EC to brief representatives of political parties on postal voting tomorrowPhoto: BSSDHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS)- The Election Commission (EC) will brief all political parties on the voting process through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app in connection with the upcoming 13th national election slated for February 12. The briefing will be held tomorrow from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the auditorium (Basement-2) of Nirbachan Bhaban, according to an EC document. The EC asked the every registered political party to attend the event with two representatives possessing technical knowledge. In preparation for the election, scrutiny of nomination papers of contesting candidates and hearings on appeals have already been completed. Following the allocation of symbols, registered voters, both home and abroad, will be able to start voting through the Postal Vote BD App.

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam. File PhotoBy Maruf MallickDHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam promoted liberal politics as he introduced multi-party democracy in the country. Village development was the main basis of economic development as per Ziaur Rahman's philosophy. Ziaur Rahman showed in 1977 how it is possible to create natural reservoirs across the country at low cost. Ziaur Rahman suggested planting fruit trees on both sides of every highway, road and footpath in the country.

Photo : BSSCOX'S BAZAR, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - An endangered mother turtle was rescued late Sunday night and released into the Bay of Bengal in Pekua upazila of Cox's Bazar district by the Forest Department. The turtle was later released into the sea through the Magnama-Kutubdia Channel. Range Officer Mamun said they were informed by a local environmental activist that a large marine mother turtle had become trapped in fishing net at Jaliyakhali. Acting on the information, our team rushed to the spot and rescued the turtle from the house of a local fisherman named Shahin, he said. Weighing around 50 kilograms, they described it as a massive mother turtle.

Media urged to broadcast video message of CA on referendumChief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Photo: Video screenshotDHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS)- All electronic and online media have been requested to simultaneously air a recorded message of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at 6.30 PM today on upcoming referendum, said a PID handout. The recorded message can be downloaded from the link below:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UhPDoFiipjpDFqtue54md92rFGBTqGzw/view?usp=sharing

Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that China wants to start Teesta Master Plan work as soon as possible. “The Teesta Master Plan is a relatively complex project as it includes flood control, river erosion prevention and irrigation activities. Rizwana said that achieving a fair share of Teesta river water is an ongoing process. Earlier, in the morning, the adviser with the Chinese ambassador and high officials visited the Teesta Road Bridge and Railway Bridge built on the river Teesta in Kawnia upazila of Rangpur. Later, the adviser with the Chinese ambassador and officials toured the Teesta River by boat from the Teesta Railway Bridge area.

LONDON, Jan 19, 2026 (AFP) - Prince Harry arrived Monday at London's High Court for an anticipated nine-week trial into claims by him and six other high-profile people that a UK newspaper group unlawfully gathered information on them. In the last unresolved case after the British royal brought lawsuits against several UK newspaper publishers, he is jointly suing Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday tabloids. Harry is set to take the stand to give evidence on Thursday.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen paid a courtesy call on BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday. The meeting began at 4:00 pm at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office in Dhaka, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present, along with Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, Advisory Council member Mahdi Amin, and press secretary Saleh Shibly. Several officials from the US Embassy in Dhaka also attended. Earlier in the day, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh also met Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - EU leaders will meet Thursday evening for an emergency summit on threats by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on countries opposed to his push to take Greenland, a spokeswoman said Monday. The crisis talks in Brussels come as the 27-nation bloc weighs potential countermeasures against the United States if Trump follows through on punishing some of Washington's closest allies.

The government has decided to settle workers’ outstanding wages and service benefits by selling the assets of Nassa Group, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain has said. Dr Sakhawat said Tk76 crore has already been paid to workers through the sale of Nassa Group shares by a court-appointed administrator. He added that, under instructions from Bangladesh Bank, the group has also completed down payments to eight banks. “To clear the remaining dues, necessary steps will be taken to sell some Nassa Group properties through open competition, in line with court directives,” the adviser said, adding that the proceeds would be used to pay down payments to the remaining 15 banks as well as outstanding worker arrears. Administrators of Nassa Group, company representatives and officials from several commercial banks also took part in the discussion.

DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS)- It was an impressive performance by Sabina and Co. as Bangladesh women's team registered their second win in the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship beating Nepal by 3-0 goals held at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand today (Monday). The early breakthrough came for Bangladesh when captain Sabina Khatun scored the first goal in the 14th minute. She played a key role in helping Bangladesh win the match by a large margin with some amazing saves. The Sabina and Co, came from behind, played out to a 3-3 with Bhutan in their second match. The table toppers at the end of all seven rounds of matches will be crowned in the SAFF Women's Futsal champion

The Adaptation Fortress will transform an existing school and cyclone shelter into a safe and cool refuge during heatwaves, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe in southwestern Bangladesh. Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel KBE, founder and chairman of Community Jameel, said, “The Jameel Observatory-CREWSnet’s construction of this first pilot Adaptation Fortress marks a milestone for Bangladesh and the region. For the first time the Jameel Observatory-CREWSnet is introducing the concept of shelter from heatwaves as well as cyclones in southwest Bangladesh. This integrated and proactive initiative will significantly improve climate resilience in a region with some of the highest risks from climate change." The Adaptation Fortress aims to protect the most vulnerable residents from both cyclones and extreme heat while serving as a blueprint for climate-resilient infrastructure.

Voting in the Sucsu election was scheduled to be held on Tuesday. Earlier, on Sunday, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking a stay on the Sucsu and hall council elections. In such circumstances, allowing th Sucsu election to proceed would be unlawful. Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates contesting the Sucsu and hall council elections had earlier been extended by 12 hours. Later, on January 15, the Election Commission granted permission to hold the Sucsu election on Tuesday.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said his party is confident that the Election Commission (EC) will be able to conduct the upcoming national parliamentary election in a competent and credible manner. Fakhrul said their party placed a few of its concerns before the chief election commissioner on Sunday. Later, leaders of the BNP’s different associate bodies, including Metropolitan units, Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, Mohila Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, Chhatra Dal, Tanti Dal, Matsyajibi Dal also placed wreaths at the grave. “Beside him rests another extraordinary and indomitable leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, who dedicated her life to democracy, freedom and sovereignty of Bangladesh,” he said. Referring to the upcoming national election, the BNP leader said the election has been scheduled for 12 February.

A total of 5,600 postal ballots have been returned from Malaysia and Italy due to voters’ addresses being untraceable. Of these, 4,000 ballots were returned from Malaysia and 1,600 from Italy. Sanaullah said the ballots could not be delivered to the concerned voters as their correct addresses were unavailable in the respective countries. He added that, due to face detection technology, there is no possibility of one person casting a vote on behalf of another through the postal ballot system. At this time, he also said on the postal ballots there were 39 electoral symbols which fell within the fold.

Finance, Science and Technology Adviser of the interim government Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. -File PhotoCHANDPUR, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Finance, Science and Technology Adviser of the interim government Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed today urged the people of the country to extend their cooperation for holding the upcoming general election in a free and fair manner. He also said that to ensure judicial independence, speedy trial and maintenance of the law and order situation, any government must carry out reforms. The finance Adviser made the remarks while responding to queries of journalists after inaugurating a referendum campaign, voters motivation programme and ‘Voter Gari’ at Hasan Ali Government High School ground here in Chandpur today. Asked whether there is any concern over the next general election, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said, “Why won’t voting take place?