The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered 10 landmine pressure plates (trigger components) from a border area of Hnila Union in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar, adjacent to the Myanmar border, as fresh panic has spread across the region. The pressure plates were recovered on Tuesday morning from the Ulubania border area of Hnila Union. According to local sources and the BGB, a total of 10 pressure plates were collected from morning until noon. Lieutenant Colonel Zahidul Islam, commanding officer of the 64 BGB Battalion, said several components resembling landmine pressure plates were found in the border area. Local representatives said residents of the border area are effectively living under the constant fear of death.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

Negotiations have collapsed between the Syrian president and the chief of the country’s Kurdish-led forces, a Kurdish official told AFP, as the army deployed reinforcements to flashpoint areas in the north. President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, who heads the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), were meeting to discuss a ceasefire agreement that included integrating the Kurds’ administration into the state. In the phone call, they “emphasized the need to guarantee the Kurdish people’s rights and protection within the framework of the Syrian state,” the Syrian presidency said. Under the agreement, Damascus also took responsibility for IS prisoners and their families held in Kurdish-run jails and camps. Local fighters from tribes in the Arab-majority Deir Ezzor province sided with Damascus and seized the areas before the arrival of government forces.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

The Election Commission (EC) has instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure appropriate security arrangements for Dr Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with six other senior party leaders, in light of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. A letter regarding the matter, signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary of the EC, was recently sent to the senior secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to EC sources, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, assistant secretary general of Jamaat and head of the Central Publication and Media Department of the party , submitted an application to the chief election commissioner requesting security arrangements for seven senior party leaders and parliamentary candidates. The seven Jamaat leaders identified to receive special security are: Dr Shafiqur Rahman, meer; Dr. Syed Abdullah Md Taher, nayeb-e-ameer (former MP); ATM Azharul Islam, nayeb-e-ameer; Professor Mia Golam Parwar, secretary general; Professor Mujibur Rahman, nayeb-e-ameer; Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general (former MP); and Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, assistant secretary general. The EC’s letter stressed that ensuring the security of political leaders during the election and related campaign activities is essential to creating an environment for a free and fair vote.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

In a heart-stopping finish at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Chris Woakes struck a massive six off the final ball to guide the Sylhet Titans to an incredible victory over the Rangpur Riders in the BPL Eliminator on Tuesday. The breathtaking win keeps Sylhet's title hopes alive, propelling them to the second qualifier, while the Rangpur Riders have been knocked out of the tournament. Chasing a modest target of 112, the match appeared to be slipping away from Sylhet during a tense final over bowled by Rangpur's Fahim Ashraf. However, Woakes held his nerve, connecting perfectly with the final ball to send it over the ropes and trigger wild celebrations in the Sylhet camp. Alongside Khaled, Woakes and Nasum Ahmed chipped in with two wickets each to keep the scoring in check.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday pledged to support the residents of Korail Slum, promising to improve their living conditions and reaffirming his commitment to pro-people politics. Tarique expressed a personal connection to Korail, calling himself “a son of this area,” and thanked the community for hosting the event. He reiterated, “I am the son of the late President Ziaur Rahman and the child of the country’s leader Khaleda Zia. “With your prayers, In sha Allah, we will be able to solve the problems of Korail residents. Tarique Rahman will attend another prayer gathering at the BNP Chairperson’s residence in Banani in the evening to commemorate the late Khaleda Zia.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC





BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the fascist Awami League (AL) government had destroyed the country's economy after 2009 and transformed it into the "mafia economy." The economy of the country was turned into a mafia economy." Fakhrul made the remarks as the chief guest in a discussion titled "Policy Dissemination on Priority Social Policies." The BNP Secretary General further said that inside the country, there was no significant employment and meaningful investment. A new era would begin where a larger section of the population would participate in the economic development process under the concept of economic democratization."

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

The government has allocated around Tk72 crore to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at polling centres ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said on Tuesday. Briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Azad Majumder said Bangladesh has around 42,000 polling centres, of which 6,552 already have CCTV coverage. He said a special allocation of Tk71.98 crore has been made to install CCTV cameras at 21,946 “important and risk-prone” polling centres. Azad Majumder said the installation process is already underway across the country and has reached near completion in several districts. “We hope that all polling centres can be brought under CCTV coverage by January 31, ahead of the election,” Azad Majumder said.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

Iran’s top police officer issued an ultimatum on Monday to protesters who joined what authorities have deemed “riots,” saying they must hand themselves in within three days or face the full force of the law. But the government also pledged to tackle economic hardships that sparked the demonstrations, which were met with a crackdown that rights groups say has left thousands dead. National police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan on Monday urged young people “deceived” into joining the “riots” to turn themselves in and receive lighter punishment. Despite difficulty accessing information, the Iran Human Rights NGO says it has verified that 3,428 protesters were killed by security forces. Outside Iran, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of neighboring Turkey, in his first comments on the protests, described the unrest as a “new test” for Tehran, pledging Turkey would “stand against any initiative” that would drag the region into chaos.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday arrested Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jibon, on charges of amassing illegal assets worth around Tk3.25 crore. His wife, Shahrin Akhter Shilpi, has been accused of possessing illegal assets worth Tk1.26 crore. Meanwhile, their son and former Chhatra League leader Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam has been accused of acquiring assets worth Tk3. In July 2024, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police arrested 17 people, including the former PSC chairman’s driver Abed Ali, in connection with the leakage of PSC question papers. Once working as a porter, Abed Ali later learned to drive and joined the PSC.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

A Dhaka court set January 25 for submitting the further probe report in the case lodged over the sensational murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to submit the report on Tuesday. The court on January 15, 2026, directed the CID to carry out further investigation into the sensational murder of Hadi. The six fugitives include Foysal Karim Masud, his accomplice Alamgir Hossain, alleged mastermind and former ward councillor Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, Filips Scalp, Mukti Akter, and Jesmin Akter. According to the case statement, Foysal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, riding a motorcycle, opened fire on Hadi while he was travelling in a battery-run rickshaw on December 12, and then fled the scene.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

We are telling you again - the election will be held on February 12, neither a day earlier nor a day later,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. “We are expecting a record turnout.”Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder echoed the view, saying those claiming uncertainty should clearly explain the grounds and logic behind such assertions. Referring to past elections, Press Secretary Alam said the overall situation is conducive to holding a credible vote. The press secretary said the government is placing high importance on the recovery of looted arms. Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad was also present at the briefing.

January 20, 2026 14:12 UTC

3,000 crore as revenue from the users of the Padma Bridge since its June 25, 2022 opening, Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) said in a statement today. It said the bridge that connected 21 southwestern districts with the rest of the country was increasingly drawing various types of motorized traffic to fatten the government exchequer. “The Padma Bridge is not just an infrastructure. It said the state-of-the-art electronic toll collection (ETC) system was installed at both ends of the Padma Bridge at Mawa and Jajira points, which accelerated the toll collection process without long queues at the toll plaza. “The automatic toll collection through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards has made travel faster and easier,” the statement said.

January 20, 2026 14:09 UTC

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today inspected the progress of the final phase work of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at the Gonobhaban. The Chief Adviser added: “We do not want there to be a need to build such a museum anywhere in the future. If our nation ever becomes perplexed for any reason, it will find its path in this museum”. Prof Yunus made the remarks this afternoon after inspecting the progress of the final phase work of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at the Gonobhaban here, the residence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. When a brutal act was happening, the Chief Adviser said, the youth and students stood up against it and resisted it.

January 20, 2026 14:08 UTC

The properties include 35 decimals of land in Noakhali and a 1,385 SQF flat in the capital’s Mirpur. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the orders, allowing two separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Kamrun Nahar, on the other hand, allegedly acquired assets worth Taka 6.80 crore beyond her known source of income. The ACC filed the case, which is under investigation, and noted that the movable assets in her name, including bank balances, may be transferred or altered. In the interest of a fair investigation, freezing of her movable assets is deemed necessary, the plea added.

January 20, 2026 13:48 UTC

The meeting was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Competition Commission and FBCCI. Abdur Rahim Khan, while Chairman (Secretary) of the Bangladesh Competition Commission A H M Ahsan attended the programme as the chief guest, said a press release. At the beginning of the meeting, Assistant Director of the Competition Commission Nuruddin Jobayer delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the objectives of the Competition Act, 2012, and the roles and responsibilities of the Bangladesh Competition Commission. During the open discussion session, business leaders emphasised the need to enhance awareness of the Competition Act among grassroots-level business communities, particularly at the district level. Among others, members of the Bangladesh Competition Commission Dr. Md.

January 20, 2026 13:10 UTC