The unity process between two factions of the BNP, popularly known as pro-Khaleda and pro-reformist, is now at the final stage and an announcement in this regard may come at any time, informed sources said.
Hectic meetings among the senior leaders of both the factions are being held at different places in the city for the last couple of days to formulate the unity process.
BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah yesterday told reporters that the unity process is at the final stage and a joint declaration will be announced anytime. [Read more]

The government is likely to import 100,000 tonnes of Soft Red Winter (SRW) type of wheat from Canada and Australia with an additional cost of Tk 25 crore in spite of bumper production of wheat in the country.
According to sources the Government will import one-lakh tonnes of wheat at a cost of Tk 330 crore while the local market price of the same amount of wheat is at Tk 305 crore now.
The local market price of wheat is between Tk 30.15 to 30.55 per Kg while the Government will import it at Tk 31.50 per kilogram from Canada and Australia. [Read more]

A massive earthquake struck central China on Monday, killing more than 8,500 people, trapping nearly 900 students under the rubble of their school and spilling ammonia from a chemical plant, state media reported.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake was among the worst to strike China in decades, devastating a hilly region of small cities and towns in Sichuan and nearby provinces. The official Xinhua News Agency said 8,533 people died in Sichuan and dozens of other deaths were reported elsewhere. [Read more]