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Prof Ali Riaz urges unity and motivates citizens for ‘Yes’ vote at Chattogram Stadium referendum meeting. Photo : BSSCHATTOGRAM, Jan 15 , 2026 ( BSS) – Laying emphasis on motivating and inspiring people in favor of ‘Yes’ vote in upcoming national referendum, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz here today urged all to work unitedly to effectively utilize the opportunity to establish an accountable state. Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Consensus) Monir Haider and Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry Md Kamal Uddin addressed the meeting as special guests. In this context, he said although the July National Charter was printed in black ink, it was written in the blood of the July martyrs. He said deposed fascist forces have been carrying out orchestrated smear campaign and spreading propaganda on referendum to foil the national consensus.

Photo: BSSJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Jahangirnagar University(JU) administration has decided to regularise the residence of students whoare living in halls other than those officially allotted to them. The decision applies to students of the 50th, 51st and 52nd batches,according to university authorities, said acting Registrar A B M AzizurRahman, confirming the matter to BSS today. He said the decision was taken at the university syndicate meeting held onJanuary 11, resolving that students residing in non-allotted halls would beallowed to change their hall allotment subject to application. "The detailed application procedure, criteria and other related processeswill be announced soon through an office order," he added.

$263K quoted for cleaning, new equipment amid Baltimore County masturbation scandal Emails show Pikesville and Perry Hall stations were highest priority for hazmat cleaning

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Both Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches scheduled for today were called off as cricketers continued to stay away. The Dhaka phase of the BPL was supposed to begin today with a match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express. In the day's other match, Dhaka Capitals were scheduled to take on Sylhet Titans. Later, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a press release stating that Najmul Islam had been relieved of all his duties. However, despite the BCB's prompt action, the cricketers did not return to the field, forcing the matches to be called off.

Election Commissioner Sanaullah warns strict action against postal ballot fraud to ensure fair expatriate voting. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah today warned that anyone attempting irregularities or fraud in voting through postal ballots, introduced for the first time for expatriate Bangladeshis, will face strict legal action. The Election Commissioner made the remarks while briefing journalists this evening at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon following a virtual meeting with Bangladesh's ambassadors and heads of missions stationed abroad. Abul Fazal Md.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday alleged that attempts are being made to undermine a level playing field weeks ahead of the country’s 13th national parliamentary elections. The allegations were made at a press conference in Dhaka by Mahdi Amin, adviser to the BNP chairperson and spokesperson for the party’s election steering committee. “Over the past few days, we have observed actions that are eroding the level playing field and paving the way for a controversial electoral process,” he said. He also raised concerns about the design of postal ballots, alleging that the BNP’s electoral symbol — the sheaf of paddy — has been placed in a less visible position compared with rival symbols. The BNP has also demanded the creation of a fact-checking cell within the Election Commission to address election-related misinformation, he said.

Journalist leaders in Khulna have demanded for a reinvestigation into the murder of journalist and Ekushey Padak awardee Manik Chandra Saha, alleging that the real masterminds behind the killing remain unidentified even after 22 years. Hedayet Hossain Molla, BFUJ Executive Member Kaushik Dey Bapi, Khulna Press Club Convener Md. Enamul Haque, former KUJ President Anwarul Islam Kajol, Communist Party leader Mizanur Rahman Babu, and Manik Saha’s younger brother Pradip Saha. Earlier in the day, another memorial meeting was held at the Humayun Kabir Balu Auditorium of the Khulna Press Club. Manik Chandra Saha was brutally killed in a bomb attack near the Khulna Press Club on January 15, 2004.

Secretary of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJON) Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar has said a fair, acceptable and neutral election is the demand of time. To this end, he said basic reformation has become crucial to make the present political and electoral environment voters-friendly. Dr Badiul Alam made the observations while addressing a divisional dialogue organized by the district and city units of SUJON at a city hotel yesterday. He said the political parties should refrain from using black money and muscle power to make the election fields clean and congenial. SUJON Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said reformation in the Election Commission (EC) has become the prime need at present as the previous EC members were the partners of ruling party instead of performing duties impartially.

Discussions focused on power shifts, equity-based climate finance, local data systems, indigenous knowledge, and stronger national–local coordination. Promote indigenous knowledge systems in climate adaptation strategies to blend traditional wisdom with modern scientific approaches. Ensure equitable distribution of climate adaptation funds by focusing on vulnerable populations and regions most affected by climate change. Encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration between government, civil society, NGOs, and local communities to maximize the impact of climate adaptation projects. Enhance capacity-building initiatives by investing in training programs that build expertise in climate adaptation and resilience at all levels of society.

Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur said that due to major financial losses in some Islamic banks in FY25, it was not possible to pay any profit on deposits as per Shariah principles. He said these while talking to the media at the Bangladesh Bank conference room on Thursday (January 15). But the real picture is that the government and Bangladesh Bank have made arrangements to return the principal to the depositors in full. The governor said: “Despite such a big crisis, the government and Bangladesh Bank are returning 100% of the principal to depositors. “Bangladesh Bank and the government have given top priority to protecting the interests of the people from the beginning.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and nine other parties on Thursday announced their electoral alliance for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, deliberately leaving seat vacant for Islami Andolan Bangladesh. Dr Syed Abdullah Md Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, announced the seat allocations on behalf of the alliance partners. According to the list, Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) has been allocated 30 seats. Other partners include Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis with 20 seats, Khelafat Majlis 10 seats, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 7 seats, AB Party 3 seats, Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) 2 seats, and Nezam-e-Islami Party 2 seats. The press conference, held after prolonged negotiations, was not attended by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the party of ChormonaiPir.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Thursday said the Election Commission (EC) has found no evidence of any irregularities in the postal ballots sent to expatriate Bangladeshis abroad, reviewing several video clips circulating on social media regarding the distribution of postal ballots. The election commissioner made the remarks while briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Thursday evening. Earlier on Tuesday, BNP raised concerns before the Election Commission over the viral videos related to the distribution of postal ballots sent to expatriates. The Election Commissioner said a total of 7,67,084 postal ballots were dispatched for the expatriate voters. Some 1,71,680 voters used an address shared by two voters, while 95,816 voters used addresses shared by up to five voters, 59,276 voters used addresses shared by up to 10 voters, 38,109 voters used addresses shared by up to 20 voters, 21,915 voters used addresses shared by 20 to 50 voters, 14,891 voters used addresses shared by 100 or more voters, he said.

Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke at the 25th ICMAB Convocation 2026 held in the capital today. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said that the country must establish a functional financial system free from political influence and corruption to ensure rational and accountable public expenditure. She made the remarks while attending the 25th ICMAB Convocation 2026 as the chief guest at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants, spoke as the convocation speaker. Past presidents, council members, associate and fellow members, and guests from the government and corporate sectors attended the event.

The historic 'Amtala 52 Gate'. Photo : CollectedBy Bulbul ChowdhuryDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - After nearly four decades, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) authorities have reopened the historic 'Amtala 52 Gate', a site deeply connected with the memories of the 1952 Language Movement. The reopening of the Amtala 52 Gate is being seen as both a practical solution to traffic woes and a symbolic restoration of a historic landmark of the Language Movement. With the reopening of the alternative Amtala Gate, vehicles will now be able to enter through one gate and exit through another, ensuring smoother and faster access for emergency patients. This time, following direct instructions from the DMCH Director, the gate has been permanently reopened for public use.