Vol. 5 Num 541 Sun. December 04, 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 WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page JCD, Shibir men make hay with leaked questions Illegal practices of leaking question papers of entrance examinations for the Bangladesh Civil Service and selling those have become a brisk business as the Public Service Commission (PSC) continues to   3-kg time bomb planted under bus Explosives experts last night defused a three-kilogram time bomb, which was planted under a passenger bus at Gabtoli bus terminal in the city.   JMB threatens to blow up 5 edn institutions Banned Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) yesterday threatened to blow up a number of educational institutions and kill six journalists.   Jamaat man on Satkhira JMB list A Jamaat man, who figures high on a list prepared by district police of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives after the August 17 blasts, had been patronising the militants in remote villages   Govt may postpone uni-track edn system Faced with serious criticism by academics and others concerned, the government is strongly thinking of postponing the implementation of the uni-track education system at the secondary level from the next   Move to ease inflation at high interest cost By the sudden interest-rate hike in savings instruments announced Thursday the government may succeed in easing the inflationary pressures, but the move will also scale up its interest expenditures.   Jamaat leader with militant links held Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday arrested a Jamaat-e-Islami leader and his employee from Rangpur town on charge of militant links.   Madrasas under watch for JMB cadres The law enforcers have brought several madrasas across the country under constant surveillance as part of a massive manhunt for cadres of outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).   Bombs are blasted by AL-backed groups: IOJ Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) Chairman Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini MP yesterday said his party will ask the government to expel Jamaat-e-Islami from the 4-party alliance if it is proved that Jamaat has links with   ENCROACHMENT ON A RIVER   Businessmen's move towards consensus With the prospect of a dialogue between the government and the opposition fading fast, the country's major trade bodies have taken initiatives to create a national consensus on combating militant activities   Hartal today in tense Sylhet The main opposition Awami League (AL) has called an eight-hour hartal in the city for today and demanded immediate arrest of those involved in Friday's grenade attack on Sylhet City Corporation MayorBadar   Blasts caused serious damage to economy Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) yesterday in a statement said due to the recent bomb blast incidents, foreign and local investors have become panicked and are delaying their investment   Militant linchpin Hannan shown held in another blast case Mufti Abdul Hannan, operations commander of banned Harkatul Jihad's (HuJi) Bangladesh chapter, was shown arrested in another bomb blast case and remanded yesterday for the 10th time since his arrest on   Catfish threatens local species A carnivorous alien species of African catfish is spreading in the natural eco-system of the country, posing a great threat to other local and indigenous fish species of the country.   Britain issues travel alert for its citizens in Bangladesh The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of Britain has cautioned its citizens travelling to Bangladesh about high threat of terrorism, apprehending further bomb attacks in the country.   Bomb found at Feni school A powerful bomb was recovered from a high school on the outskirts of Feni town yesterday.   Awal placed on 10-day remand Abdul Awal, son-in-law of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman, was shown arrested in a case filed for the August 17 bomb blasts and remanded yesterday.   Bill Gates arrives tomorrow Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation, arrives in Dhaka tomorrow on a one-day visit amidst tight security.   Moudud terms court attacks a deep-rooted conspiracy Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed yesterday said the conspirators are now out to destroy the judiciary after having failed to oust the government before its five-year tenure.   Hearing on govt appeal today The hearing of government plea for staying operation of the High Court order directing the police to submit progress reports to the court every two weeks on the investigations into the recurrent bombattacks   4 more GIs, 11 Iraqi soldiers die in attack Four more US soldiers have died in Iraq while 11 Iraqi soldiers were killed and two wounded yesterday when a roadside bomb detonated next to their convoy.   Clarification Referring to a report run by The Daily Star on December 2, Supreme Court Bar Association President Mahbubey Alam in a clarification said he did not make the comment on killing of the Jama'atul Mujahideen Business WB asks govt to speed up NCB reforms The World Bank (WB) has asked the government to implement a 10-point action plan, which includes suspension of Rupali Bank's share trading, to expedite the reforms of nationalised commercial banks (NCBs).   Offload stakes in MNCs Speakers at a function have urged the government to offload its stakes in the multinational companies to boost the capital market.   Capital market: Need for a roadmap Sometimes changes take place inevitably, whether they are sought or not. The capital market of Bangladesh is changing without much uproar.   Non-tariff barriers hold back export to EU Imposition of various non-tariff barriers by many European countries is making export from Bangladesh to Europe tough, said Mir Sahabuddin Mohammad, vice chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), yesterday.   Free market access for LDCs sought The two-day "People's Solidarity Forum for Fair Trade" yesterday adopted the Dhaka Declaration 2005 demanding duty and quota free market access for the least developed countries (LDCs) to the developed   Asia's economic growth sustainable in 2006: WB Asia's strong economic growth will be sustainable next year despite rising inflation and tighter monetary policies, a World Bank manager said Thursday but falling real incomes are a major worry.   Supply chain solution firm Panalpina's chief delegate in Bangladesh Panalpina, the world's leading supply chain solution company with presence in six continents, has reaffirmed its commitment to Bangladesh market by appointing Alfred Prescher as its chief delegate.   G7 to urge China to go further with yuan revaluation The Group of Seven economic powers would appeal for China to go further with its yuan revaluation policy, a European source told AFP.   Dhaka machinery exhibition in Feb A four-day machinery exposition will begin at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on February 16 next year.   Japan business lobby to recommend wage increases Japan's top business lobby plans to encourage firms to offer workers better contract terms, including wage increases, in annual labor negotiations, a business daily reported Saturday.   US, Taiwan to resume talks for trade pact The United States and Taiwan are to resume negotiations early next year for a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) that could set the state for a free trade pact, an official said Friday.   Greenspan honoured at G7 gathering Alan Greenspan can now herd sheep over London Bridge after being rewarded with the Freedom of the City of London Friday for his 18-year tenure at the helm of the world's most powerful financial institution.   Chances dwindling for WTO agreement by late 2006 Chances are dwindling for negotiators to reach a new world trade agreement by the end of 2006, increasing the possibility the Bush administration will have to seek renewal of its trade negotiating authority   Big Qantas deal looms as Boeing, Airbus sales up Already well over $100 billion and still growing, Boeing and Airbus have had a record year in plane orders and are set for a final boost from Australia's Qantas and rivals in Asia.   Gold strikes 500 dollars Gold prices hit a near 23-year high point above 506 dollars this week on strong buying by investment funds, looking for safe-havens amid higher inflation and weaker oil prices.   AB Bank okays 5pc stock dividend Arab Bangladesh Bank Ltd has declared a five percent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2004. Sports Cricket: Tamim tears England apart A hurricane century by Tamim Iqbal blew away England as Bangladesh recorded a five-wicket victory in their under-19 tri-nation tournament match at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium yesterday.   Football: Abahani win again Abahani might have been starving for success when it comes to lifting domestic titles for the last couple of seasons.   Cricket: Dhaka, Rajshahi keep it clean Dhaka and Rajshahi maintained their all-win records in the one-day fixtures of the National Cricket League when they won their respective third round games at different venues yesterday.   Cricket: Pakistan bring Ashes heroes down 2-0 Danish Kaneria and Shoaib Akhtar bowled Pakistan to victory Saturday as England collapsed to lose by an innings and 100 runs in the third and final Test in Lahore.   Cricket: Lee sends NZ tumbling Speedster Brett Lee stepped up in the absence of Glenn McGrath to inspire Australia to an overwhelming 147-run win over New Zealand in a one-day cricket international at Eden Park here Saturday.   Cricket: 'Far from being No. 1' Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan conceded Saturday that England needed to learn and improve if they wanted to realise their dream of becoming the number-one side in Test cricket.   Chess: Muktijoddha atop again Defending champions Leonine Chess Club overcame a hurdle in the Dutch-Bangla Bank First Division Chess League when they won their seventh round board against Bangladesh Biman 3.5-0.   Cricket: Big win for Wanderers A 93-run knock by Himel powered Dhaka Wanderers Club to an eight-wicket victory over Prantik KC in the First Division Cricket League at the Dhaka University ground yesterday.   Golf: Mercedes Trophy golf held Jay Ke Kang clinched the men's title while Shifat Yousuf won the women's crown in the third Mercedes Trophy Golf Tournament at the Bhatiary Golf and Country Club (BGCC) in Chittagong on Friday.   Cricket: Sorry, Minhaz Reporters are good at finding faults of others. But at times they do eat their own pies.   Football: Celtic or Real? Departing Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has discussed a move to Celtic with club officials and will tell them next week if he is to make the move to Scotland.   Cricket: Inzamam over the moon Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq said Saturday he was surprised by his team's emphatic victory over England in the third and final Test here.   Football: Goodbye Best Tens of thousands of mourners packed Belfast to pay their last respects to Northern Ireland's favourite son, George Best, as his funeral cortege passed through the rain-soaked streets on Saturday.   Cricket: More rains in Chennai The first cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka was in danger of ending in a damp squib after heavy rains forced play to be abandoned for the second successive day here on Saturday.   Cricket: Dalmiya gives up both ACC, AACC posts Former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Jagmohan Dalmiya Saturday resigned as president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Afro-Asian Cricket Cooperation (AACC).   Football: Maiden J-League triumph for Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka won the J-League championship for the first time Saturday after the title hopes of cross-town rivals Cerezo Osaka were ruined by an injury-time equalizer on the season's final day. Metropolitan Help build safe Bangladesh Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought all-out cooperation of patriotic citizens, including the professionals and intellectuals, in building a safe Bangladesh for the prosperity by uprooting   'Healthy debate can end crisis over unified edn system' The country is facing a crisis over the 'unified education system' to be introduced at the secondary level from January, said the speakers at the inaugural session of a debate competition in the cityyesterday.   AL not eager to resist bombers: Bhuiyan BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday criticised Awami League for its rejection of offer for dialogue on terrorism, saying it proves that they are not willing to resist bombers and terrorists.   'Resist fundamentalist forces to establish secular society' Speakers at a discussion yesterday urged all to be united to resist fundamentalist forces to help establish a secular and democratic society.   Take strong measures to offset climate change impacts Environmentalists yesterday called on the world leaders and the government of Bangladesh to take strong measures to offset the impacts of climate change.   Ctg cops evict hawkers from footpaths As part of precaution against bomb threats, Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) started evicting hawkers from the port city's footpaths on Friday.   Three commit suicide Three people, including two women, committed suicide by taking poison in the early hours of yesterday in separate incidents in Dhaka and Narayanganj.   'Ban poisonous pesticides' Narigrantha Prabartana demanded that the government impose a ban on using poisonous pesticides to mark the 'No Pesticide Use Day'.   9 injured in CU clash Disruption of shuttle train service caused by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) triggered a clash between the general students and the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) men that reportedly left nine peopleinjured   Abducted job seeker rescued in city, one held Detective Branch police rescued an abducted youth from a house at Circular Road in the city yesterday and arrested a member of the gang involved in the kidnapping.   Save country Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday called upon people to save the country by being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war.   Channel-S TV to air programme in Bangladesh A London-based private television channel plans to expand telecast of its programme to Bangladesh from next month.   RU controversial staffs demand job confirmation Several hundred controversially appointed employees of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday staged a demonstration in front of the administration building and demanded immediate confirmation of their jobs. National Males flee homes in 20 villages, 97 held Fearing arrest, most male persons in 20 villages in Sarail upazila have left homes following three days' intermittent clashes between rival groups that left one boy killed and at least 400 including 20   Accept demands for reforms, then talk of dialogue The government's proposal for dialogue is a ploy, designed to foil opposition's agitation and divert public attention from bomb blasts by Islamist militants sheltered by it, Awami League (AL) leaderssaid   Dialogue offer a ploy to cling to power: Jalil Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil has once again rejected the government's proposal for dialogue, terming it the ruling alliance's last resort to cling to power.   Islamists threaten IU VC, 2 teachers Kushtia Islamic University Vice-chancellor and two teachers were threatened over of cell phone Friday night for "creating obstacles in the way of establishing Islamic rule in the country".   5 chargesheeted for murder Police on Friday submitted a charge-sheet against five persons in connection with killing of Juba Dal leader Khorshed Alam Rana and Chhatra Dal leader Hamidur Rashid Dulu on September 8 this year.   Pabna AL expels 4 leaders Awami League (AL) district committee on Friday expelled four leaders including two vice presidents for violating party rules. Point-Counterpoint Godspeed, my hero, but no goodbyes Editor, writer, artist, organiser, activist, freedom fighter, visionary, kingmaker, cultural trendsetter -- Shahadat Chowdhury could be described as each of those things, and many, many more.   Non-partisan Speaker needed The Daily Star of November 24 reported that on November 23 the Speaker of the parliament Jamiruddin Sircar "rejected all the opposition lawmakers' demands for discussion in parliament on different issues   A lesser right to life? The American religious right continues to derail women's health policy, turning decades of advancement about face.   Blueprint for the War on Terror In a memo leaked to the press in the fall of 2002, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld posed a question to his aides: "Is this a case in which the harder we work, the behinder we get?" It was a revealing Culture Young photographers display talent External Counterparts, an exhibit of four young photographers, had a showcasing at Alliance Francaise on December 3.   Celebrating songs of our roots Last Friday night's Closeup 1 was special for a number of reasons: the theme of this round was folk songs, and there were some surprises pertaining to the performances of the participants.   BGTF Drama Festival '05 Preview of tonight’s play: As part of the ongoing theatre festival, Dhaka Theatre Mancha will stage Ghar Jamai, an adaptation of French legendary comedian JBP Moliere's original playGeorges   Blond Bond gets a nod from the first 007 Sean Connery thinks a blond Bond is just fine. The former 007 says Daniel Craig is a "terrific choice" as the new British superspy. General Two killed in Savar road accident A man and his daughter were killed in a road accident at Shimultola near Savar Bus Stand yesterday.   'Cancel unified edn system' Different student organisations yesterday demanded immediate cancellation of 'unified education system' to be introduced at the secondary level from January.   700 bottles of phensidyl recovered in Munshiganj Police recovered 700 bottles of phensidyl syrup from a boat at Tongibari Canal here on Wednesday night. Acting on a tip-off, police raided the canal at dead of night and recovered the drugs.   Vitamin A fortification campaign launched A campaign for vitamin A fortification of edible oil was launched at the National Press Club in the city recently, says a press release. International US steps up pressure on Myanmar junta The United States stepped up pressure on Myanmar's military junta, winning approval Friday for a UN Security Council briefing on the latest situation in the country, which Washington accuses of detaining   Nepali king renews vow to restore democracy Nepal's King Gyanendra, returning from abroad to street protests against his February power grab, insisted yesterday he was planning to restore democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.   Quake aid efforts on knife's edge Eight weeks after the South Asian earthquake, efforts to shelter thousands of Kashmiri survivors from the killer Himalayan winter are on a knife's edge, the United Nations said Friday.   India to ink 4 accords with Russia Cooperation in defence and energy sectors and signing of four agreements will be high on agenda of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Russia.   Pak Afghan border closed after clash Pakistan closed its main border crossing with Afghanistan after a confrontation between the two countries' frontier guards, a military official said Friday.   India to upgrade roads links with Bhutan India pledged yesterday to upgrade communication and road links with the neighbouring Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.   Candidates register for Palestinian election Candidates began signing up on Saturday for a Palestinian legislative election next month at which President Mahmoud Abbas' restive, ruling Fatah will face an unprecedented challenge from powerful   UK urged to change asylum policy Senior British church leaders yesterday called on the government to change policies they claim "victimise" asylum seekers by leaving them "homeless and destitute".   Rice to warn Europe to back off over secret prisoner flights Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to give allies in Europe a response next week to their pressure over Washington's treatment of terrorism suspects: back off.   2nd Chinese city shuts own water plant A second city in northeast China shut down a water plant on a poisoned river, fearing contamination from the approaching toxic chemicals, a city official said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: AL dialogue rejection IN an editorial last week we advocated that the AL agree to sit down to discuss the terrorist threat with the government without any pre-condition.   Editorial: Imams' call for sanity AT a time when the country is grappling with religious militancy of the extremely virulent kind, those who lead prayers in the mosques and are held in high esteem for their influence in society cannot   Predators of press freedom The ministers and some of the ruling BNP lawmakers launched an abhorrent attack on the country's media in the parliament on November 22, accusing it of tarnishing the government's image by publishingwhat   Another upset for Congress India's ruling Congress-led coalition, United Progressive Alliance, has met yet another setback. Its allies in Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav's party again failed to muster a majority. Letters to Editor CHT students' woes A discriminatory step of the Health Department has left us, the people of the CHT, speechless and this raises doubts about the conscience and rationality of the high-ups involved in decision making   Hartal losing appeal We find valuable opinions on political strike or hartal in the newspapers. Actually, it is the only weapon of the opposition parties to face the ruling party.   On hartal I am a regular reader of DS. I am based at Mumbai, but my family comes from Gopalganj. This is with reference to the letter "Who gains from hartals". I completely support the views.   Rickshaws and traffic jam Rickshaw was made off-limits from Science Laboratory up to the Secretariat, (formerly Eden Building) during the Saarc Summit; and the security net has not yet been fully lifted. Star Health How to beat off breathing difficulties If you have ever dived deeper than you planned and had to struggle back to the surface, you know the terror of going even briefly without enough air.   Taking a closer look at presbyopia People in their middle-age years, usually in the 40s, will start to experience blurred vision at near focal points.   HIV children benefit from zinc- study says Zinc supplements could be a simple and safe way to reduce illnesses such as diarrhoea in children infected with HIV, researchers.   French doctors perform first partial face transplant French doctors have performed world's first partial face transplant, giving a new nose, chin and lips to a woman disfigured in an attack by a dog.   Herbal extract in the treatment of prostate cancer An olive-oil based herbal extract preparation called Zyflamend suppresses the growth of prostate cancer cells and induces prostate cancer cells to self-destruct, according to a new study.   A healthy diet for heart Eating a Mediterranean-style diet for three months can reduce the risk of heart disease by 15 percent, a new study shows.   Adult's don't need vaccinations! Vaccinations are not just for kids. Immunisations help protect adults specialty, seniors, against serious infectious diseases. Star City Panthakunja closed for a year for reason unknown Panthakunja, the lone public park in Kanthalbagan, Bangla Motor, Hatirpool and adjoining areas, has been kept closed for more than a year for beautification although the beautification work completedin   Display of artefacts curtailed for want of space With the approach of another Victory Day, the Liberation War Museum is crying for space to display its artefacts, which are increasing every year.   Where will she go from here? The baby smiled, though in deep slumber. A pipe is passed through her nostrils, but she is free to dream - dream of a wonderful future that may lie before her. But alas...   Dhaka Zoo plagued with lack of funds, mismanagement Dhaka Zoo, the biggest zoo in the country, is now facing a serious lack of fund that has almost halted the process of its renovation and procurement of new animals.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. All Rights Reserved.