Vol. 5 Num 389 Fri. July 01, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Urban World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page Mosharraf's murky deal for Niko Ousted state minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain had illegally forced Petrobangla pay Niko Resources $4 million in two instalments earlier this year for purchasing gas from the Feni gas field without   Banks get bad image for acute dollar crisis A severe foreign currency crisis has gripped the banks, jeopardising their international payment obligations.   Bangla Bhai men back in business Armed cadres of outlawed Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) have started coming back and operating underground activities in Bagmara upazila and they may soon start hitting their "enemies" whilepolice   Niko to drill 2nd relief well Canadian company Niko Resources yesterday presented a plan to the government saying it will start remedial operation on July 25 to drill a fresh relief well at Tengratila gas field to seal the main well   Niko indifferent to Tengratila miseries Tengratila gas field blaze entered its seventh day yesterday with no signs of taming while sufferings of local people multiplied due to an acute crisis of drinking water caused by arsenic contamination.   Hartal ends peacefully A dawn to dusk countrywide hartal enforced by the main opposition Awami League (AL) yesterday passed off almost peacefully in the capital and elsewhere in the country.   Rice to arrive soon to see Dhaka's progress US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Bangladesh to have a firsthand view of the progress achieved in different fields, said the outgoing Ambassador Harry K Thomas.   JS passes budget Parliament yesterday passed the national budget for fiscal year 2005-06 amid continued boycott by the main opposition Awami League which termed the budget "anti-people.   IMF releases $98.5m loan The Executive Board of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday approved $98.5 million as loan for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and Trade Integration Mechanism (TIM).   China wants to set up plants to cut trade gap China wants to set up industrial plants in Bangladesh and import products from here for reducing a huge trade gap between the two countries.   Tigers sign off with honour After a worst possible start to their maiden England tour Bangladesh finished their eight-week campaign here with their heads high and the battered image restored.   Wife sues CNG rickshaw owner over husband's death Wife of slain CNG-run autorickshaw driver Amir Hossain, who was burnt during the hartal on May 21 and died after fighting four days for life, yesterday filed a case with a Dhaka court blaming the CNGowner   2 to die for killing at Wedding reception A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced two people to death for killing a woman and injuring 10 guests at a wedding reception at Kazipara Community Centre in Mirpur in July 2003.   Dhaka urges all in US not to pre-judge Investigation outcome Bangladesh has assured all concerned in the United States that the government is fully committed to upholding the due process of law in investigation into all political killings, including that of former   Outlaw killed in 'crossfire', trader shot dead A cadre of underground Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF) was killed in 'crossfire' between police and his accomplices and unidentified assailants gunned down a businessman in the early hours yesterday.   UK gives 50m pounds for power supply British Department for International Development (DFID) gives 50 million pounds sterling (Tk 575 crore) to Bangladesh to connect 1.   Rajshahi journo on the run Continued threats by the cadres of Bangla Bhai's Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) forced a local journalist to leave his home at Bagmara yesterday.   Rajshahi jail guards won't draw salary The police guards at Rajshahi Jail yesterday declared not to draw their salaries until discrimination is not removed from the new pay scale.   Cops get court order to probe allegation against Ershad A Dhaka court yesterday permitted an investigation officer (IO) to probe the allegation in a general diary (GD) filed against Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad.   Robber cop has long crime record Detective police officials investigating into Tuesday's robbery of Tk 14.47 lakh by a police sergeant from a businessman said that the sergeant had committed such crime several times in the past.   Syndicate to take action against four Dhaka University (DU) Syndicate yesterday decided to take action against two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and two Bangladesh Chhatra League activists for their involvement in campus violence on May 28.   3 arrested over food poisoning The police have arrested three persons of a fast food shop on charge of supplying adulterated food items to a meeting that caused food poisoning to 28 people including two ministers.   34 fishermen go missing in Cox's Bazar The low-lying areas in Cox's Bazar have been inundated after a spell of heavy rain in the district due to a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal. Business Fry crisis may hit shrimp export Shrimp export in the coming months may face a major setback as production is set to suffer heavily due to price hike of fry.   Software export lags on connectivity lack Bangladesh is lagging behind in its preparation to enter the global software market due to lack of its connectivity with the information superhighway, says a top official of French telecoms giant Alcatel.   Brac Bank eyes major stake in remittance business Brac Bank Limited hopes to be a major player in remittance business as it has already developed a strong network covering rural areas across the country.   S'pore, India sign historic trade pact Singapore and India signed a landmark economic pact on Wednesday, setting the stage for the republic's accelerated involvement in the world's second-fastest growing major economy.   GP-GP call tariffs cut to half Fridays in July All GrameenPhone subscribers will enjoy a 50 percent reduction in airtime tariff on voice calls made to any other GP numbers on every Friday during the month of July.   Pioneer Ins okays 13pc dividend Pioneer Insurance Company Ltd has declared a 13 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year 2004.   Videocon Group acquires Thomson's CPT business In yet another Indian firm going global, the Videocon Group has announced acquisition of the international colour picture tube (CPT) business of French electronic giant Thomson at a price of 240 million   Mercantile Ins declares 10pc dividend Mercantile Insurance Company Ltd has declared a 10 percent dividend for its shareholders.   Canada blasts US, EU farm subsidies ahead of G8 Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin condemned the European Union and United States Wednesday, ahead of G8 talks next week, for maintaining high agricultural subsidies that make it hard for poor countries   EU starts probe into Chinese, Indian shoe imports The European Union's executive announced Thursday it was launching an anti-dumping investigation into surging imports of Chinese and Indian work shoes, in the latest trade strain between Brussels andBeijing.   Oil prices edge higher in Asian trade after sharp falls Oil prices edged higher in Asian trade Thursday following two days of sharp falls that had seen the market pull back from record highs, dealers said. Sports Cricket: Fans love the Tigers Habibul Bashar's men have the uncanny ability to keep everyone guessing and when in recent clashes against world champions Australia, it has been even more evident.   Football: Brazilliant! Brazil scored a dazzling 4-1 win over arch-rivals Argentina to add the Confe-derations Cup to their World Cup and Copa America titles on Wednesday.   Cricket: We're on the up: Bashar Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar has labelled his side's tour of England a success and now wants his players to be given the chance to develop their skills in county cricket.   Football: Win or get out for Abahani The Premier Bank Premier Football League resumes today with Abahani pitted against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in a crucial match.   Football: Bring on the World Cup Brazil will defend the World Cup next year as clear favourites after they crushed Argentina 4-1 in the Confederations Cup final on Wednesday, according to coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.   Tennis: Hewitt fired up for a Federer challenge Lleyton Hewitt aims to shoot down Roger Federer's reputation as the world's greatest player in Friday's Wimbledon semifinal showdown using ammunition supplied by the All England Club.   Tennis: It's raining at Wimbledon Persistent rain prevented play in the women's semifinals at Wimbledon on Thursday.   Football: Back to painting Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira announced on Wednesday he will not stay on in charge of the national side after the 2006 World Cup finals.   Tennis: Journeyman Johansson Eighteen months after Thomas Johansson was convinced his career was finished because of a knee injury, the Swede finds himself gatecrashing the Wimbledon semifinals.   Football: 'They went for a samba' Brazilians suddenly regained interest in their national team on Thursday, burying their previous criticism and indifference as they celebrated a 4-1 Confedera-tions Cup final win over arch-rivals Argentina.   Football: Cafu's clone? Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano and Robinho are known as the Fantastic Four in Brazil and four goals from three-quarters of the quartet crushed Argentina in the Confederations Cup final on Wednesday.   Football: Third Germany look ahead Captain Michael Ballack scored a sensational free-kick in extra-time as ten-man Germany de-feated Mexico 4-3 to win the Confederations Cup third-place play-off.   Cricket: New format for Champs Trophy The 2006 Champions Trophy to be held in India has been reduced to eight teams instead of 12 to make the limited-overs tournament more competitive, the Interna-tional Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.   Football: Robinho prefers Real Brazil striker Robinho said on Wednesday he hoped to move to Real Madrid, bringing an angry reaction from his club Santos. "I hope to play for Real Madrid.   Football: Ronaldo awed by champions Brazil striker Ronaldo said on Wednesday that his place in the world champions' team was no longer guaranteed but stood by his decision to skip the Confederations Cup.   Tennis: Woodbridge bids tennis adieu Todd Woodbridge dealt Australia's Davis Cup planning a major blow on Wednesday when he announced he was retiring after Wimbledon.   Cricket: Shepherd rejects Ashes farewell David Shepherd has turned down the chance to umpire next month's first Test between England and Australia.   Cricket: 10,000-pound Bodyline ball! A ball used in the legendary 'Bodyline' series between Australia and England in 1932-33 has been sold at auction for a whopping 10,000 pounds.   Cricket: Eng, Aus agree to play under new ODI rules England and Australia have agreed to play next month's three-match one-day series under new International Cricket Council (ICC) rules introducing substitutions and new fielding regulations. Metropolitan 'Repression of journalists on the rise' The incidents of repression of journalists have marked a rise in the last six months, according to a survey report of Ain o Shalish Kendra (ASK).   Speedy tribunals sentence 311 to death so far Nine speedy trail tribunals have awarded 311 people capital punishment in different sensational murder cases during the last 33 months since their formation in October, 2002.   'Cancel PSCs with Niko, get compensation for victims' Different organisations yesterday demanded cancellation of all production sharing contracts (PSC) with Niko and its immediate expulsion from the country.   Govt to upgrade Fazil, Kamil degrees The government is actively considering to give Fazil and Kamil degrees of madrasa education the equal status to graduation and master degrees respectively of the general education, Education MinisterDr   8 killed in road accidents Eight people were killed in road crashes in Bogra, Chittagong and Gazipur in the last two days.   4267 people killed in last six months A total of 4, 267 people were killed and 24, 363 injured since January 1 to June 29 this year, said a report of the Bureau of Human Rights Bangladesh (BHRB).   'People's support a must to stop killing culture' Dr Reza Kibria, son of slain former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, yesterday stressed the need for people's spontaneous participation in the peaceful movement to put an end to the killing culture.   CPB against alliance with AL The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Manjurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim in a statement yesterday said they want simultaneous movement with the main opposition   Cancel renaming of DU hall: AL Opposition Awami League (AL) yesterday protested the decision of the Dhaka University Senate to rename the proposed Begum Sufia Kamal Hall as Begum Khaleda Zia Hall with a call to cancel its decision.   Show cause on Rajshahi JP leader The Jatiya Party, Rajshahi city unit, has served a show cause notice on its organising secretary for presenting a bouquet to Bidisha, estranged wife of JP Chairman HM Ershad.   Mutilated body of garment worker recovered Police yesterday recovered mutilated body of a garment worker from Uttara in the city.   DU exams for July 2, 3 postponed All examinations of Dhaka University scheduled for July 2 and 3 have been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, says a press release. Fresh dates for the postponed exams will be announced soon.   'Groom children as efficient citizens' President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday emphasised on grooming children as efficient future citizens and popularising Bangladeshi culture at home and abroad.   DCC to demolish old vulnerable buildings Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has taken steps to demolish old vulnerable buildings in Dhaka city, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas told the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday.   Qulkhwani of Dr Sitara today Qulkhwani of Dr Sitara Parvin, a professor of mass communication and journalism department at Dhaka University, will be held at her father's residence at House # 14, Road # 124, Gulshan # 1, after Asr   1629 more held Police arrested 1,629 people on various charges during their countrywide drive in the last 24 hours as of 6:00am yesterday. Point-Counterpoint 'We would like Bangladesh to live by the ideals of liberation war' US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas is returning to Washington on July 2 to take up the position of Executive Director of the US State Department, bringing to an end his two year tenure here in Dhaka.   An alternative for flood management One of the most important objectives of the 'Flood Forecasting and Warning Response System' (FFWRS) is a better comprehension of variability of seasonal flooding and forecast products for community adjustments.   A journalist who is making a difference We know that journalism in Bangladesh can be a dangerous profession, but, during the past two decades, no country has been more dangerous for a reporter than Colombia. Culture 150th anniversary of Santal Rebellion June is a momentous month for the Santals, an ethnic community living in the northern part of the country.   Hajaar Bocchor Dhorey: The saga continues... Hajaar Bocchor Dhorey, a novel penned by the immensely talented writer-director Zahir Raihan, has been an indivisible part of the Bangalee life for decades.   Aparna and Konkona: The duo rock the tinsel town Among the growing tribe of mothers and daughters in Indian filmdom is the redoubtable duo of Aparna Sen and Konkona Sen. General Move to privatise Rupali Bank protested Left Democratic Front (LDF) Wednesday staged a demonstration in the city protesting the government move to privatise the Rupali Bank.   Eye camp brightens their future It was beyond their imagination that they would be able to see again after losing eyesight seven years ago.   Bangladesh envoy to UN honoured Dr Iftekhar Ahmad Chowdhury, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, received the annual 'International Service Award' from the City of New York at a ceremony at the   BPJA executives AKM Mohsin of The Daily Star and Mir Ahmed Miru of Janakantha have been elected president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Photojournalists' Association (BPJA) yesterday, says a press release. Editorial Editorial: A criminal in uniform? The report that a police sergeant has been arrested on charge of robbing a businessman in the city has come as a rude awakener to the height of impropriety a public servant could have committed in any   Editorial: Overrecruitment boomerangs Just imagine, all the 247 class four employees, employed some time ago by a government hospital, have not been paid their salary for the last seven months! All because a good number of them are beyond   Empowering voters with information The High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, in a recent judgment (Abdul Matin Chowdhury and others vs Bangladesh, Writ Petition No.   The other train When the train finally began to move, her husband said that clocks in many western cities used to be set at the whistle of trains.   Bangladesh-India relations and FTA Recently relations between Bangladesh and India is going through stress and strains. Letters to Editor My heart bleeds It's a shame for the country that we have to watch Mrs. Bidisha being dragged in and out of the court everyday on the charge based on fabricated political motive.   Rainwater harvesting Thanks to Dr MH Khan for his article on possible sources of water supply for Dhaka city. In fact, recently I was doing some self-study on the same issue.   Environmental diplomacy The two very recent events: namely, the collection of 40 freshwater crocodiles of a rare species by the government of Bangladesh from Crocodile Bank Trust of Madras, India; and the handing over of two   'Star City’ I think The Daily Star does a good job in its 'Star City' section. It always brings out quite obvious and relevant traffic and road rules violations.   Ah! Maiury Do the communications ministry and the BRTA know that the sweet sounding so-called transport contraption called the 'Maiury' is nowhere in the world used in city roads or highways? Such vehicles are   Of sweets We were reading the article on Sweets in Bangladesh, Eating dangerously (June 13). In the book on Indian sweets, we can see that there are a great variety of sweets in different regions.   Come on, Tigers Bangladesh Vs Australia, not a very important match for the world of cricket, people around the globe guessed like that, but they were all wrong.   A legitimate question Is there any section or clause or provision in our constitution that has given autocratic power to our teachers of public universities? Or is there any ordinance in our country to give impunity from any   Be creative It is encouraging to note that IDCOL is pursuing the various renewable energy generation projects such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass (advt in DS May 17).   Completion of DV form-2006 DV Form 2006 completion is a vital issue for intending immigrants under the said programme but a number of applicants are facing different problems while completing it.   Session jam I got into Khulna University in English discipline this year. But our class has not started yet. It is believed that our class will start in December or January.   Late but praiseworthy At last the Awami League has taken a late but praiseworthy step of expelling notorious terrorist and godfather, Joynal Hazari. It was rather late for the AL.   Human rights Human rights are those rights which can be claimed by any person for the very reason that he is a human being.   Return quickly! I am delighted to read Delwar Hossain's letter about his desire to return to Bangladesh.   Role of India This is in response to the letter of Mr. Delwar published in The Daily Star on June 6, 2005. Urban Flows the blessed from Mount Lusai It has now almost become a cliché to raise one's voice to save the elements of nature, the rivers of Bangladesh being of much interest and media coverage what with rising silt, erosion, loss of navigability   Forum for planned Chittagong's search for its conservation -I The location of Karnafuli and its approach from the sea bears favourable conditions for the growth of trades as compared to other rivers of this region. World South Asia: Bodies recovered from Chinook crash site US military officials in Afghanistan say 13 bodies have been recovered from the site where one of their Chinook helicopters crashed on Tuesday.   South Asia: Rain fury continues in Gujarat Rains continued to lash Indian state of Gujarat on Thursday, even as high alert was sounded in Vadodara, Surat, Navsari, Dangs and south Gujarat after all major dams and lakes overflowed, prompting large-scale   South Asia: Fugitive 'hero' surrenders in Indian court A former Indian bureaucrat, named an "Asian hero" by Time magazine for his handling of flood relief in impoverished Bihar state, surrendered to a court Thursday after being on the run for over a month   South Asia: Tight security for 7th trans-Kashmir bus run Security was tight Thursday for more than 40 passengers who left on the seventh run of the trans-border bus service connecting the Indian and Pakistani zones of divided Kashmir, police said.   South Asia: Tigers kill three Sri Lankan troops Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels killed three soldiers from a military intelligence unit in a gunbattle in eastern Sri Lanka on Thursday, the defence ministry said.   South Asia: 'Myanmar's generals deaf to the world' By blocking their ears to repeated calls for the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and that they give up the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006, Myanmar's generals have shown they will listen to   South Asia: Five killed by flash floods in Afghanistan Severe flooding caused by torrential rains in southeastern Afghanistan left five people dead and washed away scores of homes, officials said Thursday.   South Asia: BJP leader, activists arrested, then released Arun Jaitley, General Secretary of India's main opposition BJP, was on Thursday arrested and later released along with 273 other party workers when they tried to march to Punjab Raj Bhavan in protestagainst   Israel seals off Gaza settlements Israel sealed off its settlements in the Gaza Strip Thursday in an effort to prevent an influx of more ultra-nationalist youths who are trying to halt the pullout from the territory.   Ship carrying tsunami aid hijacked Gunmen have hijacked a UN-chartered ship carrying food for tsunami victims off Somalia and demanding a ransom of half-a-million dollars, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the ship's owners said Thursday.   'Iran leader linked to 1979 hostage crisis' Three Americans held hostage in the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran remember Iran's president-elect as a key player in the seizure, The Washington Times reported on Thursday.   Iraq calls on Islamic states for support Iraq's foreign minister called on Islamic nations to support Baghdad in the fight against insurgents, who killed at least a dozen more people, as President George W.   Spanish MPs approve gay marriage Spanish deputies have approved a controversial new law allowing gay couples to marry and adopt children, which has deeply divided this predominantly Roman Catholic country.   Blair 'astonished' by coverage of memos For Prime Minister Tony Blair, the road to Iraq started with 9/11.   We have enough evidence to try Darfur criminals The International Criminal Court (ICC) has told the UN Security Council it has enough evidence of widespread killing, rape and destruction in Sudan's Darfur region to warrant bringing suspects to trial.   White House endorses US intelligence changes President Bush approved dozens of changes at US spy agencies on Wednesday to better combat weapons of mass destruction, including creating a new center and moving FBI counterterrorism and intelligence   World's oldest person celebrates 115th birthday A Dutch woman who swears by a daily helping of herring for a healthy life celebrated her 115th birthday on Wednesday as the oldest living person on record.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. 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