Vol. 5 Num 1127 Wed. August 01, 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 Star Chittagong Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Inflation stands at decade's highest Inflation rate on a point-to-point basis in June stood at a 10-year high 9.20 percent, and threatens to reach a double-digit soon due to floods and the upcoming Ramadan.   Marooned people cry for drinking water The flood situation continued to deteriorate in most flood-affected districts yesterday while scarcity of drinking water has become a serious problem for the marooned people exposing them to various water-borne   Govt appeals against Hasina's bail order The government yesterday filed an appeal with the Supreme Court (SC) challenging Monday's High Court (HC) order granting ad interim bail to detained former prime minister Shiekh Hasina in an extortion   From heyday to doomsday As trucks lined up yesterday at Banglabandh land port to carry jute goods to Nepal for its growing carpet industry, an opposite development took place in Bangladesh.   EC puts the cart before the horse in Rajshahi The Election Commission (EC) has started the field level task for preparing a fresh voter list with photographs in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) area without amending the existing electoral rolls ordinance,   Khaleda avails NBR amnesty Ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia yesterday paid Tk 33 lakh to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) under an amnesty offered to tax dodgers to get their undisclosed money legalised.   City roads in bad shape Almost all roads in the capital have turned into patchworks of potholes and craters due to substandard construction and torrential rain.   Another jute mill blows final whistle As the authorities announced closure of the Peoples Jute Mills Ltd (PJML) in Khulna late Tuesday night, many of the employees gathered at the factory entrance broke down in tears.   2 US congressmen write letter to CA Two US Congressmen have contended that the recent high- profile arrests in Bangladesh, including that of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, only give credence to speculations that the caretaker government's   Govt steps unlikely to work The government initiatives to control spiraling prices of essentials are unlikely to have any major impact in terms of dampening inflationary pressure, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said yesterday.   HuJi boss Hannan, 3 militants charged A Sylhet court yesterday framed charges against Mufti Abdul Hannan, chief of the outlawed Harkat-ul-Jihad (Huji), and three others for the grenade attack on British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury in   1 member quits, defiant 3 others face axe One of the five members of University Grants Commission (UGC) resigned yesterday following the request of education ministry while three other members would be sacked soon if they do not resign willingly,   Rebels want to exclude Khaleda Blasting pro-reform BNP leaders for announcing reform proposals beyond the party constitution, Brig Gen.   Fabrics smouldering...   ACC has nothing to do with Hasina's letter In response to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's letter to the Anti-Corruption Commission chairman, the ACC secretary yesterday said they have nothing to do with it and she will have to submit her   Body formed to formulate new jute policy The government has formed a high-powered committee to formulate a new jute policy to revive the jute industry, sources in the jute and textiles ministry said.   US for polls as stipulated in EC roadmap The United States yesterday reiterated that it wants to see the parliamentary election in Bangladesh held by the end of next year.   Court orders attachment of Bashundhara chief's property A Dhaka court yesterday ordered attachment of properties of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan Shah Alam and seven others in connection with a case filed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR)   Ex-BCL secretary Iqbal arrested on extortion charge The anti-crime taskforce members yesterday arrested former Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) general secretary Iqbalur Rahim from the city's Shegunbagicha area and later he was charged in an extortion case,   2 female RMG workers crushed under train Two female garment workers were killed on the spot and another female worker was critically when run over by a train at Tejgaon in the capital last night.   DEPZ factory still smoulders The Jon Sing Textile Mills inside Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) was still smouldering last night, around 30 hours after a fire broke out in the factory.   DU finds 37 more fake students A fact-finding committee formed to investigate admission forgery at Dhaka University (DU) yesterday primarily identified 37 more fake students who got admitted to the university through fraudulent means.   Deadline now Sept 30 for legalisation The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday extended the deadline for legalising undeclared but lawful income till September 30, 2007.   Sanjay Dutt jailed for 6 years An Indian anti-terror court yesterday sentenced Bollywood movie star Sanjay Dutt to six years in jail for illegal weapons possession in connection with serial bombings in Mumbai in 1993.   Benazir's aide may become deputy PM A nominee of exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto may become Pakistan's deputy prime minister under a political deal being worked out with President Pervez Musharraf.   US diplomat for lifting ban on politics US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi yesterday urged to lift the ban on politics saying it is required to bring positive change in Bangladesh. "Dialogue is part and parcel of an effective reform process.   15 militants killed in fierce Pak clash Pakistani troops backed by helicopter gunships killed 15 pro-Taliban militants in intense fighting in a troubled tribal zone bordering Afghanistan yesterday, the army said. Business DSE moves again to activate secondary bond market As the secondary market for government treasury bonds still remains inactive, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has once again initiated a move to activate it.   Derivatives, book building methods needed to bolster stock market Speakers at a workshop in Chittgong on Monday backed 'derivatives' and 'book building' as two modern tools for bolstering capital market.   Govt urged to fix retail prices of 10 essentials Leaders of Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owner's Association yesterday urged the government to form a taskforce to fix retail prices of 10 essential commodities for every three-month period to control prices.   HK, Taiwan top Asian living standards Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore households enjoy the highest living standards in the Asia-Pacific while those in emerging powerhouses China and India remain poor, according to an Asian Development Bank   Indo-Pak talks on transborder truck service to boost trade India and Pakistan begin two-days of talks Tuesday to boost trade ties including a cross-border truck service to ferry goods, a government statement said.   Singapore's booming sectors to see pay hikes Critical staff shortages in certain key professions in Singapore could lead to pay rises of up to 40 per cent in the next 12 months, a new survey has found.   Beijing warns local govts against price intervention Local governments have been told not to intervene directly in market prices unless it is "necessary".   New president of employers' federation Kamran T Rahman has been elected president of Bangladesh Employers' Federation for two years (2007-2009), says a press release.   Surveillance key to checking artificial crisis of essentials Business community in Chittagong yesterday said government surveillance is needed to check any artificial crisis in the commodity market.   India hikes cash ratio, key rates unchanged India's central bank moved Tuesday to cut money supply but kept short-term borrowing rates unchanged to balance concerns over inflation and a desire to maintain high economic growth.   Euro rebounds against dollar The euro gained against the dollar in early European trade on Tuesday amid mixed eurozone data, while the US unit rose against the yen. The European single currency climbed to 1.3705 dollars from 1.   BTRC realises Tk 2cr fine from Jalalabad Telecom Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday realised Tk 2 crore fine from Jalalabad Telecom Limited, a private land phone operator, as the company has failed to fulfill a licensing   Shaky time for Bush economic aides Gyrating stock prices. Shrinking nest eggs. Spiking foreclosures on home mortgages. Worries that credit will dry up.   Paulson for Chinese economic reforms US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson renewed efforts in meetings with top leaders Tuesday to persuade China to allow faster currency appreciation and wean itself off exports by adjusting consumption.   Etihad to launch flights to Nepal Etihad Airways will start a four flights-a-week service from its Abu Dhabi home base to Nepalese capital Kathmandu in October, says a press release.   Oil prices ease in Asian trade Oil prices fell in Asian trade Tuesday on profit-taking after sharp recent gains sessions but expectations of continued strong demand will limit any slide, dealers said.   Doubts cast on Wal-Mart price war in China Wal-Mart recently waged its largest ever price war since its presence in China 11 years ago. However, many consumers cast doubts on the real purpose of this retail giant's price campaign.   Bank Asia sets up 3rd computer learning centre at Lohagora A computer learning centre funded by Bank Asia Ltd was set up at Lohagora in Chittagong recently, says a press release.   Currency Sports Football: Khulna Abahani depart with future uncertain Khulna Abahani finished ninth in the B. League when the visitors crushed Rahmatganj 3-0 on the penultimate day of the inaugural professional football league at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: BCB ad-hoc committee sits today The first meeting of the newly appointed ad-hoc committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will take place this afternoon at the board's management office in Gulshan.   Badmintorn: Abir-Rabbi final today Rajshahi's Abir will face Rabbi from Jessore in the final of the unde-14 group of National Junior and Sub-junior Badminton competition at the Wooden Floor Gymnasium today.   Cricket: India go one up India beat England by seven wickets to win the second Test on the fifth and final day at Trent Bridge here on Tuesday and so go 1-0 up in the three-match series.   Cricket: Zaheer's sweet revenge India's Zaheer Khan said he'd been inspired to produce his best Test match bowling figure by a bizarre England prank involving jellybeans.   Cricket: New tests for pace duo Doping-tainted pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif featured in Pakistan's latest drug tests for the first time since they tested positive last year, an official said Tuesday.   Cricket: 'Follow your mate' India captain Rahul Dravid said fiery fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth ought to learn from the example of teammate Zaheer Khan if he didn't want to get into further trouble with cricket officials.   'We didn't throw jellybeans' England captain Michael Vaughan said his players had not dropped jelly beans about the crease on Sunday while India were batting in the second Test.   Cricket: 'Booze adds to SA misery' Alcohol abuse by some of the South African cricketers was a cause of their poor performance during the recent ICC World Cup in the West Indies, observes Adrian le Roux, the former fitness trainer of the   Football: Barca head to Asia Barcelona head to Asia on Thursday for a pre-season tour reinvigorated by their new signing Thierry Henry who scored during his debut last week for the club at an exhibition match in Scotland.   Football: Brazil bids for WC 2014 Brazil, the only candidate bidding to host the 2014 World Cup, is set to officially present its bid at the headquarters of world football's governing body FIFA in Zurich on Tuesday.   Football: False start for Alex The Brazilian defender Alex suffered an inglorious start to his new career in the Premiership with Chelsea when a mix-up over his documentation caused him to fly straight back to Brazil four hours after   Football: Chelsea feeling the strain Chelsea's gruelling pre-season programme took its toll yesterday when another six players were added to their growing injury list ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash against Manchester United.   Football: Reyes moves to Atletico Spanish international winger Jose Antonio Reyes became the eighth player to join Atletico Madrid in the close season when he moved from English Premiership side Arsenal for a fee believed to be 12million   Football: Jury still out on Martins The jury is still out on Obafemi Martins, who scored 17 goals in his first season at Newcastle United, but failed to convince all their supporters that he represents a worthy successor to the great names   Football: Blatter all praise for Iraq President of world football's governing body (FIFA) Sepp Blatter on Tuesday praised the Asian Cup winning team of Iraq by saying they were proof of a "united football". "It was absolutely extraordinary.   Football: Atletico shifts to new stadium Atletico Madrid will move to a bigger capacity stadium in 2010 under an agreement reached with the local council, the Spanish first division club's president and city officials said on Monday.   Football: Deco fancies Jose link-up Barcelona midfielder Deco has admitted he would love to be reunited with Jose Mourinho.   Football: Thaksin controversy continues A human rights organisation has slammed the Premier League for allowing former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to buy Manchester City.   Football: Ribery, Klose fit for start Bayern Munich's French international midfielder Franck Ribery said on Tuesday he had shaken off a knee injury and expected to be fit for his new club's Bundesliga kickoff on August 11.   Football: Ferguson confident Sir Alex Ferguson remains confident that Manchester United will get the right results in their long-running transfer sagas over Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze.   Tennis: Venus back to stretch win Wimbledon champion Venus Williams returned to the WTA San Diego Classic for the first time in five years Monday, picking up where she left off with a victory.   Cricket: Dravid hails Khan Captain Rahul Dravid said winning the toss was vital to India's seven-wicket win over England in the second Test.   Cricket: Akhtar fitness scare Pakistan manager Talat Ali soothed fears over Shoaib Akhtar's fitness after the bowler caused a minor stir by walking off the field in a practice match between Pakistan probables at a camp being heldat   Cricket: 'Pakistan can be No 1' Pakistan's new coach Geoff Lawson plans to use his team's unpredictability as a surprise weapon against opponents in his bid to turn it into the world's No. 1 side.   Cricket: PCB warns Inzamam Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Naseem Ashraf on Tuesday issued a clear warning to former captain Inzamamul Haq, saying he would not be considered for national selection if he decides to play for thebreakaway Metropolitan Biman starts journey as public limited company Biman Bangladesh Airlines yesterday started its journey anew as a public limited company (PLC) named Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd with the signing of an agreement between Biman and the government.   Strengthening local govt a must for admin decentralisation Strengthening local government is a must for administrative decentralisation which is needed to ensure the rights of people at grassroots level, said the experts at a roundtable yesterday.   JMB patron Bagmara BNP leader sued A case has been filed with Rajshahi magistrate's court against Bagmara upazila BNP vice-president and 25 others for torture, extortion and patronising Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).   ACC seeks support from NBR, financial instts Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday said the commission needs documentary support from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and banking and financial   2 outlaws killed in 'shootout’ Two leaders of outlawed parties were killed in crossfire during a "shootout" between police and their cohorts early yesterday after police raided Khejurtala village of Kushtia Sadar upazila where twooutlawed   Declare Bangabandhu as Father of Nation Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of Awami League, demanded that the government declare Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation and observe August 15 as NationalMourning   2 to die, 3 get life for murder Chittagong Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal yesterday awarded death sentence to two persons and life term imprisonment to three others in a murder case.   SC judgement on govt appeal tomorrow The Supreme Court delivers its judgement tomorrow on a government appeal against the High Court verdict on the dispute over the demolition of the 22-storey Rangs Bhaban.   Breastfeeding Week begins today As elsewhere in the world, Bangladesh is observing the Breastfeeding Week from today.   2 held after gunfight with Rab Two youths were arrested after a gunfight between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and a gang of criminals at Ramchandrapur in Savar yesterday morning that left two people, including a Rab man, injured.   New committee invites media at its meeting for transparency Tasked with finalising coal policy, the new committee decided at its first meeting yesterday to allow the press to be present at its discussions for ensuring transparency.   Brac allocates Tk 50 lakh for flood relief Brac, one of the country's leading development organisations, has made an initial allocation of Tk 50 lakh in relief for the people severely affected by floods across the country, says a press release.   Nine students fainted in Sherpur Nine students of two schools and a madrasa in Sadar upazila fainted with symptoms of mass psychogenic illness yesterday morning.   Six arrested in city Police detectives yesterday unearthed a den in the city where drivers have long been selling fuel oil of the vehicles of different government and private offices and private cars.   3 officials of vessel fined A mobile court fined three officials of a vessel Tk 2.25 lakh as the vessel was discharging oily sludge at Chittagong port channel yesterday.   4 clinics fined Tk 2.4 lakh in Gazipur A mobile court in a drive yesterday fined four clinics Tk 2.40 lakh and arrested three people, including one of the owners, for unhygienic environment and violating agreement in Gazipur.   Nokia's snap-a-story contest prize distributed The prize giving ceremony of the countrywide Nokia's Snap-a-Story Competition was held at the Spectra Convention Centre in the city yesterday.   8 killed in crossfire in July Says BSEHR report Eight persons were killed in crossfire and 2712 fell victim to mass arrest in the last month, says a Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR) report.   20 top police officials transferred Twenty top police officials were transferred and given new postings yesterday in a shake-up of the police administration. Besides, two of them were given promotion.   2 DCC sanitary inspectors held on bribe charge Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two sanitary inspectors of the health department of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) as they were allegedly taking bribes from bakery owners in the city's National Trial of extortion case against Minu begins Trial of an extortion case filed against Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu began at the third court of Rajshahi Additional Sessions Judge yesterday.   Embankment being repaired to save Kuakata from erosion The authorities have finally started repair work of the flood control embankment at Kuakata point last week.   34 more attacked with 'mass hysteria' About 34 students of Panchhari Bazaar School and College were attacked with 'mass hysteria' yesterday.   3 RU transport staffers beaten Unruly students of Rajshahi University (RU) beat up a transport staff, a driver and a helper of the university bus Monday night, campus sources said.   'Listed' criminal killed by rivals A 'listed' criminal was chopped to death by rivals at Khagorbaria village in Faridpur upazila Monday night, police said.   UP member gets 2-yr RI A union parishad (UP) member was sentenced to 2 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) and fined Tk 5000, in default to suffer 6 months more for misappropriating corrugated iron (CI) sheets meant for relief   Marriage of 2 adolescents stopped Marriage of two adolescents has been stopped at Koira village in Khulna. Their marriage was stopped due to timely intervention of Koira Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) Mohammad Amin yesterday.   Flood in dists Point-Counterpoint The first oil price shock It does'nt need encyclopedic knowledge to remind us that in less than three decades after the Second World War (1945), the oil supply situation rose to the top of the agenda of issues before the world   The question of the president's political obligations The words "President" and "Head of State" had first been used in the Constitution of India, that came into force in 1952, to make a clear conceptual distinction between elected and hereditary head ofstate Culture Contemporary Art of Malaysia A five-day art exhibition titled "Contemporary Art of Malaysia" ended yesterday at the National Art Gallery, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.   Saratchandra's "Shoroshi" on Channel-i tonight Mini series Shoroshi's first episode will be aired at 10:00pm on Channel-i tonight. The TV adaptation of Saratchandra Chattopa-dhyaya's story is directed by seasoned film actress Rozina.   Ingmar Bergman, a master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, the master filmmaker who found bleakness and despair as well as comedy and hope in his indelible explorations of the human condition, died On July 30 at his home on the island of Faro, International ‘Iran biggest threat to US interests in ME’ US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has warned that Iran poses the biggest threat to US Middle East interests, as she begins a major regional tour.   Taliban set new deadline as 2nd S Korean killed Afghanistan's Taliban set the government a new deadline of noon (0730 GMT) today to meet its demands in order to save 21 South Koreans, a day after a second hostage was killed.   Myanmar under fire at ARF meeting Asian nations piled pressure on Myanmar while China pledged to be a good neighbour, as foreign ministers from across the region met on the eve of high-level security talks here yesterday.   'New Red Mosque' rebels threaten suicide attacks Pro-Taliban militants who seized a shrine and named it after Pakistan's radical Red Mosque said Monday they would retaliate with suicide bombings if troops tried to flush them out.   Nuke accord recognises 'real difference' between India, Pakistan: US The United States says it considers relations with both India and Pakistan as important but the accord to implement India-US civil nuclear deal is a clear recognition of a "real difference" between them.   '1000 Maoists fighters fled Nepali camps’ Over one thousand Maoist Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) fighters, including two platoon commanders, cantoned at the Maoist Fourth Division in Nawalparasi have fled the camps over the past six months,a   Free elections will save Pakistan from failure: Think-tank Pakistan is in danger of failing as a state unless the military government of President Pervez Musharraf restores democracy by holding free and fair elections this year, a think-tank said yesterday.   Putin backs Abbas to secure Palestinian unity Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support yesterday for efforts by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to end a bitter stand-off in the Palestinian territories.   India, Naga rebels extend ceasefire Indian government negotiators and rebels from the northeastern state of Nagaland indefinitely extended a ceasefire yesterday, a joint statement said.   69 trapped Chinese coal miners fed milk Rescuers poured milk down a coal mine's ventilation pipes in a bid to save 69 workers trapped underground for more than 50 hours in central China, state media said yesterday.   Maldives heads for referendum on political system The Indian Ocean tourist paradise of the Maldives will hold a referendum to decide the future role of its powerful presidency held by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for the past 29 years, officials said yesterday.   Italian film legend Antonioni dies Director Michelangelo Antonioni, one of the last great figures in Italian cinema, has died at the age of 94, ANSA news agency reported Tuesday quoting his family.   Turkey rounds up scores of illegal immigrants Turkish security forces detained almost 90 illegal immigrants from Asia and the Middle East and three suspected Turkish traffickers during two raids here, Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.   Gunmen abduct Pakistani in Nigeria Gunmen yesterday seized a Pakistani construction worker in the restive oil-rich southern Nigerian Rivers state, community sources said. A source said the kidnappers were in a speedboat. Editorial Editorial: Hasina's case As we await the decision of the Appellate Division on Sheikh Hasina's petition, we would like to comment on some of the observations made by the High Court pertaining to the process and procedures followed   Editorial: Musharraf's meeting with Benazir General Pervez Musharraf has lately been a troubled man.   Of distortions and intellectual dishonesty Much talk has lately been going around about restoring Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to his proper place in Bangladesh's history.   Bangladesh needs a plan for gas import A few years ago, when the BNP government was intent on implementing gas export from Bangladesh, a group of people, including members of IOC and a few of their local associates, was trying to sell a theory   A road map for Biman It was with great interest that I read Mr. Qamaruddin's op-ed, "Biman PLC -- some suggestions," in The Daily Star editorial page on July 27, and would like to make a few comments. Letters to Editor Democracy in Bangladesh The Roadmap of Election has been announced though it is too late. According to the Roadmap the next parliamentary election will be held by December next year. It is also too late.   Reforms in public universities I have seen reports on the reforms in the public universities in Bangladesh in different daily newspapers. This has been long due and thanks to the caretaker government for taking this initiative.   Prices of essentials The government with all its sincere wishes could not bring down the prices of essentials.   Palestinians and elusive peace As former British Prime Minister Tonny Blair sets on his mission to bring peace among the Palestinians and Israel, he must first urge the Palestinians to stop slaughtering each other.   We mourn We are deeply shocked at the demise of renowned historian and former vice chancellor of Chittagong University Professor Dr Abdul Karim.   Two leaders These two ladies are now trying to play with public sentiment to hide their own faults and trying to put the CTG in an awkward position.   Load-shedding Since 24 July night the people of Basabo-Goran-Madartek have been suffering immensely; we are experiencing load-shedding for the night. Overall, we receive electricity for 5-6 hours a day.   Hasina's arrest As a Bangladeshi born British citizen living in the UK all my life, I was fortunate enough to spend the first few months of 2007 in Bangladesh and witness firsthand some of the changes occurring in the   Your commentary Thank you for your commentary "This is no way to strengthen democracy". I agree with the comments you've made or the questions you've raised.   Price of coal Way back in 1950-51, I first read the play "The price of coal" in Galsworthy's collection of "Nine Modern Plays" in college days.   DU teachers As people say rot starts from the head, in our country the same thing happened.   Italian syndrome? What is happening in Bangladesh is not at all unprecedented. Almost identical events occurred in Italy in the early 1990s.But we have to go back a bit. Mussolini had nearly destroyed the Mafia.   Surprising! It's surprising that some enlightened people are also writing and shouting against the legal action taken by the authorities against the corrupt leaders. Star Chittagong Most of Ctg roads unfit for traffic With cracks and potholes, most of the roads on the periphery of 60sq kilometre Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) have almost become unfit for traffic due to lack of maintenance.   CDA deadline to evict CCC illegal structures expires today The time of Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) eviction notice issued as part of its drive against illegal structures to the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) commercial firms and markets expirestoday. Star City Pedestrian interest almost set aside The proposed Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for the capital city has ignored the interests of pedestrians, environmental concerns and importance of non-motorised transports by suggesting allocation of   Preserving city's ageing trees In the absence of proper preservation, old drooping branches and stag-headed dead trees make dangerous roadside denizens, threatening to drop on vehicles and passers-by on the city roads.   Jacuzzi, beware! The recent case of a man who narrowly escaped fatal burns while using the Jacuzzi at Gold's Gym has brought to light safety lapses in the club's world famous facilities.   Nightlife of Old Dhaka In the dead of night when most people are sleeping after the hustle and bustle of a hectic day, a certain part of the city wakes up with loud music blaring out from food outlets tearing the stillnessof   Dog-owners' doldrums With so many people languishing in poverty and neglect, it may seem somewhat irrelevant to fret about dogs, but for most dog-owners, their pets are as important as any of their human friends and their   Rejoinder In a rejoinder, the Air Quality Monitoring Project (AQMP) director Dr.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.