A plastic waste cleanup drive was arranged in Chalan Beel today. Photo: BSSNATORE, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS)- A plastic waste cleanup drive was arranged in Chalan Beel today to make the wetland free from pollution with spontaneous participation of locals. The drive was undertaken aimed at enhancing its agricultural utility and protecting environment of the vast wetland, organizers said. Chalan Beel Biodiversity Protection Committee initiated the cleanup drive at Tishikali Shrine area. Longtime dumping of plastic wastes, glasses and food packets made the aquatic resources of the wetland endangered as well as decreasing the fertility of agricultural land.

So you think that 5 inches of snow in central Denver a week ago lets the Front Range off the hook for a worrisome urban and suburban winter drought? December’s average temperatures in Fort Collins were just a tenth of a degree lower than the 30-year average for March. Total 2025 precipitation in central Denver at the gardens was 12.06 inches, the second-driest year since 2007, following only notorious 2020. The Boulder forester suggests another standard of 15 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter. If things remain dry on the Front Range, watering once or twice a month will help preserve your plants.

A fire that killed six people at a residential building in Uttara was caused by an electrical fault, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate said on Friday, based on preliminary findings. The blaze originated from an electrical fault in a section of the second floor of the seven-story building, Fire Service media cell official Talha bin Jasim told Dhaka Tribune. According to the Fire Service, property worth Tk45,00,000 was damaged in the fire, while assets worth Tk2,00,00,000 were rescued. Two units from the Uttara Fire Station rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control after about 30 minutes. Residents of the seven-story building panicked as dense smoke spread throughout the structure, trapping several people.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Friday said former prime minister Khaleda Zia was unjustly convicted in what he described as the most disgraceful and farcical trial in Bangladesh’s history, referring to the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. He recalled an incident from the trial, saying a defence lawyer had asked Khaleda Zia whether she had misappropriated orphan funds. “Hurt and astonished, Khaleda Zia repeated the question—‘Did I embezzle orphan money?’ The court treated this as her statement and convicted her on that basis. As a student of law, I can say with certainty that there cannot be a more disgraceful trial than this,” the law adviser said. Asif Nazrul remarked that Bangladesh would prosper only if the country is envisioned in the way Khaleda Zia had envisioned it.

Science and Technology Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Friday expressed his hope that the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) will play a groundbreaking role in the national power sector. The adviser visited the plant construction site project in Ishwardi, Pabna on Friday and observed progress of the work. The nuclear power plant is being established following all international rules and regulations. During the inspection, Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mazumder, Economic Relations Division Secretary Md Shahriar Quader Siddiqui, Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain were present. Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Authority and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project Director were present at the time.

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday approved 18 appeals on the seventh day of hearings challenging Returning Officers’ decisions on nomination papers for the 13th National Parliament elections. EC sources said the commission heard a total of 43 appeals. Of these, 18 appeals against the cancellation of nomination papers were accepted, while 17 were rejected. The EC also turned down four appeals filed against the acceptance of nomination papers and kept four appeals pending. The EC said appeals numbered 511 to 610 will be heard on Saturday at the auditorium of the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, from 10am to 5pm.

A college student was killed in a road accident in Nandigram upazila of Bogra. The victim wasidentified as Akash Mia (18), son of Badshah Mia from Muraridighi village under Bhatra union ofNandigram upazila. He suffered severe head injuries and died on the spot, said Nandigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman. His death cast a shadow of grief not only over his family but also over the entire village. OC Mizanur Rahman said that after completing the legal procedures, the body of the deceasedcollege student was handed over to his family.

Buffeted by a US superpower turned hostile under Donald Trump, Europe is struggling to set red lines as its once-close ally attacks its laws, eggs on the far-right -- and threatens its sovereignty in Greenland. European nations scrambled a military mission to Greenland to try to defuse Trump’s threat -- but pushing back at the US president is easier said than done. “Telling Trump ‘You can’t do that,’ is not language that he understands,” summed up one EU diplomat, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. In that spirit leaders have stopped well short of calling out Trump’s threats -- levied right as the Europeans held crunch talks with US envoys on locking in post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump’s threats to Greenland are just one part of the picture.

Prices of newly harvested potatoes have increased sharply in Dinajpur due to the supply crisis caused by severe cold. Over the past few days, prices of new potatoes have surged drastically, forcing ordinary consumers to turn to old potatoes as their only affordable option. Within just two days, retail prices of new potatoes in the district have shot up by Tk 10 to Tk 25 per kilogram. As new potato prices move beyond consumers’ reach, middle- and lower-income families are now relying solely on old potatoes priced at Tk 12 per kg. As a result, local demand is being met mainly with old potatoes,” he said.

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Friday said that the government will reach a final decision regarding the implementation of the National Pay Commission recommendations only after the formal report is submitted. "The National Pay Commission was established after a hiatus of 10 to 12 years," he told reporters after visiting the Gurudaspur Upazila Mini Stadium. Salehuddin assured people that the commission is working with sincerity; however, he emphasized that several factors, most significantly the provision of funds, must be considered before implementation. In response to inquiries regarding a potential referendum, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed expressed the government's commitment to reforms, stating that a referendum is necessary to reflect the will of the people. Prior to his arrival in Gurudaspur, Dr Salehuddin, who also oversees the Ministry of Science and Technology, conducted a field inspection of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project.

Housing and Public Works and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan on Friday urged people to vote "Yes" in Referendum 2026. "I urged everyone to vote 'Yes' in the referendum in favour of the July National Charter, so that fascism and fallen tyranny can never return to Bangladesh," he said in response to a question. He said the people will decide the future of Bangladesh by voting "Yes" in the referendum on February 12 and electing their preferred representatives. Earlier in the morning, Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan placed a wreath at the "July Memorial" built in memory of the July martyrs in the district. Later, he spoke at a referendum campaign and voter motivation programme, organised by the Bandarban district administration, at the auditorium of Small Ethnic Cultural Institute, Bandarban.

The 'Dhaka Declaration' has been adopted with eight strategic commitments, aimed at building a stable, inclusive, innovative and globally acceptable higher education system in South Asia. The declaration identified sustained political commitment, strong institutional leadership and regional cooperation as essential components for meaningful and sustainable transformation of higher education. The declaration also recognized higher education as a strategic sector for fostering peace and mutual trust in South Asia and called for revitalizing the SAARC platform to further strengthen regional cooperation. UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz, Commission Members Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr Md Saidur Rahman, Professor Dr Masuma Habib and Professor Dr Ayub Islam were present at the closing session. Participants said the 'Dhaka Declaration' would serve as a common roadmap for transforming the future of higher education in South Asia.

This rule has to do with the “public charge” ground, or reason, for inadmissibility. Whether a migrant could potentially be denied entry based on the “public charge” rule is assessed on a case-by-case basis by immigration officers. But there are a limited number of reasons for the “public charge” rule to come into effect and prevent immigration. “Only applicants deemed likely to become primarily dependent on cash aid for income maintenance or long-term care at government expense could be denied for public charge,” the organization explains. But last November, the US’ Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, again proposed changes and will likely suspend the 2022 rules on “public charge” by late January.

Two people were killed and one was seriously injured in a road accident in Kamillachhari–Mogban area on Asambosti-Kaptai Road in Rangamati on Thursday night. The deceased have been identified as Sadek Chakma, 38, and Milon Chakma, 50. The mini pickup transporting logs failed to climb an uphill road, lost control, and rolled backward into a ravine. Local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the injured, taking them to Rangamati General Hospital. The driver and helper of the mini pickup fled the scene immediately after the accident, police said.

A media conference will be held in Dhaka on Saturday to protest against organized attacks on freedom of expression and democratic values ​​and to express a united stand in favor of independent, responsible, and courageous journalism. Invited media representatives will participate in this event to stand together for responsible and courageous journalism. Democratic values in Bangladesh have been hit by a series of organized mob violence in recent times. Such attacks on freedom of expression and democratic values ​​are unprecedented. Journalists will present their views with the aim of protecting the democratic environment and independence of the media, ensuring the safety of journalists, and upholding the professional dignity and rights of media workers.