Vol. 5 Num 913 Thu. December 21, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Advisers tell Zakaria to go on leave, spare Modabbir The advisory council of caretaker government requested Election Commissioner SM Zakaria yesterday to go on leave of absence while at its request the Election Commission (EC) rescheduled the polls timetable   9 top PDB officials sued for graft The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed a case against nine Power Development Board (PDB) officials, including one of its former chairmen, involved in the construction of the Tongi 80 megawatt   Latest proposal of advisers rejected Awami League (AL)-led 14-party coalition, Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-led Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF) yesterday rejected the fresh proposals of the advisers to the caretaker   Gas sale deal with Niko approved after 2 years After two years of delay and disagreements, the government yesterday approved the gas sales purchase agreement (GPSA) with Canadian company Niko Resources for purchase of gas from the Feni marginal field,   Port performance dips for underuse of cranes The capacity of the four sophisticated gantry cranes installed at the Chittagong Container Terminals (CCT) is being underused as they remain idle for most of the time due to weak back up services andnon-cooperation   Iajuddin 'key obstacle' to fair polls Leaders of Awami League (AL) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in separate meetings with the European Union (EU) election observation team yesterday described President Iajuddin Ahmed as the 'key obstacle'   Western envoys meet BNP leaders, advocate all-party participation in polls Diplomats from several Western countries and representatives of UNDP and other donor agencies met BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday and once again raised voices for holding a free and   Roushan talks with Khaleda A group of Jatiya Party (JP) leaders led by its Presidium Member Roushan Ershad met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night and expressed their solidarity with the BNP-led four-party alliance.   Right to pick honest candidate at stake Shushashoner Janney Nagorik (Shujan) yesterday said people's right to choose an honest and credible candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections will be hampered since they will not be able to know   Bar parties with less than 2.5pc votes from next polls: Ex-CEC Political parties bagging less than 2.   9 accused in Barisal case acquitted Barisal Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal yesterday acquitted all of the nine accused in one of the 12 cases lodged in connection with series bomb blasts at 18 places of Barisal city on August 17, 2005.   Struggle to receive...   5,000 more Rohingyas drafted in voter list Around five thousand more Rohingya refugees have been included in the 'corrected' voter list in six upazilas of the district while thousands of eligible voters have not been enrolled or excluded fromthe   14-party, JP enforce hartal today The Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine and Jatiya Party (Ershad) enforce a dawn-to-dusk hartal across the country today as part of their joint movement to resist any one-sided election.   Rajuk starts re-demarcation of walkway by Gulshan Lake Rajuk, the city development authority, commenced the re-demarcation of its walkway area yesterday, incorporating a large stretch of the Gulshan Lake at the end of road-103.   3 cattle lifters beaten to death in Ctg A mob beat three cattle lifters to death and injured one at Syedpur in Sitakunda upazila during early hours yesterday.   Nuisance for all...   Khaleda accuses AL of grabbing Hindu property Urging the Hindu community to vote for BNP-led four-party alliance in the coming election, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the Hindus should come out of the fold of Awami League (AL).   Cop's murder linked with his investigations Police are yet to arrest the criminals involved with Tuesday night's murder of Sub-Inspector (SI) Mizanur Rahman of Gulshan Police Station and believe that the murder may have links with the investigations   Accused lawyers furnish bail bonds Eminent lawyers Barrister M Amir- Ul Islam and Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud and six others accused in two sedition cases furnished bail bonds to the Additional District Magistrate's (ADM) Court, Dhaka,   Arrestee admits to dumping jeweller's body An arrestee in the jewellery trader Turya Ghosh Roni murder case yesterday confessed to a magistrate that he, along with four others, took part in the dumping of the trader's dismembered body at Rampura   BDR, BSF trade gunshots on Satkhira border Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) traded gunfire on Hijaldi border in Kalaroa upazila early yesterday morning.   Outlaw leader killed in Rab 'shootout' A regional leader of the outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) Lal Pataka faction was killed in a 'shootout' with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Debipur village under Gangni upazila in Meherpur   Bush may increase Iraq troops Robert Gates made his first visit to Baghdad as US defence secretary yesterday to chart a fresh strategy in a war President George W. Bush has now said America is not winning.   50 Taliban men killed in raid Nato-led and Afghan forces have killed around 50 Taliban insurgents in a fresh anti-militant sweep in southern Afghanistan, the alliance said yesterday. Business 22.7pc rise in Jul-Oct Although the exports earning marked a 22.70 percent rise during the July-October period of the current fiscal as it reached $3.34billion, it slowed down from the 31.49 percent growth in September.   US asks India to adopt bold reforms The United States asked India on Tuesday to adopt sweeping reforms, including lifting ownership caps and reducing high tariff rates, to draw foreign investments and fuel rapid growth in the world's second   Foreign ownership property rules relaxed in KL Malaysia on Wednesday said it will allow foreign nationals to buy residential properties worth more than 250,000 ringgit (71,429 dollars) without approval in order to attract investors.   Improve productivity of RMG to sustain competitiveness Bangladesh's garments sector should improve its productivity to sustain in the competitive world market, said Nick Taylor, the first secretary at the European Commission (EC) in Dhaka.   4.5 lakh applicants for Brac Bank IPO Brac Bank Limited held its lottery of applications submitted against the bank's initial public offerings (IPO) at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka yesterday.   Bush backs embattled WTO round US President George W. Bush offered his renewed backing Wednesday for the World Trade Organization's embattled efforts to free up global commerce.   Transcom Beverage launches lemon taste soft drink Teem Transcom Beverage Ltd, the exclusive franchise for Bangladesh from Pepsico USA, introduced a new lemon taste soft drink named 'Teem' in the local market yesterday.   Banglalink launches enterprise package Banglalink, one of the fast growing mobile phone operators in the country, has recently launched 'banglalink enterprise', a complete telecom solution for businesses.   HSBC donates Tk 2.93 lakh to School of Hope The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (HSBC) in Bangladesh has recently donated Tk 293,000 to School of Hope, an educational institute for the underprivileged children of Gulshan and Badda   Oil steady over $63 Oil prices held above $63 on Wednesday ahead of data expected to show a fall in U.S. crude stocks, adding to perception that high inventory levels that hit prices in the third quarter have been reversed.   Arcelor Mittal steps up consolidation drive Arcelor Mittal, the world's leading steel maker, signalled its intention to pursue global steel sector consolidation Wednesday, as it annonced plans to acquire a Mexican producer and was reported to be   YouTube pledges to protect copyrights in Japan Popular video-sharing website YouTube has agreed to take measures against copyright infringement in Japan but an industry group here said Wednesday it was not entirely satisfied.   Tata Motors announces joint venture with Thai firm Thonburi India's biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors has entered into a joint venture with a Thailand-based assembler of automobiles Thonburi to manufacture, assemble and market pick-up trucks.   US, Panama reach trade deal The US government said Tuesday it had virtually wrapped up a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Panama in what should be a major boost to bilateral commerce before the Panama Canal is expanded.   Citigroup senior official in Dhaka Margaret Dawson, managing director & head of Securities and Fund Services in Citigroup Asia Pacific Region, is in Dhaka now on a 3-day visit, says a press release.   Fears of regional financial crisis recede Asian stocks recovered from sharp falls Wednesday after Thailand's military government backed down on imposing harsh currency controls which saw Bangkok shares lose a massive 15 percent.   'Euro is being scapegoated for economic problems' European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said Wednesday that the euro was being unjustly used as a scapegoat for economic problems in Europe.   Currency Sports Cricket: Tamim starts the party If Twenty20 cricket is all about hitting the ball as hard as you can, then this slam-bang version of the game got off to a searing start this season with opener Tamim Iqbal smashing a superb 67, powering   Football: Abahani's happy hunting Having built a strong football team, Abahani officials hoped that the club's trophy drought for the last five seasons would end this year.   Cricket: DCS: Cricket's hell on earth! Paceman Nazmul Hossain was lucky enough not to receive severe injury on the face while fielding during the Twenty20 match between Old DOHS and Partex at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) yesterday.   Football: Sumon first enrolled as a pro Mosabbir Ahmed Sumon became the historic first footballer to be registered as a professional in the country yesterday.   Cricket: Ball to stop spinning Australian spin king Shane Warne is set to announce that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the current Ashes series, Australian media reported Wednesday.   Cricket: Asian nations want Pawar as ICC boss The powerful Asian bloc in world cricket will nominate Sharad Pawar of India for the presidency of the sport's governing body, a top official said on Wednesday.   Cricket: Tributes flow for Warne Leading cricketers from Australia and English have spoken of their admiration for Shane Warne as retirement looms for Test cricket's leading wicket-taker.   Cricket: Press writes off Freddie Andrew Flintoff's future as England captain was questioned by British media on Tuesday following his side's humbling Ashes defeat in Australia.   Cricket: Greg credits seniors The turnaround for India on the tour to South Africa began with the senior players forming a core group and initiating a process that involved carving up responsibilities -- including mentoring juniors   Football: L'pool-Arsenal tie postponed Liverpool's League Cup quarter-final at home to Arsenal on Tuesday has been postponed because of heavy fog, referee Martin Atkinson ruled.   Football: Money talks... If it was not Roman Abra-movich spending 30 million pounds on a 30-year-old (Andriy Shevchenko), it was Ashley Cole flouncing out of Arsenal in a hissy fit over their 'disrespectful' offer of a new contract   Football: Valencia down Mallorca Valencia, Spanish champions twice in the last five years, notched up their third consecutive victory with an emphatic 3-1 win over a lacklustre Real Mallorca on Tuesday.   Football: 'United offer too good' Henrik Larsson has admitted the prospect of joining Manchester United at a crucial stage of the season was too good a chance to turn down.   Football: Sunrise clinch soccer trophy in India Dhaka first division football side Sunrise Krira Chakra lifted the Bodoland Martyrs Gold Cup defeating BSF (Border Security Force) of India in the tiebreakers on Tuesday.   Cricket: Sehwag, Jaffer under fire India selectors have revealed they may make changes to the opening batting slots for the second Test against South Africa in Durban on December 26.   Cricket: BKSP, Nilphamari in semifinals The semifinal line-ups of the National Cricket Championship were completed with Nilphamari and BKSP booking their places in the last four yesterday.   Cricket: Steely Sourav delights Dilip Selection Committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar was happy to see that Sourav Ganguly was not "bounced out" as was expected ahead of the Wanderers Test last week.   Football: Jose says sorry Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho apologised on Wednesday for comments he made about Everton striker Andy Johnson at the weekend when he accused the England international of diving.   Football: Colombia make 2014 WC bid Brazil and Colombia have made preliminary bids to host the World Cup in 2014, FIFA said Tuesday.   Football: Gago offered to Milan, Barca Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri has offered his talented young midfielder Fernando Gago to Barcelona and AC Milan after failing to reach agreement with Real Madrid, the Spanish media reported on   Football: Saha extends Man Utd contract France striker Louis Saha has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Manchester United until 2010, the club said on Wednesday. Saha, 28, joined United from Fulham in January 2004 for 12.   Football: Big guns cruise High-flying Bundesliga sides VfB Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin eased into the quarterfinals of the German cup with both sides winning by three clear goals against VfL Bochum and VfL Osnabruck respectively   Football: Asian Cup draw held Debutants Australia were pitted Tuesday alongside Asian Games runners-up Iraq while defending champions Japan were drawn with Asiad winners Qatar in next year's Asian Cup finals.   Football: It's been a Lyon year While the unstoppable Lyon continue to march through the French record books it was a disastrous year for two of France's other big guns during 2006.   Football: Bennie happy with justice Benni McCarthy has praised UEFA for dishing out a five-match ban to Wisla Krakow's Nikola Mijailovic, the Serbian defender who was found guilty of racially abusing him during a UEFA Cup match in October.   Football: Bayern firm on Hargreaves Bayern Munich have emphasised that their England international midfielder Owen Hargreaves will not be joining Manchester United or anyone else in the winter break, saying they need him to challenge for   Football: Injury woe for Dos Santos Bayern Munich's Paraguayan international Julio dos Santos has suffered a setback with a serious leg injury sidelining him for ten weeks just after his loan move to VfL Wolfsburg was agreed.   Football: Everton get Brazilian star Brazilian midfielder Anderson Silva de Franca has finally been cleared to play for Everton after obtaining a Spanish passport.   Football: Referee admits Old Firm mistake Referee Kenny Clark on Tuesday admitted he made an incorrect decision in not awarding a penalty to Celtic during their weekend match at Rangers.   Football: Miyamoto signs for Salzburg Former Japan defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has agreed to play for Austrian first division outfit FC Salzburg, his current club, J-League's Gamba Osaka, said Wednesday.   Football: Japan expect tough road Japan expect a tough road to win the Asian Cup for a record fourth time after the defending champions were drawn against Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Metropolitan Political greed tears apart fabric of the nation UN Resident Coordinator Renata Dessallien yesterday urged the president/ chief adviser and the election officials to ensure a level-playing field for all the political parties so that they can contest   CA plunges nation into crisis The forthcoming elections are of critical importance for the nation as it would determine whether democracy and the rule of law would prevail, enabling the secular forces to check the growth of extremism.   Uncertainty looms over DU convocation The 43rd convocation of Dhaka University (DU) has become uncertain as different student organisations have been continuing their strike since November 19 and vowed to resist holding of the ceremony.   Political commitment a must to stop child trafficking Speakers at a children convention yesterday underscored the need for political commitment to stop trafficking in children. They also demanded rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking.   'Address issues of masculinities for a gender-neutral society' Speakers at a seminar yesterday noted that it is imperative to address the issues of masculinities in order to form a gender-neutral society.   Shantu Larma meets Jalil over issue of indigenous candidates President of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma alias Shantu Larma yesterday discussed with Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil the issue of nominating   Jute workers call blockade on Sunday Pat, Suta-Bastrakal Sramik Karmachari Sangram Parishad, a platform of workers and employees working at country's jute and textile mills, would enforce a dawn-to-dusk blockade on Sunday and go for indefinite   Smuggled clothes worth Tk 4 cr seized, nine Indians held Coastguard members arrested nine alleged Indian smugglers and recovered clothes worth Tk 4 crore on Shibchar River near Sundarban area early yesterday.   DU student dies in Chandpur road accident A Dhaka University (DU) student died in a road accident at Chandina, Chandpur on December 18, says a press release.   Body to probe RU incident Rajshahi University (RU) authorities on Tuesday midnight formed a four-member probe committee to investigate the incident of defilement of the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at TaposhyRabeya   Camp on breast cancer begins With a view to raising awareness among women about breast cancer and hypertension, Bangladesh Mahila Samity is organising a month-long free medical camp that began at Dr Azmal Hospital Limited auditorium   Misbahuddin Khan passes away Misbahuddin Khan, former Awami League lawmaker and father of Prof Muntasir Mamun, passed away due to a cardiac arrest on December 19 at United Hospital in the city at the age of 78, says a press release.   Beheaded body recovered Police recovered a beheaded body of a youth from Dakkhinkhan in the city yesterday.   Non-govt teachers demand salary, bonus National Front of Teachers and Employees (NFTE) in a statement yesterday urged the government to disburse the fund for the salary and festival bonus of non-government high school and college teachersand   FFs hail Ershad's move to join 14-party Twenty-four former district commanders of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad in a statement greeted Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday for joining AL-led 14-party combine. National Alliance with JP to sweeppolls in greater Rangpur Most of the leaders of 14- party alliance in northern districts hailed Jatiya Party's joining the 'grand alliance' led by Awami League.   18 BNP, Jamaat men submit nomination forms in 4 dists Eighteen leaders of BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami submitted nomination papers to returning officers in Khulna, Gaibandha, Satkhira and Dinajpur yesterday to contest in the coming election.   Hartal observed in Bagmara A dawn to dusk hartal, called by Awami League-led 14-party combine, was observed in Bagmara yesterday.   Shibir vandalises RU Udichi centre Islami Chhtra Shibir activists vandalised Udichi rehearsal room at Mamtajuddin Arts Building on Rajshahi University campus and damaged instruments, display boards and posters there yesterday evening.   Hunger strike by supporters for nomination About 200 supporters of BNP leader and Srimongal Municipality Chairman Md Ahad Mian continued heir hunger strike for three days till yesterday demanding nomination for him from Moulvibazar 4 (Srimongal Point-Counterpoint A presidential ordinance for fair election For the greater interest of the nation, and to overcome the present crisis of trust in the electoral arrangement we, the general people, can only hope that the president and the caretaker government will   Exploitation of domestic workers Sheuli Khatun (40), an experienced nakshi-kantha maker of Bhatai Bazar of Shailokupa in Jhenidah district, gets Tk 1,500 for stitching a kantha. She takes, on an average, a month to complete a nakshi-kantha.   Annan's farewell swipe The last few days of Kofi Annan's long stint as the seventh secretary general of the United Nations have seen an unprecedented, frantic war of words between him and the Bush administration.   Losing the war, as well as the battle It's relatively easy these days to point out all the ways in which George W. Bush has been ill-informed, misguided and wrong about Iraq. Culture Replete with optimism Dhaka Art Circle's (DAC) ongoing impressive painting exhibit at Shilpangan showcases 12 contemporary artists of remarkable talent and prowess.   Uday Shankar: A legacy of dance The dance maestro, legendary Uday Shankar, is a rare jewel in the sub-continent. He was the first Bengali to introduce Indian classical dance to the western world.   Cultural programme in Dinajpur A two-day long cultural programme to observe the 35th Victory Day ended in Dinajpur amidst festivity.   Mymensingh hums with activity Marking the Victory Day, Bangladesh Photo Journalist Association (BPJA), Mymensingh unit held a three-day photography exhibition at the local Town Hall premises. General 3 killed in Savar road crash Three unidentified passengers were killed and 35 others injured as a bus crashed into a tree at Dhamrai yesterday.   'Tara Festival of Bengal' in Delhi from Dec 23 With a view to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh and West Bengal, Tara TV Network, an Indian satellite Bangla channel, is going to organise 'Tara Festival of Bengal' in Delhi from December   Concert postponed The Christmas Holiday Concert scheduled for December 21 at Canadian Indian School has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, says a press release. International No headway as US, N Koreahold another round of talks United States held another round of direct talks with North Korea here yesterday but the intense efforts to convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arms made little headway, delegates said.   US Iraq war costs likely to top $110b this fiscal US costs to support the Iraq war are likely to top 110 billion dollars in the current fiscal year, White House budget director Rob Portman said Tuesday.   Gates makes surprise visit to Baghdad New US Defense Secretary Robert Gates made a surprise visit to Baghdad yesterday to consult with US military commanders and Iraqi leaders, just two days after being sworn in.   With nuclear deal sealed, USasks India for bold reforms The United States asked India on Tuesday to adopt sweeping reforms, including lifting ownership caps and reducing high tariff rates, to draw foreign investments and fuel rapid growth in the world's second   Magnetism mystery of Mercury explained A German scientist believes he has resolved a three-decade mystery about why Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, has such a weak magnetic field.   Manmohan welcomes Pak ideas for peace Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said India and Pakistan should put their bitter past behind them and work towards peace and prosperity.   Rock concert stampede kills 10 in Indonesia Ten people, mostly teenagers, were killed and dozens injured in a stampede at a packed music concert in Indonesia's Central Java province, hospital workers and reports said yesterday.   Zawahiri says only jihad will liberate Palestine Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri said in a new video aired yesterday that only jihad, not elections, can bring about the liberation of occupied Palestinian territory. Editorial Editorial: After the rallies With the two major political parties holding mammoth public meetings in the city, it is evident that both sides enjoy great popularity.   Editorial: Welcome Prof Yunus Prof Muhammad Yunus returned home on Tuesday with the world's most prestigious award, the Nobel Peace Prize.   We are under threat of sorts I chose the title of the article deliberately. It was not to sound alarmist by suggesting that we are under threat of physical aggression.   Trouble at the top The nation now is in the grip of very serious problems and, undoubtedly, we need serious people to solve them. There is, however, sadly, a preponderance of preposterous actions.   Cyprus, Turkey and the EU At a summit meeting held on December 14, the European Union (EU) endorsed an earlier decision of its foreign ministers to suspend talks on 8 of the 35 chapters under negotiation with Turkey for its possible   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.