For this purpose, the elected members will take a separate oath and complete the reform process within 180 days." Rather, he stated that the elected members of parliament would carry out this responsibility. In other words, the elected representatives will function as the government, not the interim government, the statement explained. According to the Article 7 of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025-7. According to the Order, once constitutional reform is completed within 180 working days from the start of the parliamentary session, the Constitutional Reform Council will be dissolved.

Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan speaks at city hotel workshop on updating Bangladesh’s Red List of fauna. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the objective of updating Bangladesh's red list of fauna is to gradually increase the number of species classified as endangered. The workshop was held under "Updating the Red List of Fauna of Bangladesh", being implemented by the Forest Department with technical support from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh. Syeda Rizwana said the government is establishing a wildlife conservation wing in the country, but that alone is not sufficient. Detailed technical discussions were held across nine taxonomic groups, focusing on the scope, methodology, coordination framework and timeline of Red List assessments.

The 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary (MCQ-type) examination will be held on Friday from 10 am to 12 noon at 21 centers in Khulna metropolitan area. To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), exercising powers under Sections 29 and 30 of the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985, has imposed restrictions from 7:00 am on the exam day until the end of the test, reports BSS. According to a public notice signed by KMP Commissioner Md Zulfikar Ali Haider, the assembly of five or more persons, processions, and roaming within a 200-yard radius of the examination centers will be prohibited. Carrying weapons, knives, sticks, explosives or similar items will also be banned in the examination areas. Legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order, added the notice.

Republic employees barred from campaigning for 'Yes' or 'No' in referendum: ECFile photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has said employees of the republic are not permitted to campaign in favor of either 'Yes' or 'No' in the upcoming referendum scheduled for February 12. However, the EC clarified that government employees may engage in activities to inform the public and raise awareness about the referendum, provided they remain neutral and do not advocate for any particular outcome. In this regard, the Election Commission has issued a directive to all returning officers. According to the letter, any attempt by republic employees to influence the outcome of the referendum would be considered a punishable offense under Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025, and Article 86 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.

Bangladesh's non-resident High Commissioner to Lesotho, Shah Ahmed Shafi. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's non-resident High Commissioner to Lesotho, Shah Ahmed Shafi, today formally presented his Letters of Credence to King Letsie III, reaffirming Dhaka's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. High Commissioner Shafi, based in Pretoria, presented the credentials to Lesetho King Letsie III at a formal ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Maseru, according to a message received here. During the meetings, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Lesotho, expanding trade and commercial cooperation, and exploring other areas of mutual interest. King Letsie III welcomed the initiative and conveyed his consent to send a high-level business delegation to Bangladesh in the first quarter of the year, said the release.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Wednesday alleged that at least 522 incidents of communal violence occurred across Bangladesh in 2025, sharply contradicting the government’s claim that only 71 incidents carried communal elements. The violence also included land grabbing, abductions, extortion, torture and arrests on allegations of religious blasphemy. The Unity Council strongly criticized a January 19 Facebook post by the chief adviser, which stated that investigations identified 645 incidents involving minorities in 2025 but classified only 71 as communal, labelling the remaining 574 as non-communal. Many of these cases, he said, have been identified as communal violence by national and international media and rights groups. With the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, the Unity Council warned that communal violence has continued into the election period.

Bias to any political party will be tolerated in Feb 12 election: Home AdviserHome Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS)– Reiterating that February 12 national election is vital for shaping the country’s future, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. “Minimal prejudice toward any political party will not be tolerated,” he warned. “Any form of biased conduct toward a candidate or political party will face strict departmental and legal action,” he said. Senior administrative officials, election officers, and police officials from Dhaka Division and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police were present at the meeting.

DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government has promulgated the ‘Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026’ to further streamline the country’s microcredit operations, create employment opportunities, alleviate poverty, and ensure ownership of microfinance institutions by borrowers themselves. Under the newly promulgated ordinance, microcredit borrowers will no longer remain only clients of financial institutions; they will now become shareholders and owners of microfinance banks. The ordinance shall be known as the Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026. However, any Microfinance Bank established under this ordinance will not be eligible for listing on the country’s stock exchanges. Social Business and Dividend Policy:The ordinance defines the Microfinance Bank as a social business institution.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has been deployed across its designated operational areas to maintain peace, order and overall security during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026. The information was disclosed on Thursday afternoon by Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque after inspecting the law and order situation at several polling areas in Sandwip, Chattogram. Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque said that since its inception, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing a vital role in ensuring security in the country’s vast maritime, coastal and riverine regions. The Coast Guard, he added, is actively disseminating information to encourage public participation. He reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Coast Guard remains fully alert and prepared to safeguard voting rights and prevent any form of violence throughout the election period.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched direct flight on the Dhaka–Karachi–Dhaka route on Thursday, with the inaugural flight, BG-341, departing from Dhaka at 8pm. The inaugural flight will arrive in Karachi at 11pm local time on Thursday. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the return flight, BG-342, departing Karachi at 12:01am on Friday and arriving in Dhaka at 4:20am the same day. A total of 150 passengers flew on the inaugural flight. With the launch of this route, Biman Bangladesh Airlines establishes direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz has said the core message of the July Charter is to restore people’s rights for which people liberated the country in 1971 and for which a mass uprising took place in 2024. Buddhist and Christian Religious Welfare Trust organized the programme at the auditorium of Dharmarajika Buddhist temple at Basabo in the capital. Bhabesh Chakma, Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust chaired the event while Religious Affairs Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Secretary Joy Dutta Barua, Christian Religious Welfare Trust Trustee Pius Costa , among others, spoke.

The Bangladesh Government Employees Coordination Council on Thursday demanded the immediate issuance of a gazette notification for the Pay Commission report, warning of nationwide protests, marches to the secretariat, and a general work stoppage if their demand is not met before the next national election. “Under these circumstances, there is no alternative but to announce tougher protest programs to realize our demands,” he said. Secretary General Badrul Alam Sobuj formally presented the organization’s sole demand: that the Pay Commission report be issued through a gazette notification effective from January 1, 2026, and fully implemented before the next national election. The council plans to submit a memorandum to the Cabinet Secretary on Sunday, February 1, 2026, as an ultimatum. The Secretary General warned that if the Pay Commission report is not implemented on time, the organization will launch strict protest measures, including nationwide rallies, marches towards the Secretariat, and a general work stoppage.

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Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said the country’s electoral “level playing field” has come under serious question following a deadly clash between Jamaat and BNP activists in Sherpur’s Jhenaigati upazila. Later that night, in a post on his verified Facebook page, Shafiqur Rahman called for swift and decisive action by law enforcement agencies. “Whoever forms the government through a fair and acceptable election, Jamaat-e-Islami will congratulate them. Addressing supporters, Shafiqur Rahman said that if Jamaat came to power, all income, expenditure and activities of members of parliament would be made public annually. Youth and local pledgesCalling youth the future of Bangladesh, Shafiqur Rahman said young people would not be allowed to fall into extortion, terrorism or drug abuse.

BFUJ General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury served as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Our Responsibilities in the Development of Indigenous Culture," held in the capital. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union (BFUJ) General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury said culture is the foundation of civilization while alien culture locks the door of conscience. Mentioning that culture is the pursuit of beauty, Chowdhury said the culture is the foundation of civilization and civilization is the advanced form of culture. Culture shows the path to beauty, while alien culture takes people toward ugliness and pushes them into darkness," he said. The discussion was presided over by Samajik Sangskritik Foundation (Social Cultural Foundation) President Lion Anwara Begum Nipa and moderated by Manjur Hossain Isa.