Vol. 5 Num 831 Wed. September 27, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Star Chittagong Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page AL softens talks stance The much-talked about secretaries-general level dialogue between the ruling BNP and the opposition over electoral reforms now appears to be a possibility following Awami League's (AL) softer posture on   KEPZ gets licence after 5 years of wait After five years of delay, the government yesterday finally decided to award operating licence to the country's biggest private export zone -- Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) -- highly placed sources   Bullet-wounded Prof Aftab dies Former vice-chancellor of the National University (NU) Prof Aftab Ahmed succumbed to his injuries in the city's Combined Military Hospital (CMH) yesterday morning after struggling for life since assailants   Execution possible in last 72 hours of govt The five Islamist militants can be executed in the last 72 hours before the present government hands over power to the caretaker government on October 28, prisons officials said despite the law minister's   Ex-CECs debate over fair polls Former chief election commissioner (CEC) Mohammad Abu Hena yesterday stressed the need for neutrality of the Election Commission (EC) and appointment of the "right person in the right place" for fairpolls.   Rain wreaks havoc on vegetable fields Five days of torrential rain coupled with tidal surges inundated 30 percent of vegetable fields ruining their crops completely in 16 districts, among which the coastal ones saw the most severe damage.   Workers reject new labour bill, threaten tough movement Terming the Labour Bill 2006 as unacceptable and most unfriendly to the workers, labour leaders rejected the bill saying that its implementation will stand against the workers rights movement.   JS session to stretch 4 more days The Business Advisory Committee yesterday at a meeting decided to extend the current parliament session for four more working days up to October 4 to pass a few bills.   Heated debate in JS as minister's personal secy made DC An unscheduled debate was held in parliament yesterday over the appointment of a minister's personal secretary as district commissioner (DC), price hike of essentials and the killing of prof Aftab Ahmad.   Durga Puja starts tomorrow Preparations at the puja mandaps across the country have completed as the five-day long Durga Puja, the greatest religious festival of the Hindus, begins tomorrow.   DU teachers live in fear After Saturday's fatal attack on Prof Aftab Ahmed, hundreds of teachers of Dhaka University (DU) have been feeling that their lives are under threat.   Jubok to offload shares in Rtv Jubo Karmasangsthan Society (Jubok) is going to offload its shares in the National Television Limited, which runs private satellite television channel Rtv.   Many parts of capital in darkness A 210MW unit at Ghorashal Power Station tripped yesterday, leaving many areas in the capital without power even during Iftar.   Fair price shop...   Mobile court seizes 750kg of rotten dates A mobile court yesterday dumped nearly 750 kg of rotten dates in the river seized from the Badamtali wholesale fruits market, while hundreds of sacks filled with the date-expired fruits could not be destroyed   Outlaw killed in 'shootout' A regional leader of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) Janajuddha faction was killed in 'crossfire' yesterday during an encounter between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and his accomplices at Shubharara   Sayedabad residents turn violent for power Swamibagh residents of the capital vandalised several vehicles in Sayedabad area last night demanding uninterrupted power supply.   Dhaka seeks increased aid for LDCs Bangladesh has urged the international community to enhance development assistance for the least developed countries (LDCs) to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).   Standing bodies to be formed within third session of JS Parliament yesterday passed some amendments to its rules of procedure meaning that the standing committees should be formed within the third session of each new parliament.   6 more bodies of storm victims found Six more unidentified bodies were recovered from canals and rivers alongside the Sundarbans yesterday, raising the death toll in the Bay tragedy to 103.   Abe takes office as youngest Japan PM Outspoken conservative Shinzo Abe took office yesterday as Japan's youngest prime minister, pledging to repair strained ties with China and advance the alliance with the United States.   Thai junta to retain grip on power Thailand's ruling junta will remain in place after a civilian prime minister takes office to keep a tight check on the new government, the general who led last week's coup told the news agency yesterday.   Afghan suicide blast kills 18 A suicide bomber killed 18 people outside the governor's office in a southern Afghan town yesterday while an Italian soldier died in a blast near Kabul, officials said.   EU okays Bulgaria, Romania as members The European Commission has announced that Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the EU in January 2007, but under strict conditions. Business Janata Bank fares badly in bad loan recovery Janata Bank (JB) has fared badly in recovery and reduction of bad loans during the first half of the calendar year, though its performance in achieving other criteria set in a MoU with the central bank   More Norwegian investment sought President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday suggested that Norwegian businessmen could invest more in Bangladesh availing of the incentives offered to the foreign investors.   India asks domestic industry to identify NTBs In the run up to firming up its stand on a proposed free trade pact with Bimstec countries, including Bangladesh, the Indian government has begun consultations with the domestic industry to identify non-tariff   DSE indices fall Share prices at Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) marked a fall yesterday on Ramadan and liquidity crisis. “It's quite normal. It happened because of Ramadan and cash withdrawal by the central Bank.   S'pore most competitive economy in Asia Singapore is the most competitive economy in Asia and fifth globally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said in its 2006 ranking of competitive economies released Tuesday.   Gold rises 1.3pc on higher oil, awaits US data Gold advanced more than one percent on Tuesday tracking higher crude oil prices, but traders remained cautious in chasing prices higher ahead of the release of key U.S. data.   RanksTel, Bay Phones sign agreement on interconnectivity Bangladesh's leading PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) operator Ranks Telecom Limited yesterday signed an interconnectivity agreement with zonal PSTN operator Westec Limited, which operators under   Only 8 out of 56 Biman routes make profit in FY06 Forty-eight of the 56 international and domestic routes operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines failed to make any profit in the last fiscal year (2005-06), rather incurred a huge loss of over Tk 506 crore,   AB Bank wants to sell its stakes in Lafarge Surma Cement Arab Bangladesh (AB) Bank Ltd, one of the corporate directors of Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd, has announced to sell its entire holding stakes in the cement company.   S'pore's minister mentor special adviser to Citigroup Citigroup recently announced that Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has agreed to be its special adviser, says a press release.   Indonesia to sell 10 SoEs next year The Indonesian government is planning to float shares of 10 state-owned companies next year, the state enterprise ministry secretary said, according to a report Tuesday.   CEOs of two US-based firms in Dhaka The chief executives of US-based BroadSoft Inc and UTC Associates Inc are in Dhaka to roll out BroadSoft's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software applications in Bangladesh, says a press release.   Switzerland beats US Switzerland has pushed the United States out of top place in the World Economic Forum's annual ranking of competitive economies, a list published on Tuesday showed.   Keppel wins billion-dollar contract in Qatar A unit of Singapore's Keppel Corp. has won a one-billion US dollar contract to build a waste management facility in the Gulf emirate of Qatar, the company said.   Apex Tannery declares 15pc dividend Apex Tannery Limited has declared a 15 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year ending June 30, 2006.   France's Lafarge to build cement plant in India France's Lafarge is one of two firms to win approval to invest 170 million dollars each to build new cement plants in India's Himachal Pradesh state where demand is expected to soar as new dam projects   ROK strikes $100m deals with Japan South Korea's trade promotion agency said Tuesday a presentation in Tokyo aimed at drumming up investment resulted in four deals worth 100 million dollars. Sports Cricket: Record development expenditure When the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) next Tuesday endorsement of the financial matters will be the major issue for discussion.   PM opens NSC Tower Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said the diplomatic importance of sports is enormous in the present-day world and the government has taken various development steps keeping that in mind.   Football: BFF looks to Sylhet Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will look to Sylhet to host the 2007 Asian Cup qualifier between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan after the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) disapproval of the Army Stadium.   Hockey: Bachelors shock leaders Wari Title aspirants Wari Club conceded a 1-4 defeat to Bachelors Sporting Club in the opening super-four match of the Green Delta Insurance Metropolis First Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhasani National   Chess: Zia still on top Grand Master Ziaur Rahman maintained solo lead in section A of the second University of Greenwich FIDE Rating Chess tournament at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room yesterday.   Cricket: Zahoor to play for Acme Acme Laboratories confirmed the services of dashing Pakistani batsman Zahoor Elahi for the upcoming Corporate Cricket League (CCL), according to team officials.   Football: Abahani beat Brothers SC Abahani Krira Chakra had striker Manas to thank as his strike was enough to get them past Brothers Sporting Club 1-0 in the Boost First Division Football League at the Rajbari Stadium in Rangamati yesterday.   Cricket: India want Hair-less meet Hosts India have asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to consider controversial umpire Darrell Hair for next month's Champions Trophy, a senior official said on Tuesday.   Cricket: WI need money, loyalty West Indies cricket has been in decline for a decade and even head coach Bennett King, the first foreigner entrusted with leading the side, doesn't know what the future holds.   Cricket: Inzy returns to The Oval Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq will face ball-tampering and disrepute charges at The Oval, the ground where the controversy first arose, today.   Tennis: Smooth start for Ancic World number 11 Mario Ancic of Croatia opened his campaign in the inaugural ATP Mumbai Open with a fluent win over Igor Kunitsyn of Russia here on Monday.   Cricket: Don't panic: More India's outgoing chief selector Kiran More says there is no need to panic ahead of next month's Champions Trophy, despite the team coming in for severe criticism after a poor showing at a tri-series in   Cricket: Ball change was disagreed Pakistan's defence against the charges of ball tampering and subsequent forfeiture of The Oval Test against England will rely heavily on the initial disagreement between Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove,   Cricket: Warne keen on revenge Shane Warne believes that Australia's defeat in England last year has proved the ideal catalyst for coach John Buchanan's ageing side ahead of the latest edition of the Ashes.   Cricket: 'Captain Shane a big miss' Shane Warne could have been one of Australia's great captains if he had been given the chance to lead the Test side, according to former skipper Ian Chappell.   Football: Mixed goals for big boys Barcelona will look to continue their impressive start to their defence of their Champions League title when they face German club Werder Bremen on Wednesday.   Football: Inter, Bayern in marquee clash Hernan Crespo's rich vein of form is almost certain to see him pip Adriano for a place in Inter Milan's starting line-up for Wednesday's crunch Champions League tie here against Bayern Munich.   Football: 'Stop Totti to win' Stifling AS Roma striker Fran-cesco Totti is crucial to Valen-cia's chances of success in their Champions League match on Wednesday, the Spanish team's defender Roberto Ayala said.   Football: Benitez defends rotation Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez defended his rotation policy on Tuesday after failing to name the same team for 93 games in succession.   Football: Nistelrooy slams Basten Out of favour Dutch international striker Ruud van Nistelrooy criticised national coach Marco van Basten on Tuesday for selecting the squad not solely on sporting criteria.   Cricket: Pawar set to remain president Incumbent Sharad Pawar is virtually assured of being elected unopposed as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), even as the opposition group led by Jagmohan Dalmiya continuedto   Athletics: Lankan sprinter denies doping charge A Sri Lankan woman sprinter denied Monday taking performance enhancing drugs during the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo last month, investigators said.   Football: Dario Silva's leg amputated Uruguay international striker Dario Silva, who played last season with English Premiership club Portsmouth, has had his right leg amputated after being seriously hurt in a car crash here.   Football: Palermo responds to mafia jibes Palermo are hoping to change the stereotypical view that Sicily is the home of the mafia by distributing anti-corruption t-shirts to West Ham fans before Thursday's UEFA Cup first round, second leg.   Football: Mourinho stands by Shevchenko Misfiring record signing Andriy Shevchenko will remain in Chelsea's first team whatever happens said their manager Jose Mourinho on Tuesday.   Football: Tipsy Pizarro pays price Bayern Munich's Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro lost his driving licence for a second time this year on Tuesday after being over the limit in a drink driving test.   Football: I am as good as ever: Raul Under pressure Real Madrid striker Raul protested on Monday that he was as effective as he had been 10 years ago.   Football: Points will do for Chelsea Chelsea are in Bulgaria on Wednesday to take on local champions Levski Sofia in the latest stage of a journey they hope will lead them to a first ever Champions League trophy.   Football: Nolan ends Pompey run Kevin Nolan's first half winner gave Sam Allardyce the perfect response following the BBC's recent accusations that he accepted irregular payments for transfers, as Bolton edged out Portsmouth 1-0 here   Football: PSG banish Dhorasoo Paris St Germain said on Tuesday they had suspended international mid-fielder Vikash Dhorasoo after the player publicly challenged coach Guy Lacombe.   Football: Life sweeter for Big Sam Sam Allardyce admitted Bolton's narrow 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park here on Monday was one of the sweetest of his managerial career.   Football: VDV set for return Injury-plagued Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is set to give a much-needed boost to his struggling Bundesliga side Hamburg by rejoining them in mid-October he revealed on Tuesday.   Football: 'Focus the key to glory' Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United, who face Benfica on Tuesday in a Champions League Group F match, can achieve European glory this season if they remain focused.   Football: Podolski reveals Bayern nightmare German international forward Lukas Podolski admits things are not going as planned with German champions Bayern Munich after being dropped for Saturday's 2-1 win over Alemannia Aachen.   Football: Ruud becomes father Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to the Real Madrid squad to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday, after becoming a father.   Football: Ban on Mexes's agent upheld FIFA on Monday upheld the six-month ban dished out to football agent Olivier Jouanneaux for his part in AS Roma defender Philippe Mexes' controversial transfer from Auxerre.   Football: Sven planning management return Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has no plans to retire from soccer and will work in any country if the job is right, Thai papers said on Tuesday.   Football: Three-game ban for Mahdavikia SV Hamburg's Iranian international Mehdi Mahdavikia has been handed a three-match ban for violent conduct, the German Football Federation (DFB) disciplinary panel said Monday.   Football: North Korean females awarded North Korean leader Kim Jong-il lavished luxury cars and apartments on female footballers who won the recent under-20 world championship, according to the country's media.   Football: Bond first bung casualty Newcastle assistant manager Kevin Bond became the first casualty from last week's BBC documentary alleging corruption in English football when he was sacked on Tuesday.   Football: Arsenal duo in doubt Knee-victim Freddie Ljungberg and Johan Djourou, who has a foot problem, are slight doubts for Arsenal in Tuesday night's home Champions League match against Porto. Metropolitan Allow militants to speak with media to disclose godfathers' names Speakers at a press conference yesterday called on the government to allow seven condemned militants of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to speak with the media before their executions so that they   Hearing on petition for case withdrawal Oct 3 A Dhaka court will hear on October 3 a government petition for withdrawal of Abdus Salam murder case against a listed criminal and six others.   Govt college teachers' strike from tomorrow Teachers of the government colleges under the banner of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) General Education Association will go for an indefinite work abstention at all government colleges, Teachers Training   Govt distorts history for fear of losing power Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday said the alliance government is politicising every sphere of administration.   'No more new brick fields with traditional method' The government has decided not to permit any new brick field using traditional method to encourage production of environment-friendly compressed block bricks, Minister for Environment and Forest Tariqul   Maritime Commerce Protocol Shipping ministry high officials of Bangladesh and India will sit in New Delhi today to discuss porn's and corn's about renewing maritime commerce protocol between the two neighbouring countries.   World Tourism Day today World Tourism Day will be observed today in the country, as elsewhere in the world, with a call for attracting more foreign tourists and creating more jobs in the tourism sector.   3 Ctg traders fined A mobile court here yesterday fined Tk 2.75 lakh to three businessmen at Khatunganj and Asadganj for stockpiling date-expired food items at their godowns and cold storage.   '74 Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed so far' Some 74 members of the country's armed forces, including 21 officers, were killed so far in different countries while working as United Nations peacekeepers, parliament was informed yesterday.   Golden Rice in 3 yrs: MK Anwar Agriculture Minister MK Anwar yesterday said the Golden Rice, a genetically modified crop enriched by Vitamin-A, is expected to be released in the country within the next two or three years.   PM takes iftar with civil, military officials On the second day of holy Ramadan, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia took iftar with government civil and military officials yesterday.   'Cancel strategy paper on higher education' Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (SCF) of Rajshahi University (RU) unit yesterday formed a human chain and held a rally in front of the Central Library premises demanding cancellation of 20-year strategy paper   Moyezuddin's anniversary of death today Today is the 22nd death anniversary of Shaheed Moyezuddin, an organiser of the Liberation War and close associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   Khaleda congratulates Shinzo Abe Prime Minister Khaleda Zia congratulated her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his election as prime minister.   1,148 more held Police arrested 1,148 people from across the country on various charges in the last 24 hours ending at 6:00am yesterday.   Shraddha of Nitun Kundu today Shraddha of Nitun Kundu, a noted artist, freedom fighter and entrepreneur, will be held at 9:00am at Dhakeshwari Temple in the city today, says a press release.   Fazlul Haque new provost of RU hall Professor Muhammad Fazlul Haque, a teacher of Islamic History and Culture Department, was made provost of Rajshahi University Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall yesterday. National Fresh protests against Kendua BNP body BNP leaders and activists brought out a big procession and held a rally at Kendua upazila town yesterday demanding dissolution of upazila BNP committee, formed on June 27 at a council, boycotted by afaction.   Infighting shatters AL hopes in Satkhira-3 Feud over nomination has shattered Awami League's prospect for regaining the Jatiya Sangsad seat in Satkhira-3, known as a stronghold of the party.   Mudslinging by AL contenders in Tangail-2 Intra-party rift in Awami League in Tangail-2 constituency deepened further as the two main contenders for nomination have started mudslinging against each other.   Rejoinder and our reply Two Awami League leaders of Gopalpur upazila in Tangail have contradicted a report published on the National page of the Daily Star on September 6 under the headline 'Infighting threatens AL hopes inTangail-2' Point-Counterpoint Tourism enriches September 27 is observed as World Tourism Day. "Tourism enriches" has been selected as the theme of the WTD 2006 by the World Tourism Organization (WTO).   But does it enrich Bangladesh? This year the theme of the World Tourism Day is "Tourism Enriches." Tourism enriches with the economy and the culture of a country. It brings openness and friendliness among the peoples of the world.   Not asking for the moon Reform is a continuous process, nothing is perfect in this world. As such, the scope for reform to improve always remains.   The holy month of Ramadan Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, occupies a unique place in the annals of history. It was in this glorious month that Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was blessed with the divine Sahifa. Culture Blending dance and architecture Ayoung dance talent to watch out for is Arno Kamolika who specialises in Bharatnatyam.   Cultural programme highlighting women's empowerment Action Aid Bangladesh, with the help of a local NGO -- Sodesh, recently held a cultural programme to generate awareness among rural women to promote entrepreneurship.   Noorjehan: The melody queen Lahore, sometime in the 1930s: The followers of a local Peer (religious leader) had arranged a special evening of devotional music.   Audrey Hepburn: The new face of 'Gap' You just can't keep a good woman down. General Stop punishment to children at schools for proper mental growth Parents' superstitions and lack of awareness, teachers' poor financial condition and unscientific curricula are primarily responsible for physical and mental punishment of children in educational institutions,   Teenage housewife succumbs to burns A teenage housewife succumbed to her burn injuries yesterday after fighting for life for 12 days at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). The victim was identified as Helena Aktar, 15.   Body to probe fire incident at Meghna pump house A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the Monday's fire incident at the pump house of Meghna Petroleum Limited -- one of the three marketing companies of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation   Punishment of killers demanded A group of Jamaat-aligned teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday blamed Awami League and its left allies for the killing of Prof Aftab Ahmed of Dhaka University.   5,000 bottles of phensidyl seized Police unearthed a spurious syrup factory and seized 5,000 bottles of phensidyl from Porahati Bazar on Monday night.   Workshop on PR ends A two-day training workshop on public relations ended recently where 25 officers from different public and private organisations attended, says a press release.   Death condoled Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University (RU) Prof Altaf Hossain and Pro-VC Prof Mamnunul Keramat in separate statement yesterday expressed deep shock at the death of Prof Aftab.   Dr Kamrul IPPNW South Asia region vice-president Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan of Bangladesh has been elected as a vice-president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) South Asia region. International Musharraf memoirs set for 'hot sale' in India Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's memoirs appear set to become a best-seller in rival India, where opinion-makers have charged that the book, "In the Line of Fire", in part rewrites history.   Nepal PM, Maoist chief to hold talks Nepal's premier and the leader of the Maoist rebels will meet this week for what both sides hope will be breakthrough peace talks paving the way for the guerrillas to join an interim government, officials   5 cops sentenced for conspiracy An Indian court on Tuesday convicted five suspended police officers of conspiring to help to bring explosives into Mumbai that were used in India's worst ever terrorist attack 13 years ago.   Saddam ousted for third time amid court room revolt Saddam Hussein was thrown out of court for the third time in as many hearings of his genocide trial yesterday, prompting a revolt among the defendants after which the case continued without them.   Abe 'committed to tearing up legacies of defeat' Mild in his manners but passionate in his ideas, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is the first Japanese leader born after World War II and is committed to tearing up the legacies of defeat.   Assam fears fresh violence as Delhi ends ceasefire Hopes for an end to nearly three decades of bloody insurgency in India's remote northeast have dimmed after New Delhi at the weekend called off a ceasefire and resumed army operations against a dominant   S Arabia denies contacts with Israel Saudi Arabia Tuesday rejected as "fabricated" reported contacts between Saudi and Israeli officials, including a purported meeting between Israel's Premier Ehud Olmert and King Abdullah. Editorial Editorial: The new labour law It was a most awkward way, to say the least, in which the labour bill was passed in the parliament.   Editorial: Power crisis to end by 2020! The other day none other than our State Minster for energy stated on the floor of the parliament, "Hopefully, there will be no crisis in the power sector after the year 2020".   When the Ramadan moon goes missing . . . Political incorrectness is beginning to come into matters of faith. Parliament, for all its characteristic ineffectiveness, goes into an unmistakable roll over the issue of the Ramadan moon.   Election, corruption, and coup in Thailand The bloodless coup, on Tuesday, September 19, led by 59-year old General Sonthi Boonyaratglin (the first Muslim chief of armed forces in the country), has ended the country's fragile democracy.   On opposition unity Pursuit of a comprehensive unity on needed reforms has to be given up for now. Let's be content with one-point unity. Let every party or group stick to its ideals. Letters to Editor Coal mining debate A very interesting debate has started among your readers regarding coal mining methods and Phulbari AEC contract.   POWER CRISIS The entire electricity generation, transmission and distribution system is highly inefficient and ridden with corruption.   Darfur massacres The whole world is watching the incidents in Darfur, Sudan, and no one seems to have any headache about the issue. It seems we really do not care whether these innocent people live or die.   Unbearable load-shedding Nowadays, it's common that electricity goes 8 or 10 times in a day. It's not a problem of a particular area. It's a problem of whole Bangladesh.   Iraq's hijacked future Prof. Mansoor Moaddel, professor of sociology at Eastern Michigan University and an Iraqi-American, recently wrote: "While neither American nor Iraqi security officials have yet found a way to tame the militias, the Iraqi public is increasingly drawn toward a vision of a democratic, non-sectarian government for the country."   Pearl Harbour and 9/11 The 9/11 attacks and air raids on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese in 1941 have many things in common.   Helping good guys At the end of his article, Mr. Asif Salehi says that the educated middle class needs to help the good guys and he seems to be very vehement about this. My question to Mr.   Month of Ramadan It has become a common phenomenon in our country that with the arrival of the Ramadan, the prices of the essentials soar up alarmingly.   Distorting history Some people create history, others write it. But those who try to distort it are thrown down its gutters. This is the cruel lesson of history.   Air India passengers' plight I have recently come across a letter on the above subject written by Mr. Aly Zaker published in your daily.   Attack on Saber Chowdhury The lion and the tiger kill the prey in one stroke, but a pack of hyenas kill by merciless biting that takes hours for the prey to die.   Rush for admission forms Every year we face lot of difficulties in collecting admission forms from different educational institutions. Last year, I went to Udayan School at around 8:00am to collect admission form for my son.   Reducing traffic congestion To reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka, we need both sound planning and good performance at the implementation level.   Chief of next caretaker government Some former advisers commented on the above subject. The irony of fate is, if we ask the same question to senior members of the coalition, the answer would be just opposite, we apprehend.   Whither democracy? You could hardly find any political dictionary or encyclopaedia to define our political parochialism.   The price of power We are observing a very sorry state of affairs in the energy and power sector. Star Chittagong 6 lakh tons of fertiliser smuggled out of country thru' Ctg a year Around six lakh tons of fertilisers are being smuggled out of the country through Chittagong every year, sources said.   Potential remains untapped With its panoramic landscape and varied culture, Khagrachhari could become a hub of tourists. Star City Repression on maids continues despite increased awareness The death of a domestic help and the other critically injured, when their employer allegedly pushed them off the roof of a six storey building in Dhanmondi reveals that repression against this class of   Influential developers trying to use it commercially Dhaka City Corporation's (DCC) stand remains dubious in developing a green park at the site of Gulshan South Park while influential developers are greedily making attempts to use the land commercially.   DCC losing money from bus terminals Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is losing Tk 2 crore revenue every year by handing over three major bus terminals in the city to private operators under donors' pressure. DCC had earned Tk 9.   Dhaka: Home away from home Greg Morgan, Executive Chef, Dhaka Sheraton, who has been living in Dhaka for the last nine months, has shared his feelings about the city.   We shall overcome some day Nupur returned from Geneva in September, having represented Bangladesh at a general session of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.