Vol. 5 Num 839 Thu. October 05, 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 Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Talks finally start today Amid heightened hope in the public mind, the much awaited dialogue between ruling BNP and opposition Awami League (AL) kicks off today in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to break the ongoing political impasse over   PM hopes reasonable solution to impasse Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said she hoped that good sense will prevail and the main opposition will agree to a reasonable solution to the impasse over electoral reforms through dialogue, not   Hasina urges Khaleda to accept reform proposals Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the prime minister to immediately implement the electoral reform proposals after reaching a consensus through a dialogue with the opposition   Final day's sitting sees healthy debate The current parliament sat on the last workday yesterday before curtain is brought down on it after 23 days amid debates between the ruling and main opposition parties over the effectiveness of the House   Order given to arrest local operators of terrors hiding abroad The home ministry has directed the intelligence agencies to arrest the local operators of the top terrors hiding abroad, as the authorities have information that they were planning to kill personalities   Road blocked, power office attacked again Agitation for power continued yesterday all over the country including in Dhaka and Teknaf.   Tk 1,700 final pay package to be announced today The Minimum Wage Board will announce today a final and single pay package for the workers in the readymade garment (RMG) sector recommending around Tk 1,700 as the minimum wage for the entry-level workers.   Karwan Bazar kitchen market to be relocated The government is going to shift the wholesalers and retailers from the city's Karwan Bazar kitchen market to four other places in the capital with a view to introduce an improved market monitoring system   Jute mill workers block Dhaka-Ctg highway for 4hrs Thousands of people travelling to the port city and the capital faced immense sufferings yesterday as the agitating jute mill workers in Chittagong blockaded the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at differentpoints   Federation to file case against cops National Shooting Federation (NSF) yesterday decided to file a case against the policemen who assaulted national shooters and NSF employees at its complex in Gulshan on Monday.   Sanitation coverage goes up to 84pc in 3 years Bangladesh made a spectacular progress in sanitation coverage from 33 per cent in 2003 to 84 per cent in 2006, a Unicef report revealed yesterday.   Fitra fixed at Tk 37 This year's fitra has been fixed at Tk 37 per head for Dhaka and its adjoining areas. For other parts of the country, the fitra has been fixed at the local market price of 1.650kg of flour or wheat.   Abbas mulls dissolving Hamas-led government Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday he might opt to dissolve the Hamas-led government and that unity talks with the Islamist group had broken down.   Baghdad car bomb kills 14, wounds 75 At least 14 people were killed and 75 wounded in a car bomb attack in central Baghdad yesterday which targeted the convoy of Industry Minister Fawzi al-Hariri, Interior Ministry sources said.   DNA works earn US scientist Nobel prize in Chemistry Roger Kornberg of the United States won the Nobel Chemistry Prize yesterday for work on a key process of life called genetic transcription, building on Nobel prizewinning discoveries by his own father.   Main accused meet mates on court building rooftop Principal accused in 10-truckload of arms haul case Hafizur Rahman held meetings with his associates on the rooftop of Chittagong court building on Tuesday. Business Govt set to undertake uplift projects to woo support Availing of the aid for trade package the World Trade Organisation has offered to the globalisation-hit least developed countries (LDCs), Bangladesh government is now set to take up a number of uplift   Uncertainty looms over fixing date, sensitive lists Fate of the Bimstec trade experts' talks has experienced a jolt as the member countries are yet to fix a suitable schedule for holding its 12th meeting, which was due in September in Myanmar, aiming to   Retail revolution in India set to hot up Retail revolution in India is getting bigger and attracting top Indian corporate houses into the retail business.   Thai coup poses little economic threat to region: ADB The coup in Thailand poses little threat to the Southeast Asian economies although Thai growth is set to slow after large public works projects were shelved, the Asian Development Bank's chief economist,   Vietnam's power sector lures foreign investors Shares of companies in the electricity sector are attracting foreign investors' interest on all types of shares traded on the Ha Noi bourse, according to the Ha Noi Securities Trading Centre.   Quiet diplomacy to revive WTO: US US trade supremo Susan Schwab expressed confidence Tuesday that a series of quiet contacts with WTO counterparts would revive a stalled drive to free up global commerce.   EU anti-dumping measures against China, Vietnam The European Union on Wednesday adopted, by the narrowest of majorities, new anti-dumping measures to tackle imports of leather shoes from China and Vietnam, a diplomatic source said.   Japanese to set up agro-based industry in Ishwardi A Japanese company will establish an agro-based industry in Ishwardi Export Processing Zone with an investment of US$ 500,000.   Oil prices slump under $59 World oil prices sank under 59 dollars Tuesday, hitting their lowest points since mid-February as traders looked forward to healthy US inventories and lessened tensions over Iran.   Hanoi rubber export surges Vietnam, the world's fourth biggest natural rubber exporter, shipped abroad 493,000 tons of rubber worth 946 million US dollars in the first nine months of this year, posting respective year-on-year surges   EU seeks new free trade areas European trade chief Peter Mandelson on Wednesday presented a more liberal trade strategy for the bloc, seeking new free trade agreement (FTA) partners in areas that will benefit European exporters.   HSBC named Asia-Pacific best bank in cash management HSBC retained the title of the 'Best Cash Management Bank in Asia-Pacific' for the fourth year in a row, according to a recent poll of Euromoney, one of the leading journals of the world's capital and   New president of ICSMB Mohammad Asad Ullah has been elected president of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Managers of Bangladesh (ICSMB) for the term 2006-07.   African business climate changing fast: WB Africa has the world's worst business environment but is reforming rapidly to scrap bottlenecks, red tape and antiquated laws, a World Bank report said Wednesday. Sports Shooting in disarray The National Shooting Federation (NFS) has decided to file a case against the policemen who were involved in assaulting national shooters and NFS employees on Monday at the National Shooting Complex in   Cricket: Perfect practice All the worries of inadequate preparation of the Tigers is now put to rest as they made a solid start to their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with a seven-wicket win over Punjab Cricket Association (PCA)   Cricket: WI look on bright side When the West Indies won the 2004 Champions Trophy in the gloom of a London autumn, skipper Brian Lara hoped it would be the dawn of a new era for the fallen kings of one-day cricket.   Cricket: About time Kiwis flew New Zealand has to overcome a long layoff and hope its injury prone stars stay fit if they want to repeat their 2000 victory in the Champions Trophy.   Cricket: Aussies' point to prove Australia have won three World Cups but have come up short in the Champions Trophy, a failure that skipper Ricky Ponting wants his team to redress in this month's fifth edition in India.   Cricket: Epyllion to sponsor Tigers Epyllion Group will sponsor the national cricket team for the ICC Champions Trophy in India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially announced yesterday.   Cricket: Bashar slightly happy Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said that he wants the same responsible batting from his top-order batsmen when the main event begins.   Cricket: A lazy Nafees Vice-captain Shahriar Nafees is going to be heavily punished by the team management for being late in reaching the ground.   Cricket: Shiv Sena cautions Pakistan A right-wing Hindu group has threatened to prevent Pakistan from playing in India in the Champions Trophy tournament scheduled to start this week, officials said on Wednesday.   Hockey: MSC-Abahani final today Abahani will face the challenge of archrivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in the last attempt in defence of their Shah Sports Club Hockey Tournament title today.   Cricket: Bravery put to test South Africa go to the Champions Trophy in India as the world's second-ranked one-day international team, determined to play the "brave cricket" pledged by coach Mickey Arthur.   Hockey: Dutch cruise into semis The Netherlands maintained their unbeaten record in its pool games after eeking out a 0-0 draw with Germany in the women's field hockey World Cup here on Wednesday.   Tennis: Federer fights to win World number one Roger Federer found himself in a unexpected dogfight against qualifier Viktor Troicki before coming out on top in two tie-breaks to keep his Japan Open hopes alive Wednesday.   Cricket: Percy carps BCCI rigidity Percy Sonn, the International Cricket Council president, has said that the Indian board's refusal to sign the Members' Participation Agreement (MPA) could put the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in jeopardy.   Football: McClaren set to tinker Conscious that a perceived lack of tactical flexibility was one of the sticks used to beat his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren insists he is ready to shake up England's formation on the   Football: Houllier, Domenech at loggerheads France manager Raymond Domenech went on the defence Tuesday after being accused of lacking courtesy by Gerard Houllier.   Football: Ghana down Japan World Cup revelations Ghana whipped hosts and Asian champions Japan 1-0 here Wednesday in a debut international friendly match for Frenchman Claude Le Roy as the Africans' coach.   Football: Becks denies quit claim David Beckham's spokesman on Wednesday dismissed a claim made by Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon that the former England captain will quit in two years.   Football: Lampard has a point to prove Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard insisted Wednesday that is determined to prove himself to new England boss Steve McClaren.   Cricket: Ganguly days all but over The Indian media on Wednesday predicted the end of Sourav Ganguly's cricket career after the former captain failed miserably in a trial one-day series.   Cricket: Gayle propels West Indies West Indies opener Chris Gayle tuned up for the Champions Trophy with a blistering 101 off 82 balls in a practice match here on Wednesday.   Football: Full marks to Komolkoli Nandipara Komolkoli Shangsad drubbed Red Sun KC 3-0 in a Pioneer Football Super League match at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur today (Wednesday).   Football: Dario full of gratitude Former Uruguay striker Dario Silva expressed his gratitude on Tuesday for the support he has received since having his lower right leg amputated after a car crash last week.   Football: Bayern no option for Klose Werder Bremen's German international striker Miroslav Klose said Wednesday that he is not interested in joining German champions Bayern Munich and if he leaves Werder it will be for a top club abroad.   Football: Kaiser apologises Franz Beckenbauer apologised for the confusion surrounding his comments about South Africa's ability to host the 2010 World Cup.   Football: Coupet to bury WC heartache France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet insisted Tuesday that he was ready to move on from the heartache of losing out to his old rival Fabien Barthez at the World Cup.   Football: Dempsey best in the States New England Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey, the only American to score a goal at this year's World Cup, was named US Soccer's national team Player of the Year here Tuesday.   Football: Aussie stars set for swan song Goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, midfielder Stan Lazaridis and defenders Tony Vidmar and Tony Popovic are set to hang up their international boots after Australia's friendly against Paraguay on Saturday.   Football: Barton escapes police charge Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has escaped a police charge after dropping his shorts in the direction of Everton supporters following their 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.   Football: Collymore targeting comeback Former England striker Stan Collymore revealed Wednesday that he is targeting a comeback. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa player has embarked on a three-week fitness programme in Tenerife. Metropolitan Volatile situation during caretaker govt if talks fail The situation during the next three months of the caretaker government would be volatile if the proposed dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition fails to reach an agreement on electoral reforms   Form labour tribunal outside EPZ, reinstate workers Bangladesh Centre for Workers' Solidarity (BCWS) yesterday demanded reinstatement of all suspended and terminated workers as well as convenors and members of all Workers' Representatives and Welfare Committees   9 killed, 56 injured in road accidents At least nine people were killed and 56 others injured in separate road accidents in Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Jessore and Tangail on Tuesday and yesterday.   EMS can cut operation cost in super markets Establishment of the Environment Management System (EMS) in super markets could reduce operational cost and power use, and improve corporate value.   Employees announce fresh agitation programme today Officials and employees of Bangladesh Biman will launch a fresh movement to press for their demand for steps to resolve the financial crisis facing the national flag carrier and make it free from corruption.   2 Ctg eateries, first food shop fined A mobile court here yesterday in separate anti-adulteration drives fined two posh restaurants and one fast food shop around Tk 1.   'No alternative to consensus on electoral reforms' Jatiya Party Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju yesterday said there is no alternative but to reach a consensus over the opposition's electoral reforms to protect country's democracy and constitution.   One shot dead One truck helper was shot dead by a gang of unidentified assailants at Shympur in the city yesterday afternoon.   2 RMG workers found dead in Gazipur Police recovered decomposed bodies of two garment workers from a fish farm of Faukal village in the district. Md Helal, 20, and Al Amin,19, used to work at the Nilo knitting as sewing operators.   Constitutional committee of Sramik League formed Humayun Kabir and Habibur Rahman Akand were made president and general secretary respectively of the constitutional committee of Bangladesh Sramik League at its bi-annual conference in the city recently.   PM takes Iftar with diplomats, judges Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday had an Iftar with diplomats, judges and former caretaker government advisors.   Journos restricted from entering RMCH Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) authorities have imposed restriction on journalists and photojournalists from entering the hospital to perform their professional duties.   RU staffs demand job regularisation Controversially recruited 546 Class III and IV employees of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday again asked the vice-chancellor to regularise their appointment.   Death threat to Rajshahi journo An unknown miscreant threatened Rashed Ripon, a Rajshahi journalist, to kill him by ramming him under a truck.   RRSP lays siege to PDB chief engr's office Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad (RRSP) yesterday laid a siege to the chief engineer's office of Power Development Board in Rajshahi demanding uninterrupted power supply.   Amnesty urges PM to provide adequate security The Amnesty International (AI) on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to provide adequate security to noted litterateur Prof Hasan Azizul Huq, who was threatened with death in August allegedly by   $1m for AMCH The expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United States met in a fund raising event for Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital (AMCH) in the Dhaka Club in New York recently and instantly collected over one million   Distortion of history protested Forum for Secular Bangladesh, Rajshahi unit, on Tuesday evening set fire to a television set protesting disto-rtion of history in a programme telecast by state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV).   Appeal for help The father of a ten-year-old boy, who had been suffering from congenital heart defects, has sought financial assistance for the surgery the boy underwent at a city hospital recently. National BNP- BJP battle to secure PM's grace in Kaligonj Internal feud between local leaders and activists of BNP and its coalition partner BJP (Naziur) surfaced yesterday ahead of the Prime Minister's scheduled visit to Kaligonj today.   All nine acquitted in AL leader Aboni Baroi murder case All the nine accused in Awami League leader Aboni Baroi murder case were acquitted yesterday.   Fierce rivalry for ticket in Kishoreganj-1 Rivalry in BNP over nomination from Kishoreganj-1 constituency intensified yesterday when four front ranking local leaders of the party at a press conference said they will 'resist' political activities   BNP leader sues 5 including Rajshahi Mayor' wife A BNP leader yesterday filed a defamation case against five persons including the wife of Rajshahi Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu Salma Sahadat, also publisher of Natun Probhat, a local daily.   Moulvibazar hospital doctors, nurses on 48-hour strike Doctors and nurses at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital began a 48-hour strike yesterday protest alleged insult of a doctor by some BNP activists.   BSF yet to return 2 NGO employees Two Bangladeshi citizens who were detained by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday are yet to be returned.   Urea supply from Jamuna factory still stopped Fertiliser transport to 19 districts remained suspended from Jamuna Fertiliser Factory for the last four days due to porters' indefinite strike since Sunday.   Acid thrower gets life in Sylhet A court here yesterday sentenced one person to life term rigorous imprisonment (RI) for throwing acid on a college girl. The convict is Enamul Azam Biplob.   Bride dies in B'baria fire A bride met the tragic end of her life in a devastating fire at a house at Sreerampur village in Nabinagar upazila Tuesday night.   Three killed in train-van crash Three persons were killed when a train ran over a van at a level crossing at Barabkunda under Sitakunda upazila of the district yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Point-Counterpoint Dream of an ordinary citizen I have a dream. The dream is that of an ordinary citizen. The dream is to have the right to the basic necessities of life -- food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, etc.   Power crisis Bangladesh is reeling under severe power load shedding -- the worst in its history. People of all walks of life are agitated.   Local government and women Strong local government is a basic precondition for women's empowerment. But in Bangladesh we are yet to achieve this goal. Local government is the lowest tier of our administrative system. Culture Saying it with symbols Rokunuzzaman Murshed feels that present life is like a myth -- that it is something that cannot be discarded or accepted totally, that it is full of mystery and cannot be comprehended fully.   "I never want to grow up"-- Deeghi A cherubic baby girl came into the lives of actors Doel and Shubroto on October 26, 2001. She lit up their world with joy and happiness.   Junoon: Blending Sufism with rock music The genesis of Pakistani band 'Junoon' (obsession or passion in Urdu) is interesting. General Coastal urbanisation turns oceans into garbage dump The rapid urbanisation of coastal lands together with the dumping of waste and sewage in seas and oceans is a major source of marine pollution that could get worse as population growth continues, a UN   'Galactic bulge' yields new class of planets A seam of stars at the centre of the Milky Way has shown astronomers that an entirely new class of planets closely orbiting distant suns is waiting to be explored, according to a paper published lastweek   Programmes to celebrate Eid Elaborate programmes have been taken yesterday at a high-level inter-ministerial meeting to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslims, in a befitting manner. International Pakistan must 'walk the talk' on anti-terror vow Pakistan has to prove it is sincere about working with India to counter terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned after police accused Islamabad of plotting blasts that killed 186 commuters in India's   Abe goes to China Sunday, South Korea the next day Japan's new premier Shinzo Abe achieved a diplomatic breakthrough yesterday as China and South Korea agreed to resume summits, but a crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme was set to overshadow his   Tehran goes back on offer for French role Iran went back yesterday on its offer to allow France to monitor the enrichment of uranium on Iranian soil, saying the matter had yet to be decided.   Thai junta may hold peace talks with Muslim insurgents Thailand's new military leaders said yesterday they may hold talks with Muslim insurgents in the violence-torn south, marking a change from the policy of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.   Lankan peace bid runs into new snags Norway's latest attempt to secure agreement between Sri Lanka's warring parties has run into new snags with differences over the date and venue for talks, diplomats said yesterday Oslo's special envoy   Two killed in militant attack in Srinagar Two police commandos were killed and seven people hurt when Islamic rebels opened fire from a hotel window in Indian Kashmir's summer capital yesterday, sending shoppers fleeing in panic, police said.   Dengue hits Indian PM's family A major outbreak of debilitating dengue fever sweeping the Indian capital has hit the family of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reports said yesterday Two national news television channels said two of   Indians take centre stage at Frankfurt book fair The world's biggest book fair got underway yesterday with Indian authors taking on center stage and a new scheme to protect writers' copyrights from Internet piracy creating a buzz.   All-women UN peacekeeping unit for Liberia The United Nations and India have agreed on the deployment of 125 Indian policewomen as peacekeepers in Liberia, the first time the world body has used an all-female unit, officials said yesterday   Israel should accept Saudi peace plan An Israeli cabinet minister from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party said yesterday that the Jewish state should accept a Saudi peace initiative to solve the conflict with the Palestinians.   US urges Thai rulers to lift martial law in 10 days The United States yesterday urged Thailand's military coup leaders to lift martial law within seven to 10 days and to bring forward elections the generals have promised for late next year.   Century's biggest diamond A 603-carat white diamond has been found in the tiny southern African kingdom of Lesotho, making it the biggest rock of the century and one of the world's largest, it was announced yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Unprecedented banking fraud Bangladesh Bank in their scrutiny of the Oriental Bank operations has reported siphoning of Tk 596 crore of the bank's money by a number of its influential shareholders.   Editorial: Speaker's strange ruling Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar's perception of the timeliness of the issues raised during a JS sitting on Tuesday caused a good deal of grumbling among the opposition MPs.   US National Intelligence Estimate and trends in global terrorism The only judgment that one can make of the five years of the US war against terror, culling from the key judgments of the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), issued in April 2006 but declassified last   Collateral damage Pakistan stands adjacent to the ground zero of terrorism. Any book by Pervez Musharraf, written well or otherwise, would be an outstanding source for much of the facts since before 9/11.   Needed qualified teachers for quality education Today is World Teachers' Day, when more than 150 countries of the world celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the adoption of the joint UNESCO/ILO recommendation by the special inter-governmental conference Letters to Editor Fatwa and its influence I am afraid today's Bangladesh is not the Bangladesh we dreamt of. Historically, ours promised secularism. But after around ten years the situation was totally changed.   Only justice can bring peace I am so shocked at the ordeal of the Lebanese people that I am unable to think of anything else.   Who are the extremists? The statement 'US President George W.   Check-post on DU campus As a student of the University of Dhaka, I've been experiencing some unexpected events including political clash and killing inside the campus for three years.   Big hearted Beauty I just read an article in a newspaper about the donation of Tk 50,000 for the acid victims by one of last years 'Closeup 1' winners - Beauty.   Bold resignation but... This refers to the resignation by the state minister for power. I'm addressing the state minister who had the courage to resign.   Arsenic-free tubewell As we look around us, we can see people living under-priviledged.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.