NCP urges voters to beware of false promises ahead of pollsNCP Convener Nahid Islam- File PhotoMOULVIBAZAR, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today urged voters to remain cautious of false promises and misleading information ahead of the February 12 national election. He made the call while addressing an election rally in support of Preetam Das, the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, in Moulvibazar-4 near Srimangal Railway Station Road. Nahid Islam said, "This election is connected with the referendum. After the programme, a campaign procession was held, which moved through several streets of Srimangal town. NCP spokesperson and election management committee chairman Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, joint convener and committee secretary Monira Sharmin and Sylhet division organizing secretary Ehtesham Haque, addressed the rally, among others.

Commercial banks have sought permission from Bangladesh Bank to publish photographs and lists of loan defaulters as part of efforts to recover defaulted loans.The Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB), representing commercial banks, sent a letter to Governor Ahsan H Mansur on Wednesday outlining the proposal.The move follows a meeting on Nov 12 between the central bank and ABB on strategies to recover non-performing loans, where bankers were asked to submit recommendations.After around two and a half months, ABB submitted a set of proposals, with public disclosure of defaulters among the key suggestions.Bangladesh Bank first attempted to introduce branch-level publication of defaulters' lists in 2014, but the initiative was halted following High Court directives.The Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), representing bank sponsors, had backed the move at the time.Similar attempts were made again in 2018 and 2019, but those efforts were also stalled due to political influence.The issue of publishing defaulters' lists was discussed at several meetings of the finance ministry in 2021 as part of loan recovery measures, but the proposal was never implemented.With defaulted loans continuing to pose challenges for the financial system, bankers have now raised the issue once again, seeking regulatory approval to proceed. �"bdnews24.com

Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md. Photo: BSSCHATTOGRAM, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md. Ziaul Haque today said the Coast Guard is fully prepared to safeguard voting rights and maintain law and order during the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum, slated for February 12. He said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has already been deployed in key locations to maintain peace, security and overall stability throughout the electoral process. He said efforts are underway to inform and encourage people of all ages, professions, and backgrounds within Coast Guard jurisdictions to actively participate in the referendum.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, popularly known as the Charmonai Pir, today said Islam is a proven system of governance for all oppressed and disadvantaged people, including minorities. But Islam offers a proved and practical system to governance to ensure the rights of all including the people from other religions." The Islami Andolan Ameer made the remarks while addressing roadside meetings and election campaigns in different constituencies of Lalmonirhat and Rangpur in northern part of the country today. "To realise that spirit, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is presenting Islam as an alternative system of state governance," he added.

BNP's Mintoo goes door to door seeking votes in Feni-3Abdul Awal Mintoo. File PhotoFENI, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Abdul Awal Mintoo, a candidate of BNP for Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan-Sonagazi) has been conducting an extensive door-to-door campaign ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Upazila BNP Convener Md. Sonagazi Upazila BNP Convener Joynal Abdin Bablu said campaigns have already been completed in six unions, with programmes underway in the remaining unions and municipality. Daganbhuiyan upazila has 248,384 voters, while Sonagazi upazila has 254,703 voters.

DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) -The residential training camp for the preliminary selected thirty two U-20 booters begins at Shams-ul -Huda Academy in Jashore tomorrow (Friday) for the upcoming SAFF U-20 Championship. The preliminary selected participating in the Bangladesh Football League have been asked to report tomorrow (Friday) to coach Golah Robbani Choton in the venue at 4 pm. However the players participating in the Bangladesh Championship League will have to report on February 5. The SAFF U-20 Championship is scheduled to be held from March 23 to April 3 in Maldives with the participation of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, host Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. The preliminary selected players are Ismail Hossain Mahin, SP Rafiz, Md Nahidul Islam, Raj Chowdury, Md Tasin Saheb, Md Yousuf Ali, Md Abdul Riyad Fahim, Ashikur Rahman, Md Ikramul Islam, Md Mithu Chowdhury, Md Sharif Uddin Nirob, Sheikh Sangram, Md Sifat Sahariar, Md Siam Omit, Salah Uddin Sahed, Sani Das, Ihsan Habib Riduan, Md Sabbir Islam, Chandon Roy, Samuel Raksam, Md Ratul Hassan, Md Kamal Merdha, Nazmul Huda Faysal, Mohammad Shofiq Rahman, Shawon Ritchil, Md Mursed Ali, Sree Sumon Soren, Md Manik, Md Rifat Kazi, Md Opu Rahman, Ashik and Md Joy Ahamed.

Photo : BSSJASHORE, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - BNP candidate for Jashore-3 constituency Aninda Islam Amit today said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would not support any reform that denies the Liberation War or undermines its spirit. "BNP firmly believes that Bangladesh cannot exist by denying the Liberation War," he told a view-exchange meeting with freedom fighters at the Jashore District Muktijoddha Sangsad Bhaban this afternoon. Addressing the freedom fighters, Amit said they were uniting across the country under the banner of BNP. As a political party, BNP and its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman would never allow any action that insults the Liberation War or disrespects freedom fighters, he said. Leaders of the District Freedom Fighters' Association and local BNP leaders were also present at the meeting.

Various labour organizations are strongly protesting against a government move to amend the labour law by ignoring workers' rights and interests. As a result meeting held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Thursday regarding the amendment of the labour law ended without any decision. Labour leaders demanded respect for the country's existing laws to protect the rights and interests of all concerned, including workers. They said that any initiative to amend the labour law in a hurry, avoiding tripartite consultations with the Ministry of Labour, will violate the rights of workers. It is worth noting that in Bangladesh, the Workers' Profit Participation Fund (WPPF) was established by law in 2006.

Take no actions under today’s below-zero stars. Some recent concerns around status or hierarchy may be fading as you come more fully into your self, your path, your mission. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you briefly doubted your gifts, you should rediscover them quickly, but don’t start anything today. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Press ‘Pause’ during today’s below-zero stars. Let in the love, magic, innovation, spontaneity, media presence, ambition, and clarity on your path that 2026 can offer you.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Five more matches of Cute 1st Division Men’s Handball League, organized by Bogura District Sports Association (DSA), has been decided on the second day held at football ground adjacent to Shahhed Chandu Stadium in Bogura today (Thursday). On the day, NH Handball Club (red team) beat Talora Handball Club by 16-7 goals, NH Handball Club ( white team) defeated Master Handball Club by 17-3 goals, Biyam Handball Club outclassed Shibganj Handball Club by 17-5 goals, NH Handball Club (red team) overpowered Beat Handball Club by 19-7 goals and NH Handball Club ( white team) defeated Police Line Handball Club by 17-3 goals. A total of ten teams, split into two groups, are taking part in the four-day meet. The participating teams:Group A - Nishindara Fakir Uddin Handball team, Police Line Handball team, Seven Star Handball Club, HN Handball Club (white team) and Master Handball Club. Group B - Beat Handball Club, Talora Handball Club, HN Handball Club (red team), Shibganj Handball Club and Biyam Handball Club.

File photo. DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has issued a clarification regarding the use of banners in connection with the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12. According to the EC's directive, banners measuring no more than 10 feet by 4 feet can be used. EC has sent a letter to the returning officers in this regard.

The MoU was signed to expand cooperation in information technology and e-governance, said an official handout adding this agreement advances the partnership that began last year when The Gambia adopted Bangladesh's MyGov platform. Abdur Rofiq, Abdullah Al Fahim, Head of Program Management along with other senior officials of the a2i Programme were present as Bangladesh representatives. The Gambian delegation was led by Patheh Jah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service. The delegation included senior officials from the Office of the President, Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Records Service, Gambia ICT Agency, Accountant General's Department, Central Bank of The Gambia, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, among others. He added that both countries deserve praise for moving toward the development of solutions suited to delivering citizen-friendly public services.

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum. File photoDHAKA Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum has called upon private organizations, particularly NGOs, to increase their activities in the health sector alongside the government to ensure health services reach marginalized communities. "NGOs are already involved in areas such as maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, elderly health care, and control of tobacco and tobacco product use. I hope NGOs would continue to work alongside the government to ensure health services reach marginalized communities," she said. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Health and Family Welfare Ministry Professor Dr. Md.

The half-day meeting was organized by ADD International as part of its community-based mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Speakers noted that suicide remains a major public health concern in Bangladesh, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The highest suicide mortality rate, 28 per 100,000, was recorded among those aged 18–24. Professor Kamal UA Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka said Bangladesh has adequate policies and technical capacity on suicide prevention, but community-level implementation remains weak. The meeting also discussed Section 7.13 of the National Mental Health Policy 2022, which calls for a national suicide prevention strategy involving all stakeholders.

As a result, income tax returns for the 2025-26 tax year can now be filed until Feb 28. This is the third time the deadline has been extended by the tax collecting body. It was then extended to Dec 31 and then to Jan 31.In the current tax year, filing returns online has been made mandatory. Authorised representatives of taxpayers can also file e-returns online this year. In addition, those who are unable to file returns online have been asked to apply to the concerned tax commissioner by Feb 15.