Dhaka, Jan 27 (UNB)- Ishraq Ahmed, one of the men accused of leading the plot behind the foiled recent coup attempt, has said the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is letting Bangladesh be “turned into a Bantustan” run by India.   • FULL STORY

No coal-fired power plant near Sundarbans: Personalities
They voiced deep concern over the government decision and sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in having the plan rescinded.

Dhaka, Jan 27 (UNB) - Twelve renowned personalities of the country on Friday demanded immediate withdrawal of the government's decision to set up a coal-based power plant near the Sundarbans for the sake of the environment and biodiversity.  • FULL STORY

BNP's 'mass procession' tomorrow-Khaleda to lead programme in Dhaka
Meanwhile, tension is prevailing centring the programme as the ruling Awami League will hold a rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city the same day.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will lead the party's mass procession tomorrow in the city which, party leaders hope, will turn into a huge parade ahead of its March 12 Dhaka rally.(The Daily Star)   • FULL STORY

18 banks face acute liquidity crisis
Some banks desperate in getting cash, driving call money rate high

DHAKA, JAN 27: Two state-owned, 14 private and two foreign banks are in such an acute liquidity crisis that they are driven to borrow from the call money market almost every working day to meet their clients' demand for cash.(The Independent)  • FULL STORY

WB funds for Padma bridge unlikely
Economic Relations Division (ERD) sources said the government asked the WB to extend the time by at least three months

DHAKA, JAN 27: The World Bank (WB) is unlikely to provide funds for construction of the Padma multipurpose bridge as it has decided not to extend the time of credit agreement.(The Independent)  • FULL STORY

Coup plotter Maj Zia couldn’t leave country: Intelligence
The sources told UNB that Maj Zia could not leave the country due to the issuance of red alert.

Dhaka, Jan 27 (UNB) - Intelligence sources say Maj Ziaul Huq, the key plotter to create recent disturbance in the army, will be caught any time.   • FULL STORY

AL, BNP involved in extortion, lobbying:CPB
Both Awami League and BNP are involved in extortion, tender manipulation, lobbying, corruption and criminalization in the name of politics,”

DHAKA, JAN 27: Awami League and BNP, two major political parties of the country, instead of doing fair politics, are involved in extortion and lobbying in the country, leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) alleged at a grand rally in the city on Friday. Sky-rocketing prices of essentials could be contained through mass distribution of goods, they said.(The Independent)  • FULL STORY

Graft galore in 900 MPO-listed institutions
PMO wants tough action against culprits

DHAKA, JAN 27: The Prime Minister’s Office has asked the education ministry to find out and penalize those officials and employees found involved in the process for giving salary from the exchequer to the teachers and employees of nearly 900 schools and colleges flouting the rules.(The4Independent)  • FULL STORY

Take master plan to save Panam Nagar: Archeologist
The existing brick buildings of Panam Nagar were the houses of the Hindu merchants and talukdars. The city, developed in the 19th century, continued to prosper till the end of the World War II.

Dhaka, Jan 27 (UNB) - Only archeologists under a master plan can help save Panam Nagar, an important archeological site of the country now on the verge of extinction due to encroachment and for lack of maintenance, said an expert  • FULL STORY