the advantage of Bangladesh's LDC status to export medicines   $1530m investment proposals from UK, Canada firms Eight British companies and individuals have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Board of Investment (BoI) to invest in sectors like power plants, tourism, leather garments, food products,   US seeks tougher WTO rules on subsidies The United States called on the World Trade Organisation Monday to strengthen rules on subsidies during the current Doha Development Round of international trade negotiations.   Manufacturers trash REHAB claim on brick prices Bangladesh Brick Manufacturers Owners Association (BBMOA) yesterday trashed REHAB's claim on the present market prices of bricks.   Reform World Bank, IMF South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki called Sunday for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to be more representative and accountable.   UAE's amnesty to illegal workers The United Arab Emirates has launched a three-month amnesty to allow illegal workers to regularise their situation or leave without facing penalty, the local press reported on Monday.   Malaysia's April trade surplus down 9.4pc Malaysia's trade surplus declined in April by 9.4 percent to 6.0 billion ringgit (1.76 billion dollars) from 6.63 billion during the same month a year ago, official data showed Monday.   India, Brazil seek trade boost Emerging economic powers India and Brazil pledged Monday to increase bilateral trade four-fold to 10 billion dollars in the next three years.   Asia's IT trade show in Taipei today The world's major technology firms are ready to display their cutting-edge products in Asia's biggest information technology trade fair here this week and generate multi-billion dollar business opportunities,   Asia Insurance declares 12pc dividend Asia Insurance Ltd at its seventh annual general meeting (AGM) has declared a 12 percent dividend for the shareholders. The AGM was held in Dhaka recently, says a press release.   City Bank okays 10pc stock dividend The City Bank Ltd has approved a 10 percent stock dividend, says a press release. The approval came at the 24th annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank held yesterday in Dhaka.   Prime Bank MD reappointed M Shahjahan Bhuiyan has been reappointed managing director of Prime Bank Ltd for another three years with effect from May 28, says a press release.   New MD of Exim Bank Kazi Masihur Rahman has been appointed managing director of Export Import (Exim) Bank of Bangladesh Ltd with effect from June 4, says a press release.   HK to withstand China market turmoil The head of Hong Kong's de facto central bank said Monday the city's economy can cope with any turbulence on the Chinese stock markets.   StanChart workshop on Basel II Standard Chartered Bank recently organised a knowledge-sharing workshop, where a number of issues regarding the implementation of Basel II in Bangladesh were discussed, says a press release.   Tiger Airways gets air permit from India Tiger Airways has received an air permit from India to operate flights from Singapore to Indian destinations, the Singapore budget carrier said Monday.   Currency Sports Cricket: No Tushar for Tests yet Middle-order batsman Tushar Imran was once again ignored for the sake of the so-called team combination when the national selectors yesterday announced the Sri Lanka-bound Bangladesh Test team.   Cricket: Afro-Asia Cup loses shine The withdrawal of top cricketers like Graeme Smith and Sachin Tendulkar and an unseemly broadcasting flap have taken the gloss off the Afro-Asia Cup cricket series starting here on Wednesday.   Cricket: 5 Tigers off to Bangalore for Afro-Asia Cup With hopes to make it to the playing elevens, five Bangladeshi cricketers including newly appointed captain Mohammad Ashraful and his deputy Mashrafe Bin Mortaza left Dhaka for Bangalore yesterday totake   Football: Abahani's date with Ctg MSC today The second week of the B. League's second leg begins today with Abahani looking to return to the top of the table when they meet Chittagong Mohammedan in the port city.   3rd pathology report sought Although Jamaican police are refusing to officially comment, it is now being widely reported that they are set to make what will be an embarrassing climb-down later this week and admit that Bob Woolmer   Cricket: India close to naming coach Dav Whatmore remains the leading contender to take over as India's next cricket coach but is not a certainty for the job as officials prepare to make their choice on Monday night.   Cricket: Aussies star for counties Australia duo Justin Langer and Stuart Clark both turned in standout performances during the latest round of English county Friends Provident Trophy one-day matches on Sunday.   Chess: Iranian GM Ghaem has the last laugh Iranian Grand Master Ghaem Maghami Ehsan lifted the crown in the 8th United Insurance and United Leasing Grandmasters Chess Tournament which concluded at the NSC conference room yesterday.   Tennis: Djokovic, Moya cruise along Novak Djokovic, the youngest player left in the French Open, and veteran former champion Carlos Moya, the oldest man standing, moved into the Roland Garros quarterfinals on Monday.   Tennis: Sharapova grinds out another win Maria Sharapova saved three match points in a battling performance on Sunday to defeat Swi-tzerland's Patty Schnyder 3-6, 6-4, 9-7 and reach the last eight of the French Open.   Football: Liverpool defend fans Liverpool officials have hit back angrily at a new report from European football's governing body UEFA which slated the club's fans as being the worst behaved in Europe.   Football: Jose still after defender Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, said yesterday that he is still looking to sign a new defender and a midfielder this summer.   Football: Ranieri new Juve coach Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as the new coach of Juventus, the newly-promoted Turin club confirmed on Monday.   Tennis: Parisians feel for Federer Roger Federer believes a wave of sympathy from a traditionally fickle Paris crowd can finally carry him to French Open victory.   Tennis: Roland Garros Corner It turns out that Venus Williams played the French Open on a bad knee.   Football: Totti hints at int'l return Francesco Totti could end his sabbatical from international duty in time for Italy's potentially crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine in September.   Football: Hoddle boost for Beckham Glenn Hoddle believes David Beckham can play for England for at least six more years despite moving to US Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy.   Cricket: Barmy Army to boost SL tourism Advance bookings for England's winter cricket tour of Sri Lanka has been rising steadily even as fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels escalates, officials said on Monday.   Cricket: Flintoff to stay an all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will return for England as a fully-fledged all-rounder and not a specialist batsman after his latest bout of ankle surgery, according to chairman of selectors David Graveney.   Football: BFF meeting today An emergency meeting of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will be held this afternoon to discuss FIFA's ruling on the election of the executive committee.   Cricket: Ramdin in the runs Denesh Ramdin made his highest first-class score of 131 as West Indies settled for a draw on the third and final day of their tour match against MCC at the Racecourse Ground here Sunday. Metropolitan Concern over HR violations The Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) has expressed grave concern at the human rights violations in the country.   1.6 lakh out-of-school children to be enrolled in 24 districts With a view to imparting quality primary education to 1.   Saarc countries urged not to give shelter to terrorists A conference of Saarc parliamentarians and journalists yesterday urged the member countries not to give shelter to or train terrorists.   Call to create awareness about climate change, its impact The World Environment Day will be observed across the country today as elsewhere in the world with a view to creating mass awareness about climate change and its impact.   Bangladesh to be worst victim of climate change Speakers at a discussion yesterday urged the government to raise the environmental issue at international forums for getting compensation for the damages caused by climate changes.   'Provide vocational training for street children' The number of street children in the country continues to rise, but the government has no comprehensive policy for their welfare, speakers at a discussion said yesterday.   CA thanks physicians, nurses Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed thanked physicians, nurses and the staff of Tangail General Hospital for providing him proper treatment and nursing after he fell sick on Sunday.   'Take stern action against food adulteration syndicate' Stern legal action should be taken against the syndicate making a huge profit from adulterated foods, speakers at a seminar said yesterday.   'Preserve green space for proper growth of children' Speakers at a meeting yesterday demanded preservation of green spaces in the city for balanced development of future generation.   Training course for policemen begins in city A two-day training course for police personnel of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) aiming to reduce drug related crimes and preventing the spread of HIV started at the Detective Training School (DTS) at   Housewife killed after rape in city A housewife was raped and slaughtered by her boyfriend and domestic help in the city yesterday.   DU Syndicate meets today The issues of 52 first classes in one department at Dhaka University (DU) and 92 fake students are likely to figure in today's meeting of the Syndicate, the highest decision-making body of the university.   'Form new board of CRP trustees' Bangladesh Manobadhikar Samannaya Parishad (BMSP) yesterday demanded forming of a new board of trustees of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) after dissolving the present one.   Woman stabbed A woman was stabbed at her residence at Uttar Jatrabari in the city last night by an extortionist, police said.   Joint forces raid Ruet: 5 students, outsider arrested Joint forces arrested five students and an outsider during their raids on different student halls of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet) on Sunday night. National Hizbut militants active in 4 Kishoreganj upazilas Detained 'district commander' (Zila Amir) of Hizbut Touhid, Md. Jashim Uddin, during interrogation disclosed that the militant organization is active in four upazilas in the district.   Wadud's elder brother arrested in Khagrachhari Joint force yesterday arrested former Khagrachhari lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan's elder brother Mohammad Shahbuddin Ahmad Bhuiyan for his alleged involvement in corruption.   Patradut editor murder trial resumes today The Daily Patradut editor SM Alauddin Murder Trial will resume at the District and Sessions Judge Court today. Last month the order was passed after over 11 years of the gruesome murder.   'Protect coastal areas from adverse impact of climatic changes' A study team of the Coastal Association for Social Transformation Trust yesterday called for immediate measures to protect the coastal areas of the country from the adverse impact of climatic changesincluding   10 chargesheeted, trial begins today The younger brother of Barisal City Corporation Mayor Majibor Rahman Sarwar and nine others including a BNP leader and ward commissioner have been chargesheeted in the BTTB revenue misappropriation case.   Stalemate on as workers skip duty No worker joined work at the sacking section of state-owned Platinum Jubilee Jute Mill which reopened yesterday after 45 days' lay-off.   26 tribal refugee families to be rehabilitated Twenty-six tribal refugee families who had been staying in three educational institutions in Dighinala upazila since their return from India nine years ago, will be settled on government land within 15 Point-Counterpoint Congressman McDermott's support for Mohiuddin On May 31, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued the mandate that ended convicted killer AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed's asylum appeals and made him deportable from the United States.   1967 Six-Day War -- the reality and the aftermath Forty years ago, in June 1967, a war erupted in the Middle East that was to leave politics in the region and in the wider world beyond it changed forever.   The colour of money There's been a lot of talk lately about "black money" and "white money" as we discover new evidence regarding the wealth amassed by some of the individuals listed as Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) targets. Culture Palli-kobi Jasimuddin Festival begins The narratives of the rustic Bengal and its people have always been presented artistically in Palli-kobi Jasimuddin's poetry, touching the soul of readers.   Paribesh Utshab '07 "Recognition of and support to local knowledge and cultural practices can make environmental conservation more meaningful and effective," said Professor Mozaffer Ahmed on the inauguration of the two-day   Lux Channel-i Superstar '07 launched The popular talent hunt "Lux Channel-i Superstar" is back once again.   Mega-serial "Adbhuturey" on Channel-i Taher Shipon's mega-serial Adbhuturey will be aired on June 6 at 8:20pm on Channel-i. General 3 pathological centres sealed off in Rajshahi Joint forces sealed off three pathological centres and fined eight private clinics Tk 1.10 lakh in Rajshahi on Sunday night for running business without license or efficient staffs in an unhygienic manner.   College student killed in Rajshahi road crash A college student was killed in a road accident Dewanpara in Rajshahi city yesterday.   EU seminar on 'Erasmus Mundus' scholarship A delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh organised a seminar at Brac Centre Inn in the city on Sunday to brief Bangladeshi universities about 'Erasmus Mundus', an exchange and scholarship   Course on health equity begins Wide differences of income, gender discrimination and rural-urban divide are contributing to health inequities in the country, Health Secretary Ehsan-ul Fattah said yesterday.   Cooking session held Panasonic organised a two-day cooking session for the winners of a special Panasonic Microwave Oven sales campaign at WVA auditorium in the city recently, says a press release. International Fighting breaks out at 2nd Lebanon camp Violence sparked by a two-week old confrontation between the Lebanese army and al-Qaeda inspired militants spread to a second Palestinian refugee camp in the southern part of the country, killing twosoldiers,   Russia warns US on missile defence Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could take "retaliatory steps" if Washington proceeds with plans to build a missile defence system for Europe, including possibly aiming nuclear weapons   Pakistani militant infiltration on the rise: Indian army The Indian army said yesterday it had registered an increase in militant activity along the heavily-militarised Line of Control, despite a pledge by Pakistan to block cross-border insurgents.   Breakthrough in liver cancer treatment For the first time, doctors say they have found a pill that improves survival in liver cancer, a notoriously hard to treat disease diagnosed in more than half a million people globally each year.   Iranian arms found in Afghanistan: Gates Iranian weapons have begun flowing into Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Monday, but he and Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed involvement by Tehran cannot yet be proved.   Man wakes from 19-yr coma in Poland A railway worker who emerged from a 19-year coma woke to a radically altered Poland and thinks "the world is prettier now" than it was under communism, his wife said Sunday.   Liberia's Charles Taylor boycotts war crimes trial Former Liberian President Charles Taylor boycotted the opening of his war crimes trial, and his assigned lawyer walked out of the courtroom in a dramatic opening to the landmark first international tribunal   Israeli tanks roll into southern Gaza Israeli tanks and troops pushed into southern Gaza yesterday in the first such ground operation so deep into the area since a November truce, witnesses and the military said.   Pak judges refuse to hear complaints against lawyers Two Pakistani judges have quit a panel dealing with a complaint over lawyers who shouted slogans against army rule and the country's judiciary, court officials said yesterday.   Paris Hilton checks into prison Celebrity socialite Paris Hilton checked into prison just before midnight on Sunday to begin serving a 23-day sentence for driving with a suspended licence.   Sierra Leone helicopter crash kills 22 A privately-owned passenger helicopter that crashed in Sierra Leone killed at least 22 people, most of them Togolese sporting officials and fans, officials said Monday. Editorial Editorial: Challenges before the EC The Chief Adviser has reiterated his government's determination to hand over power to an elected government as early as possible.   Editorial: Counter-terrorism agenda The visit to Bangladesh of two senior counter-terrorism experts from the United Nations is significant on two counts.   Hand that rocks the cradle The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world" is a poem by William Ross Wallace that extols motherhood as the pre-eminent force for change in the world.   Now, pursue the equity agenda! Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's admonition to the Confederation of Indian Industry against sky-high corporate salaries and the need to keep "profit maximisation within the bounds of decency" hasn't come   Announcing schedule for election No conscious citizen of Bangladesh will argue against the withholding of the election which was scheduled to be held on January 22.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.