Vol. 5 Num 966 Sat. February 17, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Write to Editor Sections StarTech Literature Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Build a mega seaport to revolutionise economy Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus yesterday stressed the need for setting up a mega seaport, a mega airport and a transnational highway to speed up the wheel of economy and to materialise 'the dream of   Special team probing Rajuk corruption Corruption, nepotism and irregularities of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in approving housing projects of some influential real estate companies and allocating plots in some posh areas of thecapital   AL leader Jhontu, his brother Pintu held The army-led joint forces detained Awami League (AL) central committee leader and former lawmaker Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhontu and his brother district Zaker Party leader Abu Asghar Ahmed Pintu on Thursday   Traffic congestion may ease but waterlogging to worsen The government's plan to construct a 3.   All parties evade filing election spending returns None of the 55 political parties including BNP, Awami League (AL), Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party, which contested the 2001 parliamentary election, has submitted the return of their election expenditure   Execution not held as jails get no decision on mercy petitions The prison authorities are now awaiting the president's decision regarding the execution of six of the seven condemned militants, including Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Abdur Rahman and   4,000 likely to be freed to ease load on jails Around 4,000 prisoners, who were arrested on charges of 'petty crimes', are going to be released, as the government recently decided to free them gradually in a bid to lessen the load on the crammed jails,   Hopeless mother...   Demand to rid BNP of corrupt leaders gaining ground The demand for fighting corruption within the organisation is gaining ground among the BNP ranks as they think it will burnish the party image.   Extra carrying cost for crossing Jamuna adds to rice prices Additional cost for carrying over the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge now adds to the rice prices that had already gone up due to lower domestic production and diminishing import at private level due to higher   Currencies, 11 cellphones seized from Salman's residence A huge amount of local and foreign currencies and 11 mobile phone sets were seized from the Gulshan residence of industrialist Salman F Rahman when the joint forces arrested him on February 4 on charge   Muktir Utsab...   More arms recovered in Khagrachhari Security forces seized arms and ammunition from remote Kalapahar area under Mohalchhari upazila of the district yesterday morning.   Prior permission from advisory body needed The government has asked the authorities concerned to take permission of the advisory committee on law and order before any eviction drive in the capital as well as in other metropolitan cities.   Indian FM to arrive Feb 19 India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will visit Dhaka on February 19 to extend the invitation to Bangladesh leaders to the 14th Saarc summit to be held here on April 3 and 4.   Development a must to weed out outlawed parties, says Anwarul Iqbal Adviser to the Caretaker Government Anwarul Iqbal said all round development of the south-western region of the country is a must to weed out underground parties in the region once and for all.   Sohel Taj seeks permission for India tour Former Awami League (AL) lawmaker Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, who was earlier offloaded from an aircraft as he was about to travel to India, has sought government permission for going on an India tour.   Jubilant winners...   BDR, BSF trade fire at two border points Border Security Force (BSF) of India and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) traded gunfire on Haripur border of Thakurgaon and on Benapole border yesterday morning.   Poetry festival begins at DU tomorrow The two-day National Poetry Festival 2007 begins tomorrow on Dhaka University (DU) campus with around 200 poets of the country participating. The festival has been dedicated to poet Shamsur Rahman.   Bodies of three newborn babies recovered Police recovered bodies of three newborn babies from places in the capital yesterday and the day before.   Tiger kills one in Sundarbans One person was killed by a Royal Bengal Tiger in Baikari forest area near the river Chunkuri in the Sundarbans yesterday morning.   6 bombs found in Natore Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) recovered six bombs from Roy Amhati area on the outskirts of the town on Thursday night.   Fake engine oil factory raided in Gazipur Joint forces, led by a magistrate, yesterday raided and sealed a factory off at Bhimbazar of Gazipur which used to produce counterfeit engine oil.   Ban on honking horns at some city points Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on honking horns by vehicles at certain places of the city.   Hamas cabinet resigns to bring Fatah in Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas faces the task of forming a new Palestinian government with the moderate Fatah, despite unresolved internal disputes and the warning of a US boycott.   US, developing nations accept Iran aid cut plan Western and developing nations broadly accept a UN nuclear agency plan to cut almost half its aid projects in Iran, diplomats say, easing fears of a row over how strictly to apply UN sanctions against   Cleanup goes on in US after winter onslaught National Guardsmen towed stranded vehicles from highways and officials toiled to clear roads early Friday following a monster storm that has been blamed for at least 15 deaths.   Warming to spread disease, hunger in South Asia: WHO Millions more South Asians will suffer from diseases like malaria and cholera, or go hungry due to global warming, but governments are not fully aware of the dangers, the World Health Organisation said Business Govt to examine scope for foreign vocational training Bangladesh in a bid to build up itself for the Australian lucrative job market has now put its efforts in improving workers' skills through imparting them various vocational trainings in partnershipwith   WB, Indian chamber for energy trade between Saarc countries A FICCI-World Bank research paper has suggested energy trade between Saarc countries to help overcome crippling shortage of energy in South Asia.   Turnover on both bourses fell Turnover on the stock exchanges fell last week due mainly to the imposition of trading restrictions on shares in five companies by the stock market regulator. Dropped by 24.   US trade show ends The three-day US Trade Show 2007 came to a close yesterday in Dhaka with many a visitors showing keen interest in telemedicine service offered by Grameenphone Ltd.   US threatens to revive WTO piracy suit against China The United States on Thursday threatened to revive a bid to drag China to the WTO over copyright piracy if bilateral talks sought by Beijing to fend off the action do not achieve a breakthrough.   Syndicated loan of Tk101cr for RanksTel Twelve banks and financial institutions have arranged a syndicated loan of Tk 101 crore for RanksTel, a sister concern of Rangs Group.   Pact soon with Malaysia in interest of Indian workers An accord for protection of interests of Indian workers in Malaysia is expected to be signed soon between the two countries in the wake of complaints of their exploitation and harassment.   Standard & Poors upgrades rating for Citigroup Standard & Poors (S&P), one of the world's foremost independent credit ratings providers, announced on Wednesday that it has raised its counterparty credit rating on Citigroup to 'AA/A-1+' from 'AA-/A-1+'.   EU energy ministers reject mandatory target for renewables The European Union energy ministers agreed on Thursday to increase the use of renewable energy, but refused to set a mandatory target for member states.   India overtakes China as it posts record earnings growth: ABB Global engineering giant ABB said Friday India has overtaken China as its fastest-growing market after the South Asian nation generated record profit, sales and orders last year.   African trade experts call for a single customs union African trade experts from three regional blocs in east and southern Africa have called on the governments in the region to establish a single customs union to enhance trade.   Oil prices ease in Asia Oil prices eased slightly in Asian trade Friday as the markets focussed on high US inventory levels and Opec left its demand growth forecast for this year unchanged, analysts said.   Dollar regains ground ahead of BoJ meet The dollar regained ground against the yen and euro in Asian trade on Friday amid uncertainty on the outlook for interest rates in Japan, dealers said. The dollar rose to 119.   HSBC sells 27pc stake in Chinese bank Global banking giant HSBC said Friday it will sell its 27 percent stake in Ping An Bank to a subsidiary of Ping An Insurance's parent company for 29.4 million US dollars. HSBC, which owns 19.   Weekly Currency Roundup February 11-February 15, 2007 Local FX Market US dollar remained stable against Bangladeshi taka last week on back of comfortable supply. Sports Cricket: The last mistake? Only time will tell whether Faruque Ahmed's name shall be synonymous with another forgettable event in the history of Bangladesh cricket after he recently took the much-debated decision of leaving Khaled   Cricket: Yardy wants some runs England A captain Michael Yardy shrugged off his miss from the World Cup squad and wanted players from his team to be prepared for bigger things to come.   Cricket: Dhiman keeps Ctg alive Dhiman Ghosh rescued Chitta-gong with a timely century as the visitors fought back from a precarious position to brighten hopes of a draw against leaders Rajshahi in the sixth round clash of the Ispahani   Cricket: Your Say On Tigers Selection 1. Well, I have lost my word to say anything. Mashud is not in the team and that is a big mistake made by the selection panel. I mean he is the most experienced player in the team.   Cricket: Bond buries Australia Australia suffered their first ever 10-wicket loss in limited-overs cricket when they were thrashed by New Zealand here Friday just weeks away from their World Cup defence.   Football: Nayeem to make Brothers a fighting unit Ex-Indian national coach Syed Nayeemuddin said yesterday that strength of a team should not worry a coach at top level of football.   Local Snippets Majid took five wickets to help Bakhrabad High School to a facile 85-run win over Residential School and College in the Standard Chartered National School Cricket tournament at the Housing Estate ground   Cricket: Fine start for Wasiur Wasiur Rahman struck a sublime century to propel Dhanmondi to a 50-run victory over Agrani Bank in the Kai-Altech First Division at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: WI keep Samuels The West Indies have named Marlon Samuels in the 15-man squad for the World Cup they will host next month despite an ongoing probe of his links with an alleged bookmaker.   Cricket: Inzy needs pace duo Pakistan dope-tested most of its World Cup cricket squad on Friday with the futures of key fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif hanging in the balance.   Football: Queen meets 'King Henry' Queen Elizabeth II hosted Arsenal footballers in a teatime fixture at Buckingham Palace on Thursday to make up for her having to forfeit opening their new ground last November because of a bad back.   Football: Barca seek internal healing Barcelona fans will be hoping that some of the dressing room wounds that were exposed this week will have healed by the time the Spanish league leaders play at Valencia on Sunday.   Football: Sevilla turn on style Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute continued his prolific season with another goal as the UEFA Cup holders underlined their class with a 2-0 victory over Steau Bucharest in Romania on Thursday.   Football: Uefa Cup Results Results from the UEFA Cup round of 32 first leg matches played on Thursday: At Braga, Portugal Sporting Braga (POR) 1 (Ze Carlos 81) Parma (ITA) 0 At Moscow Spartak Moscow (RUS)   Football: Totti not giving up Inter Milan have won their last 15 league matches and hold an 11-point lead at the top of the table, but Roma captain Francesco Totti refuses to accept that the Italian title race is a foregone conclusion.   Cricket: No Sachin for decider Star Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has been rested for Saturday's series-deciding fourth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka due to a sore back. "It's nothing to worry about.   Football: Humble Casillas Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas said if Barcelona were in crisis following the controversial comments of Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o then Real Madrid were really in trouble.   Football: Bayern keen on Raul Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has said that he is a huge fan of Spanish international striker Raul and would like to sign the Real Madrid captain.   Football: Rijkaard set for Barca exit? Barcelona's Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard is to quit the team he led to the Champions League only last May, AS sports daily said on Friday, quoting "very well informed sources.   Football: Italy okays late kick-offs The Italian interior ministry on Thursday sanctioned evening kick-offs for a handful of Serie A matches on February 24-25.   Football: Neville slams agents Manchester United captain Gary Neville said Thursday he wanted player agents kicked out of football, insisting he did not know any good ones.   Football: Old foes for Gunners, Red Devils Arsenal and Manchester United will find a pair of familiar faces standing in their path towards the last eight of the FA Cup this weekend.   Football: Slomka's Schalke looking up Bundesliga lea-ders Schalke 04 have rewarded their coach Mirko Slomka with the offer of a new contract and will hope that is just the boost required to extend their unbeaten run to 13 when they travel   Football: Defining weekend for MU Henrik Larsson believes the strength of Manchester United's squad will prove decisive as Sir Alex Ferguson's side begin a seven-day stretch that could determine whether or not they repeat their treble   Football: Thailand to play Netherlands Thailand will play the Netherlands here in June as a warm-up for the Asian Cup, the country's football association said Friday.   Football: Brawl in Chinese match A friendly match involving one of China's top football teams was abandoned after a mass brawl, state media said Friday, just days after a similar incident marred a Chinese visit to London.   Football: Germans sign sponsorship deal German telecommunications operator Deutsche Telekom said on Thursday they would be continuing their sponsorship of the Bundesliga until 2009 but the league would not take the company's name.   Football: Nigerian clubs sanctioned The Nigeria Football League (NFL) has ordered champions Ocean Boys to play two home games behind closed doors while another top club Wikki Tourists were banished from their home ground and fined as aresult Metropolitan Dutch govt to continue support for water sector development The Dutch government is committed to supporting the development of the water sector in Bangladesh, said Aart van der Horst of the ministry of foreign affairs, the Netherlands, yesterday.   Ekushey Book Fair draws huge number of visitors Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2007 drew the biggest number of visitors and saw the publication of the highest number of books yesterday.   Establish rule of law, ensure accountability Speakers at a discussion yesterday emphasised the need to establish the rule of law, ensure accountability in the administration and strengthen democracy in order to materialise the dreams of freedomfighters   Nation needs more enlightened people The nation today badly needs more enlightened people to show lights amid darkness all around, said the speakers at a prize giving ceremony in the city yesterday.   Teenagers vow to fulfil dreams of war heroes In a pleasant spring morning of yesterday, school-going boys and girls of the capital thronged into Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex and took oath amidst great enthusiasm to fulfil the dreams of war heroes.   BSF explodes parachute bombs on border Indian Border Security Force (BSF) exploded parachute bombs on Paksia border in Sharsha upazila early yesterday, creating panic among the locals.   Execution of verdict demanded Police is yet to arrest some killers of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) central leader Kazi Aref Ahmed and its four other local leaders after seven years into the killings.   51521 birds of 42 species found at Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar A total of 51521 birds of 42 species were found at Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar district this year, according to a recent census.   Trader shot in Rajshahi Muggers shot a trader on the head near Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) market on Thursday night.   Mobile court recovers port land in Ctg A mobile court here on Thursday demolished a large number of illegal establishments from Newmooring Port area in the city.   Prisoner dies at Dinajpur A prisoner of Dinajpur District Jail died at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital on Thursday night, jail and hospital sources said.   Hindu devotee electrocuted at Sitakunda A Hindu devotee was electrocuted yesterday evening as she came into contact with an electric cable while returning from the Chandranath Temple at Sitakunda in Chittagong after performing Shiv Puja onthe   Ferry service on Daulatdia-Paturia route disrupted At least 400 vehicles stranded at Daulatdia Ghat as movement of ferries on Daulatdia-Paturia route has been disrupted due to shortage of ferries for the last couple of days.   Unauthorised mini-telephone exchange unearthed Police unearthed an unauthorised mini-telephone exchange at Sharsha and arrested a man in this connection yesterday.   Two killed in Mymensingh road accident The driver and the helper of a truck were killed in a road accident on Mymensingh-Sherpur road in the early hours of today.   10 US Bay Area students to visit Bangladesh Ten Bay Area students of the USA will visit Bangladesh in April for a three-week exchange programme.   Fake certificates, cheques recovered in Ctg, two held Rab personnel recovered 11 fake certificates, six bank cheques, two testimonials, 76 trade licences and printing materials from Shahjada Market in the city's Chakbazar area yesterday.   Science fair begins at Viqarunnisa School The 11th science fair organised by Viqarunnisa Noon Science Club began at its bailey road centre in the city yesterday.   Kite festival...   162 mobile sets stolen from city shop Miscreants took away 162 mobile sets worth about Tk 12 lakh from a mobile shop at AH Tower in the city's Uttara early yesterday.   Rickshaw owners asked to put up reflective sticker Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has asked the owners of rickshaw, rickshaw van and pushcarts to put up 'reflective stickers' on the back of the vehicles by February 22 in order to avert accidents at night.   Discussion on poetry at JU A day-long discussion titled 'Poetry Matters' will be held at Jahangirnagar University (JU) today. National Political leaders in Sylhet on the run as houses raided At least 50 leaders of different political parties, their youth fronts and student wings in Sylhet are on the run to evade arrest or harassment by law enforcers.   9 'political appointees' sacked from Kalaroa pourasaabha Kalaroa pourasava authorities yesterday terminated services of nine fourth class employees allegedly appointed in an irregular way.   Mysterious disease kills 3 in a Thakurgaon village At least three people died of a mysterious disease at Belua village near the border in Haripur upazila in Thakurgaon district in 20 days.   Puja, fair begins at Adinath Mandir The Adinath Mandir at Moheshkhali island, a place holy to the Hindu community, is once again vibrant as thousands of devotees thronged the site for the Shibchaturdashi Puja. Point-Counterpoint The needful is painful The chief of staff, Bangladesh Army, has said that the time is now propitious for effecting significantly beneficial changes in our body politic, and that such opportunities for real emancipation of the   Corruption in high places Corruption in India, or for that matter in any country, has ceased to be big news. Governments and societies have become so tainted at every level that people, although unhappy, take scams in their stride.   Of Shiva Chaturdashi and Sitakunda An International Vedic Conference is being held from 15th to 17th February 2007 at Sitakunda Shrine Estate in Sitakunda Chandranath Dham, Chittagong on the occasion of Shiva Chaturdarshi, a Hindu festival   Is Rice taking a back seat? Is she losing the luster? Has she lost control and influence over her main domain -- formulation and execution of foreign policy? Is she deliberately keeping a low profile after the foreign policy fiascos Culture Blending eastern poetic prowess and western precision His songs deal with con-temporary themes, weaving often enigmatic, often wistful or uplifting melodies. Swani Zubayeer's songs sparkle with poetic prowess -- an unmistakable trait of ghazal.   The gift of reading Bishwa Shahitya Kendra organised its yearly prize distribution ceremony yesterday at the Institute of Fine Arts premises, Dhaka University.   Sammilito Sangskritik Jote's programme at Rabindra Sarobar begins With the slogan Ekush amar ahonkar, Ekhush ghuchabey andhokar, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote (SSJ) inaugurated their weeklong cultural programme, observing 'Ekushey', at Rabindro Sarobar premises,   Of fusion and con'fusion' A truly delightful rendering of Shakespeare's romantic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream (adapted by Dr Carolyn Harper) was on till February 16. International Tigers accuse troops of killing 39 civilians Tamil Tiger rebels on Friday accused Sri Lankan security forces of killing 39 civilians and blamed them for the disappearance of 39 others in the last two weeks.   'Taliban deploy 10,000 fighters for attack’ The Taliban have deployed 10,000 fighters for a spring offensive of "bloody attacks" against foreign troops in Afghanistan, a rebel commander said yesterday.   'EU mulls nuclear energy cooperation with India' The European Union yesterday said India will have to take a "few steps" like associating with NPT and CTBT before the 25-nation grouping can decide on cooperating with it in civil nuclear energy.   One million Iraqis may flee violence this year Unrelenting violence and insecurity in Iraq could cause as many as 1 million Iraqis to flee their homes this year, the world's migration body said Friday.   Gulf states plan arms buying binge Deep fears about the war in Iraq and growing tension between the United States and Iran are driving the wealthy oil states of the Persian Gulf to go on shopping sprees for helicopters, ships and tanks,   Billions squandered in Iraq: Auditors About $10 billion has been squandered by the US government on Iraq reconstruction aid because of contractor overcharges and unsupported expenses, and federal investigators warned Thursday thatsignificantly   S Korea worried about North backtracking South Korea's president said he is worried that North Korea might backtrack on its pledge to dismantle its nuclear capability because the communist regime is "unpredictable.   Pak police detains 3 would-be bombers Pakistani police arrested three al-Qaeda-linked would-be suicide bombers following a shootout in the southern city of Karachi on Friday, a senior police official said.   More evidence of water on Mars An orbiting spacecraft has sent back new evidence for the presence of water on Mars. Scientists long have debated whether water flowed on the red planet, with evidence increasing in recent years.   Political parties for picking Bachchan for presidency Four political parties are considering nominating Amitabh Bachchan to run for the country's largely ceremonial post of president, media reports said yesterday.   Missed the millennium? Catch it in Ethiopia The countdown has started on a flickering billboard high above a roundabout in Ethiopia's capital, blinking out recently in red and gold letters: only 209 days, 15 hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds tothe   US to build military base in Australia The United States is to build a new military satellite communications base in Australia, the government said on Thursday, after three years of secret negotiations between the two allies. Editorial Editorial: Servants of the republic The Chief Advisor's (CA) call to the field level public servants to be completely free from the influence of any person, vested group or politics, to salvage the trust and respect of the people, mustbe   Editorial: Bank loan defaulters The ongoing drive against all sorts of irregularities committed in the last decade or so has been successful so far in unveiling evidence of crimes of amazing proportion.   Reforming the electoral process We have a new Chief Election Commissioner heading a re-constituted Election Commission. There are many problems ahead of this new team.   Mandatory registration The reconstituted caretaker government (CTG) adviser for law, justice and parliamentary affairs Mainul Hosein has recently said that the CTG is preparing tough laws to make registration of political parties   Arms race in space On January 11, 2006 China fired a medium range ballistic missile from the ground to destroy one of its old weather satellites which was orbiting approximately 860 kilometres above the Earth. StarTech VoIP: Future of telephony and Bangladesh I would like to start by thanking all of them who are supporting recent movement for VoIP in Bangladesh. We know we have to embrace all the new technologies, today or tomorrow.   ICT in the heart of corporate fair In this digital age information technology (IT) is indispensable to mission critical business activities.   TV coming to your phone ... maybe Mobile television is taking center stage at Europe's annual wireless industry show after years of largely unfulfilled hype, though differing technology standards still blur the picture.   The Prada Phone Literature Few Pages from an Unknown Diary 20 February, '52 ...People standing on the street seem strangely lifeless. Sometime back students on a horse-driven cart had ridden through the streets announcing tomorrow's hartal.   Ekushey Boi Mela Just like previous years, the Ekushey Boi Mela is also being celebrated this year in full flow.   An English language book from Bangla Academy Flaming Flowers: Poets' Response to the Emergence of Bangladesh by Mohammed Nurul Huda; Dhaka: Bangla Academy; October 1986; Tk. 100; pp. 240.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.