Vol. 5 Num 1129 Fri. August 03, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan Culture General Views Forum Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Environment World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Accounts of Hasina, her family members frozen The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday asked all commercial banks to freeze accounts of Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina and her five family members.   10kg bomb, 10 grenades found at JMB den The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) recovered a powerful bomb, 10 improvised grenades, and bomb-making materials from a mess in the city's Mirpur early yesterday and arrested four suspected JMB operatives.   JMB feared to strike again in August The government fears attacks across the country in the lead-up to the second year of August 17 nationwide blasts by Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).   SC stays Hasina's bail order The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday accepted the government appeal and stayed till August 14 Monday's High Court (HC) order granting bail to detained Awami League chief and former prime minister Shiekh Hasina   Part of Dhaka-Aricha road goes under water Dhaka-Aricha Highway went under a foot of water at 10 points, including Paturia, threatening to snap road communications between Dhaka and 16 south and south-western districts.   Rangs Bhaban to be torn down from today Rajuk starts demolishing the upper floors of Rangs Bhaban in the capital today as the Supreme Court yesterday overruled the High Court judgment that had declared valid the construction beyond the sixth   Flood delays voter list launch plan The Election Commission (EC) cannot officially kick off the field level task for preparing a fresh voter list with photographs on schedule as the chief adviser (CA) has declined to inaugurate the launching   Biman flight schedule about to crash-land Despite canceling flight on several routes, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is frequently failing to maintain its flight schedule as only four to five aircraft of its 11-member fleet can be kept operative a   Not paid off as quick as they laid off The 3,000 laid off workers of Peoples Jute Mills Ltd, which shut down Wednesday with Tk 300 crore due in wages, found nobody at the factory in Khulna from whom they could know when they would get their   SC to hear Bangabandhu killing case from Aug 7 The Supreme Court has set August 7 to hear applications of the condemned prisoners seeking leave to appeal to overturn the High Court order that confirmed their capital punishment for killing Bangabandhu   Business leaders' fear unfounded A visiting senior IMF executive yesterday assured Bangladesh of resisting any IMF attempt of imposing policy measure that could affect its economy and the welfare of the people.   Conspiracy on to destroy democracy Former premier and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday stressed the need for lifting the ban on indoor politics saying democracy cannot go on without politics.   Green chilli costs Tk 200 a kg! The price of green chilli shot up to Tk 200 per kg from Tk 120 in the capital yesterday, as the usual daily supply of 250 tons to city's Karwan Bazar wholesale market came down between 5 and 6 tons in   Dhaka signs Asean peace treaty Bangladesh yesterday signed Asean's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) at the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), which concluded in Manila last night.   Govt to import more food if necessary Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said the government will import more food, if necessary, to face the possible challenges of further price hike of essentials due to flood.   3 more sub-jails for VIP prisoners to be set up Prison authorities will set up three more sub-jails in the capital for VIP prisoners in addition to the one where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been detained.   AL disappointed at SC order Awami League (AL) yesterday expressed its disappointment at the Supreme Court (SC) Appellate Division's stay order on the High Court (HC) order that granted bail to AL chief Sheikh Hasina in a case filed   Intercom system at Khaleda's house removed Intercom system at former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's residence was removed on Wednesday, sources close to Khaleda told The Daily Star yesterday.   Few people come forward to help flood victims Food and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury yesterday said limited number of people have come forward to help the flood-affected people of the country but he expects more people to come forward   Hasina's graft case hearing now Aug 8 The High Court has deferred the long-pending hearing of an application for quashing the Meghnaghat power plant graft case against detained former premier and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and set   US again backs anti-graft drive, reform measures The United States has reiterated its strong support to the caretaker government's drive against corruption in Bangladesh and commended the announcement of election roadmap as well as the reforms measures.   Boy helps avert train accident A boy's presence of mind averted a train accident on Dhaka-Chittagong rail route at Chanpur in Comilla Sadar South upazila yesterday.   Musharraf-Benazir 'deal' gets cabinet backing Pakistan's federal cabinet has endorsed President Pervez Musharraf's "recent contacts" with exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and extended full support to the president for his re-election. Business BB's new scheme to sell Oriental Bank's 57pc paid up capital The central bank issued a scheme yesterday to sell 57 percent of Oriental Bank's paid up capital through an open tender.   Maintenance fee for BO account comes into effect Annual maintenance fee of Tk 300 for each beneficiary owner's (BO) account has come into effect as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has set the month of September for paying the charge.   Chevron to invest in bigger way in 5 years New President of Chevron Bangladesh Steve N Wilson yesterday said his company will make significant investments in its existing stakes in Bangladesh, including block 7, in the next five years.   New plant of Fu-Wang Ceramic opens in Gazipur A jumbo line plant of Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry Ltd was inaugurated yesterday at Hotapara in Gazipur to manufacture floor and wall ceramic tiles.   Rangpur Dairy introduces RD Milk Rangpur Dairy and Food Products Ltd has introduced liquid milk-- RD Milk -- in local market.   Foreign automakers capture half of US market The Big Three US automakers lost control of their home field Wednesday as foreign automakers captured half of the US market for the first time.   Higher interest rates may be key to curbing inflation: IMF The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that some countries may need to hike interest rates to keep inflation under control amid strong world growth and high fuel prices.   Emirates offers seat selection feature to online buyers Emirates has expanded its seat selection features to all customers who book their tickets online, according to a press release.   AKTEL offers GPRS facility to prepaid subscribers Mobile phone operator AKTEL has launched GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) facility for its prepaid subscribers, says a press release.   New chairman of Pioneer Ins Syed Manzur Elahi has been elected chairman of Pioneer Insurance Company Ltd for 2007-2008 term, says a press release.   Oil prices slip World oil prices eased on Thursday, one day after New York hit a record high 78.77 dollars per barrel as weak US crude reserves sparked concern over tight global energy supplies, traders said.   Unilever to shed 20,000 jobs worldwide Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch maker of consumer goods and food products, announced Thursday that it would cut 20,000 jobs worldwide, 11 percent of its total workforce, over the next four years.   Currency Sports Cricket: Tigers to have boot camp The Bangladeshi cricketers will go through a special conditioning camp next week in Sylhet under a unit of Bangladesh Army to warm up for the Twenty20 World Championship preparations.   Gen Moeen warns federation chiefs National Sports Council (NSC) chairman and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday warned the sport federation bosses to increase activities or face the consequences.   Swimming: Three new NR on opening day Three new national records were set yesterday as the Keya Cosmetics 23rd National Age Group Swimming competition began at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur.   Football: 24 players report to Nayeem The national football squad under Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin trained for two sessions yesterday BKSP's residential camp.   Squash: Bholanath, Swapan start with win Swapan Parvez of Basundhara Group beat Dhaka Club's Jain Omar in straight sets in a premier division singles match of the Federation Cup Squash Tournament that began at the Gulshan Club yesterday.   Cricket: Pawar mocks ICL India's cricket chief Sharad Pawar ridiculed Thursday an unofficial competition carrying a prize of one million dollars, saying it would mainly feature players coming out of retirement.   Cricket: Sreesanth says sorry Admitting that he was embarrassed by his on-field behaviour during the second Test against England at Trent Bridge, Sreesanth said he wanted to apologise to England captain Michael Vaughan for the body-barge   Cricket: 'Turn off the mic' England coach Peter Moores has revealed he is considering asking for the volume on stump microphones to be turned down so his side's 'sledging' of India batsmen is no longer heard by television viewers.   Cricket: Kapil matter up for decision BCCI President Sharad Pawar today said the Board will take a decision on Kapil Dev's fate as the Chairman of National Cricket Academy at its upcoming general body meeting.   Football: Chelsea wants the holy grail Jose Mourinho knows he must deliver the Champions League to satisfy his Chelsea bosses after chief executive Peter Kenyon outlined the club's grand ambitions.   Football: English clubs on spending spree Boosted by multi-million pound foreign takeovers and record television deals, England's leading football teams are splashing the cash on new players ahead of the forthcoming Premiership season.   Football: Eriksson's City revolution Sven Goran Eriksson's Manchester City revolution gathered pace as he made Brazil winger Elano his third signing in a matter of hours on Thursday.   Football: Tevez pleads for quick solution Carlos Tevez admits his protracted transfer to Manchester United could damage his chances of making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.   Football: Blame it on calendar World Cup-winning striker Rudi Voller has said England's lack of success in international competition was down to an overcrowded domestic calendar.   Football: 'Brazil players were drunk' Brazil players had all night drinking sessions at the 2006 World Cup finals and Ronaldo was vastly overweight, Brazilian federation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira was quoted as saying in daily newspaper   Football: Podolski back in training Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski has started training again after the German international spent three months recovering from a knee injury, the Bundesliga giants announced on Wednesday.   Football: Heinze's future to be settled Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze expects his future to be resolved by the end of the week. Heinze is keen to join Liverpool after the Anfield club made a 6.   Football: Van der Sar's future on hold Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar will wait until January before deciding whether to extend his stay at Old Trafford.   Tennis: Sharapova's sharp return Maria Sharapova made a formidable start to the summer hardcourt season, the US Open champion crushing Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-3 in the second round of the San Diego Classic Wednesday.   Cricket: India take it easy From the frying pan of Trent Bridge, where they prevailed in a feverish Test, India's cricketers have landed in an easy-chair at Grace Road.   Cricket: Making their own rules Anyone who seriously believes that South Africa did not win the World Cup because their players drink too much needs to get out more.   Cricket: Yousuf set for axe Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq are likely to be two big-name casualties from Pakistan's 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.   Cricket: Snape willing to join setup Jeremy Snape would like to rejoin England's coaching staff for the World Twenty20 if he is not picked to play.   Cricket: Hoggard targets county game Matthew Hoggard is likely to miss the third Test against India, as he is aiming to play in Yorkshire's County Championship match against Lancashire, starting on August 9 -- the day the third Test commences   Cricket: Malinga to join Kent Sri Lanka's star fast bowler Lasith Malinga is to join English county Kent for just under a month, the governing body of the sport here, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), said Thursday.   Cricket: Chawla wreaks havoc Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla came up with match haul of 10 for 58 as India A thrashed a Zimbabwe XI by an innings and 233 runs in a four-day match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.   Cricket: Scotland announce T20 WC team Scotland have announced their squad for next month's World Twenty20 Championships in South Africa. Metropolitan Bid to suppress probe committee report Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof Mohammad Tahir at an emergency syndicate meeting yesterday formed a new committee to probe the irregularities in recruitment   Arsenic-contaminated irrigation water produces toxic crops Crops produced by arsenic-contaminated irrigation water accumulate toxic element, and when these contaminated foods are taken, human body becomes sick, said a study yesterday.   12 customs officials transferred Twelve customs officials have been transferred and appointed in a major reshuffle.   Theft case against Huda adjourned A Dhaka court yesterday adjourned the proceedings of a theft case against detained former communications minister barrister Nazmul Huda and two others, as the jail authorities could not produce him before   It depends on advisers' good intention: ACC boss Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday said if the advisers of the caretaker government have the strength of mind, there will be no problem for themto   Raise social awareness to fight gender violence Speakers at a seminar yesterday called for increasing social awareness to combat gender violence. They said violence due to gender difference is unacceptable under all circumstances.   Former BNP lawmaker’s wife sued for keeping illegal timber Forest Department yesterday sued Selina Sahid, the wife of former BNP lawmaker Sahidul Islam, for keeping huge quantity of timber illegally at her house in Kushtia.   Court asks IO to submit addl probe report by Sept 10 A Dhaka court yesterday asked the investigation officer (IO) to submit an additional probe report by September 10 against Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina and 45 others in connection with the   Commercial firms, individuals fined A mobile court in a drive in the port city yesterday fined different commercial firms and individuals Tk 6.93 lakh at Agrabad for pilfering Wasa water.   Shrimp trader shot by muggers in Ctg Armed snatchers shot a shrimp trader and looted Tk 2 lakh from his possession in the port city's Saraipara area on Port Connecting Road yesterday afternoon.   RanksTel relocates switch room Clients of the Ranks Telecom Ltd.   Rollins new USAID mission director for Bangladesh The US Agency for International Development (USAID) swore in Denise Rollins as its new mission director for Bangladesh.   Move to reinstate former secretary to PM Nurul Islam A move has been initiated to reinstate the former secretary to the then prime minister, AHM Nurul Islam, who was given forced retirement by the BNP-led four-party alliance government on June 3, 2004.   Concern over price hike of essentials, law,order situation Samajik Protirodh Committee yesterday expressed grave concern over the deterioration of law and order situation and soaring price hike of essentials, says a press release.   Another UGC member finally resigns Another member of University Grants Commission (UGC) finally resigned yesterday because of strong pressure from the education ministry.   Two more speedboats of Manju seized Two more speedboats owned by former communications minister Anwar Hossain Manju were seized from his village home at Bhitabaria in Bhandaria upazila yesterday.   Appeal for help Md Omar Faruque, a physically challenged youth, has appealed for financial assistance for his treatment, says a press release.   Sayeed Hossain Roney Sayeed Hossain Roney, 19, who was supposed to sit for the Secondary School Certificate Examination from Bawany School this year, has been suffering from cancer for four and a half months.   Ghazal concert by Ghulam Ali today A Ghazal concert by Ghulam Ali Khan will be held in the city today, says a press release.   Pipeline blast in Pabna,Sirajganj Gas supply to several upazilas in Pabna and Sirajganj came to a halt following an explosion in a pipeline of West Zone Gas Company in the river Nalka near the western end of the Jamuna Bridge in the early Point-Counterpoint Exit strategies The exit strategy for the caretaker government (CTG) may turn out to be its most challenging task because the full agenda of the forces behind such a government have yet to be made explicit.   What should have been in the budget Poverty alleviation needs enhancement of the purchasing power of the masses, and that needs mass- employment generation.   Where Deshantori ends, Phiriye Ano Bangladesh begins One boat, 42 lives; 17 dead, 25 waiting to die -- they have been floating on the sea for about 10 days without food or water.   A cloud of silence in Bangla Town Bombay. Mumbai. Contested name, conflicted ethnography. Some friends (Indian leftists) still hold on to the old name, a solitary act of defiance against soft Hindutva.   Let's get political With the expatriates getting direct voting rights for the next election, the time is ripe for them to exert more direct influence in policy making. Culture Tanveen Sweety: A modest, passionate There was a gentle murmur at a sari shop at New Market when TV actress Tanveen Sweety walked in. The salesperson began piling up saris of all shades and designs.   "Rangin Boshonpranto" on Channel-i On the occasion of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary, Channel-i will air a special TV play Rangin Boshonpranto on August 6.   A world apart of roots and branches Ferdousy Priyabhashini's ongoing solo exhibition of driftwood at Bengal Gallery brings in humour, love, happiness and sorrow.   "Samapti" on Rtv Special play Samapti will be aired on Rtv at 8:40pm on August 6, Tagore's death anniversary. The play is an adaptation of a short story bearing the same title by Rabindranath Tagore.   TV play "Biporeet" on the occasion of Friendship Day On the occasion of Friendship day (August 5), ATN Bangla will air a special TV play tonight at 8:45pm.   Johnny Depp to play a vampire in "Dark Shadows" Johnny Depp is fulfilling a lifelong ambition to play a vampire in Dark Shadows. London-based producer Graham King is overseeing this adaptation of this '60s TV show, which captured Depp's imagination.   "Gandhi, My Father": An unseen side Indians have always revered Mahatma Gandhi as 'Father of the Nation'. Gandhi is also considered to be a global icon. Known to profess secularism, very little is known about Gandhi as a father. General Mass psychogenic illness: 34 more students fell sick Some 34 students fell sick during outbreaks of mass psychogenic illness (MPI), also known as mass hysteria, in different parts of the country yesterday.   'Fund crisis main obstacle to promoting science edn' Fund crisis is the main obstacle to promoting the science and technology education across the country, academicians said at the inaugural ceremony of 'Science and Technology week-2007' at Dhaka College   Final consultation on implementation held The final round of national consultation on the third and fourth state party report on the UN Convention on Rights of the Child (CRC) was held in the city yesterday.   Goods worth Tk 17.55 lakh seized Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard seized goods worth Tk 17.55 lakh over the past 15 days in different raids on the coastal areas, says a press release.   Correction Bangladesh Association for the Aged organised a campaign to raise awareness about elderly people at Agrani School and College in the city on July 31.   Arrest panic grips RU BCL men Leaders and activists of Rajshahi University (RU) Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) are now passing their days in fear that they might be arrested anytime.   Drug stores fined A mobile court in a drive in Rajshahi yesterday fined eight drug stores Tk 9000 on different charges, including preserving date-expired medicines.   Three killed in road accidents At least three people were killed and 11 others injured in separate road accidents in Comilla, Gaibandha and Brahmanbaria yesterday.   Khulna power plant goes out of order again The Goalpar Power Station (GPS) went out of order from 6:00am yesterday again due to major leakages in boiler tubes. Editorial Editorial: Providing relief in flood-hit regions The worsening state of floods in the country clearly calls for an intensification of relief efforts.   Editorial: Listen to voice of business leaders Twelve top businessmen while waxing critical of 'undesirable interference' of the international financing agencies, especially the IMF, in Bangladesh's economic policy-making arena, have counselled the   Unintended consequences I am not sure that I entirely follow the logic of the so-called "minus two" plan to remove Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina from the political arena.   A suicide by train Nine members of a family, stitched together by their death wish, hurled themselves under a speeding train and died like a ripped quilt. Letters to Editor Strategic Transport Plan We hope that the STP worth $5.2billions will be approved as soon as possible and works will start for its completion in 10 years, and not 20 years.   Corruption It is very much true that the whole nation got fed up with the politicians because most of them were involved directly or indirectly in corruption, extortion and destructive politics.   Musharraf's predicament The army general turned president, Pervez Musharraf, is increasingly finding himself in troubled water after retaining both the coveted positions of the powerful army chief and President of Pakistan for   US invasion It must be clear to all, including those like myself who supported the US military invasion of Iraq hoping that Americans would quickly withdraw after toppling Saddam Hussein, that the US occupation of   Honour the valiant We are the two daughters of Shaheed Major Najmul Haque, who was the Commander of Sector 7 of liberation forces till his death on 26 September 1971.   DU teachers' protest This comes to me as a great shock when I see a group of teachers wearing black badges on the university campus to express their political views.   Disheartening Finally, my apprehension has been proved right. I used to share with my family and friends that the present anti-corruption drive of the caretaker govt. would soon lose its momentum.   What next? Sk. Mujib inspired us to fight for independence, Zia showed us the path of economy to follow.   Child labour I would like to congratulate Shatabdi (Rajshahi) for writing on child labour. It is really sad to see such young children being employed for heavy works, which is a complete violation of humanrights.   Ayub Khan's diary President Ayub Khan's diary currently being serialized in both Bangla and English newspapers draws the attention especially of the old timers for a very patent reason -- they are witness to the events   Sponsoring space visitor's US trip This is great news for all Bangladeshis that for the first time Rafiqul as a representative of Bangladeshi students is going to visit space! This news has been released by different newspapers andTV   Community police I am an expatriate--a USA citizen-- who has lived and worked now in Bangladesh for over 25 years. Today I read about community policing working very well in the Mirpur section of Kushtia.   Bangladesh cricket Urgent action required to improve the quality of cricket being played by the Bangladeshi players. I feel ashamed to discuss the results with my friends, especially the Lankans.   BAU BAU, a renowned public university in South Asia, has a great impact on Bangladesh agriculture as well as its economy.   Comments on Biman In his letter ("Biman PLC - some suggestions," July 27), Mr. Qamruddin makes some excellent suggestions on making Biman Bangladesh a viable airline. Environment Wildlife conservation need of the hour Conservation is the optimum rational use of natural resources and the environment, having regard to the various demands made upon them and the need to safeguard and maintain them for the future.   Climate change and tourism Climate change is not a theoretical concept for tourism. It is a phenomenon that affects the sector, and certain destinations in particular.   Land use and land cover change affecting sustainable development Land use and land cover change may denote changes in one particular type of land cover to another new type, such as from forest to agriculture or it may represent modification within the existing land World South Asia: Pakistan on alert amidst fear of attacks on MPs Pakistani security forces have been put on high alert after intelligence agencies warned of terrorist attacks targeting parliamentarians and sensitive locations, including the Parliament House, in retaliation   South Asia: Indo-US nuke deal risks arms race Pakistan warned yesterday that a civilian nuclear accord between India and the United States threatens regional stability, saying it would allow its arch rival to produce more atomic bombs.   Israel ready to talk peace fundamentals US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas yesterday that Israel was ready to discuss "fundamental issues" to advance the stalled Middle East peace.   South Asia: Aid scarce for 18m people stranded in S Asia floods Relief teams in India, Bangladesh and Nepal yesterday battled to reach about 18 million people stranded in massive flooding, with food, clean drinking water and medicines in short supply.   Mississippi bridge collapse kills 7 Divers resumed sifting the mangled wreckage yesterday of a highway bridge that collapsed in rush hour plunging vehicles into the Mississippi river, killing several people.   Taliban agree to meet South Koreans over hostages A face-to-face meeting between a South Korean delegation and the Taliban is being planned in a new bid to end a deadlock over 21 hostages, an Afghan official and the rebels said Thursday.   Suicide bomb kills 13 in Iraq A suicide car bomber slammed into an Iraqi police station northeast of Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 13 people, police said.   South Asia: Sharif challenges exile in court Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday launched a Supreme Court appeal against his exile seven years ago by President Pervez Musharraf, who overthrew him in a bloodless coup.   South Asia: 8 slain Kashmir infiltrators were Pakistanis: Indian army Eight suspected militants killed in a clash with Indian troops were Pakistani nationals who were "major leaders" of a powerful rebel group, the army said yesterday.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. 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