Vol. 5 Num 1039 Sat. May 05, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Write to Editor Sections StarTech Literature Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page 4 drown, 10 missing as picnickers go berserk Four people drowned and 10 others including a minor girl went missing in the Buriganga after clashes involving two groups of picnickers and Ansars on board a launch at Sadarghat last night.   Militants regrouping, three bodies unite under single banner Banned Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) cadres are regrouping along with the fellow militants of Insaf and Allar Dal to see through the job of establishing Islamic law in the country.   C'wealth chief urges Dhaka for roadmap to credible polls Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has expressed his hope that political parties in Bangladesh will play a constructive role in supporting a peaceful environment for the conduct of credible elections.   Rush of patients at hospitals An outbreak of diarrhoea and other diseases due to the scorching heat of midsummer is causing a huge rush of patients at different hospitals of the capital.   Winning a long legal battle not enough for Wahed! Even after winning a long legal battle, an employee of the Directorate of Land Records and Survey (DLRS) is still waiting for his back pay.   CNG-run three-wheelers ignore new fare rate CNG-run autorickshaw drivers in the capital are not following the new fare structure for these three-wheelers alleging that they are forced to pay the owners much more than the government-fixed amount.   Four university, college students feared drowned Four university and college students were feared drowned while taking bath in the Padma at Louhojong yesterday.   Owner of Gazi Tank picked up from residence Armed men identifying themselves as members of the joint forces picked up Gazi Golam Dastagir, owner of Gazi Tank, from his residence in the city in the early hours yesterday.   3 bombs recovered near Chuadanga railway station Three bombs were recovered from a spot only 100 yards from Chuadanga Railway Station yesterday.   Yunus hopes all Bangladeshis to have access to micro-credit by 2010 Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus yesterday hoped that all Bangladeshis will have access to microcredit by 2010, as he turned his full attention to his brainchild after stepping aside on Thursday fromhis   Work on foot over-bridge suspended in face of protests The Public Works Department (PWD) has finally suspended the construction of the foot over-bridge over the Ramna Lake in the face of protests from the environmentalists.   Unconscious...   Roadmap okayed for stemming greenhouse gas emissions Delegates from 120 countries approved the first roadmap for stemming greenhouse gas emissions yesterday, laying out what they said was an affordable arsenal of anti-warming measures that must be rushed   Arrested Jubo League man dies in hospital A local Jubo League leader, who was arrested by navy personnel on Thursday, died at Teknaf Sadar Hospital in Cox's Bazar early yesterday.   Redwan's property attached The law enforcers yesterday attached moveable properties of former state minister and LDP presidium member Redwan Ahmed from his house at Matadda village in Chandina upazila.   BSF guns down cattle trader in Kurigram Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi cattle trader on Gaytapara border under Roumari upazila on Thursday night.   Bush no more a most influential man US President George W. Bush has been dropped from Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people for the first time, in a further sign of his flagging political fortunes.   12 doped and robbed At least 12 people, including a Saudi expatriate, were robbed after being drugged in the capital yesterday. All the victims were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment.   Police raids 4 DU halls Police raided four halls of Dhaka University (DU) early yesterday in search of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men who took part in separate processions violating   Extortion case against Ilyas Ali goes to DB The extortion case filed against former BNP lawmaker Ilyas Ali and two others has been transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) for investigation.   13 Natore BNP men sued for 'extortion' Natore BNP General Secretary Shahidul Islam Bachchu and 12 others have been sued on charges of extortion.   7 JMB men got BRDB loan in Jhalakathi A high government official yesterday acknowledged that the seven JMB top terrorists who were awarded death sentence received loans from Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB).   Depression over Bay The well-marked low over east central Bay and its adjoining areas moved slightly north-northeastwards and intensified into a depression yesterday morning.   Royal warns of violence if Sarkozy wins Socialist Segolene Royal warned yesterday that France could slide into violence if Nicolas Sarkozy wins the presidency as the rightwinger extended his poll lead on the final day of the hard fought campaign.   Labour suffer losses in local votes Tony Blair, in his last electoral test as British prime minister, saw his Labour Party suffer losses in Scotland and Wales yesterday as results filtered through in local and regional elections.   Pak-Afghan 'peace jirga' set for Aug 1 About 700 tribal elders, politicians and other influential people from Afghanistan and Pakistan will meet August 1 for a traditional "jirga" on the Taliban insurgency, the Afghan president said Friday.   Ukraine rivals agree on early elections Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych agreed Friday to hold early parliamentary elections, signalling an end to a bitter power struggle in the ex-Soviet republic. Business RMG exporters now to pay only fixed terminal handling charges Apparel manufacturers from now on will not be required to pay extra charges to shipping agents and vessel operators.   Tech transfer stressed to export processed foods to Japan Speakers at a seminar on Thursday said Bangladesh can carve a niche in the lucrative Japanese processed food market by using Japan's technology in local agriculture sector.   World Bank, IMF face crisis of credibility The World Bank and IMF grappled with internal upheaval Tuesday, rocked by a scandal that threatens the job of bank president Paul Wolfowitz and Venezuela's surprise decision to withdraw from both powerful   Indo-Pak trade under Safta can't be delinked from politics Pakistan has suggested that strengthening trade relations with India under South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) cannot be delinked from political issues and wanted New Delhi to provide a 'level-playing'   India, China border trade reopens Asian giants India and China have reopened trade via a famed alpine Silk Road route a month earlier than scheduled in response to demands from businesses on both sides, a local official said Thursday.   SAIF Powertec launches SMS service to locate containers on port yard SAIF Powertec Limited, a private sector operator of Chittagong Container Terminal, has launched SMS service for locating containers on the port yard, says a press release.   Tata Group still serious about investment in Bangladesh Far from abandoning its $3 billion investment plan in Bangladesh, the Tata Group Thursday said it would pursue the steel, power and fertiliser projects after polls to elect a new government in that country.   S'pore-Norway shipyard in Vietnam wins $250m deal A joint venture shipyard between a Singapore firm and Norway's Aker Yards said Friday it has clinched a 250 million US dollar deal to build six specialised vessels for use in the booming oil and gas industry.   US adds 88,000 jobs in April US employers added 88,000 jobs in April, the government said Friday in a sign of weaker-than-expected economic activity. The unemployment rate ticked up a notch to 4.5 percent from 4.   Asian finance ministers to seek deeper financial ties Asian finance ministers meet here today to try to bolster their defences against another economic crisis but one of their loftiest goals -- a common currency -- still seems decades away at least.   Chavez may nationalise banks Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned he will nationalise the country's banks and largest steel producer in an apparent bid to strong-arm the businesses to contribute more to local industry.   Unilever to support school for poor children Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) and Shathi Shamaj Kalyan Samity (SSKS) signed an agreement on Thursday to continue Unilever's support to the operation of a school for underprivileged children, saysa   Canada unveils million-dollar coin The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled the world's first 100-kilogram (220.5-pound) pure gold bullion coin Thursday, worth one million Canadian dollars (850,000 US), breaking a record for value.   Asian stocks rally back into the record books Asian stocks rallied sharply higher Friday with investors following Wall Street's lead and pushing many regional benchmarks further into record territory.   Asean, EU agree to launch FTA Southeast Asian states and the European Union agreed Friday to launch free trade negotiations, setting aside differences over alleged human rights violations in army-ruled Myanmar, officials said.   Weekly Currency Roundup April 29-May 03, 2007 Local FX Market The demand for US dollar was high throughout the week. Higher demand caused the USD to rise against the Bangladeshi taka in this week. Sports Cricket: Spotlight on fielding The most commonly shouted word regarding the Bangladesh cricket team is undoubtedly 'consistency'.   Cricket: BCCI softens stance The Indian cricket board today softened its stand on the issue of contracts signing of the Bangladesh-bound Indian cricketers, saying it was not necessary that they should do so before leaving for Dhaka   Cricket: Australia to scrap Zim tour The Australian government signalled Friday that it is likely to call on the country's world champion cricketers to cancel a planned tour of Zimbabwe this year.   Cricket: SL Academy strengthen position Sri Lanka Academy consolidated their position in the first four-day match against Bangladesh Academy on the second day when the visitors came up with a solid batting display.   Football: Rahmatganj end losing streak Rahmatganj earned their first point in a couple of months when they held Farashganj 0-0 in yesterday's old-Dhaka derby at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.   Cricket: BCB's reception to Tigers today Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will accord a reception to the national cricket team this evening at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel for their successful mission in the just concluded World Cup in the West Indies.   Cricket: Bangladesh arrange tour to NZ Bangladesh will tour New Zealand in December and January for two Tests and three one-day internationals, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said.   Cricket: Sachin switches back to heavy bat India's batting star Sachin Tendulkar could switch back to using a heavy bat during the tour of Bangladesh.   Local Snippets Rajshahi booked the last final round berth of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship when they emerged Jaipurhat zone champions.   Cricket: Life, death and pace Whatever else is true of Shoaib Akhtar, this much cannot be denied that he has a way.   Cricket: Lee, Tait gearing up Shaun Tait and Brett Lee could form an intimidating new-ball partnership after Ricky Ponting said they could both fit into the same side.   Cricket: Buchanan rejects India job John Buchanan will pursue a career as a "mentor coach" after turning down an indirect offer to replace Greg Chappell in India.   Football: Stuttgart join title race Stuttgart VfB coach Armin Veh insists his side will not let last weekend's win go to their collective heads after they entered the Bundesliga title-race with a vengeance.   Football: All Spanish finale Sevilla's remarkable season continued on Thursday as Juande Ramos's defending champions reached the final of the UEFA Cup at the expense of Osasuna.   Football: Gunners sight Chelsea scalp Arsenal will this weekend seek to draw a line under a disappointing season by wrecking Chelsea's last remaining chance of claiming a third straight Premiership title.   Football: Banana skin for Barca Six games to go in the tightest three-way Spanish title race for five years and reigning champions Barcelona have a single point lead over Sevilla with Real Madrid just another point back in third.   Football: Gerrard close to mega deal Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is close to signing a new four-deal at the club, believed to be worth 120,000 pounds per week.   Football: Dogfight for Flying Donkeys Chievo, whose six-year stay in Serie A has been nothing short of remarkable given the humble club's limited resources, face a must-win clash at home to relegation rivals Parma on Sunday.   Cricket: Moody mulls his options Sri Lanka's coach Tom Moody will decide his future with the World Cup runners-up later this month, a Sri Lankan Cricket official said Friday. "Tom departed for Britain on a holiday," K.   Football: BFF picks irregular players Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) yesterday named seven players who have been irregular in their teams in the 20-member under-23 squad for this month's exhibition match against Oldham Athletic U-20s.   Football: Kaiser confirms Toni interest Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has confirmed the club's interest in signing Italian World Cup-winning striker Luca Toni from Serie A side Fiorentina.   Football: Berlu opens Sheva door AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi says he would gladly welcome back Andriy Shevchenko if the Ukrainian striker ever decides he wants to leave Chelsea.   Football: Crespo hoping for Inter stay Hernan Crespo is hoping to stay on loan at recently-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan rather than return to Chelsea to serve the final year of his contract with the English Premiership club.   Football: Lyon eyeing recruits French champions Lyon will seek to recruit three top-level players in the off-season, president Jean-Michel Aulas said Friday, confirming that Gerard Houllier would continue to coach the club. Metropolitan Take programmes to spread edn in rural areas President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday called on the Lions Club to take special programmes to spread education in rural areas along with their service-oriented activities.   Concern over violation of women's rights Speakers at a conference in The Hague recently expressed concern over the violation of women's rights in Bangladesh. They also demanded enactment and implementation of laws in order to improve thesituation.   Hasina says she is ready to face charges Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has said she will return home on Monday to face what she calls "fictitious" murder and extortion charges filed against her while she was travelling in the United States and Europe, according to a report published in The Washington Times on Thursday.   Call for preserving Halda fish resources Stakeholders put emphasis on taking effective short and long term measures with involvement of both public and private sectors to preserve the bio-diversity and indigenous fish species of Halda river,   Two killed in road accidents Two people were killed and 30 others injured in two separate road accidents in Kishoreganj and Jhenidah yesterday.   Students dream of poverty-free Bangladesh in 2021 A number of young students yesterday said they want to celebrate the golden jubilee of the War of Liberation in 2021 in a country that would be free from poverty, corruption, communalism and militancy   Extend support to govt in war against corruption Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has urged people to extend spontaneous support to the government in its war against corruption. "Our law enforcers are trying to curb corruption.   Islamabad wants to strengthen ties with Dhaka Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said his country attaches importance to its relations with Bangladesh, saying that there is a great scope to increase cooperation in a host of areas.   Three illegal lubricant factories unearthed Joint forces yesterday unearthed three illegal lubricant factories and seized huge quantity of adulterated lubricants at Sitakunda upazila in the district.   1,560 sacks of fertiliser seized in Madaripur Some 1,560 sacks of fertiliser and a huge amount of spurious 'zarda' were recovered in separate drives in the district in the last two days.   2 drug peddlers held with ganja, phensidyl Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in separate drives arrested two drug peddlers and seized huge quantities of contraband ganja and phensidyl from Rangpur and Kurigram districts on Thursday, Rab and policesources   Training on refugee law begins today A three-day residential training on refugee law begins today at the Proshika Human Resource Development Centre Trust at Koitta in Manikganj district.   'Donate blood to save millions of lives' Speakers at a function yesterday urged people to donate blood voluntarily to serve humanity. They said blood donation could help save millions of people affected by various diseases.   Bodies of two young girls recovered Police recovered bodies of two young girls from separate places in the city in the last two days.   10 fall sick after taking watermelon in Rajbari Ten people fell sick after taking watermelon at Hugladangi village in Baliakandi yesterday.   Sonargaon programmes on Mothers Day Pan Pacific Sonargaon has drawn up a number of programmes to celebrate International Mothers Day on May 13, says a press release.   BBC Bangladesh Sanglap today The BBC Bangladesh Sanglap will be held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city at 5:45pm today, says a press release.   Salam joins Shanto- Mariam University as director Lt Col (Retd) Abdus Salam Mian has joined Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology as director recently, says a press release. National 10 hurt as villagers attack REB office for power All offices of rural electrification board (REB) in Khulna district have been brought under tight security following attack on a REB office in Batiaghata upazila on Thursday for smooth power supply.   2 JCD leaders confess to involvement A magistrate court in Kushtia on Thursday rejected a police prayer for remand of the two Jatyiatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on a journalists' convention   Sramik Dal secretary among 10 held in Khagrachhari Joint forces yesterday arrested Khagrachhari district Sramik Dal organising secretary Mohammad Nurul Amin and nine leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Chhatra League, student fronts   BNP leader among 10 charge-sheeted in Barisal Police framed charges against 10 persons including a BNP leader, a ward commissioner and a brother of Barisal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor for carrying on illegal VOIP business and depriving the government   ACC sues Manikganj municipal chairman Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sued Manikganj Pourasabha chairman Ramjan Ali and its contractor Amirul Islam, also proprietor of Messrs Mahua Construction, on charge of misappropriating Tk 7,48,110   2 journalists hurt in attack by criminals Two journalists were injured in an attack by criminals in Kalapara upazila Thursday midnight.   BSF abducts 5 cattle traders Indian Border Security Force (BSF) abducted five Bangladeshi cattle traders in Kalupota border under Hasnabad Police Station of 24, Parganas in West Bengal, India opposite Shibnagar border in Debhata   Freedom fighter buried with state honour Abdul Latif Chowdhury, a freedom fighter and a retired police official, was laid to rest with full state honour at a graveyard attached to the shrine of Hajrat Shahjalal (RA) after Zohar prayers yesterday. Point-Counterpoint Constraints of coal mining The recent death of a British mining expert inside the Barapukuria coal mine has rekindled the question of safely in the mine.   CPI and Bangladesh Every year Transparency International (TI) publishes a "Corruption Perception Index" CPI). Till 2005, Bangladesh was listed as the most corrupt country for consecutive five times.   Prices of essentials out of control After the promulgation of emergency and take over by the new caretaker government led by Dr.   President Bush's paradox A series of scandals has rocked the Bush administration. This is the third time in 6 years that it is having serious political problems. Culture Sister act: Pramila, Mridula and their love for music It runs in the family, as the saying goes.   Shilpakala pays tribute to Khan Ataur Rahman Department of Theatre and Film of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) arranged a discussion and a staged a play on May 3 at the National Theatre Stage to pay homage to Khan Ataur Rahman (1928-1997), a   Regional Theatre Workshop by ITI, Bangladesh held Bangladesh Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), in association with ITI Theatre Education Committee, organised a Regional Theatre Workshop, titled Encountering Images, for young theatre   Enigmatic computerised art Rabi Khan, who has been doing digital painting for five years, had an exhibition of his work at the Alliance Francaise, Dhaka recently. He had studied computer graphics at Montreal. General SSC examinee dies after fight over cricket An SSC examinee, who suffered severe head injuries during a quarrel over a cricket match in Morelganj, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday. International Iran blames US for terror acts in Iraq Iran accused the United States of terrorist acts in Iraq during an international meeting yesterday aimed at discussing security cooperation in the war-torn country.   No troop cut in Kashmir despite drop in killings India should maintain massive troop levels in its part of divided Kashmir even though the daily death toll from a Muslim insurgency has fallen to an all-time low, a senior official said yesterday.   Lankan Airlines halts night flights Sri Lanka's national carrier announced yesterday it was halting night flights in and out of the island's only international airport with immediate affect amid fears of more nocturnal Tamil Tiger raids.   Lanka storms leave 15 dead At least 15 people have died following heavy monsoon rains and flash floods in Sri Lanka's capital and nearby coastal areas, police and hospitals said yesterday.   Rice, Iran official have little contact Iran's foreign minister walked out of a dinner of diplomats where he was seated directly across from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on the pretext that the female violinist entertaining the gathering   US eyes steps to ease Israel, Palestine row The US has submitted a document with deadlines for easing Palestinian movement and improving Israeli security, including removing Israeli roadblocks in the West Bank and halting Palestinian rocket fire,   Lifestyle changes key to fighting global warming Individuals have an important role to play in tackling global warming, not just governments and industry, experts said here Friday as they called for people to change their lifestyles.   Turkish ruling party pushes for reforms Turkey's ruling party has formally submitted a package of major reforms to parliament, including a proposal to elect the president by a popular vote, following a political crisis that triggered mass protests.   Army officer killed in Cuban plane hijack attempt A pair of heavily armed Cuban soldiers seized a city bus, killed an army officer and triggered a gun battle in a foiled bid to hijack a charter flight bound for the United States.   Iran refuses to budge at nuclear meeting Iran's refusal to budge on its objections to the agenda of a nuclear conference pushed the meeting closer to collapse Thursday, as diplomats said Tehran had set up hundreds more centrifuge machines to   Global warming could empty world's rice bowl In Thailand, rice is more than just a food -- it is said to represent life itself. Editorial Editorial: Juvenile offenders It is a disconcerting news that though there is a High Court order that explicitly tells the authorities to keep the juvenile accused in correction centres instead of normal jails with adult criminals,   Editorial: Why take it out on patients? Dhaka Medical College Hospital was brought to a standstill for at least two hours on Thursday because of clashes between doctors and fourth class employees originating in what appeared to be a trivial   Politics, development, security and democracy With advancements in science and technology, and in the principles of administration and management, new words and phrases have been added to the English language.   Why irregularities in the appointment of judges? While speaking as chief guest at a reception accorded to senior lawyers at the Noakhali bar on April 29, Chief Justice (CJ) M Ruhul Amin said that it would take at least 20 years to correct the irregularities   Benazir's dilemma I am not surprised at Benazir Bhutto's wanting to have an understanding with President General Pervez Musharraf. StarTech New age display technologies Display units are an integral component of any computer system. We depend on it to see the output of any given instruction.   New toys read brain waves A convincing twin of Darth Vader stalks the beige cubicles of a Silicon Valley office, complete with ominous black mask, cape and light saber. But this is no chintzy Halloween costume.   Asus unveils W5Fm Notebook The latest W5Fm model of the Asus notebook laptop has been unveiled by the Global Brand Private Limited, to offer enhanced mobile performance, new high-definition capabilities and improved battery life.   Portable Dvd Player Literature Eternal Exiles Many, many years ago, there was a land called Tutki. The king of Tutki was as cruel as he was evil and false. As a result, the sufferings of the people knew no bounds.   Skater Girl In the beginning was the image.   Poet of Ease Five Faces of Eve by Rumana Siddique; Dhaka: Writers.ink; 2007; pp. 80; Tk.   Twenty Years On Twenty years on I visited teenage haunts Amazed, appalled How same it was, the place How different they seemed, the people British public transport Reliable and ruddy as ever Kissing   More on Azfar Aziz's review of Mohit Kamal's book Dear Editor I read the book review entitled 'Books from the Ekushey Boi Mela: On Anisul Hoque and Dr Mohit Kamal' by Mr Azfar Aziz, published in the literature page on March 17, 2007.   Second Daily Star Anthology : Date Extension The Daily Star literature page, in order to promote English-language writing among Bangladeshis, had announced the publication of an anthology of non-fiction writing.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.