In her first appearance at the court since her arrest, former premier Khaleda Zia yesterday demanded withdrawal the state of emergency by June and general elections by October this year.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday asked her party's Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain not to bring any changes to party committees at different levels across the country.

The joint forces and police arrested 1,637 persons, including grassroots level leaders of the Awami League (AL) and BNP, across the country during their 24-hour drives until yesterday morning.

The construction work of a 25-kilometre direct road between Bangladesh and Myanmar is likely to begin by the middle of next year.

At least 45 persons, including two Sri Lankan citizens, several law-enforcers and pedestrians were injured following a series of blasts inside a multi-storied hotel in the capital last night.

The High Court (HC) yesterday rejected a writ petition filed by detained former premier Sheikh Hasina challenging the legality of continuing the trial proceedings of the barge-mounted power plant graft case against her.

Near about 3,000 appeals have been filed with the Election Commission (EC) till yesterday -- the last day for the filing of appeals against re-demarcation of 51 parliamentary constituencies.

Detained former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is accused in three cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) during the rule of the interim government.

Rapid Action Battalion has arrested two men who were part of the team that threw grenades on an Awami League (AL) rally in the capital on August 21, 2004.

Severe traffic congestion choked the city's Farmgate and adjoining areas yesterday as the law enforcers closed the busy thoroughfares leading to parliament area for nearly three hours.

Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader yesterday said the government is leaving no stones unturned to bring Awami League (AL) and BNP to the ongoing political dialogue with the government.

The home ministry said yesterday there is no political motive behind the recent arrests of 584 people across the country but that it was a routine drive to combat the deteriorating law and order situation.

The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) yesterday demolished about 75 illegal structures including site offices of the yet-to-be-constructed Hilton Hotel in Begunbari canal on Tongi Diversion Road.

At least 20 garment workers were injured when several thousand workers of three factories clashed with police in Kalurghat BSCIC industrial area in the port city yesterday demanding a raise in the wages.

A special court yesterday set June 5 for a hearing on the bail petition filed by detained former premier Sheikh Hasina in the Niko graft case.

Justice MM Ruhul Amin yesterday took oath as the 16th chief justice of Bangladesh.

The Sector Commanders' Forum (SCF) and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday said they would campaign against political parties forming electoral alliance with anti-liberation war forces.

Civil society representatives during a consultation meeting yesterday, on finalising the second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), suggested the caretaker government to adopt an interim PRSP due to the absence of an elected government in the country.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday submitted charge sheet against former BNP lawmaker Maj (retd) Manzur Quader and 11 others to a Sirajganj court in a case for misappropriating relief materials.

Police yesterday submitted charge sheet against detained former Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury and 21 others in an extortion case.

A package of proposed constitutional reforms drafted by Pakistan's ruling PPP aims to give only prime minister the powers to authorise the use of nuclear weapons or to declare war, apparently in a bid to prevent situations like the Kargil conflict of 1999.

The 500-strong Australian troop contingent deployed in Iraq withdrew from their bases in the south of the country yesterday, a local official said.

The report released this week by Brac University's Institute of Governance Studies was as nuanced and equivocal as befits these paradoxical times, and we urge the government of the day to regard it as a feedback meriting close attention.

Star Business yesterday featured a story whose title could very well have been 'small is beautiful'. On the back of scarcity and high price of food, the bumper output of potato was icing on the cake of record high production of boro. The resulting sense of relief, however, hasn't been without a worry relating to preservation of such perishable food stuff as potato. In a context where we have grown accustomed to wasting nearly 20 percent of our annual cereal output, the prospect of losing out on potato which is more perishable must have been an added anxiety.

The style had been typically that of a KGB operative, quiet, sneaky and even secretive. That's the way the little-known spy adopted in catapulting his country to its lost height as he became the second president of the Russian Federation, the largest partof once-powerful Soviet Union. Vladimir Putin, who laments the collapse of the Union as the “greatest geo-political catastrophe of the century” couldn't have been oblivious of the humiliation it entailed, with the loss of the country's stature as a superpower if not of the ideological defeat accompanying it.

Language facilitates communication; but becomes a trap when misused. The misuse may not be deliberate, merely complacent. But a complacent phrase can enter the discourse, shape decision or indecision and leave a sharp, self-inflicted wound.

Senator Edward Kennedy, diagnosed with malignant brain tumour last month, is expected to beat it and live many more productive years. This may be an opportune time for reflection, and expression of Bangladesh's gratitude to the senator from Massachusetts.

Alok Kapali was recalled to the national side nearly after two years for the upcoming tri-series at home and the Asia Cup in Pakistan as a replacement of middle-order batsman Aftab Ahmed, who has been ruled out for six weeks due to a finger injury.

Mohammedan Sporting Club did a great favour to their archrivals Abahani when the black and whites snapped Usha Krira Chakra's 11-match winning streak in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Hockey League yesterday.

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan captain, has said he wanted to put his poor Indian Premier League (IPL) performances behind and gear up for the tri-series in Dhaka, starting on June 8.

The national selectors yesterday called two cricketers for Bangladesh A team's tour of Ireland this month.

Opener Zunaed Siddiqui has been named captain of the Bangladesh A team yesterday for the two day-night practice matches against the Mohammad Ashraful-led national side at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

A brace each by Rashed and Ashiq helped Lalbagh Tarun Sangha trounce Ramjan Football Kishore Ekadash 7-0 in a west zone match of the Pioneer Football League at the Outer Stadium yesterday.

A galaxy of international stars might have added fizz to the IPL but it was India's most improved domestic player who sparkled in the tense final. Few outside India might have heard of Yusuf Pathan before this tournament but he imposed himself on the grand stage, snaffling three wickets before smashing a scintillating 56, setting the stage for the inspirational Shane Warne to pull off the last-ball thriller.

Michael Clarke followed up his seventh Test hundred with two late wickets to give Australia a firm advantage in the second Test against West Indies on Saturday.

Michael Clarke acknowledged that he was gripped with emotion, when he completed his seventh Test hundred for Australia in the second Test against West Indies on Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic reached the French Open quarterfinals for the third successive year on Sunday and will now face childhood training rival Ernests Gulbis for a place in the semi-finals.

England selectors on Sunday named an unchanged 12-man squad for the final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday.

Purists may dismiss the Indian Premier League (IPL) as dumbing down of cricket but Sachin Tendulkar feels instead of being criticised, the glamorous twenty20 series should be lauded for globalising the game.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt clocked a 100m world record of 9.72sec Saturday to electrify the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meeting.

Harry Kewell scored another of his big-match goals to unlock Iraq and edge Australia closer to the final phase of World Cup qualifying here Sunday with a 1-0 win.

Serb pair Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are on a French Open collision course after both notched up comfortable wins on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals.

African superstar Samuel Eto'o overcame an assault claim to score as Cameroon opened their challenge for a record sixth World Cup appearance with a 2-0 win over Cape Verde Islands Saturday.

Four-goal Romania were the most impressive of a slew of Euro 2008 qualifiers Saturday as many of the top sides qualified for next month's finals went through their paces in warm-up games.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed on Saturday that his team's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League has cost the club around 20 million euros.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's American owners would do anything in their power to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

Iranian football star Ali Karimi has been reinstated in the national squad after intervention from no less than President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the grandson of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, media reported Sunday.

Robinho's second-half strike lifted Brazil to a 3-2 victory over Canada here Saturday in a friendly tuneup for their upcoming qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

Guus Hiddink insisted Sunday there was no chance of him leaving Russia to take charge of Chelsea.

Members of France's World Cup-winning 1998 squad including Zinedine Zidane reunited in New Caledonia at the weekend, thrilling a crowd of 10,000 with an easy 8-2 win over a team of Pacific stars.

Striker Ryan Babel has been ruled out of the Euro 2008 tournament starting next week after sustaining an injury in training, Dutch football officials said on Saturday.

Italian fullback Gianluca Zambrotta, who played at Barcelona for two seasons, has joined AC Milan, the Italian first division club said on Saturday, without giving further contract details.

England fast bowler Stuart Broad is relishing the competition for places as he prepares for his first home Test at Trent Bridge against New Zealand this week.

Injured Australian opener Matthew Hayden said Sunday he has no intention of retiring from one-day cricket to ensure he plays on to next year's Ashes series in England.

Afghanistan won the ICC World Cricket League Division Five final in Jersey on Saturday -- but only after a gallant brave rearguard action from the hosts.

Andrew Flintoff has admitted he feared his England days were over last year when he was limping through the one-day series against India and the ICC World Twenty20. Dosed up on painkillers and bowling on one leg, he started to wonder whether he would have to cut short his career.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold a felicitation function in New Delhi to mark the silver jubilee of India's triumph in the 1983 World Cup. Kapil Dev -- the captain of the victorious side -- who is now chairman of the unofficial Indian Cricket League's (ICL) executive board, will also be invited, board president Sharad Pawar told PTI.

The worldwide Epson Pairs Bridge Championship will begin at the Bangladesh Bank Club on June 6.

Grameenphone, the country's largest mobile operator, is set to announce a major network expansion on Tuesday when it unveils a deal worth several hundred million dollars to buy equipment from Chinese telecom group Huawei.

Poland, a central European country, is becoming a major export destination for Bangladesh's knitwear products, according to industry insiders.

Dr Stefan Frowein, European Commission delegation chief in Bangladesh, here yesterday assured shipbuilding companies of support of European Union, urging the latter to go “full steam ahead” with the business.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday imposed restrictions on 2,436 beneficiary owner's (BO) accounts as a preliminary investigation found the accounts shoddy and suspicious.

Traders yesterday strongly opposed the government decision to install electronic cash registers as mandatory in medium and wholesale shops from July 1.

On a typical day, Joanne Senn dresses her daughters for school, feeds her cats and fish, and buckles down to start her job at 7:15 am as an IBM software marketing manager. In her kitchen.

Infrastructure continues to be high on the development agenda of Bangladesh. Yet infrastructure investment levels have continually fallen short of what the government seeks and what is necessary for Bangladesh to meet its goals. This situation has worsened in recent years, with the decline in availability of private sector investment for infrastructure. This situation demands new ways for Bangladesh to improve its infrastructure and the much talked about public-private partnerships (PPP) may be a solution.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd yesterday leased a Boeing 747-300 aircraft from a Thai airline for one year in a bid to minimise disruption in its flight schedules.

The finance ministry yesterday promoted deputy managing directors of four state-run banks as managing directors, a circular of the ministry said yesterday.

Key Asian currencies ended the week mainly down against the US dollar as sentiment over the US economy brightened, but the Australian dollar remained near record highs.

The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday crossed 3200 points for the first time, closing at 3207.89 points, led by banking, investment and pharmaceutical sectors' shares.

One Bank Chairman Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury yesterday denied media reports that accused him of holding of his bank's about Tk 26 crore shares bought in fictitious names.

A five-day international symposium on 'the importance of an effective national measurement system to trade, sustainable development and quality of life' was held in Dhaka recently, says a press release.

A decision on raising prices of petrol, diesel and domestic liquified Petroleum Gas has been put off at least until next week after the United Progressive on the issue.

Bank Asia Ltd has declared a 25 percent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2007.

The European Central Bank invites the public this week to celebrate the bank's first 10 years before hosting eurozone finance ministers at a gala event before getting back down to business.

AB Bank yesterday launched a basket of ten new SME and liability products.

The WTO has finally created unity among its 152 members -- but unfortunately for head Pascal Lamy, the only thing all states agree on is that the prospect of a new trade deal is still as far away as ever.

Hiring professionals from India to work in Bahrain is becoming extremely difficult due to improved salaries and incentives there, said a recruiting agency chief.

Opec president Chakib Khelil again blamed speculators for the steep rise in oil prices Saturday, insisting that supply was not a problem.

Russia is serious about becoming a stable energy supplier to its neighbours and is not out to pursue an imperialist policy, a Russian official said Sunday.

India's metals and mining company Sterlite Industries said it has signed a deal to buy US copper mining company Asarco for 2.6 billion dollars.

Thousands of Indonesians in several major cities held peaceful street protests on Sunday against the government's decision to hike the price of fuel by around 30 percent.

The council of advisers yesterday approved the Public Servants (Dismissal on Conviction) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008.

Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations yesterday strongly protested the fresh wholesale arrest of political leaders across the country by the joint forces.

A Dhaka court yesterday issued arrest warrants against incumbent managing director (MD) of Dhaka Electricity Supply Company (DESCO) Saleh Ahmed, former Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority (DESA) chairman Towhidul Islam and 13 others in a Desco share scam case.

Hundreds of children, UN officials and their partners yesterday walked the streets of the major cities, including the capital of the country calling for national and global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition of children.

Experts at a discussion yesterday said there are around 12 lakh cancer patients in the country and two lakh new patients are added annually of which 1.5 lakh patients die due to the disease.

Police could not arrest anyone in connection with the killing of a student of Bangladesh Medical College (BMC) as of last night.

Bangladesh Lung Foundation and University of Development Alternative (UODA) jointly organised a seminar on UODA campus in the city yesterday commemorating the World No Tobacco Day.

Leaders of the ready-made garment (RMG) workers yesterday demanded the government to allocate fund in the next budget for building up a housing project for workers.

A mother and her son was killed and three others of her family injured when a mini-truck carrying them overturned in front of the Zia International Airport (ZIA) early yesterday.

Jatiya Kabita Parishad has appealed for financial assistance to bear the cost of treatment for poet Samudra Gupta.

Ekatturer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee (Forum for Secular Bangladesh) yesterday condemned the arrest of the committee's Faridpur chapter President Mahabubur Rahman Khan, says a press release.

Another private radio station named 'ABC Radio' will formally air from next month, says a press release yesterday.

A court here yesterday framed charge against three policemen, including an assistant commissioner (AC) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), in a robbery case.

Speakers at a discussion yesterday demanded immediate release of former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and holding of the national election within this year.

A female garment worker was killed on Saturday night by her husband in the city's Hazaribagh, only one month after their marriage.

Muggers have stabbed two men to death in separate incidents in the city.

Two motorbike riders were run over by a local train yesterday while they were crossing a railway track in Laxmipur Bhatapara area.

Amra Charjan (We Four), formed by four veteran journalists, has changed its name to Bangladesh Free Media Forum (BFMF), says a press release.

Deputy Attorney General Md Anwarul Azim Khair, who was appointed by the previous BNP-led four-party-alliance government, resigned from his post yesterday.

Workers of state-owned Platinum, Crescent and Star Jute Mills in Khulna demonstrated in front of their respective administrative offices yesterday to press home their eight-point demand.

With a view to orienting students with the art of public speaking and techniques of debate, a four-day debate and public speaking workshop begins at Dhaka University (DU) today.

A septuagenarian man and his grandson were electrocuted at Bhuipara village in Sadar upazila yesterday.

A court here yesterday awarded a man to death sentence for killing his wife.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) recovered a sub-machine gun (SMG), three rounds of bullet and two magazines and arrested one person from Kumir Bil area at Anwara upazila in Chittagong yesterday afternoon.

President Iajuddin Ahmed has called for waging social movement across the country against smoking to save the new generation from the harmful effects of tobacco.

At least 10 people including a teacher and four students of Maulana Bhasani University of Science and Technology (MBUST) were injured in a clash between the students and the outsiders near the campus at Santosh in Tangail yesterday.

Two people were killed in a road accident on Dhaka-Tangail highway at Mirzapur upazila in the district yesterday.

Cadet Galib of Rangpur Cadet College (CCR) has been adjudged the best debater at the 10th National Television School Debate Competition organised by Bangladesh Television (BTV).

The executive committee of Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) was formed for the year 2008-09 at its annual general meeting held at TSC recently, says a press release.

Amir Hossain, joint secretary of the Internal Resources Division, has been appointed private secretary to the president, said an official announcement yesterday.

Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, chief national commissioner, Bangladesh Scouts, has resigned on May 29.

The graduation ceremony of International School Dhaka (ISD) was held at the Radisson Winter Garden Hotel in the city recently, says a press release.

With a massive flowering of bamboos in Moulvibazar, uncertainty looms large about employment of 50 thousand labourers as the unusual phenomenon is destroying bamboo clusters.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday submitted charge sheet against Maj (retd) Monjur Quader and 11 other BNP men to Sirajganj Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court for misappropriating corrugated iron (CI) sheets of government relief fund.

The Army yesterday distributed Tk 18 lakh for 180 families who became victims of arson attack at Bagaihat in Baghachhari upazila in Rangamati on April 20.

The newly-appointed High Commissioner of Vatican in Bangladesh and the representative of Pope Benedict, Joseph Marino visited Bonpara Catholic Church under Baraigram upazila on Saturday.

Awami Jubo League in Rajshahi at a meeting yesterday demanded releases of Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina for the sake of establishing democracy in the country.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday recovered seven powerful bombs and a bullet-loaded pipe gun beneath the ground of a banana garden at Hakimpur village under Shailkupa upazila.

Hundreds of students of the Institute of Health Technology, Rajshahi yesterday formed a human chain in the city protesting a decision of the authorities which offered private clinic technicians aged 40 years an opportunity to study diploma course in medical technology.

Three people died from gas poisoning in a septic tank of a commercial building in Kulaura upazila town yesterday.

A road show was held at Panchagarh yesterday aiming at building a new Bangladesh.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) won the largest number of seats in the Constituent Assembly election held on 10 April 2008, and formed a coalition government with some smaller parties. The Maoists had insisted on the abolition of the monarchy and the removal of Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev as King with Nepal becoming a federal democratic state with an elected head of state. The newly-elected Assembly met in Kathmandu on May 28, 2008 and abolished the monarchy that had reigned for 240 years. Nepal's government has announced a public holiday for three days, from May 28 to May 30, to celebrate the country becoming a republic.

Poverty is mostly a question of how a country's agricultural land and natural resource systems are managed. If management of resources is based on the principles of equity, productivity and sustainability, then poverty can be beaten back quite successfully. But the way resources are managed in Bangladesh goes against these principles and poverty remains predominant. Most often, we are breaking up the wrong tree, labelling population growth and shortage of resources as principles reasons behind poverty. Bangladesh has one of the most fertile lands in the world and its arable land /population ratio is higher then China, Japan, Holland which are world leaders in agricultural productivity. Reserve forest areas of Bangladesh are about 2.9 millions hectares (although much of it without tree covers). Bangladesh is also well endowed with natural gas and coal. Although not lavishly endowed with natural resources, our endowment cannot be considered meagre. If we can manage our resources very well, poverty alleviation will become an attainable goal.

The UN Refugee agency, UNHCR has been playing a discriminatory role against the Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh.

A disturbed state of mind or body which is caused by overwork, tension or unfriendly situation is called stress. Today, law enforcement is widely considered to be among the most stressful occupations, associated with high rates of divorce, suicide and other emotional and health problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Public criticism can be a source of stress as well.

I read the letter on the above subject by Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan. I was also thinking about this--why in any talk show the so-called intellectuals never address this basic problem of our country. One hundred and seventy million is a horrifying figure!

It is heartening to note that eight new police stations are going to be set up soon in Dhaka city to deal with the growing violence and other problems.

The EC is gradually emerging as the most controversial institution. One might ask me why I think so. I think so because if you just recollect the latest deliberation of the CEC and two commissioners, you might get the same feeling. The CEC has said that if the dialogue fails, the election would be uncertain. One commissioner has said that they are recommending to the government some fundamental constitutional changes, and another commissioner has said that the EC would not take the responsibility if the elections are not held for any other reason, because they would remain prepared for holding the election. They are generating pessimism in public mind. They are over stepping their constitutional jurisdiction. They have successfully maintained their position above any kind of accountability so far.

The constitutional post of the Ombudsman should have been operative in our country. We could have reaped the benefit of social justice. The corruption in our country spread with the administration of the East India Company when they minted the one anna copper coin. The company did not question the ordinary holders but would reduce the huge accumulation with surrender by the possessors in the courtyard on a moon-light midnight in a bamboo basket with a live goose over it.

It is needless to mention that the present caretaker govt is taking care of the people, and gained more popularity than any govt did in the past.

The much awaited dialogue (i.e.sanglap) commenced between the government and the political parties on May 22nd. This dialogue could be the turning point for Bangladesh as far as the circumstances through which the country has been going on are concerned. If the dialogue succeeds the country will be able to hold a credible election. If it fails the country might go back to the situation existing prior to 1/11. The future of the country will be surely uncertain.

We always get shocked when a premature death occurs. CU student Mahmudul Hasan Mamun's death was indeed a tragic one. His sudden death brought tears to the CU students and they showed this through violent activities, which is very regrettable.

Religious fanaticism might have grown in our country to some extent but we Bangladeshis also can take pride in religious tolerance and harmony among the followers of all faiths.

One of the Election Commissioners told the press on 25 May that the Election Commission is determined to hold election some time in December and there is no time to tinker with it. He further said that after the completion of voter list in October, the election schedule would be declared. He categorically mentioned the good intentions of the government and also that the political parties would be blamed if election is not held in time.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has shown the highest sense of responsibility by issuing a press release in clarifying the status of 27th BCS results. This is a rare case of showing respect to the public sentiment by a statutory body like the PSC. The people have the right to know the status of the results. The PSC, before anybody's pointing of finger, disclosed the truth before the public. The PSC, in other words, performed the job of ensuring people's right to information. Every government department should follow the example of the PSC.

I strongly feel that in Bangladesh the non-political Shushil Shamaj should form a formal think tank like the Fabian Society in England. Such a body would have enormous persuasive power to influence any ruling party and lawmakers to bring in legislation for the good of the country with a vision of the future. Safe from the hurly burly of politics and policies and machinations to hold on to power from one general election to the next, such a body of learned and involved people would be able to look at the long-term issues for the country.

The British government and its examination watchdog, the QCA (Qualifications and Examinations Authority), recently approved the draft syllabuses for the new A-levels. The 'post-16' reforms, as these have been termed, see the introduction of more stretch and challenge in assessment and learning with the aim of pushing the brightest pupils to 'think outside the box', a new grade the A* to record performance above that of the A-grade and a reduction in the number of assessment units in most subjects (except the sciences and mathematics) from 6 to 4.

Your staff correspondent's graphical front-page report with photographs (May:26) illustrates real life horror at its worst. The unfortunate mother's statement about her drug addicted son depicts tragedy in real life. The family may have been driven to a corner, with no remedy at hand.

The CTG has taken bold and long awaited steps to ensure transparency in govt. activities and is working hard to attain certain goals. Now, we see a strengthened ACC, independent Judiciary and Election Commission, improved law order situation, efficient ports facilitating import and export, improving overall economic infrastructure, in spite of natural calamities, etc. All these laudable achievements are the foundation of a prosperous and democratic nation. None of these was the responsibility of the CTG, but it had no other alternative but to take all these initiatives proactively in the backdrop of the anarchy created by the political parties before 1/11, demand of the civil society and peace-loving people. The govt. had not come to power with a pre-planned agenda, rather they had to develop an agenda to achieve all these common goals after assumption of state power.

More people will perish in Myanmar's cyclone disaster zone unless the regime lifts restrictions on foreign aid, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned yesterday, accusing it of "criminal neglect."

Nepal's government has already started auditing property in the now nationalised palace, where the royal banner has been replaced by Nepal's flag.

Iran accused the UN nuclear watchdog yesterday of giving in to Western pressure in its latest report on the Iranian nuclear drive which struck a tougher tone.

Investigations against Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan have been completed by Pakistani authorities and it have been proved that he provided nuclear technology to Iran and Lybia not for the lust of money but primarily because of ideological reasons. The main reason behind nuclear proliferation was the disliking of Khan for US policies.

Unidentified attackers yesterday shot dead a pro-Taliban militant commander and his guard in restive northwest Pakistan, officials said.

At least nine Tamil Tiger rebels and four government soldiers have died in the latest clashes across Sri Lanka's embattled north, the defence ministry said yesterday.

al-Qaeda's wing in Yemen has claimed responsibility for an attack it said targeted a refinery in the southern city of Aden, according to an Internet statement posted yesterday.

Somali officials say Islamic insurgents fired mortars at Mogadishu airport as a plane carrying President Abdullahi Yusuf was about to take off.

Israel will build 884 more houses in east Jerusalem, the housing ministry said yesterday, in a move that enraged Palestinians who have demanded it as the capital of their promised state.

Faced with a string of reverses in assembly elections in a number of states, India's ruling Congress party has decided to set up a committee to introspect and suggest ways and means to revitalise the party ahead of fresh general elections early next year.

China joined a small group of nations yesterday in restricting the use of plastic bags, but there are doubts the rule will be effective in a country that consumes one trillion of them a year.

Dozens of farmers' groups kicked off a forum in Rome yesterday to coincide with the UN food agency's summit on food security with an impassioned plea for an overhaul of world agricultural policies.

Prof. Nirmolindu Das and Prof. Pinaki Borua , two visiting professors from Santiniketan, came to Dhaka on an invitation from the Institute of Fine Arts and Bengal Foundation. Taking some time off from his work with his students, Dr. Das said," The Department of Print making in the Institute of Fine Arts, DU, has a good working atmosphere. I'm impressed with the set up and the teaching methodology that they follow: This I say from my empirical experience. Throughout the world print making is facing problems in terms of getting materials. Digital printing is taking over. Zinc plates are not available, while linoleum block making has stopped." The zinc plates used in the intaglio printing is not at all suitable he said. The printers can switch on to wood, aluminium and copper, he suggested.

"During my 20-year stay with S.M. Sultan, I came to know him as a generous and conscientious man. He had a great love for animals and children. In fact, he tamed vultures, mongoose, snakes and birds. His artworks speak of the downtrodden in the society. He loved children and pondered over how to ameliorate their lives. Among his initiatives for them were an engine-driven boat, an art institute called "Shishu Shorgo" and a museum.

Renowned singer Ferdausi Rahman was recently honoured with the Meril-Prothom Alo Lifetime Achievement Award. Ferdausi talked to The Daily Star on her reaction to the award and her decision to donate the prize money to acid survivors.

Bangladesh Association Norway (BDAN), an organisation of expatriate Bangladeshis, arranged a two-day cultural programme and get-together on May 25 and 26 at Kampen Menighetshus in Oslo, says a press release.

Cultural organisation Srijon arranged a musical soiree at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum on May 31 to celebrate Kazi Nazrul Islam's birth anniversary. This was Srijon's 70th monthly programme.

"A lot of TV plays are currently being aired on the local channels, featuring many promising, young actors. However, most of these actors are not properly trained. In fact, for a lucrative small screen industry, a lot of young artists with training are needed," informed renowned TV actor-director Shahiduzzaman Selim.

A farmer-friendly budget providing priorities to overcome the challenges of food crisis is the need of the hour. This is very important for unlocking the potential to achieve the target of poverty alleviation. In fact, attaining sustainability in food production is not only the expectation of the citizens but is also a farmer's right.

Innovation means introducing changes for the betterment of human existence. This month, Helen Keller International (HKI) is celebrating 30 years of innovation in Bangladesh through its programs, which address poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and poor health.

It is distressing to hear recommendations from our food experts, politicians, and economists on how the government of Bangladesh could determine food security for the country. They advise the restoration of TCB and BADC and, among many others, punishment of traders for price manipulation and hoarding.

Sometimes I hit a raw nerve. Several readers complained about my criticism of Grand Theft Auto IV. This is a youth-oriented computer game in which players get points by committing extremely anti-social acts such as armed robbery, substance abuse and making poor clothing choices.

Land grabbers have again started encroaching on the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake making the ongoing walkway construction complicated with legal tangles.

It was 9:30 on Thursday morning. The left lane of the Mohakhali flyover leading to Jahangir Gate intersection was devoid of any traffic save some pedestrians strolling on the scant pavement.

The latest crop of quotes from the city's press -- words worth repeating, we feel, for their humour, insight or sheer outrageousness. Star City does not necessarily support the opinions expressed in this column.