Vol. 5 Num 1128 Thu. August 02, 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 Reserved gas blocks to go to foreign companies The Petrobangla has ordered Bapex to open up its reserved oil and gas areas and two exploration blocks for joint venture agreements with foreign oil companies in the same vein of the controversial Niko   NBR yet to legalise undisclosed money of Khaleda, Saifur The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has not yet accepted the Tk 33 lakh tax paid by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for legalising her undisclosed money under the ongoing amnesty, saying that it was not paid   Floods cause huge damage to crops, infrastructure More areas of the central part of the country, including the eastern side of the capital, are going under floodwater, as the Jamuna, Padma, Meghna and small rivers around Dhaka continue to swell at most   EC wants new law for voter listing The Election Commission (EC) has asked the government to repeal the existing Electoral Rolls Ordinance to dispel fears of legal controversy over the voter listing and proposed for making a new law toprepare   Business leaders critical of IMF's diktat Business leaders have criticised the interference of the international agencies, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and their bid to influence economic management of the country.   WB wants power price hike, Agrani sale for $1.6b loans The World Bank (WB) has set a number of conditions, including hike in power price, sale of Agrani Bank and mandatory wealth statement submission by the civil servants for the bank's next round of supports   IV fluid goes pricey for poor supply Amid shortage of supply of intravenous (IV) fluid for the last few weeks, the retailers are charging up to double the price, adding to the sufferings of critical patients.   CA says govt ready to tackle flood fallouts Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government has adequate preparations to deal with the exigencies caused by the raging floods across the country.   SC judgment today on Hasina's bail The Supreme Court (SC) will deliver today its judgment on the government appeal against Monday's High Court (HC) order granting bail to detained former prime minister Shiekh Hasina in an extortion case,   Tariqul, wife, son sued for land grab, extortion Former BNP minister Tariqul Islam along with 29 others including his wife Nargis Begum and son Aninda Islam Amit were sued yesterday for extortion and grabbing land.   For higher fares...   Hasina serves legal notice on ACC Former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday sent a legal notice to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) challenging the notice of the commission served upon her to submitwealth   Jobless, they look to future in tears Abdul Hakim burst into tears leaning his head against the huge gate of 53-year-old Peoples Jute Mills Ltd after he came to know on Tuesday night that the mill was closed forever.   China renews support for tri-nation road link Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi yesterday reiterated Beijing's support for Dhaka's proposal for a trilateral road-link project connecting Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, when he met Bangladesh Foreign   Huda, Sigma shown held in extortion case Detained former communications minister barrister Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda were yesterday shown arrested in an extortion case while a graft against Huda was transferred to a special court for   Security, border issues to feature in Indo-Bangla secy level talks Bangladesh and India will be looking into expanding security cooperation and resolving the outstanding land and border issues during the annual home secretary-level meeting beginning in New Delhi today.   Moeen urges all to help flood-hit people Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday termed flood as a national crisis and urged all to help the flood-affected people in combating the natural disaster.   Khaleda finds conspiracy to split her party BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said those who do not want Bangladesh stand holding its head high are conspiring to split her party.   Licences of 2 land phone firms cancelled Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) cancelled licences of two land phone companies for their failure to start operations on time.   Two UGC members quit Two of the three defiant members of University Grants Commission (UGC) resigned yesterday following the pressure of the Education Ministry.   Tk 1.5cr VoIP equipment seized in city Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday seized Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) equipment worth Tk 1.5 crore from the office of Onetel Communications Ltd in the capital.   Khaleda urges all to stand by flood victims BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the countrymen, regardless of their political ideology, to come forward and help the flood-affected people through the natural calamity.   2 teachers jailed over protest Two teachers of Damurhat upazila were sentenced to different jail terms Tuesday in a case filed on charge of violating Emergency Power Rules by trying to stage a 'drama' on fertiliser crisis in Marchthis   3 speedboats of Manju seized Police seized three speedboats of the former communications minister Anwar Hossain Manju from Buriganga in Narayanganj yesterday.   Musharraf now wants 'harmony' with CJ President Pervez Musharraf has said he wants "harmonious ties" with Pakistan's chief justice, whose suspension by the military ruler was overturned earlier this month in a major political blow.   Bombings kill 69 in Baghdad Three large bombs tore through crowded Baghdad districts on yesterday, killing at least 69 people, as government figures revealed Iraq's civilian death toll jumped by more than one third in July. Business Inflation of foods in urban areas reaches 10.71pc in June The point-to-point inflation rate of food items for the urban areas crossed double digit to reach 10.71 percent in June, threatening more sufferings for the fixed income group.   KL to remove tariff barriers for trading with Dhaka Malaysia is likely to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers for Bangladesh in phases and issue multiple visa for three years to genuine Bangladeshi businessmen.   Tech glitch in CDS halts spot trading of 7 DSE firms Spot trading of seven companies on the Dhaka bourse was halted for almost all the trading hours yesterday due to technical glitch in the Central Depository System (CDS) that forced the Central Depository   Process to corporatise NCBs almost finalised The authorities concerned have almost finalised the process to corporatise the nationalised commercial banks (NCBs) as they agreed on the modalities at a meeting in Dhaka yesterday.   India to examine NTBs that affect Pak exports India has set up a task force to examine the issues of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that Pakistan feels are affecting exports of goods like cement to India.   Indo-HK RMG plant in Dhaka EPZ soon Hong Kong and India will establish a garments industry in Dhaka Export Processing Zone with an investment of US$ 3.626 million. This 100 percent foreign owned company named M/s.   US hails SE Asia's free markets The United States on Wednesday lauded Southeast Asia for progress on democracy and free markets, stressing its commitment to the region despite Condoleezza Rice's absence at a key security summit.   DSE fines7 firms fordefying rules The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) authority fined seven listed companies for their failure to submit half-yearly financial reports, sources said.   Bogra LPG depot set to reopen soon The LPG depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) in Bogra is set to reopen in a few days to the dealers of sixteen northern districts.   Vietnam bans strikes in key economicsectors Vietnam has banned strikes in key public services and in sectors that are "of extreme importance to the national economy," the communist government said on its website Wednesday.   World stocks in meltdown over US economy fears European and Asian stock markets plummeted Wednesday, mirroring heavy losses the previous day in New York, on mounting fears that weakness in the US housing sector could infect the world economy.   Global Insokays 5pc cash dividend Global Insurance Ltd has approved a 5 percent cash dividend for its shareholders.   New head of Personal Financial Services of HSBC Bangladesh Md Shafquat Hossain has been promoted to the post of head of Personal Financial Services of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Bangladesh Ltd with effect from August 1, 2007.   Eurozone manufacturing growth hits 17-month low Manufacturing activity in the 13 nations that share the euro fell to a 17-month low in July, a survey released Wednesday found, a decline analysts attributed to a strong euro and high oil prices.   Nokia opens cellphone design studio in India Finnish mobile-phone maker Nokia on Wednesday opened a global design studio in India to stay ahead of rivals such as Motorola in the world's fastest-growing wireless market.   Currency Sports Cricket: BCB's standing committees formed In it's first meeting the ad-hoc committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken some important decisions like forming the standing committees and naming the tour management team for next month's   Football: B.League ends The curtain fell on the country's inaugural professional football league yesterday with both matches resulting in identical 1-1 draws in Dhaka and Chittagong.   Local Snippets Bangladesh conceded a 25-20, 17-25, 18-25, 21-25 defeat to Sri Lanka in a keenly contested match of the Commonwealth Volleyball Championship in Kolkata yesterday.   Cricket: Bashar could play ICL Former Bangladesh captains Habibul Bashar and Khaled Mahmud have expressed interest in participating in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) if they are offered contracts approved by the Bangladesh Cricket   Cricket: 'No more poor tourists' Rahul Dravid believes India are starting to shake off their tag as poor travellers after they went 1-0 up in a three-Test series against England here at Trent Bridge.   Cricket: Let's move on: Moores Coach Peter Moores wants to focus on preserving England's unbeaten home Test record rather than the poor behaviour which marred India's second-Test win.   Cricket: CSA refutes booze claims Cricket South Africa has responded to a report that says "the use of alcohol" was a problem within the team during the World Cup.   Cricket: New coach next week The Indian board has announced that a decision on the appointment of India's next coach will be taken on August 10 in New Delhi.   Cricket: Freddie likely for ODIs England chairman of selectors David Graveney believes Andrew Flintoff will be fit in time to feature in the one-day series against India later this month.   Football: Cesc comes of age When Cesc Fabregas picked himself up from the sodden Highbury turf and nursed bruises to his leg and his ego, the Arsenal midfielder knew it was time to come of age.   Football: Spotlight on C'Ron As Cristiano Ronaldo shielded his eyes from the blinding explosion of flashbulbs it was clear the Manchester United winger's transition from pride of Old Trafford to global phenomenon was complete.   Football: 'Stupid not to spend sooner' Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness branded himself "stupid" on Tuesday for not spending the German giants' millions to assemble Bavaria's dream team sooner.   Football: Iraqi team hailed by Pope Pope Benedict XVI on Wednes-day congratulated Iraq for winning the Asian Cup football championship at the weekend, which he hailed as a "historic success".   Football: Schuster relieved Real Madrid's new coach Bernd Schuster expressed relief on Tuesday the Spanish giants have lost their star players - Los Galacticos - and can concentrate on being a European force again.   Football: Rossi joins Villarreal Spanish side Villarreal's penchant for Manchester United's unwanted strikers continued on Tuesday as they signed Italian Under-21 international Giuseppe Rossi for 6.7million pounds.   Football: Tevez's date in court Carlos Tevez is expected to give evidence when his long-running transfer saga reaches the High Court on August 22.   Football: Zidane refuses Materazzi Italy defender Marco Materazzi says he has tried several times to arrange a meeting with Zinedine Zidane, but the Frenchman who headbutted him in the 2006 World Cup final has always refused to meet him.   Football: Female support pleases Toni Italian striker Luca Toni says he's enjoying life at Bayern Munich, especially the tradition of allowing fans in to watch the team training.   Cricket: BCCI steps into Nike-Adidas row The Indian board has stepped into the court case between sports goods manufacturers Nike and Adidas and said that when players enter into agreements for rights pertaining to their performance on the field   Cricket: Law awaits ICL call While much has been said about the big names the Indian Cricket League has signed on or is signing, its success as a cricketing venture will depend more on the other players it gets on board -- the players   Cricket: Lessons from jellygate As it was revealed last week, applications have been invited for the job of managing director of England cricket, "accountable to the ECB's chief executive for all aspects of performances and administration   Football: Meril Media Cup from August 10 The Meril Media Cup football tournament organised by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA) will begin in Dhaka on August 10.   Top seeds advance at San Diego Serbian second seed Jelena Jankovic defeated American Vania King 6-3, 6-0 on Thursday, joining three other seeds in reaching the third round of the 1.34 million-dollar San Diego Classic. Metropolitan Dhaka committed to peace, development Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury yesterday said the ongoing reforms of the government are aimed at institutionalising Bangladesh's pluralist spirit and 'communal harmony'.   Flood kills 38, affect 46 lakh in 36 dists The stretch of areas inundated by flooding could be reduced to a great extent if the administration would have repaired the vulnerable parts of embankments and bridges in time, said Food and DisasterManagement   89 more students fall sick Some 89 students and a headmaster fell sick during outbreaks of mass psychogenic illness (MPI), also known as mass hysteria, in different parts of the country yesterday.   Local govt needs reforms for dev Speakers at a roundtable yesterday reiterated the need to bring reforms to the local government to ensure participation of local people in the administrative, economic and welfare activities for overall   BNP cadres grab land of Hindu families in Munshiganj Local BNP cadres grabbed the lands and other properties of 50 Hindu families at Louhajang in Munshiganj and forced them out of their houses about two months ago, the victims alleged yesterday.   Declare Bangabandhu as Father of the Nation Members of the civil society yesterday demanded that the government immediately declare Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Father of the Nation and execute the verdict of the Bangabandhu Murder Case.   'Breastfeeding in an hour of birth can save lives of 52,000 babies a year' Initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth will save the lives of 52000 babies under-five in the country every year, said the experts at a discussion yesterday.   No maternity leave for DCC women cleaners: Study Women cleaners of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) do not get maternity leave, said a study of Dhoritri Foundation for Information Education.   $2.5m DFID aid for flood victims Responding to the current floods in Bangladesh, the UK has given $2.   12 extra-judicial killings in July Twelve people were killed by law enforcement agencies in the country last month, says a report on extra-judicial killings by Odhikar, a human rights organisation.   Justice Abu Sayeed's death anniversary today Today is the 19th death anniversary of former president Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, says a press release. On the connection, Qurankhwani and milad mahfil will be held at Nagbari in Tangail.   Concern over laid-off jute mills, workers Various socio-political organisations have expressed grave concern over the fate of the laid-off workers of the four state-owned jute mills that blew their final whistle at midnight on July 31 and their   Alleged robber lynched An alleged robber was lynched at Arai Hazar in the district on Tuesday, police sources said. The deceased was identified as Arafat, 28.   Dead whale to be sent to Nat'l Science, Tech Museum The dead whale that was found at the port city's Kattali sea beach on Monday will be sent to National Science and Technology Museum in the capital.   Australian chef Szabo in city Celebrity Australian chef Steve Szabo is now in the city to offer his special delicacies to food connoisseurs. National Disabled preparing their voter lists in Rajshahi Speakers at a press conference held here yesterday said the disabled are now engaged in preparation of voter lists in Rajshahi City Corporation areas.   Get prepared to shoulder responsibility of nation Speakers at a freshers' reception held at Khagrachhari Government College yesterday urged the students to get prepared to shoulder responsibility to build the nation.   Robbers rape girl, loot tea graden employees' house Armed robbers raped a young girl and looted valuables worth Tk 1 lakh from a house at Gazipur Tea Garden in Kulaura upazila Tuesday night.   537 legalise wealth in 8 northern dists About 537 people legalised their wealth amounting to Tk 60.86 crore in eight districts of the region in last two months, joint commissioner of the Department of Tax here Shushil Kumar Shastri said.   VGD flour seized, 4 held in Gaibandha Joint forces recovered 123 bags of flour allotted for destitute mothers under Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) project from a food trader at Garanata village in Palashbari upazila Tuesday afternoon.   Trader killed in Pabna Criminals chopped a trader and handloom factory owner to death over land disputes at Jalapur Natunpara village of Pabna sadar upazila yesterday. The deceased was Hazrat Ali, 48, son of MahiruddinSarkar.   Textile Mill workers deprived of arrears Hundreds of workers and staffs of the state owned Sundarban Textile Mills who were forced to go on voluntary retirement thronged the mill gate to receive their wages and arrear dues on Tuesday.   2 imposters arrested in Barisal Banaripara police yesterday arrested two fake army personnel with the help of local people from Chowmohani village under Banaripara upazila in the district, police said.   Flood in dists Point-Counterpoint 'This is just the first step' Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal on July 27 to construct a 25 km road from Gundum in Cox's Bazar (2 kms inside the border) to Bawlibazar in Myanmar, the estimated Tk 141 crore cost of which will   International Atomic Energy Agency turns 50 After the catastrophic display of the might of atom bombs in Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August 1945, the people of the world were horrified. Culture Ustad Momtaj Ali Khan's 92nd birth anniversary celebrated USTAD Momtaj Ali Khan Music Academy arranged a programme at the main auditorium of National Museum on July 31 to observe the noted musician's 92nd birth anniversary.   "Majh Rater Manushera" goes to World Theatre Congress Loko Natya Dal's production Majh Rater Manushera is participating at the 28th session of World Theatre Congress and International Theatre Festival organised by International Amateur Theatre Association   "Eksho Bosta Chaal" staged Eksho Bosta Chaal, a Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy production, was staged on July 31 at the National Theatre Stage.   Mukti-Rajkumer: An artiste duo on the rise Artiste duo Sharif Alam Rajkumar and Monira Mukti Anupoma are making headway in the music industry. Though their musical career is still at an early stage, music enthusiasts are taking note of their endeavours.   New drama serial "Astey Astey" to be aired live on Channel-i Channel-i will start airing a new drama serial, Astey Astey, from tonight. The drama serial will aired live every Thursday and Saturday at 11:30pm.   Italian filmmaker Antonioni passes away Michelangelo Antonioni, one of Italy's most famous and influential filmmakers, has died at the age of 94, city officials in Rome said on Tuesday. General Road crashes kill 2 At least two people were killed and eight others injured in separate road accidents in Dinajpur and Brahmanbaria yesterday.   2 Ctg restaurants fined A mobile court in the port city yesterday fined two restaurants in Agrabad area Tk 5.28 lakh and arrested two staffs for pilfering Wasa water and evading taxes.   Start academic activities soon Master's students of the law department of Dhaka University (DU) have been suffering for over one year as the department authorities have been delaying the start of their academic session.   2 killed in city A mechanic of a private construction farm succumbed to his stab injuries at Chest Diseases Hospital in the city yesterday.   All European AL demands Hasina's release All European unit of the Awami League staged a demonstration in Brussels and submitted a memorandum to the head of the European Union (EU) yesterday demanding immediate release of the party Presidentand   Healthcare service providers fined in Gazipur A mobile court in different drives at Tongi and its adjacent areas in Gazipur yesterday fined a number of healthcare service providers Tk 3.   4 electrocuted Four people were electrocuted within a span of 15 hours in the city. The dead were identified as, Akhtar Hossain, 18, Selim, 25, Shah Alam, 16 and Moyez Uddin, 18.   Book festival begins in city A ten-day book festival organised by Oitihya Publication House began at the Public Library at Shahbagh in the city yesterday. The festival offers a special discount ranging from 25 to 60 percent.   ICAB library inaugurated The renovated central library of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) was inaugurated yesterday.   Keep prices of essentials stable ahead of Ramadan Director General of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed has called upon the businessmen to set up 50 fair price outlets in the city to keep the price of essentials stable ahead of the Ramadan, International Iraq's main Sunni bloc resigns in blow to govt All six ministers from Iraq's largest Sunni bloc tendered their resignation from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition government yesterday following a month-long spat.   Sudan welcomes UN Darfur force decision After months of stonewalling, Sudan yesterday welcomed a UN resolution approving a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force for strife-torn Darfur, a belated international response to a four-year-long   Farm minister quits Abe's scandal-plagued cabinet Japan's farm minister resigned yesterday, the first casualty in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's scandal-plagued cabinet after a major election defeat that has raised calls for a change in government.   Japan 'cautious' about any N-deal with India Japan said yesterday it was very cautious about any nuclear cooperation with India and urged New Delhi to make a full accounting of its landmark atomic deal with the United States.   Murdoch wins control of Dow Jones, Wall Street Journal Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has won control of Dow Jones Co. and The Wall Street Journal newspaper in a five billion dollar takeover, the US company confirmed yesterday.   Indian doctor may face new terror charges in Australia Terror charges could still be laid against an Indian doctor even though the original case against him collapsed through lack of evidence, Australia's police chief said yesterday.   Castro still has say on govt decisions Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said yesterday he was still consulted on "every important" government move but did not reveal when he might return to the helm a year after handing over to his brother.   69 trapped coal miners rescuedin China after 3-day ordeal Sixty-nine men trapped in a flooded Chinese coal mine for more than three days were pulled out alive yesterday, authorities said, ending a terrifying ordeal in which they survived on milk and pumped-in   "Asian Brown Cloud" speeding melt of Himalaya glaciers The haze of pollution that blankets southern Asia is accelerating the loss of Himalayan glaciers, bequeathing an incalculable bill to China, India and other countries whose rivers flow from this source,   Indian flood death toll rises to 1000 Dozens of people were killed yesterday across South Asia as surging flood waters caused by heavy monsoon rains forced millions from their homes.   Myanmar reports fresh bird flu outbreak Military-ruled Myanmar has detected its second outbreak of bird flu in less than a month, this time on a poultry farm in the central region of Bago, health officials said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Keeping inflation in check WE are pretty close to double-digit inflation already with the rate notching 9.20 percent for the first time in a decade.   Editorial: Ruptured roads Most of the city roads have developed potholes and cracks or even deep furrows, posing a threat to both pedestrians and vehicles. The problem is multiplied by water-logging during heavy rain.   Terrorists and their abettors The long arm of the law has finally caught up with the accomplices of the Islamic militants.   The twilight zone Dialogue being always better than confrontation, the good of the country required dialogue between the Musharraf regime and the two major political leaders in exile, or at least one of them.   Perceptions of partisanship and patronisation Perception about an issue, an incident, or a process, in the absence of all available information, begins with posing of a few simple questions: Why has something occurred? Why is it still occurring?What Letters to Editor Power shortage There is a shortage of power this is the hard fact and this shortage cannot be resolved overnightthe situation will remain difficult for another 2-3 years.   Political consciousness and democracy I'm a Bangladeshi student completing my undergraduate degree in Economics and International Relations at the University of Toronto.   DUTA- a political party? Ending their 2 day programme on 22 July- wearing black badges on the 21st and a half day work stoppage on the 22nd- the Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) general secretary talked to a private   Minus Two I am tired of reading about people criticising the CTG and being sympathetic to Hasina and Khaleda. Most people fail to see the big picture. Without them the country will be a whole lot better.   Arrest of Hasina I appreciate the concern people have with regard to the arrest of Hasina. However, my heartfelt congratulation to the caretaker government for taking this step.   DUTA When I read the news that Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) will be abstaining from taking classes, I thought, there must have been something that went very wrong at DU.   Speaker's medical bill It is rather pathetic that the "Hon." Speaker spent Tk 28 Lakh of the tax payers' money on his medical expenses abroad. The point is not whether it was spent legally or illegally.   Biman PLC Many thanks for publishing your editorial and my letter to the editor on the above subject. But two important points have been omitted, viz.   Non-government sector A non-government job is for spirited, dynamic and honest people. A non-government job is output-oriented. People's quality is properly evaluated in such a job.   Lord Buddha's hair I would like to thank the writer of "Lord Buddha's Hair" published in your daily on 23-Jul-2007. He expressed the thinking as I held in my mind on the issue.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.