Volume 4 Number 186 Tue. December 02, 2003       Advertise with The Daily Star -- Advertising on the Website    Advertising in the Printed E dition-- Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Political Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Front Page US troops kill 54 Iraqis in a fierce firefight American troops have killed 54 suspected Iraqi insurgents, which Iraqi medics say included eight civilians, in the northern city of Samarra, capping the worst weekend of violence in seven months of occupation No headway in Badda arms haul probe Investigators could make no headway in their probe into the origin and route of the arms and ammunition seized at Kuril Badda Sunday night. Nor could they identify the racket behind the gunrunning.   Intelligence poor cops depend on luck to cut crime Sunday's huge arms seizure in Dhaka has once again lent greater credence to recent coinage that police success largely depends on luck rather than intelligence.   Shantu warns a volatile CHT Non-implementation of pact Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma warned that if the government does not implement the peace accord, the situation in the region   Economic coordination snarled up in inactivity A high-profile coordination council constituted in March to ensure good economic management has failed to sit once in nine months when it is supposed to meet every three months.   2 1/2 yrs of lost childhood Fourteen-year-old Jamal migrated to Dhaka from his home village in search of a living three years ago, but landed in a correctional centre by a twist of fate.   PCJSS siege today for CHT accord execution Sixth anniversary of accord today Even six years after the signing of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord that ended two decades of insurgency in the hills region, uncertainty over its implementation plagues the highlanders.   Freedom fighters to get special status in society: PM Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has said the government will provide a special status for the freedom fighters (FFs) in society.   BCS question leak rumours prove false, test underway Proving reports of question leaks false, the first written test of the 24th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) was held peacefully yesterday. '115 more test HIV positive this year' World Aids Day observed Amid calls for immediate and comprehensive preventive measures against HIV/Aids, Bangladesh yesterday observed the World Aids Day as elsewhere in the world.   Deported workers go back to Korea on fresh work permit Bangladeshi workers in South Korea, deported on expiry of their tenure, get work permit and government permission anew and return to their jobs.   Universities now need PM's nod to appoint teachers The government has asked the public universities to obtain the prime minister's approval for appointment of teachers and staff.   BDR deployed at Banshkhali for joint raids Rallies, sit-in in Ctg from today to protest carnage One platoon of paramilitary BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) was deployed in the Banshkhali coastal area for joint raids with police to arrest the criminals who recently incinerated 11 members of a Hindu family   Sonia scents victory in key Indian state polls India's main political foes claimed they were heading for victory as millions voted yesterday in key state assembly elections seen as a dress rehearsal for the 2004 general polls.   Gas supply to some city areas to get suspended Gas supply to several city areas will remain suspended from 12:00 this noon to 6:00 tomorrow morning, while consumers of piped gas at many other city parts will experience low pressure during the same   Rickshaw ban put on hold The decision to ban rickshaws on six major roads from yesterday has been put on hold as Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB) now wants to discuss it with the rickshawpullers and passengers.   Soft loans for settlers in hills planned The government will provide soft loans to Bangalee settlers in the hill tracts to end discrimination in favour of the indigenous people who already enjoy this facility.   Slain journalist's wife objects to extended charge sheet, files petition Slain Daily Janakantha journalist Shamsur Rahman's wife yesterday submitted a petition to the Court of District and Sessions Judge, Jessore objecting to the extended charge sheet in her husband's murder   Police run after Ctg mayor for information about Jamal Detectives are now running after Chittagong Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury to gather information about business magnate Jamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury abducted over four months ago.   Ways to protect business interests must to face global trade challenges Khosru tells int'l employers' confce Business organisations will run into a crisis unless they developed strategies to protect and promote their business interests in the context of the global trade challenges, Commerce Minister Amir Khosru   WHO okays use of new combination Aids pills The World Health Organization said yesterday it had approved for use three separate three-in-one combination Aids treatment pills under a new plan to rush anti-retroviral (ARV) medicines to three million   Qinglin assures Dhaka of Chinese uplift support The visiting chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consul-tative conference (CPPCC), Jia Qinglin, yesterday assured Dhaka of his country's continued development support.   Man to die for killing wife, son A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a man to death for killing his wife and son in July 1997.   World leaders back 'Geneva' ME peace plan World leaders past and present voiced firm support yesterday for an unofficial Middle East peace plan shaped by regional "doves" but denounced as treason by both Israeli officials and Palestinian militants.   Gen Subid ignored in Senakunja reception Former Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Major General (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan was not invited to a reception at Senakunja hosted to mark the Armed Forces Day yesterday.     Advertisement