Vol. 5 Num 247 Thu. February 03, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page Saarc Summit postponed as India pulls out The 13th Saarc Summit was postponed yesterday for the second time after India pulled out at the last moment citing the Nepalese political turmoil and 'deterioration of law and order' in Bangladesh following   India points at developments in Kathmandu, Dhaka Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday decided not to attend the Saarc Summit in Dhaka "against the background of recent developments in our neighbourhood which has caused us grave concern.   Pak PM phones Khaleda, tells of dissatisfaction Saarc Chairperson and Pakistan Prime Minister Shawkat Aziz yesterday expressed disappointments having to postpone the 13th regional summit after India expressed its inability to come over to Dhaka.   Pay Commission submits report, proposes up to 90pc salary hike The Pay Commission yesterday submitted its report to Prime Minister (PM) Khaleda Zia outlining up to 90 percent salary increase for government employees under 20 grades.   ADP sees 29pc implementation in first half The half-yearly implementation of the projects under the current Annual Development Programme (ADP) stands at 29 percent.   3 outlaws killed in 'crossfire' Three outlaws were killed in 'crossfire' during police actions in Kushtia and Pabna while another outlaw was slaughtered by his rivals in Pabna yesterday.   Asma Kibria calls for movement to nab killers Asma Kibria, widow of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, yesterday urged people from all walks of life to join the movement demanding punishment of her husband's killers and an end to such killings.   Nepal king unveils new cabinet Nepal's King Gyanendra swore in a new 10-member cabinet heavily dominated by royalists, a day after firing the government and seizing power in a move that sparked international condemnation.   Trade bodies say strikes to spike problems In the wake of the latest political unrest leading trade bodies yesterday once again urged the parties to resolve differences in the parliament, saying street agitation and strikes only aggravate problems.   Countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal today Awami League (AL) and left-leaning 11-Party enforce a countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal today to protest the killing of AL lawmaker and former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria and four others in the January   Bangladesh economy posts strong growth Despite floods and oil price shock on international market, Bangladesh economy continued recording a strong growth in the last quarter of 2004, said Asian Development Bank.   Telcoms ministry at fault again The telecoms ministry is again found guilty of violating another law. A commissioner of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) resigned in February last year.   Global warming sends grave warning Global warming will boost outbreaks of infectious disease, worsen shortages of water and food in vulnerable countries and create an army of climate refugees fleeing uninhabitable regions, a conference   6,000 acres gobbled up in Dhaka, N'ganj, Gazipur The district administrations of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur have identified about 6,000 acres of illegally occupied government land and recovered only 306 acres.   12 Natore militants linked with Jamaat Twelve activists of militant Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahidin Bangladesh arrested in Natore early Tuesday have links with Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front, investigators said yesterday.   HC declares illegal removal order of judge Shahidur The High Court (HC) yesterday declared illegal the president's order removing additional judge Syed Shahidur Rahman in April last year.   Another case filed against Mansur of AL Another case was filed yesterday against Awami League (AL) Organising Secretary Sultan Mohammad Mansur and four others for their alleged threat on the life of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.   Blanket security withdrawn The security blanket thrown around the capital was withdrawn after postponement of the 13th Saarc summit yesterday.   Rice offers condolence to Hasina US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday offered her deep condolence on the death of former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria and other individuals in a bomb attack in Habiganj.   Alliance sits today to fix action plan Against the backdrop of the postponement of Saarc summit and opposition's wildcat hartals, the ruling 4-party alliance and BNP will hold crucial meetings today to discuss the current political situation   Interpol men meet IGP Two visiting Interpol members met the inspector general of police (IGP) yesterday.   Govt to take action against propaganda thru' internet The government is going to take necessary steps to prevent 'malicious' propaganda against Bangladesh that blights image of the country at home and abroad.   97 former top govt officials slate Kibria's killing Ninety-seven retired government officials including secretaries and envoys have condemned the killing of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria.   Rally accuses coalition of killing under a blueprint Ruling BNP-Jamaat-led coalition has drawn a blueprint for eliminating popular and progressive political leaders one by one, said the central leaders of the 14-party alliance led by the Awami League at   Rapist jailed for 30 years A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a rapist to 30-year rigorous imprisonment. The convict, Kala Guddu, raped a five-year-old girl in Mohammadpur in the city on February 18, 2003.   The first Bangladesh-China Friendship in shabby condition...   Who cares !   Murder charge framed against Haji Selim A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against former Awami League (AL) lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim and 31 others accused of killing Mizanur Rahman, member of Sultanganj Union Parishad in Kamrangirchar.   Outlaw held for threat to journos An alleged activist of outlawed Purba Banglar Communisty Party's (PBCP) ML-Janajuddha faction was arrested yesterday from his house for threatening with death eight journalists and a police official. Business Bangladesh RMG won’t get major shock in US despite China threat With the phaseout of the MFA, increased Chinese exports to the US in the first instance could hurt Bangladesh exports and there may be some decline in US imports from Bangladesh but it will not be toa   Taka tumbles further against greenback In the face of increasing demand for paying import bills, dollar price continued to rise against Bangladesh currency reaching another record high at Tk 63.7 per unit yesterday, dealers said.   UN experts urge India to step up investments in health, education A panel of UN-appointed experts urged India on Wednesday to step up investments in the health and education sectors to make good on a worldwide pledge to halve extreme poverty worldwide by 2015.   Tea market in vibrant mood The international tea auction here continues to enjoy a very vibrant demand, thanks to the strong support from internal buyers followed equally by blenders and loose tea traders.   Recovery makes Kyoto targets difficult for Japan industry A recovering economy has made it hard for one-third of Japanese industries to meet self-imposed targets in cutting carbon dioxide emissions to help Japan meet the UN Kyoto Protocol, reports said Wednesday.   New president wants more flexible ADB Haruhiko Kuroda took office as the new president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday, calling for a more flexible and efficien institution to enhance economic growth and poverty reduction in the   New EC head to pursue business-friendly agenda New European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso is to set out a more business-friendly future for the bloc when he presents a plan for its economic reform, he said in an interview published Wednesday.   Abdul Monem Ltd launches sugar refinery Abdul Monem Limited (AML), bottler of Coca-Cola and owning company of Igloo ice cream, has recently launched a new venture in sugar refinery in Bangladesh.   F1 Auto Fair on Feb 11 A daylong automobile exhibition titled 'F1 Auto Fair' is going to be held on 11 February at the Gulshan field located behind Wonderland Park in Dhaka.   China dampens hopes of yuan revaluation ahead of G7 meet China has shown no sign of bowing to international flattery or pressure to amend its fixed yuan/dollar currency system and its invite to the top drawer G7 meeting of finance chiefs in London is unlikely   India relaxes rules for foreign investment in telecom sector India's cabinet on Wednesday raised the limit on foreign company ownership of phone companies to 74 percent from 49 percent.   MIDAS to organise training course from Feb 5 Micro Industries Development Assistance and Services (MIDAS) will arrange a 6-day training course titled 'Start Your Own Business' from Saturday at its head office in Dhaka to help businesspersons invarious   Pakistan central bank forecasts 2004/05 M2 growth at 14.5pc Pakistan's central bank said on Tuesday it expected broad money, or M2, to grow by 14.5 percent in the fiscal year to June 30, higher than the government's budgetary target of 11.5 percent.   Musharraf to open Pakistan's biggest trade fair since 9/11 Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is to open an international trade fair Wednesday designed to attract foreign investors scared off by violence which has plagued the country since 9/11, officials said.   Lenovo chief outlines global plan after IBM takeover Lenovo Group's takeover of IBM's PC division will fast-track the Chinese firm's global expansion plans by 10-20 years and make it a global technology force, the company's president said here Wednesday.   Mitsubishi Electric net profit doubles Mitsubishi Electric said Wednesday its net profit more than doubled in the nine months to December on growing sales of industrial and electronic devices despite slower production and capital spendingin Sports Cricket: BCB declares cash reward for heroes The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday rewarded the victorious Bangladesh team for their brilliant Test and ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe.   Cricket: Pieter-ton lifts England South African-born Kevin Pietersen continued a remarkable start to his international career when he caned an unbeaten century for England in the second limited overs international against South Africa   Cricket: Inzy charged up for finals Preserving early wickets will be vital if Pakistan are to continue their recent run of form into the Tri-series limited-overs cricket finals against Australia, skipper Inzamamul Haq said.   Cricket: World selector Sunny Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has been appointed chairman of a six-man panel to select a World XI to play Australia later this year.   Cricket: I'm no Gilchrist: Jones England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones said on Tuesday he would not try to emulate Adam Gilchrist in his new role as a one-day opening batsman.   Cricket: SE warns sport bodies Sport England (SE), the body which distributes lottery and government funds, warned Tuesday it was looking for value for money after announcing a 315 million pounds package for the next four years.   Cricket: Zee loses a case India's embattled cricket chiefs on Wednesday won a long-running battle in the country's highest court, which upheld their independence and dismissed the appeal by a media group denied lucrative television   Tennis: Sharapova in last eight Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova needed some time to get used to the fast indoor surface here before overpowering Venezuela's Maria Vento-Kabchi at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament on Wednesday.   Tennis: Dokic, Bartoli break down Second seed Marion Bartoli of France and former Wimbledon semi-finalist Jelena Dokic both retired from the Thailand Open on Wednesday.   Cricket: UAE all out for 132 Bangladesh A team shot UAE out for a paltry 132 in the first one-day match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Dubai yesterday.   Cricket: Sumon hattrick steers Kalabagan A brilliant hattrick by veteran left-arm pacer Morshed Ali Khan Sumon guided Kalabagan KC to a four-wicket victory over Sonargaon Cricketers in the First Division Cricket League which resumed yesterday   Cricket: Murali heart finds Indian dame Sri Lankan cricket star Muttiah Muralitharan is to marry an Indian businesswoman next month in the southern city of Madras, the bride-to-be's family said on Wednesday.   Cricket: Reception to local heroes The Sylhet District and City BNP accorded a civic reception to local heroes Rajin Saleh, Tapash Baisya, Alok Kapali and Enamul Haque Jr here yesterday.   Chess: Parag stays on course Reigning champion Mehdi Hasan Parag continued his winning run in the BASIC Bank 26th National Sub-Junior Chess Championship when he beat Shiblu in the third round at the federation hall-room yesterday.   Cricket: Pak captain fined Captain Inzamamul Haq has been fined for Pakistan's slow over-rate during their one-day tri-series victory over West Indies on Tuesday.   Cricket: Shoaib still a concern Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan will speak to controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar this week about his attitude and fitness prior to the tour of India starting this month.   Cycling: BJMC national cycling champs BJMC became champions in the 29th National Cycling Cham-pionships when the three-day meet ended yesterday in Khulna.   Football: Sao Caetano in hot waters Sao Caetano club president Nairo Ferreira and doctor Paulo Forte have been charged with homicide after the death of fullback Serginho last October, Brazilian press reported on Tuesday.   Football: Gunners melt in Red heat Manchester United produced one of the performances of the season to beat Arsenal 4-2 at the champions' Highbury ground here Tuesday after twice coming from a goal behind and so put a massive dent in their   Football: Half a million tickets sold in a flash Around 500,000 tickets for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany were ordered in the first 16 hours after going on sale to the general public on Tuesday, the organising committee said.   Football: Dugarry bids bye Former international striker Christophe Dugarry, who had his fans and his detractors, has become France's eighth World Cup winner to retire from football.   Football: Ronaldo back from Brazil Real Madrid striker Ronaldo was back in the Spanish capital on Tuesday after missing his side's league match against Numancia because of a flying visit to Brazil.   Football: Mutu looks ahead Disgraced Romanian striker Adrian Mutu says he is looking forward to putting the past behind him with his new club Juventus.   Football: FA goes soft English football chiefs have decided against taking any action over Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira's bust-up with Manchester United captain Roy Keane before Tuesday's Highbury thriller.   Cricket: NZ-SL series rescheduled A Test series against Sri Lanka postponed after the Indian Ocean tsunami has been rescheduled for April, New Zealand Cricket said Wednesday.   Olympics: Ayhan banned for two years Turkish athlete Sureyya Ayhan was banned for two years on Tuesday for violating anti-doping procedures in a test before the Athens Olympics last year, the Anatolia news agency reported.   Concentration Belies Age... Metropolitan Ruling party killing popular leaders to cling to power: AL Awami League leaders yesterday said the ruling party is trying to cling to power by killing the AL's popular leaders.   BCL enforces strike at CU Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has enforced a daylong strike at Chittagong University (CU) yesterday to protest the January 27 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Habiganj that killed former finance   Finance ministry yet to disburse fund for ICT internship project The finance ministry has been sitting on the ICT internship programme for over six months now despite allocation of fund in the annual budget for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector,   Construction of Padma bridge likely to start in 2008 The government can start construction of Padma bridge by the end of 2008 and it will take about six years to complete the construction work, according to a report of Japan International Cooperation Agency   Pvt organisation to come to the rescue With the cooperation of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), private organisation PRISM Bangladesh is going to launch a hazardous clinical waste management project on a pilot basis in two wards in the capital   CPA removes CCC's gangway Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) yesterday removed a huge gangway installed by Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) in the river Karnaphuli.   Pubali Bank donation for tsunami-hit children Pubali Bank Ltd has donated US $ 25,000 (equivalent to Tk 15 lakh) to Unicef to provide support to tsunami-hit children in Asia.   Two killed in road accidents Two people were killed in road accidents at Malibagh and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar areas in the city yesterday.   Construction worker shot A construction worker was shot and injured at the city's Eskaton Garden Road yesterday morning.   World Bank team discusses National Nutrition Project A World Bank team met the health secretary yesterday to apprise him of its latest findings on the National Nutrition Project (NNP).   1,215 more held Police arrested 1,215 more people, including two listed criminals, on various charges during their countrywide drive in the last 24 hours ending at 6.00am yesterday.   Bus set on fire: 5 injured Passenger buses came under attack by unknown hoodlums in different areas of the city last night, ahead of today's hartal.   Three arrested over killing of rickshawpuller Detectives of Cobra team of police arrested three people yesterday on charge of bombing a rickshawpuller to death during Saturday's hartal hours at Mirpur in the city.   New British Council English courses from Feb 8 New English courses of the British Council will start on February 8 and continue till April 5, says a press release of the Council.   Indian HC visa section to remain open The visa and consular wings of the High Commission of India will remain open from February 3 to 7, says a high commission press release. National Upholding community spirit Both the members of the Hindu and Muslim communities recently upheld the community spirit by voluntarily rebuilding a flood-damaged road leading to a crematory at Eshrampur village in Gaibandha Sadar   Magura district AL council overdue for 12 years The council of Magura district Awami League (AL) was not be held in last 12 years due to internal feud in the party. At present, dedicated leaders and workers of the party are totally frustrated.   14 abducted fishermen released by BSF Fourteen Bangladeshi fishermen were released by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday.   22 leave homes in Satkhira fearing attack of criminals Twenty-two persons have left their homes in two villages of Deara and Kashiadanga in Kalaroa upazila in fear of reprisal of local criminals led by Abdul Ahad, a gang leader of extortionists.   Notebooks on sale in Nilphamari despite ban The official ban on sale of notebooks of classes one to eight is being defied here indiscriminately. Most of the bookstalls have been flooded with various notebooks.   Inu condemns killing of Kibria Jatyia Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu on Tuesday condemned the killing of former Finance Minister SAMS Kibria while addressing three separate public meetings at Mashan Bazaar, Amla Bazaar   Woman killed by 'husband' A housewife was beaten to death allegedly by her husband for dowry on Friday night. The victim is Amena Begum, 22, of Dashar village of Kalkini upazila.   2 beaten to death Two persons including a woman were beaten to death in two separate incidents on Sunday. The first incident took place at Hashnerpara village in Palashbari upazila. Point-Counterpoint Needed an aggressive programme involving all The Daily Star recently spoke to World Bank's chief economist Shantayanan Devarajan who is based in South Asia Region.   Elections in Iraq By going for elections against all odds, President George Bush took a big gamble and from all accounts the gamble seems to have paid off.   An uncertain future for European constitution February 20, 2005 is going to be a landmark date in not only the history of Spain but also of Europe. Culture Nasreen and her world of Tagore songs Music is my therapy," says Nasreen. "Rabindra Sangeet is spiritual. When I am sad, it lifts me up," she adds.   Mymensingh Geetika calls for promotion It's back to the roots. Several groups of youth in the country have launched a concerted effort to popularise the important chapters of Mymensingh Geetika (indigenous compilation of the great bards).   Mehdi Hasan: The ghazal king reigns supreme Music fads may come and go, but the ghazals of Mehdi Hasan linger on in the memory. Even amidst the current cacophony of loud, jarring tunes and remixes, his songs have an everlasting appeal.   Sesame Street turns to Sisimpur On a visit to the sets of Sisimpur in Film Development Corporation (FDC),Khurshid Jahan Haque, Minister for Women and Children Affairs, said, "Quality educational television programmes like Sisimpurcan   Mystery fan marks Poe's birthday The mystery man was dressed for the cold rather than tradition, and some spectators were not quite as respectful as in years past. General 'Grenade attacks a conspiracy to eliminate best sons of soil' Speakers at a rally yesterday expressed deep concern at the government's failure in punishing the criminals involved in the bomb and grenade attacks in the country.   Marketing a major challenge for agri economy: Anwar Marketing and preservation of fresh fruits and perishable vegetables are the major challenges for the agrarian economy of Bangladesh.   UGC to go ahead with streamlining pvt universities The University Grants Commission (UGC) will go ahead with its efforts to streamline private universities. International Mubarak invites Abbas, Sharon to summit Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is hosting a summit with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh next week, Sharon's office said   Clinton named UN special tsunami envoy Former US President Bill Clinton has been named UN special envoy for tsunami-affected nations, reports UPI.   Nepal Maoist chief urges people to oppose king's power grab Nepal's Maoist guerrilla leader Prachanda has urged "pro-people forces of the world" to oppose King Gyanendra's dismissal of the government and seizure of power.   'No alarm' over Pope's condition The ill health of Pope John Paul II is "no reason for alarm", a Vatican spokesman has said.   Deal with Darfur or resign Two key US lawmakers demanded that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan move immediately to end genocide in Darfur or resign in protest at the world body's inaction.   DNA test for tsunami baby A Sri Lankan court has ordered a DNA test on a "miracle baby" who survived December's tsunami to determine who his parents are. The order upset a couple who say the child is their son.   2 US soldiers admit to Abu Ghraib abuses Two US soldiers pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of abusing Iraqi inmates at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison by stomping on fingers and toes, and, in another incident, humiliating naked rape suspects.   Kidnapped boy in Bihar rescued ahead of polls An Indian schoolboy abducted in India's lawless eastern state of Bihar was rescued Wednesday on the eve of regional polls, sparking accusations police and the local government had colluded with the kidnappers.   Newborn Iraqi baby named 'Elections' With many in Iraq regarding the first free vote in half a century as the rebirth of democracy, one woman who gave birth on Sunday named her baby girl "Intikhabat", Arabic for elections, a newspaper reported.   Iraq oil pipeline suffers new sabotage An oil pipeline linking two of Iraq's major refineries was attacked Wednesday near the restive Sunni city of Samarra north of Baghdad, police and oil sources said.   One killed as earthquake jolts Java island One person was killed and four people injured when an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale rocked Indonesia's Java island Wednesday, radio and seismologists said.   'Britain to pressure US on anti-poverty plans' Britain is to pressure the United States to fully back its ambitious push to tackle poverty in the developing world at this week's G7 meeting in London, finance minister Gordon Brown said. Editorial Editorial: It's a disappointment We were aware of speculations of uncertainty stalking the Saarc Summit, but these have unfortunately come true now. We wish they hadn't.   Editorial: Nepal in whirlpool The political situation in Nepal, where parliamentary democracy has not had a smooth sailing since its inception in 1991, has once again become murky with King Gyanendra dismissing the coalition government   Another bloody carnage! It was with a feeling of trepidation that I woke up to attend the telephone very early on the morning of Friday last.   Coronation speech and after That Bush aides hastened to explain away the purport of the inaugural speech by President George W Bush could be expected. Letters to Editor Country's image Heinous attacks and killings of the Intellectuals and progressive politicians are quickly turning Bangladesh into another Afghanistan.   Betrayers strike again While the country was passing through a fairly stable political atmosphere, political parties started to organise their respective positions for the next general election of the country, huge foreign   Attention: DCC We are still very disorganised. From our veranda we can see the road below in front of our flat.   A tale of 'hajat' It still shivers me when I remember that terrible scene on a day in 1982--just soon after Ershad ousted the elected government of President Justice MA Sattar of the BNP on the pretex of corruption in   Disappointed I am very disappointed reading the sermon of Saudi Arabia's' Grand Mufti during the Hajj.   Great victory It was nice to see our cricketers reaching another milestone. Their first ever ODI series victory has left them in a position to think about achieving more in future.   Dear readers We have a new e-mail address for the Letters to the Editor page. Please send your letters to letters@thedailystar.