Vol. 5 Num 927 Sun. January 07, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page 41 killed as bus goes up in flames At least 41 people were killed when an overloaded bus fell into a ditch and burst into flames at Suwagazi in Comilla on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway yesterday.   Grand alliance's 72-hr blockade begins today Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance's countrywide 72-hour blockade starts today amid the caretaker government's resolute and elaborate plan to thwart the demonstration for electoral reform 'at any cost'   Poll preparations in a mess With only 15 days in hand, preparation for the next parliamentary election is still in disarray as the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat is yet to specify the number of voters, ballot papers to beprinted,   Polls to be held on time: Iajuddin President/ Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday reaffirmed that the parliamentary elections would be held on schedule due to constitutional obligation, although a major political camp withdrew fromthe   Ordeals of mass arrest victims Sixty-year-old Saleha Begum was sobbing hysterically in front of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) court, Dhaka yesterday as her son, a mass arrest victim, was facing a magistrate who would decide   EU poll mission may not go ahead if crisis persists The European Union yesterday said their Election Observer Mission for the upcoming general election in Bangladesh might not proceed as expected, if political stakeholders fail to resolve the ongoing crisis.   Cold claims 25 more lives The cold wave claimed 25 more lives in nine districts in 24 hours until 5:00pm yesterday, raising the death toll to 101 in the last five days.   AL asks army to stay away from 'illegal' election Coordinator of Awami League (AL)-led 14-party alliance Abdul Jalil yesterday urged the law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, and all officials related to the election not to engage themselves   Cry for fertiliser in North Facing crisis of urea fertiliser at the peak season for Boro cultivation, the farmers brought out processions and created blockade on the highways at different places, especially in the northern region.   CG orders army, law enforcers to show zero tolerance The caretaker government yesterday ordered army, BDR, Rab and police to show zero tolerance in dealing with a three-day blockade programme, according to a police source.   FBCCI for emergency if deadlock continues The country's apex trade body yesterday urged the caretaker government to declare a state of emergency if it fails to persuade the two major political parties to reach a consensus within 24 hours to break   'CA's statement comes from Hawa Bhaban' Reacting to President and Chief Adviser (CA) Iajuddin Ahmed's statement last night Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance leaders said the CA wants to bring back BNP-Jamaat-led coalition back to power through   Poll results to be meaningless due to boycott The UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has said the decision by several opposition parties to boycott the January 22 polls suggests the result will be meaningless and the political outlook istherefore   US, UK envoys hold closed door meeting with Hasina US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis and British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury held an unscheduled closed door meeting with Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina at her residence last night to discuss   EU poll observers question Khaleda's claim The European Union Election Observer Mission (EUEOM) yesterday said they could not find the source of the observations made by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday, when she said the EU in 2000 suspected   Fog, transport crisis disrupt post-Eid return to Dhaka Thousands returned to the capital yesterday despite immense transport crisis and misty weather after celebrating Eid holidays outside the city.   Scant supply...   Khaleda asks teachers to guide people to polls BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the teachers' community to play their due role in guiding the people towards the right direction ahead of the general election.   JP urges army, law enforcers not to carry out CA's orders Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) yesterday urged the law-enforcement agencies and the armed forces not to carry out orders of President and Chief Adviser (CA) Iajuddin Ahmed that goes against the people.   Dying trees...   BSF abducts Bangladeshi Indian Border Security Force (BSF) kidnapped a Bangladeshi farmer from Kazipara frontier in Tentulia upazila yesterday morning.   40 Jamaat men hurt in clash with AL activists At least 40 activists of Jamaat-e-Islami were injured when supporters of the Awami League-led alliance allegedly attacked their procession at Kumarpara of Baderganj upazila in Rangpur yesterday afternoon.   Rebels kill 48 in Assam multiple attacks Separatist rebels in India's restive northeastern state of Assam killed 48 people, mostly labourers and traders, in a series of coordinated overnight attacks, police said yesterday.   JCD men damage AL election arches Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal cadres allegedly damaged around 50 arches erected by the Awami League (AL) in Kochua of Chandpur district yesterday.   Republicans join Democrats in opposing more US troops for Iraq President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq is running into trouble on Capitol Hill, with Republicans joining Democrats in raising eyebrows before the president even has a chance to make his case.   Suicide bombing kills 15 in Lankan bus A suspected female suicide bomber set off a powerful blast inside a bus in southern Sri Lanka on Saturday, killing 15 passengers and wounding 40 in the second bus attack in two days, police said.   Govt staff group decides not to 'perform' poll duty A group of government employees held a meeting at a restaurant in Mirpur in the capital yesterday and allegedly decided not to perform their election duties if it was held without the participation of   Robber lynchedin Satkhira A robber was lynched by a mob at Khariadanga village in Sadar upazila on Friday night. Locals and police said a gang of robbers stormed into the house of Dipak Master at the villager at midnight.   Rivals battle for connected world Technology giants Microsoft and Apple will set out their rival visions of the digital future at two separate events in the coming days. Business Baira still charges job seekers extra service fees Country's prime trade body of overseas employment agents still goes ahead with its malpractice of realising extra charges from overseas job seekers, especially from the workers intending to go to Malaysia,   India to abolish textile tax on RMG Seeking to boost the garment sector and exports, India has decided to abolish the textile cess on readymade garments (RMG), thus fulfilling a long-standing demand of the industry.   Myanmar to set up 6 free trade zones Myanmar will designate six main commercial cities as free trade zones under a new special economic zone law to be enacted in the near future, the local weekly Myanmar Times quoted the Forestry Ministry   Seize opportunity for Doha deal The European Union urged President Bush and the new Democrat-dominated Congress on Friday to show leadership in reviving the Doha trade round, saying there were now the makings of a deal.   BSE shortlists 5 foreign exchanges The Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd (BSE) has shortlisted London, Nasdaq, Deutsche Borse, New York and Singapore stock exchanges for the proposed sale of a 26 percent stake, the Business Standard newspaperreported   China to further boost unions in foreign companies China's state-controlled trade union plans to organize labor in at least 70 percent of all foreign-invested enterprises by the end of 2007, state media reported Friday.   Asean risks irrelevance unless it transforms: Singapore The Association of Southeast Asian Nations must change or become irrelevant, Singapore's deputy prime minister was quoted as saying on Saturday.   Dollar strikes six-week high against euro The dollar hit a six-week high against the euro on Friday after the publication of US non-farm payrolls data which showed that job creation in the world's biggest economy picked up in December.   Boeing offers services to new Russian aviation giant Russian transport minister Igor Levitin held talks with US aviation giant Boeing in Washington on Friday on possible cooperation with his country's newly formed state champion Unified Aircraft Building   India may lift ban on sugar exports Indian government is likely to discuss next week, completely lifting the ban on sugar exports in view of the projected surplus stocks which could impact the sweetener's prices.   Lanka earns $421m from gem, jewellery exports in '06 Sri Lanka earned nearly 45 billion rupees, (421 million US dollars) from gem and jewelry exports in 2006, up 23 per cent from 36.   Japan's instant noodle inventor dies Japan on Saturday bade farewell to Momofuku Ando, known as the inventor of instant noodles that have become a global household product, after he died aged 96.   Russia plans to legalise 5m foreign workers Russia plans to legalise five million foreign workers in an effort to clamp down on a shadow economy that sees billions of dollars leave the country illegally each year, top officials said Friday.   Zimbabwe diamonds finding way into black market? Industry body The World Diamond Council is worried that gems from Zimbabwe may be finding their way into the black market, a violation of rules established to curb so-called conflict diamonds that fuel   Tawian regulator takes charge of failing banks Taiwan's financial regulator has taken charge of two failing private banks in quick succession, an unprecedented move intended to stabilise them.   Kohinoor Chemical approves 16pc cash dividend Kohinoor Chemical Company (Bd) Ltd has approved a 16 percent cash dividend for its shareholders for the year 2005-2006.   Sristy Hometex to take part in German fair Sristy Hometex Ltd (SHL), a local home textile and home interior products manufacturer and exporter, is going to participate in an international home textile fair to be held in Frankfurt, Germany from   Philippine's forex reserves hit all time high The Philippine's foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of 23 billion US dollars at the end of 2006, a local newspaper quoted the country's central bank as saying Saturday.   Motorola warning signals tough 2007 A profit warning by Motorola Inc could signal a tough 2007 for cell phone makers who increasingly depend on competitive emerging markets as growth in the rest of the world slows, analysts said.   British Airways reaches pension deal with unions British Airways Plc has reached an agreement with its four main trade unions on a package of reforms to tackle its 2.1 billion pound ($4.1 billion) pension deficit, the airline confirmed on Saturday.   Nokia signs WiMAX deal with Sprint Sprint Nextel has picked Finland's Nokia as a key infrastructure and consumer electronics device provider for its WiMAX mobile broadband network in the United States, the companies said on Friday.   GM plans high-mileage battery for SUVs With the world's automakers gearing up for Detroit's annual auto show, General Motors Corp. Sports Cricket: Old boys turn it on New Zealand crashed to their worst ever one-day cricket loss Saturday in a humiliating 189-run defeat conjured by some magic from Sri Lankan veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas.   Cricket: Proteas clinch series South Africa edged to a five-wicket victory in the final Test in Cape Town to seal a 2-1 series win over India.   Cricket: Punter eyes Waugh feat Australia, fresh from crushing England 5-0 in their first Ashes whitewash in 86 years, have confirmed themselves as one of cricket's great "dynasties", reports here said, but are still hoping to break   Cricket: Vaughan set to lead Andrew Flintoff's Ashes woes are expected to continue when he is stripped of the English captaincy and replaced by Michael Vaughan on Sunday, press reports said.   Tennis: Clijsters conquers Hong Kong Belgian star Kim Clijsters's final year as a professional got off to a perfect start Saturday when she beat world number two Maria Sharapova in straight sets to win the Hong Kong invitational.   Cricket: Hayden ogles at WC Matthew Hayden has bid farewell to his Test opening partner Justin Langer and now wants to partner Adam Gilchrist in the Australian team all the way to this year's one-day World Cup final.   Cricket: 'England had no chance' Victorious Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Saturday that England had no chance of retaining the Ashes thanks to his side's iron discipline.   Cricket: Un-British alacrity There was something very British about the response of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to their side suffering the first 5-0 Ashes drubbing for 86 years -- they announced the creation of a new   Cricket: 'Overload on Flintoff' England coach Duncan Fletcher says a lot was asked of Andrew Flintoff as England captain in the failed Ashes campaign against Australia.   Cricket: Rules are simple: Harper Umpire Daryl Harper said Friday that Sachin Tendulkar and the Indian team management should have been aware that the star Indian batsman was not allowed to bat early on the fourth day of the third Test   Football: Larsson set for MU debut Henrik Larsson will make his belated introduction to English football in Manchester United's FA Cup third round tie against Aston Villa here Sunday having already won the backing of his new manager and   Football: Return of joint TV rights? Italy's antitrust authority, which investigates unfair competition and abuses of market position, on Friday urged the Italian football authorities to work towards a return of the collective selling of   Football: Wenger planning double blow on Reds Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his in-form team are relishing two cup ties in four days at Premier League rivals Liverpool.   Tennis: Safina springs surprise Dinara Safina made it fourth time lucky when she overcame top seed Martina Hingis to clinch the Australian Women's Hardcourt tennis championship 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday.   Cricket: SOS to Warne! England coach Duncan Fletcher said Saturday he would like Shane Warne to cross the great cricket divide and work as a spin doctor for Australia's old Ashes enemy.   Cricket: Beware of WC touts World Cup organisers in the Caribbean (CWC) have warned fans not to buy travel packages except from official agents.   Cricket: 'Eng refused practice' England refused the chance to play 16 days of warm-up matches before their ill-fated Ashes defence, according to Bob Merriman, the former Cricket Australia chairman.   Cricket: Buck joins search mission The Ashes series has been a tale of two coaches with John Buchanan improving his record and Duncan Fletcher losing ground by the game.   Football: Scolari itching for Brazil friendly Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he is looking forward to his side's friendly against Brazil next month at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London.   Football: Ancelotti realistic AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admits he is pessimistic about his team's chances of winning the Champions League.   Football: Neuville out till February German international striker Oliver Neuville is out of action until February with a groin strain, his club Borussia Moenchengladbach said Friday.   Football: Essien wins BBC poll Chelsea's Ghana international Michael Essien was on Friday named the BBC's African Footballer of the year, carrying off the title with a massive 66 percent of the vote.   Football: Bellamy set for FA Cup return Craig Bellamy is available to play for Liverpool when the FA Cup holders begin the defence of the trophy at Anfield on Saturday.   Football: No rest for the weary A few years ago I went to see Sven Goran Eriksson, who at the time was the England national team coach.   Football: Rovers look to Bentley Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes prepares for his team's FA Cup third round tie at Everton on Sunday with plans to offer a new contract to David Bentley following reports of interest from Manchester   Football: Trezeguet fancies Boca move France international striker David Trezeguet admitted Friday that he would be tempted to join Argentine side Boca Juniors if asked to by football legend Diego Maradona.   Football: Wenger slams foul play Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger launched a scathing attack on deliberate foul play in the English game on Friday and blamed referees for failing to protect talented players.   Football: Webster loaned to Rangers Defender Andy Webster confirmed Friday that he has joined Scottish giants Rangers on loan from Wigan until the end of the season. The 24 year-old moved from Hearts to the Premiership club in the summer.   Football: Falkirk's no to Wolves Scottish Premier League side Falkirk have turned down an offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers to buy their fast-improving young striker Alan Gow. Metropolitan Constitutional recognition of indigenous people demanded Speakers at a national consultation meeting yesterday demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people to establish their rights in the country.   AL boycotts polls to create constitutional vacuum BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday accused Awami League of trying to create a constitutional vacuum in the country by boycotting the national polls.   Put back election date to save nation from crisis Legal experts and civil society members at a discussion yesterday suggested putting back the date of the national election as they feared that holding the polls as per the current schedule may lead to   4-party candidates face resistance from voters Most of the BNP-led four-party alliance aspirants in the forthcoming general lection have been facing public wrath and resistance during their campaign in Rajshahi.   Political situation not congenial for polls A two-member delegation of European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) in Bangladesh held a view-exchange meeting with local journalists at Khulna Press Club yesterday.   2 sent to jail for preaching 'armed revolution' A court in Nilphamari has sent to jail two people who were arrested on suspicion of their militant connection from Suthibari Jame Masjid at Dimla on Friday.   Hasan Azizul Haque, Golam Murshid receive Prothom Alo Book award Eminent authors Hasan Azizul Haque and Golam Murshid were awarded 'Prothom Alo Book of the Year: 1412' at a ceremony at a city hotel yesterday.   Report on Ershad fleeing country false: Kazi Zafar Jatiya Party (JP) leader Kazi Zafar Ahmed has dismissed outright the report that party Chairman HM Ershad might flee the country and seek political asylum abroad in the wake of the court order to surrender   Mass arrest condemned Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee yesterday condemned the mass arrest ahead of the AL-led grand electoral alliance's two-day countrywide blockade slated for today and tomorrow, says a press release.   Man beaten to death by in-laws A man was allegedly beaten to death by his in-laws for torturing his wife in the city yesterday. He was identified as Al Amin, 22, of Behari Camp at Pallabi.   Farmers blockade Benapole-Jessore road for diesel Outraged by severe disruption in diesel supply during the current Irri-Boro season, farmers of the area blockaded Benapole-Jessore road at Talashari area for four hours yesterday morning.   Phensidyl seized Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel fired eight rounds of bullets on smugglers and recovered 1,384 bottles of phensidyl from them at Hadhdah frontier in the district on Friday midnight.   New DU Alumni Assoc executive body takes over Newly elected executive committee of Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) took over the charge of office from the outgoing committee at a joint meeting recently, says a press release.   Obituary Siddikur Rahman Khan, an organiser of the War of Liberation and social activist, passed away due to old age complexities at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday morning at the age of 85, says a press National 20 lakh extreme poor cry for warm clothes About 19 lakh extreme poor in eight northern districts are struggling to survive the freezing cold where at some places mercury dipped below 5 degree Celsius.   Ensure voting rights of physicallychallenged, govt & parties urged Speakers at a discussion yesterday said the physically challenged people are deprived of their fundamental rights including right to voting due to lack of government initiatives and indifferent attitude   UPDF enforces blockade in 3 hill dists today The United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) will enforce a dawn-to-dusk road blockade in three hill districts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban today.   Abducted PCJSS man yet to be rescued An abducted leader of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) remained untraced 13 days into his abduction from his house allegedly by the armed members of the anti-peace United People's Democratic   One killed, 25 hurt in 2 road accidents in Gaibandha A college teacher was killed and 25 persons were injured in two road accidents in Gaibandha on Friday and Wednesday night.   BCL founding anniversary The 59th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of Awami League (AL), was observed here on Thursday. Point-Counterpoint In search of consensus As a football match cannot be played between two teams without a fair and neutral referee and without a level playing field, similarly, a fair election cannot be held without these two prerequisites.   The generation killing secularism has to go The actions of Abdul Jalil and co in sidling up to hard-line Islamists of the Bangladesh Khelafat Foundation blow away any pretence that the Awami League stands for secularism.   The future of Indian democracy For a country with a very long past, many in India now seem to be resolutely focused, when they are not consumed by the demands of daily living, on the future.   A different strategy? Trying to understand the grand alliance's political strategy is like trying to understand the movement pattern of a chicken with its head cut off, i.e. all over the place with no focus. Culture 2006: An average year for theatre Theatre activities in Bangladesh in the 2006 were not as remarkable as that of the previous years.   Farid Shah: A study of contrasts on film Farid Shah's documentary film, titled The Peanut Sellers, is making waves.   Premanjita Chowdhury: The talk show host with panache Unlike many talk show hosts, Premanjita has a direct, non-confrontational approach. Her style is characteristically frank and encouraging.   Johnny Depp to play Freddie Mercury? Fans are not getting enough of Freddie Mercury it seems. International Iraq threatens to review ties with Saddam execution critics Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday threatened to "review" relations with countries which have criticised the bungled execution of Saddam Hussein, saying the hanging was an internal matter.   Nepali Maoists set 8-day deadline for interim constitution Nepal's Maoists will organise street protests if the government fails to issue a provisional constitution in the next eight days to pave the way for the rebels to join an interim cabinet, their chiefPrachanda   US marines killed Iraqis one by one An investigative report compiled by the US military indicates that US marines gunned down five unarmed Iraqis who stumbled onto the scene of a 2005 roadside bombing in Haditha, Iraq, The Washington Post   European rights panel urges end to all executions in Iraq The Council of Europe, a pan-European human rights watchdog body, appealed Friday to Iraq to immediately stop all executions, describing the death penalty as a human rights violation.   Japan, US warn North Korea on nuke tests Japanese and US officials warned Friday of tougher measures against North Korea if the isolated communist nation conducts a second nuclear test.   Abbas for integrating Hamas men in security forces Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas yesterday demanded that a force led by the ruling Hamas movement be integrated into existing security structures and reshuffled the leadership of Palestinian security   Gaza, where tragedy and news are never far away The sound of explosions boomed over Gaza City as Israel carried out another air strike against Palestinian militants behind rocket attacks and I expected a familiar sight as I hurried to the scene.   Iraq PM declares revised security plan for Baghdad Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Saturday declared a revised security plan for Baghdad aimed at curbing the raging insurgent and sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital.   Saddam death raises tribal ire in Saudi Arabia Saddam Hussein's unruly execution on the feast of Eid al-Azha by masked Shi'ite hangmen taunting him on the gallows has revived Sunni Arab fears that the Iraqi government is run by vengeful sectarianShi'ites   Winter chill kills 80 in northern India Cold weather across northern and eastern India has killed at least 80 people in the past week, forcing authorities to close schools and colleges and deliver firewood to the homeless, officials said on   US troops kill 4 in Baghdad raid US troops killed four "terrorists" suspected of making roadside bombs in an early morning raid in Baghdad yesterday, the military said. Another suspect was detained.   Nato-led soldiers injured in attacks in Afghanistan Bombings targeted at Nato troops in Afghanistan wounded a number of soldiers in the latest insurgency-linked unrest while gunmen shot dead an Afghan intelligence officer yesterday, officials said.   US sanctions on arms dealers "illegal"Says Russia Russia hit back yesterday at the United States after Washington had imposed sanctions on three Russian firms for exporting weapons to Libya and Iran, branding the US action "illegal".   Drunk Indian passenger held after hoax bomb threat A drunk airline passenger who said he would blow up the plane after being refused alcohol was arrested at New Dehli international airport, a report said yesterday.   Malaysia confident of safe ASEAN summit in Philippines Malaysia said yesterday it was confident a key Southeast Asian summit in the Philippines would be free of terrorist attacks despite warnings from Australia, Britain, Canada and the US, state media said.   Commander among 18 Taliban killed Afghan forces backed by Nato-led troops fought Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan killing 15, including a regional commander, while three more died planting a bomb, police said.   UN investigated over 300 for sex abuse The United Nations has investigated more than 300 members of UN peacekeeping missions for alleged sexual exploitation and abuse during the past three years and more than half were fired or sent home,according   Noida child killer suspects undergo ¿truth' tests The police on Friday began administering a cocktail of drugs and chemicals to act as a sort of truth serum on two men suspected in the rape and killing of at least 17 people, mostly children, in Noida.   Somalia's Islamists vow to pay heed toal-Qaeda The Somali government on Saturday said it was indefinitely postponing a mandatory disarmament programme, while Islamic fighters hiding in Mogadishu said they will heed an al-Qaida call for guerrilla attacks   Rains, mudslides kill 24 in Brazil At least 24 people died in mudslides and more than 8,300 were left homeless this week following heavy rain in southeast Brazil, with the death toll likely to rise as the hunt for bodies goes on, the Civil Editorial Editorial: Khaleda's address BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, while addressing a press conference in a city hotel, squarely blamed, as was expected, the grand alliance for boycotting the election and went to the extent of saying   Editorial: Stop preemptive arrests With hundreds of anticipatory arrests on the eve of the siege programme of the 14-party alliance it seems that popular apprehensions of the caretaker government being not so neutral may have been proved   Forgetting freedom fighters The politicians who disavow the architect and creator of their nation and its freedom fighters will be trashed and rotting in history -- that's for sure.   Is the caretaker government unconstitutional? On January 3, the grand alliance led by Awami League announced that it would boycott the January 22 election.   Execution of Saddam Hussein Finally President Bush and the aggrieved Iraqi Shiites and Kurds who were primary victims of Saddam's brutality got their revenge. Letters to Editor Tragedy of caste system All human beings want peace and happiness in our daily life. Hinduism means peace. But power hungry Hindu politicians in India made it their weapon to oppress fellow human beings in the name of religion.   Murky political scene From the first hour of taking charge of state power by the caretaker govt.   Advisers I have the pleasure to extend my heartiest thanks to the eminent advisers to the present caretaker government as they are trying to bring about some credible solution to the prevalent political impasse.   What is our destination? In the past I never tried to write anything to a newspaper. This time I intended to do so because of the current situation, which I think is critical. The politicians have let us down.   Answers to ten questions I have carefully read Mr. Abu Talab Mahmudur Rahman's letter [DS-06 December 2006] written from Kuwait and have carefully noted down its content.   NGOs and voter list It has been recommended that we utilise NGOs and their grassroots level linkages to remove anomalies from the flawed voter list. As a citizen of Bangladesh, I have strong reservation against this.   Good news but... Well, a day full of positive news (it turned out to be short lived) after so many negative things happened in our country. It was like a cool breeze coming out after a prolonged hot and humid summer. Star Health Don't blame the woman! The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety.   More than wisdom in those wisdom teeth! Young adults in their 20s and 30s who cannot part with their third molars (a.k.a.   Facts about urticaria If you have a lumpy and itchy rash which looks like the effect of a nettle sting and occurs for more than six weeks, you may have urticaria.   Alzheimer's caregiving: Maintain support network Alzheimer's caregiving is a tough, tough job. The physical demands and the emotional strains are exhausting.   How to cope with side-effects of antidepressants Antidepressants often cause unpleasant side effects. Many of these side effects last only a few weeks and then go away on their own. Star City DCC plays with yet another playground Dhaka City Corporation has once again violated the open space protection act 2000 by leasing out Shaheed Park in Mohammadpur to a private company, depriving local children of a playground.   Ghostly hands switch off lights 'for good' Mysterious hands have taken over the responsibility of the streetlights of Mahakhali Flyover. The lights, which had been burning for over two months day and night, have been switched off for good.   Fuel crisis continues Fuel shortage that began the day before Eid threatens to cripple city life, as the 129 petrol pumps virtually have run dry in the last few days affecting dwellers to a great extent.   Mismanagement at Dhanmondi Lake Gross mismanagement reigns supreme in maintenance of the Dhanmondi Lake despite two designated committees are in place to look after the lake.   Lack of traffic policing muddles city streets during Eid Despite the deserted and sportive look of the city streets during the Eid holidays, irregularities in traffic policing created traffic disarrays in many parts of the capital city with no traffic officials   Ambulance fares soar during political unrest Ambulance operators in the city charge more than double the actual fare during general strike or blockade programs called by political parties.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.