True to her much-asserted election pledge, Sheikh Hasina yesterday set the tune of the charter of change in earnest to her march as the country's Prime Minister.(The Independent BD)   • FULL STORY

Israel hits UN school, nears major Gaza towns
The rising civilian death toll has drawn international condemnations and raised concerns of a looming humanitarian disaster.

AP, GAZA CITY -Jan 6: Israeli forces edged closer to Gaza's major population centers today and attacked new sites, including a U.N. school, claiming more civilian lives after ignoring mounting international calls for an immediate cease-fire. A Palestinian rocket attack wounded an Israeli infant.   • FULL STORY

4 advisers appointed to assist govt
Sources said the four have been rewarded for their contribution in helping AL to secure a landslide victory

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has appointed four advisers with the status of full minister to assist her in running the government.   • FULL STORY

New government: Visible, invisible adversaries on economic front
economic management would have to be exceptionally efficient if the electoral promises made by the Awami League (AL) were to be translated into reality

The grand political alliance that scored a stunning victory in the December 29 parliamentary election took over the rein of the country's administration yesterday (Tuesday).(The Financial Express )   • FULL STORY

Relentless goods price spiral for 7 years
Differs by 39 to 169 per cent

The average price of major commodities at the end of 2001, when the Awami League government left office, and on January 5, on eve of the party’s takeover again, differs by 39 to 169 per cent, according to the records of the government and the consumer groups.(The Newage)   • FULL STORY

Millions of children vulnerable in economic crisis: UN
On the contrary, this is the time to sustain and actually expand social investments." Singh

The deepening global economic crisis could raise infant mortality and malnutrition rates by up to 10 percent, a UN official said on Tuesday, urging Asian governments to protect millions of vulnerable children. Despite budgetary constraints, there is no reason to cut back on social spending(The Bangladesh Today)   • FULL STORY

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was sworn-in- as the Prime Minister on Tuesday leading Bangladesh to democracy at the end of a two-year unrepresentative rule by an emergency government backed by Army.(The Bangladesh Today )   • FULL STORY

Partial list of new cabinet members

A partial list of the cabinet members has been available to The Daily Star. The list follows:Abul Maal Abdul Muhit, Matia Chowdhury, Air Vice-marshal (retd) AK Khandker, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Barrister Shafique Ahmed, Advocate Shahara Khatun, Syed Ashraful Islam, Rezaul Karim Hira, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Abul Kalam Azad, Dr Dipu Moni, Dr Afsarul Amin, Dr Abdur Razzak, Syed Abul Hossain, Col (retd) Farooq Khan, GM Quader, (The Daily Star )  • FULL STORY

World fears grow over Gaza 'humanitarian crisis'
Western diplomats seek elusive Gaza truce

World leaders expressed mounting concern about the humanitarian impact of Israel's massive offensive on the Gaza Strip Monday, as diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict went into overdrive.(AFP)   • FULL STORY

New govt assumes office today
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government, to be headed by Sheikh Hasina

The Awami League-led alliance is set to form the government today amid expectations of the electorate, demand for improved governance, challenges of peace and stability on the country’s return to a democratic system after about two years’ emergency rule.( The New Age BD)   • FULL STORY

Transition to democracy from emergency rule
President invites Sheikh Hasina to take oath as Prime Minister

The country's transition to democracy from undemocratic Emergency Rule is set to be completed as President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Monday invited Leader of Parliament and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina for taking oath as the Prime Minister of the county at Bangabhaban today (Tuesday).(The Bangladesh Today)   • FULL STORY

Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) move to capture halls shuts down BL college
About one hundred BCL activists, armed with sticks and iron rods, made several attempts to capture Mohsin Hall

Jan 5: Daulatpur Government BL College has been closed today (Monday) for an indefinite period following violence on the campus centering the attempts by the activists of Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) to capture two student dormitories dominated presently by Islami Chattra Shibir (ICS) activists.(The Independent)   • FULL STORY

Defeated senior leaders of BNP allegedly obstructing oath of BNP MPs-elect
BNP MPs-elect in favour of punishing war criminals

BNP senior leaders and standing committee members being defeated in the national parliamentary election are allegedly discouraging other MPs-elect of the party to take oath. According to party insiders, the MPs-elect of BNP could not take oath as a members of parliament due to indecision(The Bangladesh Today)   • FULL STORY

Poor marking signs affect navigation in southern river routes
Only seven river routes safe for operation

Navigation on many river and coastal routes of the southern region has become risky for poor marking signs with the emergence of under water shoals. Masters of the river vessels are facing problems as buoys, beacon lights and other marking signs go out of order frequently or float away every day by current.(The Bangladesh Today)   • FULL STORY

Upazila electioneering picks up steam
AL plunges into campaigns, BNP fears attacks

Campaigns for the January 22 elections to 481 upazilas across the country has gained some momentum with the Awami League plunging into electioneering in the wake of its landslide victory in the general elections though the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is yet to start electioneering apparently in fear of reprisals.(The Newage)   • FULL STORY

Post-poll violence claims 4 lives, injures 71

At least four persons were killed and 71 others injured at different parts of the country in post election violence during the last one-week. This was stated yesterday by Nazrul Islam, Additional IG of Police, Operation.(The New Nation)   • FULL STORY

Muscle power, corruption plague DMCH
Sufferings of patients continue

Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), the biggest state run health care center set up for providing treatment to the poor and common people, is failing in many ways to accomplish the task as muscle power, indiscipline, and corruption have plagued it causing immense suffering to the patients.(The Bangladesh Today)   • FULL STORY

CA happy over smooth transition of power

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday expressed his satisfaction and happiness over smooth transition of power to an elected democratic government. "It is my great pleasure to see that the state power is going to be transferred to an elected government smoothly which is a great achievement(The New Nation)   • FULL STORY