The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday arrested former chief engineer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Md Habibur Rahman on charges of embezzling Tk150 crore in connection with the construction of the terminal and runway at Cox’s Bazar International Airport. A team of the ACC held Habibur Rahman from the Segunbagicha area of Dhaka, ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Tanzir Ahmed said. The ACC has requested his detention until the probe is completed, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering and witness influence. The case statement alleges that irregularities amounting to nearly Tk1,500 crore have been uncovered in the Cox’s Bazar Airport development project. The ACC said the accused allegedly ensured the project was awarded to a preferred contractor and, in collusion with local agent Aerones International Limited, misappropriated at least Tk150 crore from the project.

Oikkoboddho Chhatra Sangsad, a joint platform of five university student councils. has announced a series of campaigns in divisional cities across the country to ensure victory for the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. The platform comprised of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (Jucsu), Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucs), Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) and Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU). Continuing that legacy, he said, the five student councils have jointly announced a series of public rallies in divisional cities in support of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum under the banner of Oikkoboddho Chhatra Sangsad. Similar rallies will be organized gradually in all divisional cities across the country.

Dhaka will issue visas to Indian journalists who wish to cover the upcoming election, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Wednesday, while ordinary visas remain closed for the next eight to 10 days. “Arrangements for journalists to come have been made. On foreign election observers, he said: “I do not have detailed information because it goes directly to the Election Commission. We also want sufficient journalists from all news agencies to ensure transparency.”Regarding Indian officials in Dhaka sending their families home, he said: “It is entirely their decision. Minor incidents happen in every election, but nothing more serious seems to have occurred this time.”Asked about election conflict, he said: “Any disorder could come from those not participating in the election.

More than 432,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have successfully cast their votes in the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum through the postal voting system. A total of 432,989 overseas voters completed voting after registering via the Postal Vote BD mobile application, according to officials involved in the process. He said that as of 10:30am on Wednesday, 766,862 ballot papers registered through the Postal Vote BD app had reached destination countries where expatriate voters reside. Of them, 499,328 expatriate voters have received their ballots. The postal voting initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring the participation of Bangladeshi citizens living abroad in the country’s democratic process.

NEW YORK, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Amazon said Wednesday that it would becutting 16,000 jobs worldwide as part of a restructuring announced inOctober, when the e-commerce giant had already flagged plans to cut itsworkforce by 14,000 posts. The jobs cuts are aimed at "reducing layers, increasing ownership, andremoving bureaucracy," senior vice president Beth Galetti said in astatement. At the time the company refused to comment on the reports, which said theycame amid increased investments in artificial intelligence. Amazon did not give any breakdown of the latest job cuts on Wednesday, sayingonly that "every team will continue to evaluate the ownership, speed, andcapacity to invent for customers, and make adjustments as appropriate." The company will release its full-year 2025 results on February 6, when itwill hold a conference call that will be broadcast live.

RANGPUR, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - A public notice signed by the Rangpur DeputyCommissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Enamul Ahsan has been issuedregarding the voting time in all six parliamentary constituencies of thedistrict. According to the notice, the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election and Referendumin six parliamentary constituencies of Rangpur district will be held onFebruary 12 (Thursday), 2026. The voting programme will continue uninterrupted from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm onthe election day. Voting will be held in separate transparent ballot boxes through black andwhite ballot papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and through pinkcolored ballot papers for the Referendum.

KATHMANDU, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepal's Election Commission saidWednesday it is ready to hold elections as planned, despite concerns overweather conditions in high-altitude Himalayan regions when the vote takesplace on March 5. The poll follows deadly anti-corruption protests in September that toppledthe previous government, prompting an accelerated election schedule and anunusual early-year date for voting. "As of today, we are prepared to conduct the election in all locations," thecommission's assistant spokesman, Prakash Nyaupane, told AFP, sayinglogistical, administrative and security arrangements were progressing asplanned. "We are moving ahead with preparations to hold the elections in alldistricts," Nyaupane said, adding that helicopters will be used in five high-altitude districts for voting logistics. There are about 18.9 million eligible voters, including more than 800,000first-time voters, who could cast ballots in 10,967 polling booths.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today addressed a rally as the chief guest in Debidwar in Cumilla. Photo: BSSCUMILLA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and chairman of its Election Management Committee Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan on Wednesday said they (NCP) are conducting door-to-door outreach for seeking people’s mandate in the upcoming election. Addressing the gathering, Asif Mahmud also said that Bangladesh had witnessed widespread lawlessness over the past 17 years, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture, extortion, tender manipulation and corruption. Highlighting the roots of the NCP leadership, Asif Mahmud stated that the party’s leaders did not emerge suddenly but rose from grassroots movements across the country. “We come from the ground level, so we understand the real problems of the people and know how to address them effectively,” he added.

Photo: BimanDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi tomorrow after a 14-year gap, with the inaugural flight departing fully booked, reflecting strong passenger demand for the revived route. All 162 seats on the inaugural flight were sold out, leaving no vacant seats, airline officials said. She added that most of the tickets for the second flight have also so far been sold out. The inaugural flight will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8pm and is scheduled to arrive in Karachi at 11pm local time. The resumption of direct flights is expected to significantly reduce travel time and strengthen air connectivity between the two countries.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today addressed a road show organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Kompaniganj market in Muradnagar. He made the remarks this morning while addressing a road show organised byBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Kompaniganj market in Muradnagar upazila here. Ensure victory for the 'Yes' vote in the generalpolls." "Vote for 'Yes' and ensure the establishmentof a just Bangladesh when the alliance comes to power," he added. Yusuf Sohel, 11-party alliance candidate for Comilla-3 [Muradnagar]constituency, appealed to voters to oppose "Indian dominance, extortionists,and stone-throwers" in the upcoming election.

Saudi ambassador in Dhaka Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today met with religious affairs adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain at the secretariat. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) – Saudi ambassador in Dhaka Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today called on religious affairs adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and discussed matters related to Hajj management particularly the house rent issues, officials said. Hossain, he said, told the ambassador that the ministry was monitoring all Hajj activities including progress of house rent contracts for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims. The adviser thanked the envoy for his significant role in determining Bangladesh’s Hajj quota for this year and expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Religious affairs secretary Md Kamal Uddin, additional secretary (Hajj) Dr Ayatul Islam and joint secretary Dr Md Manjurul Haque were present at the meeting.

LAHORE, Pakistan, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan take on Australia in athree-match Twenty20 international series starting in Lahore from Thursday,despite doubts over their participation in next month's World Cup incricket's shortest format. However, despite the doubts, the Pakistan team was preparing for the WorldCup with skipper Salman Agha stressing the importance of the Australiaseries. "These three games will give us an idea how prepared we are for the WorldCup," Agha told a news conference on Wednesday. "We need to see how many boxes we tick in the series which are important forthe World Cup as we aim to do well and win the Cup," Agha said. Marsh still believes Australia were ready for the World Cup tune-up series.

Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS)- Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr BazlurRashid has said that the real truth must be published without falling intoanyone's trap during elections. There is no scope to stay away from the media, as the media broadcasts newsabout their activities. Highlighting the deep trust the general public places in the media, theDivisional Commissioner said that elections are a very important public-oriented matter. During voting periods, people remain highly alert, and thepublic looks to the media for information, he said. District Information Office Director Tazkia Akbari, Deputy Director NafeyalaNasreen, Senior Assistant Commissioner Md.

JAMALPUR, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Campaigning has gained momentum in Jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari) constituency as candidates intensify their electioneering ahead of the upcoming national election. Abdul Awal alleged that corruption has taken place in the distribution of government allowances, including old-age, widow and maternity allowances, depriving many eligible beneficiaries. Regarding the July Charter, he said Jamaat leaders and activists are campaigning in its favour and distributing leaflets seeking a 'Yes' vote alongside election campaigns. He also urged the Election Commission to take necessary measures to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and violence-free election. According to the Election Office, the Jamalpur-4 constituency has a total of 301,045 voters, including 149,228 men, 151,816 women and one transgender voter.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud today said that although Bangladesh’s economy has made a turnaround, but major structural challenges still lie ahead. The Planning Adviser made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Economic Stability and Challenges for the Next Government” and the “ERF Scholarship-2026 Award Ceremony”, as the chief guest organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in the capital. Dr Mahmud said imports of industrial raw materials have increased, export growth has been maintained, while the external sector remains stable. The Planning Adviser warned that it would take a long time to recover from the damage caused by money laundering and mismanagement in the banking sector. Despite various limitations, the Planning Adviser said the government is working to stabilise the economy and implement necessary reforms, the outcomes of which will become clearer in the future.