Vol. 5 Num 370 Sun. June 12, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page Saarc summit in Dhaka Nov 12-13 The twice-postponed 13th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) will be held in Dhaka on November 12-13, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz announced in Islamabad yesterday.   Budget posture to fuel inflation further Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) yesterday feared that increased bank borrowing and expenditure in the unproductive areas in the proposed budget will push inflation up to double digit next year.   Watchdog limps with weak laws, staff shortage City markets are flooded with adulterated and contaminated food items, cheating consumers and exposing them to grave health risks, while the government, hindered by weak laws and staff shortages, is nearly   Highway police unit launched Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday launched a highway police unit designed to ensure safety and check crimes on the country's 22,379-km highways.   CEC's holding two offices challenged Three Supreme Court lawyers yesterday challenged the legality of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz's holding office alongside that of Appellate Division judge.   Japanese minister hails Dhaka's strong support Bangladesh, which has extended strong support for Japan's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), will work as a facilitator, but not as a co-sponsor of Japan, in its moveto   Police seek approval to quiz Bidisha at hospital Investigation officer (IO) of the theft case filed against Bidisha, estranged wife of former president HM Ershad, on Friday petitioned a court for allowing him to interrogate her at hospital.   Wealth, lifestyle statements now mandatory Income tax returns without submission of statements on lifestyle and wealth would no more be accepted and fines slapped on the taxpayers for failing to do so.   Wheat importer sued for dodging duty An importer has been sued here for gobbling up around Tk 12 crore by secretly unloading over 10,000 tonnes of imported wheat from a ship at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port and selling them in local   Baghdad blasts kill 3 GIs, 14 others At least 17 people, including three US servicemen, were killed late Friday and early yesterday as three bomb attacks shattered the relative calm in the capital since US and Iraqi forces launched a joint   Arman keeps giving misleading info during interrogation Arman Khan, one of the 23 top criminals in the country, continued to give misleading information and names of his rivals to law enforcers nine days into his arrest, baffling their bid to trace any ofhis   2 outlaws killed in 'crossfire' Two outlawed party cadres were killed in "crossfire" between police and their accomplices in separate incidents in Kushtia and Chuadanga yesterday.   Don't raise duty Reconditioned vehicle importers yesterday urged the government to withdraw the increase of supplementary duty from 5 percent to 10 percent in the proposed budget for the FY 2005-06.   Germany to give euro 87.3m for 3 sectors Germany will give Bangladesh euro 87.3 million to support projects in health, private sector development and technical assistance in power sector.   Four-party supporter gunned down Unidentified assailants yesterday chopped and gunned down a supporter of the four-party candidate in the Narsingdi-1 by-polls and wounded two others in Karimganj in the sadar upazila.   Hartal called in Khulna over budget fund The Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC) has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Khulna Metropolitan City and Phultala upazila of Khulna district on June 18.   FM flies to Doha today for G-77 meet Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan leaves for Doha today to attend a ministerial meeting of Group77. The ministerial meeting will be preceded by the second South Summit to be held in Doha on June 15-16.   Shibir cadre bullet-hit while fleeing from cop custody Arrested listed criminal and top leader of infamous Nasir Bahini Dulal Uddin alias Munna, took bullets while trying to escape from police custody in Fatikchhari upazila under the district on Friday night.   JS resumes budget session today The budget session of the Jatiya Sangsad resumes this afternoon after a two-day recess with discussion starting on supplementary budget for fiscal year 2005-06.   NBR issues SRO on Tk 1,200 tax on SIM card The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday circulated a statutory regulatory order (SRO) on the budgetary proposal for a Tk 1,200 tax on each SIM card.   China hotel fire kills 31 A fire raced through the top three floors of a hotel in southern China, killing 30 people and injuring 15 others, the official Xinhua news agency reported yesterday.   HC asks govt to restore power in camps The High Court (HC) yesterday ordered the government to restore electricity in all the camps of the stranded Pakistanis across the country within 24 hours.   Indian court acquits eight A court in India acquitted eight people yesterday who were blamed for planting a bomb in a bus in the western commercial centre of Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, in 2002 that killed two and injured   Rift widens over EU contributions The UK must compromise on its EU rebate so the bloc can reach a deal on its budget, the German chancellor has said amid mounting pressure on London. Business Withdraw money whitening facility Terming the proposed budget anti-social and anti-justice, Unnayan Samannay, an NGO, yesterday criticised the finance minister for extending the time limit for whitening black money by another one year.   Basis urges govt to lift 10pc tax on software business Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (Basis) yesterday urged the government to withdraw 10 percent corporate income tax on software businesses from the fiscal year 2006 to FY 2008.   Up money whitening levy to 10pc Jatiya Kar Ainjibi Samiti (JKAS), an association of tax lawyers, yesterday demanded that the government increase tax rate for whitening black money to 10 percent from the proposed 7.5 percent.   BTMA seeks withdrawal of import duty on dyeing chemicals Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) in its budget reaction yesterday demanded exemption of value added tax (VAT) and import duty on dyeing chemicals, saying that tax on chemicals is zero in other   Capital market to benefit from proposed budget The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday appreciated the proposed budget for widening tax gap between listed and non-listed companies and withdrawal of dividend distribution tax.   Dollar strikes nine-month high against euro The dollar rose to its highest level against the euro in nine months Friday after the US trade deficit came in somewhat better than expected. The euro bought 1.2122 dollars at 2100 GMT from 1.   Wintel launches customer rewarding scheme today Customers will be able to earn reward points against commodity and service purchases under a programme, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.   ICC-B workshop on credit risk management International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICC-B) organised a two-day workshop on 'Credit Risk Management' in Dhaka yesterday.   Saudi backs Opec ceiling hike Saudi Arabia's powerful oil minister said on Saturday he supported a 500,000 barrel per day rise in Opec's output ceiling and that current prices above $50 a barrel were "too high" and should be brought   Eastern Bank launches Jiban Dhara Loan Eastern bank Ltd has introduced a new loan scheme, Jiban Dhara Loan, to help people refurbish their lifestyle.   Renata okays 50pc cash, 20pc stock dividends Renata Limited has declared a 50 percent cash dividend and a 20 percent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2004.   Ibn Sina Pharma declares 21pc dividend The Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd has okayed a 21 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year 2004.   Citigroup to pay $2b to settle Enron lawsuit Citigroup Inc, a financial services company, will pay $2 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit over its role in helping Enron Corp.   EU urges textile industry to adapt after China deal The European Union urged parts of its textile industry on Saturday to adapt to growing competition after the bloc won breathing space in a deal with China to limit imports of Chinese textiles.   G8 close to ‘historic’ debt relief deal Group of Eight finance (G8) ministers were Saturday on the brink of sealing an "historic" deal to scrap multilateral debt totalling billions of dollars owed by the world's poorest countries.   Indian textile firms look to gain from China's woes Indian textile makers are raising money and pulling in foreign partners to ramp up production quickly after global quotas elapsed, moves gaining fresh impetus from China's trade dispute with the United Sports Football: Liton treble for 5-star Brothers Rezaul Karim Liton celebrated a place in the Brothers Union starting line-up for the first time in the Premier Bank Premier Football League with a hattrick to help the defending champions thrash Dhaka   Cricket: Signs look ominous for Bangladesh If Friday's first practice match at Derby was any indication of what is coming next Thursday, then Bangladesh is certainly heading for a disaster when they take on England in the opening match of thetriangular   Cricket: Bangla Barlow Eddie Barlow, the first foreign coach to train Bangladesh after getting Test status, has been a keen follower of the Tigers even after quitting coaching for health reasons about five years ago.   Cricket: A national team in disguise A host of current national players crowded the Bangladesh A team for the upcoming tour of England when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad yesterday.   Football: Rivals change battlefield Pakistan and India on Saturday prepared to kick off their first ever football series as sporting ties, frozen until two years ago, continue to expand.   Cricket: Gough's Ashes advice Darren Gough has told his England teammates they must have the same 'arrogance' as Australia if they are to win their first Ashes series in nearly 20 years later this season.   Football: Klinsmann's moment of truth With 12 months to go until the 2006 World Cup football fans have an early taste of what to expect when the Confederations Cup starts in Germany next Wednesday.   Football: Kluivert's Valencia move on hold Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert is confident that he will finally end up joining Valencia even though the move to the Spanish club was put on hold because of doubts over the state of his one of his knees.   Football: Barca won't spend big Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said on Saturday that the Spanish champions were not planning to make any major signings before next season.   Football: Pride at stake for Inter, Roma Roma and Inter Milan will both be looking to restore wounded pride after disappointing Serie A campaigns when they meet in the Italian Cup final.   Football: Germans have little faith A majority of Germans believe their country will not win the World Cup it is hosting next year, according to a survey carried out by the Polis Institute which was released on Friday.   Cricket: Sourav may play for MCC side Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain, has been invited to take part in the tsunami-relief match between the MCC and an International XI at Lord's on Tuesday and has "responded positively".   Cricket: Flintoff ignores bowling jibes England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff insists he is not bothered by questions surrounding his bowling action.   Football: Mohakhali end on top Mohakhali Ekadash blanked Agrani Bank 2-0 yesterday to finish their first leg campaign of the First Division Football League top of the table with Rahmatganj MFS.   Cricket: Mehta had links with bookies worldwide Mumbai-based bookie Shobhan Mehta had direct and indirect links with Indian cricket players like Mohammad Azharuddin, Nayan Mongia and Ajay Jadeja and foreign cricketers like Australian Mark Waugh and   Cricket: Griffith will not seek reelection Teddy Griffith has decided not to seek reelection as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).   Tennis: Sharapova struggles into semis Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova struggled into the semifinals of the WTA event on Friday having to overcome an injury scare as well as unseeded Eleni Daniilidou 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.   Cricket: PCB extends its contracts with all players Pakistan renewed Friday the central contracts of all 17 national players for another year, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman said.   Tennis: Federer reaches Halle Open final World number one Roger Federer eased through to the Halle Open final with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Germany's Tommy Haas on Saturday.   Football: Marseille bid farewell to Weah George Weah, the former FIFA World Player of the Year and candidate in Liberia's presidential election, will hold a farewell match in Marseille on Saturday.   Unilever prize giving ceremony held The annual sports prize giving and chairman's 'Kaizen Award' distribution ceremony of Unilever Bangladesh Limited was held at the auditorium of Engineers Institute here on Friday. Metropolitan 12.90 lakh engaged in worst forms of child labour Today is the World Day Against Child Labour. The country is observing the day for the fourth year when a total of 12.90 lakh children are engaged in hazardous child labour.   PM seeks Japanese help to build Padma bridge Visiting Japanese Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa yesterday called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the PM's office yesterday.   Form transparent body to evaluate pvt varsity President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday urged the University Grants Commission (UGC) to form a transparent body immediately to evaluate academic and financial activities as well as physical facilities of the   'Widened tax net to hit consumers' Different political and social organisations yesterday strongly criticised the proposed budget for 2005-06, terming it ambitious and against the interest of the people.   Work with honesty Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday inaugurated Highway Police unit designed to ensure safety and check crimes on the country's regional and national highways that increased from some 4,000 kilometers   AL leaders blast Saifur Awami League central leaders yesterday said finance minister has kept the provision for whitening black money in the proposed budget to give a scope to corrupt BNP men, including Tarique Rahman and Naser   Provident funds can be invested in savings certificates, bond Provident funds of the recognised institutions can henceforth be invested in savings certificates and bonds.   Mosquitoes force villagers to flee homes About 12,000 villagers in Kuakata have fled their houses to protect themselves from a phenomenal mosquito menace.   Ex-JCD leader seeks security A former leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) yesterday urged the prime minister to ensure the security of him and his family members as a quarter has been giving death threats over the telephone.   Jalil goes to Kolkata for check-up Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil MP left Dhaka yesterday for Kolkata for his regular health check- up. He is expected to return home tomorrow, says a party press release.   Punishment to abductors demanded Today is the ninth year of the abduction of Hill Women's Federation Leader Kalpana Chakma, says a press release of the federation.   'Govt conspires to uproot indigenous people' Goutam Dewan, president of Chittagong Hill Tracts Committee to Protect Rights of Land and Forest, has said that the indigenous people of CHT do not get much importance as the wildlife gets.   Myanmar hails Bangladesh for repatriation of its172 citizens Myanmar has appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all concerned authorities of the ministry of Home Affairs, and the Bangladesh Rifles for the speedy repatriation of 172 Myanmar nationals.   Canada keen to invest in energy sector Energy minister of oil-rich Canadian province Alberta (AB) expressed interest to invest in the energy sector of Bangladesh.   Bashar acting DCC mayor Kazi Abul Bashar, Commissioner of Ward No-74, took charge yesterday as the acting mayor of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) in absence of Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka, MP.   Buet classes to begin July 2 All classes of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) will begin on July 2. The students have been asked to complete their course registration between June 27 and June 29.   Hawker murdered in Rajshahi A newspaper hawker was stabbed to death at Ranibazar area here yesterday morning. The victim was identified as Titon, 22. Police suspect that the murder occurred due to previous enmity.   JU syndicate polls June 18 The election to the syndicate under dean category in Jahangirnagar University (JU) will be held on June 18. Intra-party feud among the pro-AL teachers has come into surface ahead of the election. National Lone warrior longing for a pat on the back Nilphamari holds good prospects of cultivation of world famous flavoured Darjeeling variety tea, opening up a new chapter in the country's tea industry.   A lifebuoy for the distressed "It's a blessing form God", said Mobarak Ali, 50, who came from far away Panpattee village in Galachipa upazila for treatment of rheumatic fever at the floating hospital.   Bidding bye to child labour Different organisations have chalked out programmes in Daulatpur in Kushtia to observe the 'World Day Against Child Labour-2005' today.   29 kg katal with 6.5 kg eggs A fisherman caught a giant Katal fish weighing 29 kilograms with six and a half kg eggs inside from the Shankha river in Bandarban yesterday.   A laudable step for good governance It was a different day for the people of villages under Jalalpur Union Parishad in Tala upazila. Hundreds of enthusiastic people from all walks of life took part in a day- long budget session yesterday.   Naraji petition against charge sheet accepted A magistrate court here has accepted a 'naraji' petition against the charge sheet in AlAmin murder case and ordered police for reinvestigation.   RU teacher faces death threat The chairman of Rajshahi University (RU) Chemistry department on Friday received death threat from some telephone callers who identified themselves as his daughter's kidnappers.   Token hunger strike by hospital staff About 40 staff of Dinajpur Medical College Hospital (DMCH) observed a token hunger strike in front of the civil surgeon's office here yesterday. Point-Counterpoint Let's increase exports to Australia Australia was the the first developed country (and fourth in the world) to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country.   Ending child labour Child labour is a most pressing problem for millions of children and families in Bangladesh and one which demands the immediate attention of the Prime Minister and national policy makers. Culture Small is beautiful Miniature paintings have been a recognised art form for 500 years. Not only is it reduced to a small frame, but it's carefully handled and the workmanship is flawless.   Drishyapat presents Socrates-er Jobanbondi A common dilemma of modern society is whether one should concur with the abuse of democracy or protest against any aberration.   Close up 1: Tomakey Khujchhey Bangladesh The most hyped contemporary talent hunt of the country, Close up 1 Tomakey Khunjchhey Bangladesh has kicked off at Rangpur on June 11. International Kashmir dispute must end for 'durable' peace Pakistan and India will experience "durable peace" only if the two nations resolve their 57-year-old dispute over the Himalayan state of Kashmir, Pakistan's foreign minister said here Friday.   Advani's meek surrender The dramatic I-won't-take-it-lying-down resignation and the later meek surrender to Hindu hardliners marks the end of an era for the L.K. Advani as he is known for two decades.   6 troops, 2 civilians die in Nepali rebel ambush At least six soldiers and two civilians were killed when a passenger bus hit a landmine planted by Maoist rebels in eastern Nepal, the army said yesterday.   US soldier, 7 rebels die in Afghan clash Insurgents in Afghanistan ambushed a patrol on Friday and one US soldier and seven of the attackers were killed, the US military said.   G4 confident about UNSC berth Germany, India, Brazil and Japan have enough votes to land permanent seats on the UN Security Council, but they will still seek more support before pushing for a vote, ambassadors for two of the so-called   Israel, Palestinians start coordination for pullout Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was heading back to his Ramallah headquarters yesterday after talks with militant factions in Gaza City over the increasingly fragile truce, as Israel and the Palestinians   Talks on with Pakistan to open Kargil-Skardu road: Manmohan Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that talks were going on with Pakistan for opening of roadline between Kargil and Skardu in Pakistan controlled northern areas.   Lankan monk MP ends fast after talks A Buddhist monk legislator called off fast unto death yesterday, a day after Sri Lanka's president promised to consult the clergy amid growing opposition to her plan to share tsunami aid with Tiger rebels.   Europe's oldest civilisation unearthed Europe's oldest civilisation has been discovered by archaeologists across the continent, The Independent newspaper said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Whitening black money It is to his credit that Finance Minister Saifur Rahman has admitted that extending the provision for whitening black money that has been retained in the budget proposal was morally problematic, and that   Editorial: Too hazardous to eat Indiscriminate use of chemicals in foodstuffs poses a grave threat to public health as people are virtually ingesting poison under the labels of fruits, vegetables and many other edibles.   Bangladesh politics at cross roads It is getting increasingly difficult to describe accurately the depth of degeneration Bangladesh society is fast sinking into.   The modern slave trade The extent of human trafficking and its consequences are readily to be seen in Bangladesh, where the problem is so serious that at least 24 national and international NGOs are currently working on the Letters to Editor Buffeted budget Unholy speculations were rife in the metropolis on the budget announced by the finance minister.   We abhor "Pickets delight, driver's plight" the news item published in The Daily Star on May 22, 2005 under the above heading made us numb with horror and disgust.   Black Gold This is no more secret that vast deposits of minerals Ziroon, Rutile, Magnetite, Monazite, Garnet and Elmenite etc.   Time to take stern action The US state department again criticised Bangladesh for it's inability to combat the operation of some militant groups and specially named "Harkat-UI-Zihad-I-Islami-Bangladesh," that is running its operation   Who is responsible? One fine morning while driving my car I noticed that yellow coloured 'cat's eyes' had been placed on the roads and traffic signal points in Dhaka city. Star City BRTA drives to close driving schools sans fields, fit vehicles The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has decided to close driving schools which do not have open space to teach driving and whose vehicles lack fitness.   Water crisis hits Dhanmondi, Sobhanbagh Residents of Sobhanbagh and Dhanmondi areas are facing acute water crisis due to over-population while people in Lalmatia are also experiencing water scarcity as a pump there has gone out of order.   Students demand ban on movement of motorised vehicles on DU campus The question of making the Dhaka University campus off-limits to heavy vehicles has again come under the spotlight after a female student of psychology department died in a road accident at Shahbagh last   Theatre groups long for venues For some 200 active theatre groups in the capital, there are only two theatre halls the Mahila Samity Stage and the Experimental Theatre Stage where regular performances are held.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. 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