Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder spoke at a press conference at his residence in Sadar Union, Madhyanagar, Sunamganj today. Photo: BSSSUNAMGANJ, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said the government is taking special measures, including the school feeding programme, to reduce the rate of student dropouts at the primary level. The adviser made the remarks while visiting Golha Government Primary School in his native village under Sadar Union, Jamsherpur Government Primary School and Madhyanagar Bazar Government Primary School in Madhyanagar upazila. Responding to concerns over the shortage of teachers in primary schools in Madhyanagar upazila, the adviser said the problem would be resolved soon, noting that the teacher recruitment process is currently underway. On the school feeding programme, Dr Bidhan said the initiative would be expanded gradually to bring all primary schools across the country under its coverage.

As the week began Sunday, Dhaka once again found itself at the top of a grim global ranking—emerging as the world’s most polluted city amid persistently hazardous air conditions that continue to affect millions across Bangladesh. At around 8:30am, the capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 235, categorised as “very unhealthy,” according to Switzerland-based air quality monitoring platform IQAir. Dhaka topped a list of 125 cities worldwide, underscoring the severity of the ongoing air pollution crisis. Regarding air quality issues on Sunday morning, India’s capital New Delhi ranked second globally, with an AQI score of 230. Over the years, authorities have launched multiple projects and announced a range of policy measures aimed at curbing air pollution.

Four houses were gutted by a massive fire on Green Road, leaving several families homeless last night. Photo : BSSBARGUNA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - At least four houses were completely gutted in a fire in the Green Road area of the district town last night, leaving several families homeless and destitute. The fire broke out around 8.30 pm in a house and rapidly spread to adjacent houses, according to local sources. The injured person was rescued in critical condition and admitted to a local hospital. Local authorities have assured that further investigation is underway and that steps will be taken to provide assistance to the affected families.

The workshop was organised by the non-government organisation NICE Foundation at the CSS Ava Centre in the city. Former Member of Parliament and BNP nominated MP aspirant of Khulna-2 constituency Nazrul Islam Manju said delays in the trial of women and child abuse cases are seriously hampering justice. Nazrul Islam Manju said that if elected in the future, effective laws would be enacted by reforming existing weaknesses and loopholes in laws related to women and child abuse to ensure justice. M. Mujibur Rahman, Editor of NICE Foundation chaired the workshop, while Mamun Akhtar, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Betar, Khulna moderated the event. Welcome remarks were delivered by Rabeya Sultana, Programme Director of NICE Foundation, while the concept paper was presented by Anjum Tasnuva, Associate Professor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology.

Mary Jane Moeller (née Hughes) of The Villages, Florida, entered the Lord's service gently and peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice on January 5th, 2026, at the age of 82. Mary Jane was born in New York City on April 12, 1943, to Annette Cecilia (Morgan) Hughes and Mark Fabian Hughes. Mary Jane is survived by Peter, her devoted husband of 57 years; her sister Annette (Toni) Hillary of Denver, CO; her daughter Suzanne and son-in-law Steven Quintavalla of Branchburg, NJ; and her grandson John Paul. Mary Jane was a classy lady who could set an amazing table for a party and liven it up with her sharp wit and devious sense of humor. Services held for Mary Jane will be private.

Corrected memorial service location. Paul Robert Sutterer, 88, of Summerfield, Florida, passed away on December 3, 2025. Paul was born on February 1, 1937, in Worthington, Minnesota, and devoted nearly six decades of his life to the Lutheran ministry. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, William and Florence; his brothers, William and Dittmar; and his sister, Mary Jane. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Strezishar, and his son, Mike Sutterer, as well as five beloved grandchildren who brought him immense joy.

A youth was shot dead by miscreants at Purba Rupsa area in Khulna on Sunday. The victim was identified as Abdul Rashed, also known as Pikul, 30, son of Abdul Awal of Bagmara area under Rupsa upazila in the district. The incident occurred around 1.00 am at the Kadamtala Balu Maath area, where assailants opened fire targeting him with the intent to kill. He was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), where he succumbed to his injuries. The police official added that Pikul has several allegations against him with the Rupsa Police Station.

A persistent cold wave has gripped Rangpur division for several days, intensifying the suffering of poor and marginalized people and threatening their livelihoods. The severe cold has led to a rise in cold-related illnesses, including pneumonia, fever, diarrhoea and respiratory complications. Over the past 24 hours, nine patients—five elderly men and women and four children—died while undergoing treatment for cold-related diseases at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Hospitals across the region are also facing growing pressure as patient numbers rise. Hundreds of children suffering from cold-related illnesses are visiting the outpatient department of Rangpur Medical College Hospital every day, crowding the facility along with their attendants.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) — The Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCB IU) headed by its Independent Chair Alex Marshall CBE, QPM, has reaffirmed that routine integrity operations in response to credible suspicion are being conducted for BPL-12 under ICC’s global integrity framework. “Such measures by BCB IU are part of BCB’s zero-tolerance policy and drive against corrupt cricketing activities,” the BCB said in a statement today. “BCB IU operates in accordance with the general processes under prevailing anti-corruption code of ICC. These preventive measures by BCB IU have resulted in an approximately 80 percent reduction in alerts relating to suspicious activities, the statement claimed. “BCB reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and remains firmly committed to protecting the credibility, transparency and reputation of the Bangladesh Premier League,” the statement concluded.

JERUSALEM, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he hoped Iran would soon be freed from what he described as the "yoke of tyranny", as major protests shake the Islamic republic. "We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples," Netanyahu said at a weekly cabinet meeting.

Female students at Dhaka University have alleged that they are being barred from entering the Central Field after evening hours based on verbal instructions, despite the absence of any written policy. “I was told at the gate that female students cannot enter the Central Field after 5pm. When contacted, Acting Director of the Physical Education Centre SM Zakaria told Dhaka Tribune that no decision has been taken to restrict female students’ access to the Central Field after evening. “Not allowing female students to enter the Central Field after five in the evening is not Ducsu’s decision—no, no, and no,” she wrote on Facebook. She announced plans to organize a symbolic protest, either a game or a barbecue at the Central Field in the evening, extending until 10 or 11pm, to challenge the alleged curfew.

The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the way for 58 previously rejected aspirants to contest the upcoming national election on February 12. Of the petitions, the Commission granted 58 petitions, rejected seven others and kept six petitions pending to be settled later, said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik. With Saturday’s decision, the Commission reinstated 51 candidates in the electoral race and removed one candidate (Brahmanbaria-1) from the race. Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers submitted for three constituencies were not scrutinized. The Election Commission on Sunday announced the poll schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

The Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division has stayed a High Court verdict that declared the Election Commission’s (EC) gazette on the redrawing of the Comilla-2 constituency boundaries illegal. Following a hearing on an appeal against the High Court order, the Chamber Judge Court, headed by Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque, issued the stay on Sunday. On January 8, the High Court declared the EC’s gazette altering the boundaries of the Comilla-2 constituency illegal. The verdict was delivered by a High Court bench led by Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia, after disposing of the rule. The rule was issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Bishwajit Debnath.

The religious affairs ministry on Sunday asked Hajj agencies and airlines strictly follow the Saudi government instructions over pilgrimage management as the first aircraft carrying pilgrims to fly on April 18. “The ministry today sent a letter to the Hajj agencies and the three airlines, engaged for pilgrim management and transport with specific directives,” a ministry spokesman said. According to the Saudi government’s instruction, Hajj agencies would need to send pilgrims under their management using the same airlines under a fixed ratio. The ministry clearly stated that no agency can issue tickets less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent in the first or last phases of Hajj flights. The ministry also requested all concerned to ensure issuance of tickets and flight operations in line with prescribed instructions.

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs on Sunday said he witnessed positive feelings and strong enthusiasm across the country regarding the upcoming polls and the referendum, noting that the previous three parliamentary elections were not considered credible. In response to an invitation by the authorities of Bangladesh, the European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. This is the first fully-fledged election observation the EU is deploying to Bangladesh since 2008. Alam also noted that during the nearly sixteen years of Sheikh Hasina's tenure, the EU did not send any election observation mission. Prof Yunus thanked the EU for sending the election observation mission, describing it as "extremely important" for holding a credible election and for Bangladesh's democratic transition.