Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has announced that security has been beefed up in the border areas of Rajshahi Division in view of the 13th parliamentary elections. The use of modern technology has also been increased to curb crimes and keep the border situation normal. At the same time, discussions have been held with India's Border Security Force (BSF) to maintain stability along the border. The information was shared on Friday morning at a press conference held beside the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway in front of Rajshahi Postal Academy by BGB Rajshahi Sector Commander Colonel Syed Kamal Hossain. He said that extensive security plans have been adopted in the areas under the responsibility of the Rajshahi Sector centering the election.

JHENAIDAH, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today arrested a gold trafficker with five gold bars valued at approximately Tk 77,53,412 at the Maheshpur border area here. According to the BGB, these gold bars were being smuggled illegally into India. During the search, Shishir was found carrying four gold bars and one small piece of gold hidden in his waistband," the press release reads. The total weight of the recovered gold was 358.84 grams, valued at approximately 77 lakh 52 thousand 412 taka, according to the press release. Maheshpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mehedi Hasan said, "The arrested youth will be produced before the court and the legal deposit process of the recovered gold bars in the government treasury is underway."

Reading time: about 6 minutesHeated Rivalry, The Handmaid’s Tale and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: What do they all have in common? However, it’s because I can also acknowledge a truth book purists seem incapable of grasping: books and television are fundamentally different media. The original Percy Jackson novels are written in first person: Percy’s sarcasm and ADHD-fueled inner monologue are the story. Then there’s the elephant in the room: Much of the early book purism surrounding Percy Jackson was simply fueled by racism. It helps that Rick Riordan himself is deeply involved in the show, a rarity for book adaptations.

Begum Rokeya. Photo: CollectedNETRAKONA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of the women's empowerment movement in greater Mymensingh and a distinguished social worker, passed away at the age of 78. Begum Rokeya was the founder and former Executive Director of the non-governmental organization 'Swabalambi Unnayan Samiti' (SUS). Born on May 17, 1948, in Kaurat village under Kendua Upazila, Begum Rokeya overcame numerous challenges in her personal life to earn both a BA and a BEd degree. In 1985, she left her teaching profession to establish 'Swabalambi Unnayan Samiti' with like-minded individuals.

BGB arrests man with gold bars worth over Tk 77 lakh in MaheshpurJHENAIDAH, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) hasarrested an individual along with five gold bars while attempting to smugglethem into India from Maheshpur in the district. The arrestee has been identified as Faisal Hasan Shishir, 26. Officers recovered four large gold barsand one small gold piece concealed on Shishir's body. The total weight of the seized gold is 358.84 grams, with an estimated marketvalue of Taka77,52,412 according to a BGB press release. Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan confirmed that Shishir will be placed beforethe court, and the recovered gold is being processed for deposit into thegovernment treasury through BGB.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and top administration officials attended the premier Thursday night of the first lady's new movie promising a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her husband's return to power. Melania Trump's movie aims to document the 20 days leading up to Trump's second inauguration through the eyes of the Slovenian-born 55-year-old first lady. In one of a series of promotional interviews this week for the film, Melania Trump called for "unity" after the Minneapolis killing. Ted Hope, a former Amazon film executive, was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "He was very talented," Melania Trump told Fox.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You could offer some real medicine and healing through inspirational words or solidarity today. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Someone may want to lean on you; your energy could signal warmth and safety today. Some deep healing is possible, today opens a door to connecting with and loving on your inner child. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You could have healing hands and a healing heart. Time spent with yourself is where the most progress can be made now — inner foundations bring outer successes.

A fire that broke out at a five-story building in Banani Chairmanbari, Dhaka on Friday evening was brought under control. Four firefighting units brought the fire under control at 7:54pm, said Rafi Al Faruq, duty officer at Fire Service control room. The fire originated from a warehouse on the building’s fifth floor. The building also houses offices and residential units. The nature of the warehouse, the cause of the fire, and the extent of damage remain unclear.

New Zealand rejected an invitation to take part in US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Friday, joining a small list of nations to knock back the proposal. “New Zealand will not be joining the Board in its current form but will continue to monitor developments,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. Wellington did not reject the idea of the board entirely, but reiterated its commitment to the United Nations. “We see a role for the Board of Peace in Gaza, to be carried out as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2803,” Peters said. “As a leading founder and longstanding supporter of the United Nations, it is important that the Board’s work is complementary to and consistent with the UN Charter.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of July movement martyr Abu Sayed in Babonpur, Pirganj upazila, Rangpur, on Friday evening and met with his family. Earlier, he visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar (R) at Mahasthan Ghora in Shibganj Upazila, Bogra, before heading to Rangpur, stopping for a roadshow at Mokamtala. In Bogra, under the initiative of Dr Zobaida Rahman, wheelchairs were distributed to children and adolescents with disabilities at Hotel Naz Garden, with local leaders, dignitaries.

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DHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS)- Bogura U-17 district football team beat RajshahiU-17 district football team by 2-1 goals in Padma zone of the U-17 NationalChampionship held at Shaheed Samsuddin Stadium in Sirajganj today (Friday). In the day's match, Ujayer Ahmed Sifat put Rajshahi ahead in the 36th minutewhile Mohammad Sifat restored the parity for Bogura in the 43rd minute of thematch. After the breather Takiur Rahman sealed the victory scoring the second goalfor Bogura in the 87th minute of the match. In the day's second match also held at the3 same venue, Pabna U-17 districtteam thrashed Natore U-17 district team by 6-1 goals. Babul scored a consolation goal for Natore in the 89th minute of the match.

A 3-year-old boy abducted outside Mugda Hospital in Dhaka was sent to his ancestral home in Gaibandha by the rickshaw driver who kidnapped him, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has said. Following reports of the abduction, the driver, identified as 41-year-old Chan Mia, was arrested at Wireless Gate in Dhaka’s Moghbazar. The child was rescued on Thursday after RAB interrogated Chan Mia. The incident occurred on Wednesday at 1pm when Chan Mia, a battery-powered rickshaw driver, abducted the boy from outside Mugda Hospital. He is a rickshaw driver and unknown to the child’s family.

Iran’s foreign minister was in Turkiye yesterday as Ankara led a diplomatic push to mediate between Tehran and Washington, after US President Donald Trump cooled threats of an imminent strike on the Islamic Republic. The US president brought the temperature down late on Thursday, saying he hoped to avoid military action and saying talks were on the cards with Iran. Iran’s neighbor Turkiye led a diplomatic charge on Friday, offering to mediate between Tehran and Washington. Gulf states, some of which host US military sites, have also called for calm, while Tehran-ally Russia has urged negotiations. But rights groups warn the toll is likely far higher, with estimates in the tens of thousands.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections, the National Citizen Party (NCP) today unveiled its 36-point manifesto today, outlining its vision for a future free from corruption and misgovernance. Among the standout promises, the party has pledged to ensure six months of fully paid maternity leave and one month of paid paternity leave across all institutions in the country. The manifesto, titled 'Youth and Dignity Manifesto,' was formally presented today at a hotel in the capital's Gulshan area. The centerpiece of these commitments includes mandatory six-month paid maternity leave and one month of paid paternity leave for all employees, both in the public and private sectors. The manifesto highlights that over time, this provision will be extended to all sectors, with plans for government subsidies to support workers taking period leave.