BDR, BSF agree to combat trans-border crimes
Exchange lists of criminals hiding in each other’s territories

The chief of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday assured that stern action would be taken for violation of human rights through civilian killing along the border and proposed to launch coordinated patrolling by BSF and BDR to curb trans-border crimes.(UNB, Dhaka) • FULL STORY

HC orders govt to restore Gulshan lakes by Jan 31
RAJUK has to provide them with alternative plot elsewhere or compensation for eviction

A division bench of the High Court HC in a landmark judgement yesterday issued a nine-point directive to the government to restore Gulshan-Baridhara and Gulshan-Banani lakes evicting illegal occupants.(The Independent) •
FULL STORY

PDB wants power tariff up by 24pc
Consumer rights groups, trade bodies

The Power Development Board on Tuesday proposed to increase electricity prices by 24.31 per cent on an average while consumer rights groups and trade bodies opposed the proposal. The consumer rights groups, during a public hearing in the matter convened by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission in its office in Dhaka,(The Newage) • FULL STORY

8 Bangladeshis among 128 stranded workers in Abu Dhabi

The Bangladesh Mission in Abu Dhabi finally on Monday managed to trace the eight Bangladeshi workers who along with 120 others got stranded in a camp on the outskirts of Mohammed bin Zayed City when the Jordanian manager of their company ran away with their passports around six months back.(The Daily Star) • FULL STORY

Awareness about harmful effects stressed
Formalin detection booth set up at Karwan bazaar

To ensure formalin-free fresh fish for the city-dwellers, the government yesterday set up a formalin-identification booth at the city's Karwan bazaar retail fish-market. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas formally inaugurated the formalin-detection centre or booth from where formalin-identification activities would be conducted with the kit made by BCSIR science lab.(The Independent) • FULL STORY

Happy planet index-Bangladesh ranks 31st out of 143 nations
The United States ranked 114, Canada 89 and Australia at 102

Bangladeshi people are satisfied with life more than many in the richest countries who roll in plenty, according to a poll that ranks Bangladesh 31st out of 143 nations in the Happy Planet Index 2.0. Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world.(UNB, DHAKA) • FULL STORY

Sexual violence, torture surging in DRC: Oxfam

Sexual violence, torture and forced labour among civilians have surged in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since a government offensive against rebels began in January, Oxfam said Tuesday. The international aid agency surveyed 569 civilians living in 20 conflict-ridden communities in Nord and Sud Kivu provinces.(The Newage) • FULL STORY

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Dhaka would have to depend on Delhi for water after 2020
"We have to put it in the United Nations, we have to put it in all international forums to stop India's river lining project,"

Bangladesh will have to totally depend on India for all its water resources coming from that country after 2020 when India will complete its river linking project, speakers said at a seminar here on Monday.(UNB) • FULL STORY

Gunmen storm Mirpur market, kill one
Rivalry over grabbing govt land leads to bloody incident

Gunmen stormed the office of a market co-operative and fired a fusillade of bullets killing a man and injuring seven others in broad daylight at an under- construction market at Mirpur section 1, in the city on Monday afternoon.(The New Age BD) • FULL STORY


The recent claim by the deputy leader of the House, Sajeda Chowdhury, that 'Sheikh Hasina's food was poisoned while being in captivity in the special prison during the emergency rule' is having a quiet snowballing effect in politics as well as in the services of the Republic."It's a dangerous game that could end up with more bloodshed," cautioned one senior retired officer of the army while a reliable source confirmed that the information relating to poisoning of Sheikh Hasina's food came from a source in the Election Commission (EC). • FULL STORY

Do Not Blame the British Muslims for Terrorism
Viewpoints

Approximately 1.8 million law-abiding British Muslims are playing their role in the development of the UK economy. Thousands of British citizens are working in Muslim countries and bringing foreign exchange to the country. Their contribution cannot be overlooked and they should not be blamed for crimes they did not commit. • FULL STORY

Full Privatization Only Solution To Electric Power Crises In Bangladesh
Energy

The most realistic way to solve the electrical power crises in Bangladesh is to allow free market economy to come into play in the power sector and to fully privatize power generation, distribution and supply. Private telecommunication and mobile phone business in Bangladesh has proved to be a grand success. Similar success can happen in the business of electricity supply by private electric companies in Bangladesh. • FULL STORY