Banglalinks

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday called for a renewal of Russian democracy, in his latest manifesto before presidential polls where he will seek to extend his 12 year domination of the country.

The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, researchers say.

BNP has formed a five-member citizens' investigation committee to probe the killing of five opposition activists in police firing during its mass procession programme on January 29 and 30, saying truth will not come to light through the ongoing government investigations.

Home Minister Shahara Khatun will stress the issue of recurring killing incidents of Bangladeshis by BSF during the two-day talks in New Delhi on February 23-24 with her Indian counterpart.

As the city returned to its usual business after a three-day holiday, city dwellers yesterday experienced unusual traffic congestion in most parts of the city due to ongoing works of installing utility pipelines in some major streets.

Families of six students killed by a mob at Amin Bazar last year have alleged police are reluctant to probe into the incident and arrest the killers.

Several lawmakers of the Awami League-led alliance in parliament yesterday blasted the government over its failure to stabilise the stockmarket, and demanded the immediate arrest of those a probe body had held responsible for the market crash.

Stocks prices fell to a record low yesterday, pulling down the key index of the Dhaka bourse by around 6 percent, as the investors went for massive sell-offs.

A parliamentary body yesterday placed in the House a special report on 2007 campus violence, recommending steps to stop DGFI's interference in politics, and closing the interrogation cells of the task force and joint forces.

The Search Committee will submit to the president today a list of names for appointment of a new chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners.