Vol. 5 Num 1096 Sun. July 01, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Ershad quits party post HM Ershad yesterday quitted as the Jatiya Party (JP) chairman and appointed Presidium Member Anisul Islam Mahmud to deputise for him till the council elects a new chief.   Nothing to take place beyond BNP constitution BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday asserted that reforms within the party will not be implemented according to any individual's wish but through a democratically held party council where everyone will   Date for announcing polls in 15 days Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said a complete roadmap for holding the next parliamentary election with a specific timeframe for preparing a voter list with photographs and   Razzak comes up with his own reform plan Awami League's (AL) reformist Presidium Member Abdur Razzak yesterday announced a set of reform proposals including a provision for barring the party president and the general secretary from holding the   Budget has measures to contain price hike, scopes for job creation Refuting criticisms of the budget for fiscal year 2007-08, Finance and Planning Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said the budget has measures to keep prices of essentials at a tolerable level andcreate   Over 400 RMG units yet to fix minimum wage as deadline ends More than 400 garment units are yet to fix minimum monthly wage for their workers though the time limit for it ended yesterday, a survey of the garment manufacturers and exporters association has found.   Legal framework must to keep criminals away from politics A legal framework should be in place to make sure that the political parties stay out of criminalisation and respect people's basic rights of movement and livelihood, coordinator of the National Coordination   Govt wakes up to find reasons for low wage The government has taken an initiative to investigate why the Bangladeshi workers abroad get lower salary than the same category of workers of other countries, and take necessary measures towards itsredress   Falu sent to jail after 12 days on remand A Dhaka court yesterday sent former BNP lawmaker Mossaddak Ali Falu to jail custody on completion of his 12 days on remand, in four phases, in connection with two cases filed against him for misappropriating   Ex-Jamaat MP Taher sued again Two more cases have been filed against detained former Jamaat lawmaker Abdullah Mohammd Taher and his brother on charges of misappropriating public funds allocated against different projects.   Govt to make getting passports easier The caretaker government is going to make easy the issuance and renewal of passports by simplifying the existing intricate rules and formalities.   Birdem doctors' job contracts to be renewed The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh in a press release yesterday said it would renew the job contracts of indoor medical officers at Birdem Hospital and take immediate steps for regularising them.   Govt may invite tender for 3 IPP power plants this month The government is likely to invite international tenders this month for setting up three large independent power producer (IPP) plants.   Waist-deep water   UN shuts down Iraqi WMD monitoring Four years after the US-led invasion of Iraq failed to turn up Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, the Security Council Friday shut down a UN programme that monitored such arms, closing "anappalling   US raids Baghdad slum: 26 Iraqis die American soldiers rolled into Baghdad's Sadr City slum yesterday in search of Iranian-linked militants and as many as 26 Iraqis were killed in what a US officer described as "an intense firefight.   Search continues to rescue Danida staff Security forces at Thanchhi are still conducting search and rescue operations for one of the abducted Danida employees.   40 fishermen missing in rough sea Some 40 fishermen went missing as 14 trawlers capsized in the Bay since Friday noon to early yesterday amid inclement weather.   British police hunt bomb suspect Police mounted increased patrols in a jittery London yesterday as detectives conducted an intense hunt for a man seen running from an explosives-packed car in the heart of the city's entertainment district.   8 rescued from human traffickers Eight people including women and children were rescued from human traffickers by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Friday night at Bhomra border. The victims were being trafficked to India.   Sharp edges Business Tk 2000cr compensation, soft loan demanded Leather and leather goods manufacturers and exporters yesterday sought Tk 2,000 crore as compensation and soft loan for relocating the tanneries to Savar Leather Industrial Estate from Hazaribagh in old   Formulate strategy to earn $30b remittance by 2015 Bangladeshi workers need to develop more diverse set of skills as a part of a grand strategy to tap potential employment markets overseas to increase Bangladesh's remittance earnings to $30 billion by   State of the economy and accountable development The political uncertainty and the disruption in the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2007 slowed down the Bangladesh economy. The economy is expected to grow at 6.   Bangkok hosts Asia Forum for aviation Thai Airways International (THAI) president Apinan Sumanaseni and Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht announced the success of hosting the aviation forum in Bangkok and the commitment of Star Alliance tofurther   US, SKorea set to sign free trade pact The United States and South Korea are set to sign a landmark free trade agreement to be sent for Congressional approval, but US lawmakers are already saying they will not vote for it.   Crude oil, lead prices surge higher World oil prices hit ten-month peaks this week on US supply woes, while lead prices, which were lifted by low global inventories, rocketed to a fresh record high above the price for the traditionallymore   11,660 new millionaires in Singapore Singapore's population of United States dollar millionaires surged by a staggering 21.2 per cent last year to 66,660--the fastest growth rate of any nation in the world.   Eastern Bank launches credit cards Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) yesterday launched four types of credit cards offering different features to customers.   Key issues unresolved for tri-nation gas pipeline Key issues relating to the $7.   US Senate passes foreign takeover security bill The US Senate on Friday passed a bill that would strengthen scrutiny by the government and intelligence services of foreign takeovers of US firms on national security grounds.   Phoenix Ins declares 30pc stock dividend Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd has declared a 30 percent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2006.   China protests over US seafood blockade China has protested to the United States over its "unacceptable" blockade of fish and shrimp imports, a government website said on Saturday.   Kuwait oil minister steps down Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah al-Sabah, who faced a no-confidence vote in parliament over alleged financial irregularities, has stepped down along with the communications minister, official media Sports Cricket: Reflecting on Poson Poya Yesterday was Poson Poya day. The normally quite Sri Lanka capital Colombo turned even calmer with the second most important religious day in the calendar of the islands' Buddhists.   Cricket: NCA looks to youth With both eyes on the near future, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selected twenty players as the second batch of scholarship holders of the GrameenPhone National Cricket Academy yesterday.   Football: Bangladesh down Italy Bangladesh striker Mohammad Shumon scored the winning goal against Italy in the place-deciding match of the Danone Nations Cup in the French city of Lyon yesterday.   Local Snippets Defending champion Dhaka and Faridpur won in their respective matches of the Salton Pharmaceuticals 27th National Hockey Championship Super League at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: BCB plan to spend more Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced a bigger budget for the fiscal year 2007-08. In a meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, BCB proclaimed Tk 93.   Cricket: Tendulkar sees India home Sachin Tendulkar became the first man to score 15,000 one-day international runs as India beat South Africa by six wickets in the second one-day international at Stormont here Friday.   Cricket: 15,000-up Sachin bats away critics Sachin Tendulkar, after becoming the first batsman to score 15,000 one-day international runs, could be forgiven for wanting to scream "Who says I'm finished?" just as an angry Sebastian Coe did after   Tennis: Roddick bankrupt! As the rain threatened to wash away Saturday's play at Wimbledon, Andy Roddick had more reason than most to pray for better weather.   Tennis: Mauresmo, Sharapova in last sixteen Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo and Russian second seed Maria Sharapova shrugged off a two-hour rain delay to storm into the Wimbledon last 16 on Saturday.   Tennis: FedExpress crushes Safin Roger Federer took another confident step closer to a fifth successive Wimbledon title on Friday as Centre Court fell in love with an eyebrow-pierced, Russian literature-loving Serb called Tipsy.   Tennis: Beware of pickpockets Wimbledon stars have fallen victim to a sneak thief who has made off with thousands of pounds in cash and personal property, it was reported here on Saturday.   Tennis: Hingis bows out Martina Hingis perished on Wimbledon's graveyard of champions as the Swiss was knocked out by unseeded American Laura Granville on Friday.   Football: Mikael out of the picture They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So rather than write out "Mikael Silvestre is leaving Manchester United" 166.   Football: Drogba still in doubt Didier Drogba has refused to commit himself to Chelsea, saying he will make a decision on his future when he returns from holiday.   Football: Real catch Robben! Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Chelsea's flying Dutch winger Arjen Robben according to reports in a Spanish newspaper on Saturday.   Football: L'pool close in on Torres Spanish press reported on Saturday that Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres was closer than ever to making a move to English Premiership side Liverpool.   Football: Rafa plans Heinze swoop Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is planning an audacious swoop to hijack Juventus' £5million move for Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze.   Football: Tevez to decide after Copa West Ham and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez will decide where his future lies after the Copa America, his representative said.   Football: Galletti signs for Olympiakos Greek champions Olympiakos announced Friday that Argentine striker Luciano Martin Galletti has penned a four-year contract. The club did not release financial details of the deal.   Cricket: Eng at par with WI Owais Shah blazed 55 from 35 balls as England beat West Indies in the second twenty20 international at the Brit Oval Friday to level the two-match series 1-1.   Football: Rezaul denies Sheikh Russel Khulna Abahani forced giants Sheikh Russel to split points as the two teams drew 1-1 in the day's only B. League match at the Khulna Divisional Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: SA to go for the kill South Africa captain Jacques Kallis is confident of having his strongest side out for Sunday's one-day series climax against India here at Stormont.   Cricket: First Eng-WI ODI today Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell could return to the England team for the first one-day international against West Indies at Lord's on Sunday.   Cricket: Scots under strength for Pakistan game Scotland will be without all-rounder Dougie Brown and Durham batsman Kyle Coetzer for their one-day match against Pakistan in Edinburgh on Sunday.   Cricket: Dravid takes heart from victory India captain Rahul Dravid has been heartened by the resilience his side have shown in the run-up to Sunday's one-day international (ODI) series finale against South Africa here at Stormont.   Cricket: 'BCCI will be more careful' After being snubbed by South African Graham Ford, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would be more careful in handling the coach selection process in the future, said its president Sharad   Football: Ronaldinho feels honoured Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho took a turn in carrying the torch ahead of the 2007 Pan-American Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 13-29.   Cricket: Morgan next ICC chief David Morgan, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), will become International Cricket Council (ICC) president in 2008, the global governing body announced here on Friday.   Cricket: Zimbabwe to remain in Test exile Zimbabwe's exile from Test cricket is set to continue, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Friday, amidst reports of financial corruption which the global governing body said it would investigate. Metropolitan Forestland now 10pc of total area against minimum 25pc Country's total forestland has come down to 10 percent as against the minimum requirement of 25 percent of its total land.   Road accidents kill 11 At least 11 people were killed and 79 others injured in separate road accidents in Faridpur, Comilla, Magura, Noakhali, Manikganj and Jhenidah yesterday.   Constitutional recognition of indigenous people demanded The indigenous people yesterday observed the 152nd anniversary of Santal Rebellion or Santal Hool yesterday with a call to give constitutional recognition to them and ensure the right to their ancestral   Govt urged to allocate khas lands for Dalit community Members of Dalit (lower caste) community yesterday urged the caretaker government to allocate khas lands for them to permanently solve their housing problem in the city.   Stolen oil worth Tk 5cr recovered in N'ganj: 12 held Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday recovered one lakh litres of fuel worth about Tk 5 crore stolen from two major fuel depots of Meghna and Padma oil companies at Siddhirganj in Narayanganj and arrested   'Sono Filter to help save lives of 50 cr people in S Asia' Two Bangladeshi scientists, Dr Abul Hussam and Dr AKM Munir, who won the Grainger Challenge Prize for Sustainability, 2007, were accorded a national reception in the city yesterday.   Roots of conflict in British society discussed A conference on 'Social vision: Working for a more equal and tolerant society' was organised by the London School of Economics and Political Science Social Vision Global Alumni Network on June 26.   Production in Zia Fertiliser Factory halted Production in Ashuganj Zia Fertiliser Factory was suspended yesterday morning due to some technical problems.   211 killed last month A total of 651 people were killed in various mishaps and 211 were killed due to violation of human rights in the last month, revealed a report of the Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights   Girl kept confined, raped in Ctg Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested four people from an apartment building at Agrabad in the city on Friday night on charges of keeping a teenage girl confined for several days and violating   Hasina greets Gordon Brown Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday congratulated Gordon Brown on his assumption of office as British prime minister.   Tk 67.76cr CU budget approved Chittagong University (CU) Senate at its 19th annual meeting yesterday approved a budget of Tk 67.76 crore for 2007-2008 fiscal year (FY) with a deficit of Tk 2.65 crore.   Ad firm official murdered in city A gang of unidentified criminals killed a senior media manager of an advertising firm at Motijheel in the city last night.   Khaleda shocked at Asia's death Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed deep shock at the death of Asia Begum, elder sister of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and aunt to AL President Sheikh Hasina, says a BNP press release.   Hawkers' Society AGM held The annual general meeting (AGM) of Dhaka Newspaper Hawkers' Multi Purpose Cooperative Society Limited was held at the society's Motijheel residence in the city yesterday, says a press release.   6-yr-old boy found dead in city ditch Police recovered the body of a six-year-old boy from a ditch in the city yesterday. The boy was identified as Bijoy, son of Mosharraf Hossain, a grocer at Banshbari in Mohammadpur.   AUST degree classes resume today The classes of the degree programme of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka will resume today, says a press release. National Prepare CHT voter lists as per peace accord Indigenous and Bangali political leaders in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) belonging to different parties have demanded preparation of voter list in the three hill districts according to provisions of the   Vow to resist violence against women, children Over 800 people at a mass rally held at Alipur bazaar, a remote area in Sadar upazila yesterday, vowed to resist violence against women from society The unique rally was represented by civil society   Indigenous people demand separate land commission Indigenous people, at a press conference held at Rajshahi Public Library auditorium in Rajshahi yesterday, demanded of the government a separate land commission for them.   Chained 'drug addicts'rescued, 2 clinics sealed in Khulna A mobile court led by metropolitan magistrate Atiqul Haque yesterday sealed two climes in Khulna city for treatment of drug addicts as they were being run without government approval.   Interns call off strike at DMCH Intern doctors at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital (DMCH) called off their strike yesterday following assurance by authorities to meet their two-point demand.   Leader of AL front held with arms in Barisal Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday arrested Azizur Rahman Shahin, convener of Barisal city Sechchasebak League and his associate Md.   One more jute worker dies Sultana Kazi, 52, a worker of laid-off state-owned Crescent Jute Mill (CJM) died of stroke Friday night while under treatment in Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH).   BSF abducts one in Satkhira Indian Border Security Force (BSF) yesterday abducted a Bangladeshi cattle trader from Ichhamati river at Khanjia in Kaligonj upazila in Satkhira. Point-Counterpoint Forest crisis and the purpose of forests Television scenes of cash found at the chief conservator of forests' home has stimulated a torrent of discussion about corruption in general, and forest corruption in particular.   England goes smokefree from July 1, when Bangladesh? It will be against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces from today, July 1, 2007 in all over England. Culture Celebrating Historic Santal Upsurge Day 152nd anniversary of Santal Upsurge was celebrated in the country yesterday (June 30). Professor Mesbah Kamal traces the history of the Upsurge and reflects on the celebration.   Eighth National Children's Theatre Festival '07 ends The Eighth National Children's Theatre Festival 2007 ended on June 29. The closing ceremony was held at the Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium, Public Library.   Dancing the blues away Majid Shikhaliev's students of Ecole de Danse put up a fine performance of modern western dances at the Alliance Francaise on the weekend.   Eminent poets recite at Shilpakala Though many programmes by recitation artistes are arranged in the city on a regular basis, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy drew up with an exceptional evening by bringing the poets on stage for recitation. International Nato airstrike kills 30 Afghan civilians Foreign military air strikes killed 30 villagers in southern Afghanistan, a mayor said yesterday, as the US-led coalition said some were found dead in trenches with rebel fighters.   Iran unfazed by threat of new sanctions Iran has no fear of fresh sanctions over its nuclear programme because the international community cannot cause it any harm, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in comments published yesterday.   Musharraf warned as Taliban spreading Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been warned by that without "swift and decisive action" the militant Islamic movement the Taliban will soon spread across all of Pakistan, The New York Times reported   London mayor defends Muslims London Mayor Ken Livingstone called on Britons yesterday not to demonise Muslims after a double car bomb plot was foiled in the capital, amid fears of a Islamist terror threat.   US top court to review Guantanamo cases The Supreme Court agreed Friday to review whether Guantanamo Bay detainees can use federal courts to challenge their confinement, reversing an April decision not to hear arguments on the issue.   7 civilians killed in Sri Lanka Suspected rebels in Sri Lanka shot dead seven civilians and security forces discovered a truck packed with powerful explosives, the country's defence ministry said yesterday.   Kuwait oil, communications ministers resign Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah al-Sabah, who faced a no-confidence vote in parliament over alleged financial irregularities, has stepped down along with the communications minister, official media   US forces find Iraq mass grave, battle insurgents US forces found around 40 bodies, bound and shot, in a fresh mass grave south of Fallujah, the military said Saturday as it reported 26 militants were killed in heavy fighting in Baghdad.   OIC welcomes proposed US envoy The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) welcomed yesterday a US decision to create a post for a special envoy to the largest Islamic bloc. Editorial Editorial: Chief Adviser speaks of mid-July roadmap Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, in an interview with the Voice of America, has reaffirmed his government's plan to hold a credible general election by the end of 2008.   Editorial: Dhaka in 2020 Two research documents, one based on the World Bank survey and the other prepared by the UNFPA, gave an alarming future projection of the population growth in Dhaka city and the pressure on its amenities   Choices to be made Civilisation demands that the people of the world be assured of their rights enshrined in various national and international covenants.   Democratic experiment in Palestine collapses The Second Palestinian Intifada has yet to come full circle.   The key macroeconomic challenges for sustaining growth In recent years, Bangladesh has sustained high growth and achieved notable progress reducing poverty and moving toward many of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Letters to Editor Words and bloodshed The game of bloodletting has been a very common spectacle every now and then in Iraq. Nowadays, whenever we look at the newspaper, we find news of killings led by militants.   Urea fertiliser price Through your esteemed daily, I wholeheartedly congratulate the advisor in charge of the ministry of industries for realising the problems relating to urea fertilizer as well as those faced by their producers   Liberation War Museum The Muktijoddha Jadughar or Liberation War Museum established through private initiative symbolises the glorious traditions set by our Liberation War.   Braveheart Siraj-ud Dowla Though 250 years have passed, the Battle of Palashi has hardly lost its significance.   Impediments to teaching Teaching is a noble profession. But it was once a much neglected vocation in our society. No one wanted to come to this profession. Star Health A critical ally in Asia's effort to reduce child deaths New study shows Hib vaccine protects children from significant burden of life-threatening pneumonia and meningitis, says a press release.   Breathing technique aids asthma An old-fashioned breathing and relaxation technique could help those with asthma, research suggests.   Soy compound may boost bone density Supplements containing a soy compound called genistein may help increase women's bone mass after menopause, a study suggests.   An active brain may help keep Alzheimer's at bay The results of a new study support a number of previous studies that have shown that staying mentally active reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and the mild impairments that precede the   Intercytex artificial skin heals wounds in tests A British biotechnology company has developed a long-lasting artificial skin that has produced promising results in healing wounds in early clinical trials.   FDA clears rapid blood test for malaria A new blood test that can identify malaria infections within 15 minutes won approval from U.S. health officials.   Intensivists gathered to form a society Intensivists (those who look after critically ill patients) of different government and private hospitals form Dhaka attended a get-together recently at Square Hospital in the city, says a press release.   Events Star City Lebu everywhere! City markets are flooded with lemons following a bumper harvest in Sylhet, Sreemongol and other parts of the country. Never has lemon as a commodity been cheaper and widely available than it is at present.   Too little to raise hope With thousands of vagrant children living on the streets in the capital, projects to shelter and rehabilitate them are limping due to insufficient funds and facilities.   Surviving only on water Shohag was only three when he arrived in Dhaka from Bogabodakhali, Barisal twelve years ago.   Address rural problems first to save Dhaka, say speakers "Prevent Dhaka from becoming a mega city before we are prepared," said MM Akash, professor, Department of Economics, while discussing the conditions of Dhaka as a mega city.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.