The Daily Star: Internet Edition Sat. April 03, 2004

Volume 4 Number 302

Sat. April 03, 2004


News
Today's Index
Front Page
Business
Sports
Point-counterpoint
Metropolitan
National
International
Culture
General


Views
Editorial
Letters to Editor
Write to Editor


Sections
Literature


Others
About Us
Contact
Advertisement
Supplements
Archives

Today's Index

Front Page	Largest ever arms haul Joint forces seized 10 truckloads of submachine-guns, AK-47 assault rifles, other firearms and bullets on tip-off in the largest ever arms haul in an early morning swoop on the Karnaphuli coast in Chittagong
	Hasina's motorcade attacked, arches demolished:11 hurt The motorcade of Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina and her partymen were attacked in Barisal allegedly by BNP activists on Friday and Saturday.
	Unocal to exploit Bibiyana gas for domestic use American oil giant Unocal has agreed to develop Bibiyana gas field for local markets, signalling an apparent end to gas export issue that whipped up a torrent of debates in national politics.
	A clinic closer to community Tuberculosis flares up every other week, but it does not perturb Shaheda Begum. The reality of having no money in the little money-chest she keeps under bed does not unsettle the 50-year-old.
	Babar sees it as part of a big conspiracy State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar yesterday described the largest ever seizure of AK-47 rifles and other firearms in Chittagong as part of a "big conspiracy" and did not rule out any possiblelink
	Arms haul serious threat to security, says opposition Mainstream opposition parties yesterday demanded immediate investigation into country's largest ever arms seizure in Chittagong, pegging the haul as a serious threat to national security.
	Chronicle of gunrunning A string of large arms hauls including the latest in Chittagong suggests some insurgent groups in South Asia are trying to use Bangladesh as a transit point for gunrunning because of its strategic location.
	26,000 Awami League men killed during coalition rule, rallies told Twenty-six thousand leaders and workers of Awami League (AL) have been killed across the country since the BNP-led coalition government took over, alleged AL President Shiekh Hasina yesterday.
	Save link canals to save Buriganga The authorities are dredging a 17-kilometre stretch of the Buriganga unmindful of the need for saving at least a dozen dying canals connecting the capital's peripheral townships and villages with theriver.
	PSA enforces siege at CU from today Progressive Student Alliance (PSA), a forum of three leftist student organisations of Chittagong University (CU), will be enforcing an indefinite siege on campus from today protesting Thursday's attack
	New Nato members to stay in Iraq Ex-communist countries newly enrolled in Nato vowed yesterday to keep their troops in Iraq, while calling for greater international involvement to restore stability to the shattered nation.
	High turnout in Lankan polls Sri Lankans turned out in large numbers yesterday for parliamentary elections called to resolve a power struggle between the president and the prime minister that has cast a shadow over faltering attempts
	Sharon says Israel may kill Arafat Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday threatened his long-time foe Yasser Arafat with assassination in barbed comments in which he called the veteran Palestinian president a poor insurance risk.
	Myanmar PM Khin Nyunt arrives tomorrow Myanmar Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt arrives in Dhaka tomorrow on a three-day official visit. This will be the first-ever visit by a Myanmar premier to Bangladesh.
	Tendulkar robbed ! India skipper Sourav Ganguly said yesterday his team made a "mistake" by denying star batsman Sachin Tendulkar a double-century in the opening Test against Pakistan at Multan.
	Asiatic Society might extend fellowship to archaeologist Asiatic Society might extend the fellowship it awarded to Associate Professor Sufi Mustafizur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University (JU), the archaeologist who discovered the country's oldest road at Narshingdi's
	Adamjee suppliers warn of hunger strike if dues not paid in 15 days About 1,500 farmers and traders yesterday warned to go on hunger strike if the government does not pay up their Tk 22 crore dues for jute and other materials supplied to Adamjee Jute Mills within thenext
	Chuadanga BNP leader murdered A local leader of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was killed by unidentified miscreants in Damurhuda upazila in the early hours of yesterday.
	Feni Jamaat chief killed in road accident A local Jamaat leader was killed and six others were injured in a road accident here yesterday.
	Beheaded body of BCL activist recovered The beheaded body of Shamjan Ali, 22, a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activist, was recovered from Majutkhali under Digholia upazila yesterday.
	15 injured at AL council At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two fractions of the Awami League (AL) at a triennial council yesterday.
	Shibir-JCD clash leaves 50 hurt in Jessore Jessore MM College was closed for an indefinite period yesterday following a clash between the activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir that left 50 people injured.
	Two PBCP men arrested Sonadanga police yesterday arrested two suspected members of the Janajuddho faction of Purbo Banglar Communist Party and recovered two firearms and 10 cartridges from them.
	Dealers' association threaten strike from tomorrow Khulna Divisional Petroleum Product Dealers' Association has threatened to go on an indefinite strike from tomorrow in protest against the abduction of Sanatan Kumar Pal of Magura, an agent of Padma Oil
Business	Audit finds 9 reasons for Sonali Bank's huge default loans Wilful default by big borrowers and faulty selection of debtors are among the major causes behind the huge amount of default loans stuck with Sonali Bank, said a special audit on the nationalised commercial
	ADB raises growth forecast for developing Asia Asia is expected to expand by more than previously forecast this year, with growth outside Japan set to rise to 6.6 percent, the president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday.
	India needs to grow at least 8pc to cut jobless: UNIDO India's economy must grow a minimum of eight percent every year to dent poverty and unemployment levels, a senior UN official said Friday.
	US report cites broad range of trade barriers The United States voiced concern Thursday over a range of global trade obstacles, from restrictions on beef to subsidies for Airbus to China's effort to impose a new wireless chip standard.
	Growing trade costs set alarm bells ringing Surely few phrases in international economics are as turgid as trade facilitation. But none is more topical.
	ICB acquires ADB stake in United Leasing The Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) bought 1,40,000 ordinary shares of the United Leasing Company (ULC) held by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
	110 dockers at Ctg port apply on 1st day One hundred and ten dock workers at Chittagong Port opted to resign on the first day under a golden handshake programme that began here on Thursday to retrench some 1500 dockers.
	Padma Oil Co declares 50pc dividend Padma Oil Company Limited (POCL), a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, has declared 50 percent dividend for the year 2002-2003.
	Islamic Finance and Investment declares 10pc stock dividend Islamic Finance and Investment Limited has declared 10 percent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year ending on December 31, 2003.
	HP Service holds workshop HP Services held a workshop for executives of different public and private sector companies in Dhaka recently.
	Midas training course ends A weeklong training course styled 'Start Your Business' concluded at Midas (Micro Industries Development Assistance and Services) head office in Dhaka recently.
	JOBS training for Mirpur shoe entrepreneurs A weeklong training course styled 'Entrepreneurship Development and Business Management', conducted by JOBS (Job Opportunities & Business Support), an USAID funded project, concluded in Dhaka recently.
	BGIC vice chairmen re-elected Ragib Ali and Kalim Sharafi have been re-elected vice chairmen of Bangladesh General Insurance Co Ltd (BGIC).
	Americas' FTA talks shelved over farm subsidy spat The planned Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) suffered another setback Thursday when scheduled talks were postponed for a second time over disagreements between US and Latin American officials over
	EU ups US sanctions, hopes to end row The European Union put a further squeeze on US imports Thursday in a long-running trade dispute, but said it hoped Washington would take steps to end the fight next month.
	US industry rallies to protect shrimp trade A coalition of US restaurants, grocers, seafood distributors and others was launched Thursday to fight a US trade panel ruling that could lead to anti-dumping tariffs against six countries.
	Weekly Currency Roundup March 28- April 1, 2004 Local FX Market: US dollar was volatile this week.
Sports	Foujia's leap of silver Bangladesh's Foujia Huda was the lone medal success in athletics on the fifth day of 9th SAF Games in Islamabad yesterday.
	Cricket: Razzak rules Zim A Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj baffled Zimbabwe A into submission as his devastating seven wicket burst propelled Bangladesh A to a 60-run victory in the third limited-over match at the Bangabandhu
	Cricket: Chappell sees whitewash India could complete a clean sweep in the ongoing three-Test series in Pakistan after their historic victory in the opening match, former Australian captain Ian Chappell has said in a column.
	Cricket: Media hails ’em Pakistan's me-dia on Friday put aside the prevailing sombre mood over India's maiden cri-cket Test win on its soil to hail the arch-rivals as the "best Indian team ever.
	Cricket: Faith carries Pathan In the land of the Pathans, it is an Indian Pathan who has impressed one and all with his exploits on the cricket field and his humility.
	Cricket: Murali awaits results Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will receive a verbal report in the next few days following tests on his suspect bowling action, an Australian human movement specialist said on Friday.
	Cricket: Five-star Freddie Andrew Flintoff captured his first five-wicket haul in Tests to bowl England into a superior position on the opening day of the third Test against the West Indies on Thursday.
	Football: As big as the final Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg is well aware of how much it meant to the club the last time they lost an FA Cup semi-final to Manchester United.
	Football: Real get Zidane boost Having put their recent bout of jitters behind them, league leaders Real Madrid will hope to be able to consolidate their position at the top of the table with a win at Albacete on Saturday.
	Football: Liverpool's mission Only by making Anfield a feared fortress for visiting teams will Liverpool secure the fourth and last Champions League spot on offer to English clubs.
	Football: MSC down BU in final Mohammedan Sporting Club won the Independence Day Football Tournament when they handed Premier League champions Brothers Union a 3-1 defeat in the final at the Rajshahi Stadium yesterday.
	Cricket: Miandad slams bowlers Pakistan coach Javed Miandad has told his bowlers they need to get their act together if they are to level the series against India after losing the first Test by an innings and 52 runs.
	Cricket: Eng 73-4 Fidel Edwards' inspired bowling rocked England before lunch on the second day of the third Test at Bridgetown, Barbados yesterday.
	Chess: Zia takes the lead Grand Master Ziaur Rahman took solo lead with five points after the end of the sixth round games of the Singer 30th National Chess Championship at the NSC conference room yesterday.
	Hockey: CU, DU made joint champs Hosts Chittagong University (CU) and Dhaka University (CU) were declared joint champions in the inter-university hockey competition yesterday.
	Cricket: CJKS Premier Div cricket from tomorrow The CJKS Ispahani Premier Cricket League begins on Sunday. MM Ispahani Limited will sponsor the league.
	Basketball: ID b'ball The semifinal line-up of the Maple Leaf Independence Day Basketball Competition was completed yesterday when Dhumketu Club finished Group B champions beating Bangladesh Rifles 66-55 at the Dhanmondi Basketball
	Handball: Sheetal h'ball Mohammedan Sporting Club and Usha Krira Chakra outplayed their respective opponents in the Sheetal Women's Handball League at the outer stadium handball court yesterday.
Metropolitan	Orbis to provide eye care service through Internet Local ophthalmologists will get high-tech training through Internet from 2005.
	Death anniversary of Justice SM Murshed today Today is the 25th death anniversary of Justice Syed Mahbub Murshed, an eminent jurist and constitutional expert. Syed Mahbub Murshed Memorial Committee has drawn up programes to mark the day.
National	Allot houses also to Bangalees, AL MP demands Awami League central publicity secretary Asaduzzaman Noor has demanded allotment of houses of the Uttara Housing Project at Syedpur to distressed people irrespective of Bangalees and Beharis (Urdu speaking
	Farmers patrol border to check diesel smuggling Farmers in bordering villages in the district are patrolling their areas to check smuggling of diesel out of the country as law enforcers failed to do this.
	Give snap polls to show if people still backs govt Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad called upon the ruling alliance and the opposition Awami League to show tolerance to each other for the sake of consolidating democracy in the country.
	Tk 2.1 cr down the drain The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Bogra incurred Tk two crore 10 lakh additional expenditure in four road development projects, completed recently, due to alleged corruption by a section
	Let this unused godown benefit farmers Huge quantities of potato and other vegetables perish every year and farmers are deprived of fair prices due to lack of cold storage facility in the district.
	Diarrhoea kills 5 in Noakhali Jungle bandits are gone but the people of Noakhali shoals are now gripped with another panic--diarrhoeal diseases--due to scarcity of pure drinking water.
	177 arrested from Jhenidah, Chuadanga Police and joint forces have intensified combing operation in Jhenidah and Chuadanga where 11 persons were killed in 72 hours.
	JCD men ransack doctor's chamber for demanding fee Activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) ransacked a doctor's chamber and asked him to leave Kushtia town as he demanded fee after treating a JCD leader. According to a case filed by Dr.
	Rupsha bridge won't be ready by November The Rupsha Bridge will not be ready for traffic by the November time-limit, its contractors say. Eighty per cent work of 1360 metre long bridge has been completed.
	Seminar on leadership Awami League (AL) leader Mohiuddin Uddin Khan Alamgir said disparity between poor and rich is widening day by day. He suggested effective steps to reduce disparity.
	CPA land recovered About five-and-a-half kathas of land of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) were recovered from the clutch of land grabbers on Sunday.
Point-Counterpoint	India-Bangladesh cooperation on transboundary rivers As pointed out earlier, water shortages are a very serious problem in many parts of Bangladesh during the dry season (January-May), particularly in north-west and south-west Bangladesh.
	Justice Murshed He rapidly appeared in the limelight and almost immediately became everyone's idol. Mr.
Culture	'The cultural activists of 1971 are not recognised properly' --Rathindra Nath Roy Rathindra Nath Roy was one of most prominent performers of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (Radio Centre of Independent Bangla).
	Kamal Lohani, portrait of a cultural personality JOURNALIST Kamal Lohani is a well-known name in our cultural arena.
	New programme on ntv Shanglap: Sthanio Sharkar Ntv will telecast a new informative series, Shanglap: Sthanio Sharkar (Dialogue: Local Goverment) from the second week of April this year, says a press release.
	With Disney brand of humor and song, it's 'Home,' sweet home Bright and poppy with enough catchy songs to make you want to buy the soundtrack (and tolerate your kids listening to it a couple of hundred times), Home on the Range is Disney's last stand inthe
General	Political will a must to check human trafficking Political will and regional cooperation are a must to check trafficking in women and children, speakers said at a workshop in the city yesterday.
	Strike at educational instts tomorrow Progatishil Chhatra Jote (PCJ), a combine of left-leaning student organisations, has called a strike at all educational institutions for tomorrow protesting Thursday's attack on its leaders and activists
	Tributes paid to Sadri Ispahani Speakers at a condolence meeting yesterday paid glowing tributes to Mirza Mehdi (Sadri) Ispahani, former chairman of Ispahani Group, calling him a true patriot and a humanist.
	Death in road accident sparks violent protest The death of a college student in a road accident in the city's Tilagarh area triggered a violent protest yesterday.
	Attack on Hasina's motorcade protested Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of the opposition Awami League, staged a demonstration in front of the AL central office in the city yesterday protesting the attack on the motorcade of AL
	'Songs of the Soul' launched The publication ceremony of a book of poems, Songs of the Soul, by Zakaria Choudhury was held in the city on Thursday, says a press release.
	Over 1,300 held, 12 firearms recovered Police arrested 1,316 people, including a listed criminal, during their ongoing countrywide drive in the last 24 hours ending at 6.00am yesterday.
	Reunion Jagannath Hall Alumni Association, Dhaka University, will hold a reunion of former students on the Dhakeshwari Temple premises at 5.00pm on April 16, says a press release.
International	Israeli police storm into Al Aqsa Mosque Israeli police stormed a disputed Jerusalem holy site after Muslim prayers yesterday, firing stun grenades and tear gas, but no injuries were reported.
	Kashmiri rebel alliance calls for polls boycott An alliance of guerrilla groups fighting Indian rule in Kashmir yesterday urged Kashmiris to boycott upcoming Indian elections in the disputed Himalayan region.
	US to seek new UNSC resolution before July 1 The United States said Thursday it would seek a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraq before power in Baghdad is transferred to a provisional Iraqi government on July 1.
	Bush ordered military action against al-Qaeda a week before Sept 11 The White House, feeling the heat over charges that President Bush failed to make terrorism an urgent priority before Sept.
	Anti-American voices get louder across Iraq The people who burned and kicked the corpses of four American contractors in the Iraqi town of Falluja this week were not armed insurgents or foreign fighters.
	Pakistan sends troops in new al-Qaeda push Pakistan is sending fresh troops to its lawless tribal region near the Afghan border as part of its campaign to clear the country of al-Qaeda and other foreign militants, intelligence officials said yesterday.
	Indian SC bans political ads on cable, TV Supreme Court yesterday banned all political advertisements on cable and TV channels, which do not conform with to the laws of the land and offend morality, decency and religious susceptibility of the
	Lankan village becomes voting bazaar Villagers from areas controlled by Tamil Tigers arrived in state-owned buses yesterday to polling stations cleared of mines in Sri Lankan territory to vote in parliamentary elections.
	Taiwan parties fail to reach recount deal Taiwan's feuding political parties met with High Court judges yesterday but failed to agree on how to proceed with a recount for the disputed presidential election.
Editorial	Editorial: Audit objections remaining unresolved for years To learn that audit objections to finances of different ministries between 1971 and 1990 -- nineteen long years -- are yet to be resolved, is a real disappointment for all the citizens.
	Editorial: Farm lending to be more generous Subsequent to the government's decision to waive accumulated interest on outstanding farm loans upto Tk 5,000 further liberalisation of agriculture lending seems to be in the offing.
	Iraq and the war on terror -- one year later Human beings have over time evolved institutions and introduced practices that have eventually become part of tradition.
	Penitence, penance and redemption Mahatma Gandhi, till the very end of his life, never wavered in his belief, that nothing good or edifying could possibly result from something that was innately flawed, morally repugnant or evil.
Letters to Editor	National University The authorities of National University are absolutely nonchalant about publishing the results of exams.
	Publish the results We are students of second year honours (new syllabus) under National University. Our first year exams were held in June-July, 2003, but the results have not been published yet.
	Simply silly Car any one give a justifiable answer why an kid of about four years or so has joined oust government programme celebrated by the Awami League on 30.3.
	Independence Day special I congratulate the DS team for their publication of the articles in the "Independence Day special", most of which unfold a realistic image of the events of the Kalo Ratri and independence declaration
	Credit cards Maintaining credit cards have become a big problem in our country. The companies have strange ways of adding late fees and additional charges, which a customer cannot even in his dream make out.
Literature	Have Finished Sewing The Quilt, Don't Worry Once political workers and those who struggled for freedom began to be captured after the first language movement of 1948, things continued pretty much the same way till 1971.
	The Continuing, Vivid Cost of Freedom The Mind of War-Injured Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh by Dr. M. A. Mohit Kamal, Dhaka: BidyaProkash, 2001. First the bad news.
	BANGLADESH '71 Venturing at last to go out I blink at the guilt in the eye And fumble with the throat As if there were a tie. Smoky dusk falls like a fear Over stone and human heart.