Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today attended a view-exchange meeting organised at Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium in Naogaon. Photo: BSSNAOGAON, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said the scenario of the election will change after the allocation of symbols. “Once the campaign begins, a fair voting atmosphere will be created,” he said responding to a question from journalists before a view-exchange meeting organised at Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium in Naogaon. Prof Bidhan Ranjan said the referendum campaign vehicles may not be able to go everywhere due to the lack of wide roads. Later, he joined the view-exchange meeting as the chief guest.

Nagorik Oikko President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has expressed frustration after the BNP kept its own candidate in Bogura 2, despite a seat sharing understanding with allies. The district administration confirmed that Mir Shahe Alam is the BNP's final candidate for Bogura 2, covering Shibganj Upazila, reports bdnews24.com. Bogura's returning officer and district administrator Toufikur Rahman said: "Shahe Alam is the sole BNP candidate in Bogura 2. Speculation had lingered that BNP might withdraw Shahe Alam to support Manna, but no withdrawal occurred by Tuesday's deadline. Local BNP leaders confirmed Shahe Alam will receive the party's Paddy Sheaf symbol on Wednesday.

He added that all law-enforcing agencies would work together to recover government land from illegal occupation in Jungle Salimpur. Authorities have long described Jungle Salimpur, on the outskirts of Chattogram, as a hotspot for crime and illegal settlements. An estimated 400 to 500 miscreants launched a sudden attack on RAB members after announcements over a loudspeaker, the statement said. Asked whether the Jungle Salimpur raid was conducted with a small number of personnel, the RAB DG said around 50 officers took part in the operation. Police say Jungle Salimpur is a zone where outsiders outnumber locals.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addresses a gathering at Mohakhali T&T Colony ground in the capital on Tuesday. -AgencyBNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has promised flats, schools and healthcare for Korail slum residents in his Dhaka 17 constituency, seeking their prayers ahead of the Feb 12 election. As the BNP candidate for Dhaka 17, Tarique pledged to establish two schools, a playground and healthcare facilities in Korail, alongside introducing "family cards" for mothers and "farmer cards" for cultivators, reports bdnews24.com. He stressed that all plans depended on divine mercy and the prayers of residents. Tarique added that his party's politics was for ordinary people and vowed to continue standing by Korail residents.

Yet despite its potential to reduce air pollution, carbon emissions, and public health risks, cycling remains largely absent from urban transport planning in Bangladesh. Cycling is not a lifestyle choice—it is survivalFor many in Dhaka, cycling is not about fitness or leisure. “Cycling survives through informal systems that policymakers barely acknowledge.”The hidden systems keeping cycling aliveDespite neglect, cycling in Dhaka persists through informal networks: roadside repair shops, secondhand bicycle markets, and community-based support systems. The study warns that without policy support; these informal systems may not survive. They also call for stronger involvement from health and environment ministries, rather than leaving cycling solely to transport authorities.

According to fishermen from multiple districts bordering the Sundarbans - including Satkhira, Bagerhat and Khulna - more than 10 pirate groups are now active inside the forest. “If a fisherman shows the token, pirates let him go. Sources familiar with the region estimate that a single pirate group of 10–15 members can earn Tk2–5 crore annually, creating strong incentives for criminal resurgence. Habibur Rahman (pseudonym), a former fisherman and ex-member of a surrendered pirate group, said he stopped entering the forest after pirates returned. Coast Guard operations and rescuesAmid the deteriorating situation, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has played a central role in countering piracy through intelligence-driven operations.

A total of 27 candidates have withdrawn their nominations from 20 constituencies in Dhaka ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Yesterday, the candidates submitted their withdrawal papers separately at three offices: the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Returning Officer office in Segunbagicha, the Dhaka Regional Returning Officer office, and the Dhaka District Returning Officer office. Election Commission sources said most candidates withdrew their nominations following party decisions to allow electoral alliance candidates to contest. From the Dhaka District Returning Officer office, Farhad Hossain (Khelafat Majlis) withdrew from Dhaka-1, A.K.M. According to the revised election schedule, the Returning Officer will publish the final candidate list and allocate symbols on January 21.

The amount of cash in the hands of people outside the country's banking system—known as 'mattress money'—is around Tk300,000 crore, said Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) chairman Masrur Arefin. Regarding the management of non-performing loans, the ABB chairman said that it is reasonable to start a new journey by completely writing off the rotten loans. According to Masrur Arefin, non-performing loans are mainly a management and good governance problem. He commented that the creation of new non-performing loans is mainly the result of weak supervision and lack of good governance. Strongly criticizing looting, money laundering, directed and fake loans in the banking sector, the ABB Chairman said that these practices are very dangerous and unacceptable in any way.

In the first six months (July-December) of the current FY26, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is facing a revenue deficit of nearly Tk46,000 crore. According to NBR statistics, the total revenue collected in the last six months was Tk185,229 crore. In terms of growth, the customs, income tax and VAT sectors increased by 6.81%, 14.67%, and 19.97% respectively in the last six months. In that month, Tk9,950 crore was collected from customs, Tk12,261 crore from income tax, and Tk13,984 crore from VAT. At the beginning of the current fiscal year, the NBR's revenue target was set at Tk499,000 crore.

Evaly MD Rassel, Chairman Nasrin sent to jail againMohammad Rassel, managing director (MD) of e-commerce platform Evaly, and his wife and company chairman Shamima Nasrin. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – A court here today sent Mohammad Rassel, managing director (MD) of notorious e-commerce platform Evaly, and his wife and company chairman Shamima Nasrin to jail. They had been absconding for a long time despite having multiple court warrants and cases pending against them. Of them, Mohammad Rassel alone faces 263 warrants in Dhanmondi, Kafrul and Savar Model police stations, including 83 conviction warrants and 180 arrest warrants. Chairman Shamima Nasrin has 128 warrants in three police stations, comprising 30 conviction warrants and 98 arrest warrants.

Chattogram Royals confirmed their spot in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final at the first attempt, securing a six-wicket victory over Rajshahi Warriors in the Qualifier-1 game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. A disciplined bowling performance helped Chattogram bowl Rajshahi out for just 133 in 20 overs. Led by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain's 2-20 in four overs, Rajshahi bowlers also bowled in disciplined manner and took the game to the deep, leaving Chattogram a requirement of nine runs from the last over. Chattogram briefly lost wickets in quick succession, giving Rajshahi a glimmer of hope, but Mahedi's composed finish sealed the victory. Despite Tanzid's resistance at the top, where he top-scored with a 37-ball 41, Rajshahi slumped to 98-7.

ABIDJAN, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An armed attack has killed at least 31civilians in a village in western Niger near the borders with Burkina Fasoand Mali in a region rife with jihadist groups, local sources said Tuesday. The assailants struck the village of Bosiye on Sunday and 30 people died atthe scene, while one of five who were wounded died later in a medical centre, a resident told AFP. A local student union also confirmed the toll in a statement seen by AFP.

DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - England allrounder Chris Woakes said he willcherish hitting a six off the last ball to win Sylhet Titans a knockout gamein the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) forever. Woakes' dramatic six sealed a three-wicket victory against Rangpur Riders,keeping Sylhet Titans' hopes of reaching the BPL final alive. To do it in my first gamefor Sylhet - that's something I'll remember forever," Woakes said after thematch. Woakes' heroics came after Syed Khaled Ahmed's career-best 4-15 hadrestricted Rangpur Riders to just 111-9, giving Sylhet a small target tochase. He bowled slower balls and cutters, so I wasexpecting a cutter, and then when pace came, I just reacted," Woakes said.

DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Rain played spoilsport in Bangladesh Under-19'ssecond World Cup match against New Zealand at the Queens Sports Club inBulawayo today. Bangladesh won the toss and put New Zealand into bat, striking early whenHugo Bogue was bowled by Iqbal Hossain in the second over. However, Aryan Mann and captain Tom Jones steadied the innings as New Zealandreached 51-1 in 10 overs before rain forced an early abandonment of thematch. Bangladesh had earlier lost their opening game of the tournament to India by18 runs via the DLS method. Bangladesh will face off the USA in their final group match on January 23 inHarare.

DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS)-The Bangladesh men's team, came from behind,registered an emphatic 5-1 goals win over Sri Lanka in the SAFF FutsalChampionship 2026 held at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailandtoday (Tuesday). Mohamed Aman Mohamed Faizer netted a lone goal for Sri Lanka in the 5thminute of the match. With this win, Bangladesh moved up second position in the point table withseven points from four matches Sri Lanka, who stand at sixth position,remained with their previous collection of one point playing the same numberof matches. Sri Lanka earlier played out to a 3-3 with Bhutan in their opening match butthey lost to Nepal 2-1 and Pakistan 5-2 in their second and third matchesrespectively. After Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will play their remaining matches againstPakistan (January 22) and Nepal (January 24) at the same venue.