Vol. 5 Num 974 Sun. February 25, 2007       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 Fish market raids reveal formalin horror Metropolitan Magistrate Rokon Ud-Doula never discloses early which place his mobile court is going to raid, not even to his team.   AL focuses on party reforms Awami League (AL) is making a move to reform itself by strengthening internal democracy, bringing transparency to the party's accounts, and modernising the system of induction of members.   ACC deadline ends today The 72-hour deadline for submissions of wealth statements by 50 corruption suspects to the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) expires at 5:00pm today with only five of them so far complying with the order.   Sonadia forestland freed from grabbers The joint forces and local administration yesterday recovered 1,486 acres of forestland from 15 land grabbers and demolished many illegal structures in Sonadia island in the district.   Relief seized from BNP, Jamaat men's houses A Dhaka court yesterday sent to jail former state minister Mir Nasiruddin's son while the joint forces in countrywide drives arrested the public prosecutor (PP) of Meherpur and several ward commissioners   Crackdown on to get financial sector in order Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government is cracking down on the corrupt and criminals to restore discipline and ensure accountability in the financial sector.   Tight fiscal steps cut bank borrowing Government bank borrowing reduced by Tk 700 crore in the first month of the present caretaker government thanks to a number of tighter fiscal measures and increased revenue collection.   Major cleanup drive sees 100 buildings partly demolished Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) yesterday tore down parts of around 100 structures that were built deviating from the approved designs along the Mirpur Road in the city.   BNP, AL pledge to act against corrupt leaders The BNP and Awami League (AL) will take stern actions against the partymen who will be found guilty of graft and crimes, said two leaders of the parties yesterday.   Voter ID cards ignored for 7yrs Successive Election Commissions (ECs) have been ignoring electoral laws regarding voter identity (ID) cards for the last seven years by stalling the process of issuing the cards to the voters.   Reckitt's illegal unit sealed off A mobile court in an anti-pollution drive here yesterday unearthed an illegal factory of Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh and sealed it off.   Shopping in the dark from today Shopping malls all over the country will shut at 7:00pm daily from today under load management plan aimed at tackling a chronic power crisis.   Poppy fields destroyed in CHT The joint forces of army and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) arrested three Myanmar citizens with arms and opium in the bordering area of Alikadam upazila in Bandarban on Friday night.   Mir Nasir taken ill Former state minister for civil aviation and tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin fell ill at Bogra jail on Friday, hearing the news of arrest of his son Barrister Helaluddin.   3 succumb to injuries Three people, who were injured in an underground water-tank explosion at East-West University on Wednesday, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday.   Prof Yunus for pro-poor world edn policy Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday advocated for redesigning the world education policy to give a chance to the poor but meritorious students to enroll in top class universities for higher   Felling large old trees...   Outlaw dies after Rab arrest A top cadre of the outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) died in Kushtia after five hours of his arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).   Advisers of Khaleda review situation BNP chairperson's advisory council at a meeting at Hawa Bhaban last night discussed the country's latest political situation and the party's next course of action in the changed situation.   Main accused of Khaleda's motorcade attack held The main accused of the attack on Khaleda Zia's motorcade in June 2001 was arrested here yesterday. The joint forces arrested the accused, Majnu Khan, 28, an Awami League activist, in Char Gumuria.   Gunshots traded in border area of Thakurgaon Border Security Force (BSF) of India and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) traded gunfire on Molani border under Haripur upazila of Thakurgaon district early yesterday.   15 cops killed in Indian ambush Separatist rebels killed 15 police commandos and injured four more Saturday in the deadliest ambush in the northeast Indian state of Manipur in five years, officials told AFP.   400 militants killed so far in action US and Iraqi forces have killed around 400 suspected militants since the start of a major security crackdown in Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said yesterday.   UN N-watchdog heads to t N Korea The head of the UN nuclear watchdog will meet the North Korean government next month to discuss the shutdown of its nuclear program and bring the secretive communist state back under UN supervision.   Shiites decry detention of leader's son Thousands of Shiites rallied in the holy city of Najaf yesterday to protest the nearly 12-hour detention of the eldest son of Iraq's most influential Shiite politician as he crossed back from Iran.   Former UN envoy supports Iraq pullout President Bush should follow British Prime Minister Tony Blair's lead and start withdrawing troops from Iraq, former UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said yesterday. Business Travel agents oppose, demand new incentive package British Airways' (BA) unilateral decision to drastically cut commission on ticket sales in Bangladesh evoked sharp reaction among its travel agents here.   Good management can help eradicate corruption Good management in public and private institutions can help eradicate corruption and guarantee prosperity in the society, speakers told an international conference in Dhaka yesterday.   Safta CoE meet kicks off in Kathmandu The Safta committee of experts (CoE) started a two-day meeting at Saarc headquarters in Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital city, yesterday ahead of the Safta ministerial council meeting scheduled to be held   Election board vows to hold BGMEA polls today The BGMEA election board yesterday vowed to hold polls scheduled for today. The announcement of the board came after a case was filed with a court alleging an enrolment of huge number of 'fake voters'.   REHAB fair concludes The five-day housing fair ended at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday with huge responses from the visitors.   Over Tk50cr spot orders received The Expo Bangladesh 2006-07 concluded Friday at Old Truman Brewery of Brick Lane receiving spot orders from buyers of Bangladeshi goods, including dry fish, worth more than Tk 50 crore.   IT fair in Sylhet ends today A three-day information technology (IT) fair organised by Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services (BASIS), which began in Sylhet on Friday, is concluding today, says a press release.   Euro up against dollar on rate hike prospects The euro rose against the dollar Friday as strong data pointed to higher interest rates in the eurozone, while the struggling Japanese yen perked up a touch, traders said.   Export growth cheers India's tea industry India's tea producers are reporting record production and a jump in exports after a nine-year slump caused by weak domestic demand and increased international competition, an industry body said Saturday.   Tata Coffee to take Eight O'Clock brands to Russia Tata Coffee, India's largest producer of the commodity, said Friday it will sell instant coffee under the Eight O'Clock brand name in its overseas markets after buying the US company for 220 million dollars   China bans imports of US butter China's ministry of health has warned consumers against eating two brands of US-made peanut butter and has banned imports and sales of the products, state press said Saturday.   Sino-Pak MoU on port business Pakistan and China have decided to set up a joint venture company "Pak-China Sost Dry Port Pvt. Ltd." for amicable handling of all affairs pertaining to business and management of Sost Dry Port.   Xinhua plans US IPO Chinese business news giant Xinhua Finance Media Ltd. is seeking to raise up to 371 million dollars through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq stock market, according to a US regulatory filing.   Nissan to make small cars in India Japanese automaker Nissan Motor plans to build a car plant in India to make small cars now being developed for emerging markets, it said.   Correction In a photo caption of JCI (Junior Chamber International) Bangladesh published on page 9 yesterday, it was inadvertently mentioned that JCI Bangladesh 2006 national president received an award from civil Sports Cricket: Bangladesh A fight back A much-improved batting performance in the second innings courtesy of a 131-run opening partnership between Jahurul Islam and Mehrab Hossain saw Bangladesh A fight back against England A on the thirdday   Cricket: Bangladesh play Bermuda today The Bangladesh cricket team is gearing up for their first match of the warm-up tri-series in Antigua against Bermuda on Sunday. The Tigers have undergone intense training since arriving in St.   Cricket: 1979: deja vu After the thundering success of the 75' World Cup, the next edition in 1979 was met with great enthusiasm. While the format was not tweaked with, there were a few innovations.   Cricket: Pace duo not playing? Absolute mystery, bewildering contradiction and utter chaos surrounds the fate of fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar and their participation in the forthcoming World Cup for Pakistan.   Cricket: Dravid wants honesty Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, has no worries over motivation and believes his side is "fully equipped" for Caribbean conditions in next month's World Cup.   Cricket: Clark ready for 'battles' Reprieved fast bowler Stuart Clark has put his hand up for the two most challenging jobs in the Australian one-day team at next month's World Cup -- bowling in the powerplays and at the end of the innings.   Cricket: Winning matters The Black Caps magnificent Chappell-Hadlee performance against Australia shows there is a very simple sporting equation in this country: win and everyone loves you but if you don't, people have otherthings   Cricket: Surgery looms for Lee Injured Australian strike bowler Brett Lee faces an uncertain future as he considers a fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle, which has ruled him out of the World Cup, reports said Saturday.   Cricket: Cash incentive for Tigers Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced cash incentives for the members of the Bangladesh cricket team now in the West Indies to take part in the ninth World Cup.   Indo-Bangla Games on The first Indo-Bangla Games began yesterday at the Salt Lake Stadium here with a colourful opening ceremony.   Local Snippets The annual sports competition of Shaheed Police Smriti College was held with much festivities at the Mirpur Police Complex yesterday.   Handball: Scyllars capture U-19 handball title Valkyries Scyllars, a team from Scholastica, clinched the title of the Beximco Pharma Under-19 Girls Handball Tournament with a thumping 17-4 win over Viquarunnissa Noon School & College in the finalat   Cricket: Zoheb makes Motijheel proud Sourav Smrity High School posted a massive 191-run victory over Mirpur Bangla High School in the Standard Chartered Young School Cricket tournament at the East End Club ground yesterday.   Cricket: James propel Surjo Torun Habib Moballik James made the difference with an unbeaten 94 to lead Surjo Torun to an 18-run win over Kathalbagan at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Aanensen new CEO of WICB Retired banker Bruce Aanensen is to become the new chief executive officer of the West Indies Cricket Board after Roland Toppin withdrew from the post.   Football: Barca at Ronnie's defence Barcelona players defended their Brazilian international team-mate Ronaldinho on Friday against media allegations that he is under form this season because of his expanding waistline.   Football: Mourinho pledges Chelsea stay Jose Mourinho will stay at Chelsea next season unless he is sacked, the Portuguese coach said on Friday.   Football: Zidane hails Asia's 'step forward' French star Zinedine Zidane praised Asian football's "big step forward" on Saturday as thousands of excited fans turned up to watch him play a charity match here.   Football: UEFA chuck Lille appeal UEFA on Friday rejected Lille's protest about Manchester United's controversial winning goal in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.   Football: Battle for 11-yr old Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the clubs battling to sign an 11-year-old striker, seen as a rising star in his native Argentina.   Football: Drogba claims new honour Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has added a new award to his bulging trophy cabinet after being named best Ivorian player playing abroad.   Football: Eto'o recalled Striker Samuel Eto'o returned to the Barcelona squad on Saturday after missing out on the team's back-to-back defeats against Valencia and Liverpool.   Football: Zizou's future stars Former French captain Zinedine Zidane on Saturday tipped Samir Nasri, Yoann Gourcuff and Karim Benzema as future stars of the national team.   Football: Heat on Jose Jose Mourinho has grown used to commanding the spotlight since arriving in England, but the Chelsea manager is in danger of being consigned to the shadows by a group of precocious teenagers.   Football: Walcott dreaming big Teenager Theo Walcott believes he and his fellow young Arsenal starlets are about to make their push for a permanent place in Arsene Wenger's first team.   Football: Alves fires Osaka Last year's top goalscorer Magno Alves hit a hat-trick to fire Gamba Osaka to a 4-0 victory over J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds to win the Super Cup for the first time on Saturday.   Football: Zidane, Ronaldo headline Match Against Poverty Football legends Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo will each captain a team in the fourth edition of the Match Against Poverty to be held at the Stade Velodrome on March 19 .   Football: Cech allowed to use headguard Czech federation officials confirmed Friday that international goalkeeper Petr Cech has been authorised by UEFA to wear a headguard in the European Championship qualifiers.   Football: Agostino signs for Adelaide Former international striker Paul Agostino has returned home from Germany to sign a two-year deal with Australian A-League team Adelaide United, the club said Saturday.   Football: Banned for butting ref The captain of a French amateur football team has been banned for six years for head-butting a referee during a local league game. "The player is banned for six years. Metropolitan 11 killed in road accidents At least 11people were killed and 47 others injured in separate road accidents in Keraniganj, Sirajganj, Rajshahi and Patuakhali yesterday and on Friday night.   'Stop intervention of external forces in resolving problems' The move taken by the caretaker government to bring corrupt people to book has created an opportunity to strengthen the economic base and democracy and to safeguard sovereignty of the country, speakers   Rly land recovered from encroachers at Akhaura Bangladesh Railway (BR) has recovered two acres of land from encroachers at Akhaura in the district.   Parents cry for justice Jagannath Ghosh, father of Turza Ghosh Rony, at a press conference yesterday demanded immediate transfer of the case to the Speedy Trial Tribunal to hasten the trial process.   Currencies worth Tk 49.63 lakh seized Customs officials at Zia International Airport (ZIA) seized local and foreign currencies worth over Tk 49.63 lakh from a Singapore-bound passenger late on Friday night.   Start election process: Hasina Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the caretaker government to start the election process soon.   DU urged not to invite Yunus as convocation speaker Student organisations and a section of teachers yesterday urged the Dhaka University (DU) authorities not to invite Nobel laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus as the convocation speaker to the 43rd convocation   Australia to consider national mother language day on Feb 21 Australian parliament will consider to include International Mother Language Day in its permanent calendar.   Sweepers blast RCC mayor for not allocating any CI sheet Hundreds of sweepers yesterday blasted the mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) for not allocating even a single corrugated iron (CI) sheet as test relief during the last five years for the renovation   President visits Justice Habibur Rahman at CMH President Iajuddin Ahmed visited ailing former Chief Adviser Justice Habibur Rahman at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in the city yesterday.   Army nabs seven pirates at Araihazar The army yesterday arrested seven pirates and recovered firearms, ammunition and explosives from Kadmirchar village at Araihazar Upazila in the district.   Production at Sangu gas field resumes Production resumed at Sangu gas field yesterday evening after completion of drilling work at a new well successfully.   Applications invited Applications from the enterprising women have been invited for The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards which was introduced by Cartier and the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society last year, says a   Chinese envoy meets Khaleda Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Chai Shi paid a farewell call on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Hawa Bhaban yesterday evening and discussed ways to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between   Workshop on gender begins A two-day training workshop on 'Gender: Concepts and Issues' for Upazila women affairs officers began on the Dhaka University campus yesterday, says a press release.   Bhut O Parir Galpo launched Speakers at a book launching ceremony said literature has a great role in shaping the minds of children, says a press release.   Mozammel personal secy to president Md Mozammel Haque Khan, director of Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation, has been appointed personal secretary to the President while Molla Waheduzzaman, project director of Bangladesh Environmental National Dig up stories behind Wadud's 'illegal' riches Leaders of different political parties have demanded probe into assets of former BNP lawmaker from Khagrachhari Wadud Bhyiuan and his alleged corruption and irregularities in last five years.   Sajid's family seeks justice from caretaker govt Family members of Sajedur Rahman Sajid who died in police custody here last year, at a press conference held at Gaibandha Press Club yesterday, sought justice from the caretaker government.   9 bank accounts seized from arrested RCC employee's house Police Friday night seized documents including copies of nine land deeds and seven bank accounts from the house of arrested Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) budget cum accounts officer Lutfar Rahman.   Smuggled chicks burned in Satkhira At least 993 layer chickens smuggled from a neighbouring country were burned in Satkhira on Friday on suspicion of their being affected with bird flu virus. Point-Counterpoint Where's your team, Professor Yunus? Professor Yunus has been my hero for nearly 25-years. He's a rare gem who not only thinks big, but also delivers spectacularly.   What Dutta said, February 1948 On February 25, 1948, Dhirendranath Dutta, a lawmaker from East Bengal in the Constituent Assembly of the new state of Pakistan, rose in the House to move an amendment demanding that the Bengali language   George Harrison: A tribute "It's easier to tell a lie than it is to tell the truth. It's easier to kill a fly than it is to turn it loose. It's easier to criticize somebody else Than to see yourself.   Recent decrease in LC: Political or economic? According to all newspapers and media news, a sharp fall in the number of LC (letters of credit) opened was recorded in January. Culture A rendezvous with Bangla songs of last 100 years It was an endeavour second to none. A journey through a hundred years of musical history, glory and pride.   'Shongjatra': Art form with a touch of humour The rural artistes in Bangladesh, who are basically occupied with other professions, perform several jatra forms developed through improvisation.   Classical music at National Museum Classical music has the innate power of transporting listeners to a higher realm.   Film festival at DU Dhaka University film Society (DUFS) is arranging a film festival titled Amar Bhashar Chalochchitra from February 24 to 28 at the TSC Auditorium, Dhaka University premises. General Define time frame to hold credible election Speakers at a roundtable yesterday called for defining a time frame to hold a free, fair and credible election.   President greets Amir of Kuwait President Iajuddin Ahmed felicitated Amir of Kuwait on the occasion of their national day that falls today.   13 more girl students of Benapole High School fall sick Thirteen girl students of Benapole High School fell sick in their classroom yesterday due to a "mysterious disease". International Israel in talks for use of Iraq airspace Israel opened negotiations to fly through US controlled airspace in Iraq to carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a British newspaper reported yesterday.   Europe to resume aid, says Hamas Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said on Friday some European countries had decided to resume aid to the Palestinian government, which has been crippled by a Western funding freeze since Hamas rose to power.   White House warns against Iraq pullout Brushing aside criticism from the White House, Senate Democrats said Friday their next challenge to President Bush's Iraq war policy would require the gradual withdrawal of US combat troops beginningwithin   Iranian forces kill 17 rebels in clashes Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards on Saturday killed 17 rebels described as "mercenary elements" opposing the Islamic republic in clashes in the northwest of the country, state media reported.   Maoists, ethnic groups clash in Nepali towns Police arrested at least 14 people after violence broke out yesterday between Maoists and supporters of ethnic groups in southern Nepal, officials said.   Indians overrun barriers at burial of unknown train blast victims Hundreds of Indian Muslims clambered across barricades Saturday to force their way into a mass funeral of 23 Pakistanis killed in a firebomb attack on a cross-border train.   Italy president asks Prodi to stay PM, face vote Italy's president asked Romano Prodi on Saturday to stay on as prime minister and face a confidence vote to test his majority in parliament.   Muslim ministers in Pakistan for talks The foreign ministers of seven key Muslim nations started arriving in Pakistan yesterday for talks on a collective push to end the turmoil in the Middle East.   All 63 BSP MLAs resign from UP assembly In a pressure tactics that may actually help the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in the trust vote on February 26, all the 63 BSP MLAs along with some BJP and SP members are said to have resigned fromthe   India to seek extradition of arms scandal fugitive India is to ask Argentina to extradite an Italian businessman wanted in a high-profile arms scandal and linked to the head of India's ruling party following his detention there this month, the Central   Lanka troops take Tiger bases Sri Lankan troops overran three Tamil Tiger rebel bases this week, the defence ministry said yesterday after the guerrillas declared a five-year-old ceasefire all but dead.   Iraqis eke out living in Baghdad rubbish dump Sitting amid mounds of rotting garbage in a rubbish dump in Baghdad, 13-year-old Huda Hamdan is the human face of a new UN report that says a third of war- torn Iraq's 26 million people live in poverty.   2 Russian tourists shot dead in Thai beach resort Two female Russian tourists were shot dead Saturday while they were relaxing on the beach in the popular Thai seaside town of Pattaya, police said.   Indonesian president for equal rights for Chinese Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said yesterday there should be equal rights for his country's ethnic Chinese minority following decades of discrimination. Editorial Editorial: New team at ACC THE appointment of Lt. General (retired) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury as the new chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission is a step we wholeheartedly welcome.   Editorial: Of price and price list ONE expects the price list, displayed by the shopkeepers, to indicate the actual price of the commodities being sold at that shop. Regrettably, that is not being so.   Mending Indo-Bangladesh relations FOREIGN policy of smaller nations often is influenced by internal rather than external considerations.   Yunus and the scared politicians BEFORE January 11, all of the news emerging from Bangladesh was bad news and hopelessness. Now, six weeks later, all of the news that comes across the TV screen bubbles with optimism.   Recent crackdown: A wake up call for the business community THE recent crackdown on several business houses has raised various issues as well as thoughts to ponder. Star Health Childhood cancer is curable Medical personalities specially oncologists, social organisations and inspired people observed the World Cancer Day on February 4 gorgeously .The perspective of the day was "Our Children, our future".   HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer Ultrasonological investigations play vital role for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of many diseases.   Active community participation can ensure health services The World Bank, at a recent report on millennium development goal of Bangladesh said progress on maternal mortality has been slower and much remains to be done.   No need to diet and exercise to lose weight A new study debunks the widely held belief that diet plus exercise is the most effective way to lose weight. Researchers report that dieting alone is just as effective as dieting plus exercise.   Your Doctor Dear Doctor I am 35 years old and work in a private bank. For a couple of months I have been suffering from burning sensation in my both feet. Often I have to put my shoes off due to this problem. Star City Rajuk bulldozer rocks Gulshan Avenue On Thursday at around noon a large bulldozer belonging to the Rajdhani Unnyan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) rolled into the city's Gulshan Avenue. With it came a magistrate and workers of the Rajuk.   Grave problem Efforts to scrape four new cemeteries in the capital remain buried under piles of files while the city continue to face acute burial problems and cemeteries continue to bury multiple bodies in singlegraves.   Journalism: Getting a new hype Newly graduated journalists are considering building careers in the media industry more than ever before as this booming industry is drawing them in with higher wages and attractive benefits.   Dormitory life: Bliss or bane? In a country where family tie is very strong and most young adults stay with parents it is interesting to know about those living in the dorms.   Children's day at book fair February 24 was a special day at Ekushey book fair. It was a special day for children since the book fair authorities dedicated this day to them -- from 9:00am till 2:00pm.   A Green Scandal   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.