Election Commissioner Brig. today spoke at the conference room of the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Photo: BSSCHANDPUR, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS)- Election Commissioner Brig. today said no one will be allowed to create disorder at polling centers. Chandpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md.
The interim government is going to offer a 20 per cent rebate on electricity bills to reduce production costs in four sectors, including animal and poultry feed manufacturing. The decision was announced in a media statement issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Monday. The statement said the government is currently providing a 20 percent electricity rebate to 16 sectors under the power rebate policy to boost agricultural production, encourage agricultural exports and support agro-based industries. The sectors covered by the subsidy are animal and poultry feed manufacturing, fish feed production, the poultry industry and the dairy processing industry. The government said the initiative is expected to significantly reduce production costs, increase investment in the industrial sector and help the country become more self-reliant in producing safe and quality animal protein.
A total of 22 more people were hospitalized with dengue across the country in the last 24 hours, while no death was reported during the period. According to the release, among the newly hospitalized patients, seven were admitted in Barisal Division (outside city corporation areas), three in Chittagong Division (outside city corporation areas), one in Dhaka Division (outside city corporation areas), two in Dhaka North City Corporation, five in Dhaka South City Corporation, one in Khulna Division (outside city corporation areas) and four in Mymensingh Division (outside city corporation areas). During the same period, 22 dengue patients were discharged from hospitals. In 2025, a total of 102,861 dengue cases were reported in the country, while 413 people died from the disease. In 2024, the total number of dengue cases stood at 101,214, with 575 deaths reported.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued 10 emergency directives for all government and private hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12. According to the notification, medical teams must be formed at different administrative levels during the election period, based on the scope of services. To address potential emergency situations during the election period, DGHS has directed hospitals to deploy additional manpower in their emergency departments. Private institutions have also been requested to provide logistic and manpower support to government authorities if needed. The directives also required divisional health offices and civil surgeon offices to keep 24-hour control rooms operational throughout the election period.
LONDON, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Investors nervous about geopolitics, tariff threats and domestic US budgetary issues flocked to buy gold Monday, pushing the safe-haven precious metal well into record territory. The dollar sank, meanwhile, amid speculation of US-Japanese central bank coordination to support the yen. Gold climbed above $5,100 an ounce, having cracked $5,000 on Sunday, amid rising global uncertainty and turmoil set off by US President Donald Trump's policies. By comparison, gold could be had for just over $2,000 an ounce only two years ago. The stronger yen weighed on Tokyo's stock market because of its negative impact on exporters.
Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi. Photo: CollectedISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday a final decision on the team's participation in next month's Twenty20 World Cup will be delayed by up to a week, keeping open a possible boycott over Bangladesh's withdrawal. Naqvi threw the national cricket team's participation into doubt on Saturday, saying Pakistan could pull out after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh in the tournament. Local media also reported that Pakistan could also boycott a February 15 match against arch-rivals India over political tension. Pakistan's reaction comes after the ICC rejected Bangladesh's demands to relocate their World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka over security fears.
Joint patrol operations began in Khulna on Sunday afternoon to maintain law and order ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. A joint drill involving the BGB, RAB, Coast Guard, and police was held at Shaheed Hadis Park. Khulna Additional Deputy Commissioner Nurul Haque Mohammad Anas said the initiative aims to boost voter confidence and ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. Joint forces will respond immediately to any untoward incidents and conduct drives to recover illegal weapons if intelligence is received. He added that 20 executive magistrates have been deployed across Khulna’s six constituencies, a judicial inquiry committee has been formed to address candidates’ complaints, and a law and order cell is operating to ensure overall election security.
A woman and her two young children were killed after she jumped in front of a moving train in Gazipur on Monday morning, police said, in what appears to be a case of suicide. The incident occurred around 11am at a railway crossing in the Nayanepara area of Ward No. The deceased woman was identified as Hafeza Khatun Mala (25) of Kaliganj upazila in Gazipur. Local residents reported that the incident took place on a stretch of railway track east of the Pubail crossing. “Later, she went onto the railway tracks with her children as a Brahmanbaria-bound Titas commuter train was passing.
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DUBAI, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Arab Emirates will not allow attacks on Iran to be launched from its territory, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. The ministry "has reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates' commitment to not allowing its airspace, territory, or waters to be used in any hostile military actions against Iran", the statement said.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and BBC journalist Mark Tully. Photo : CollageDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today expressed deep condolences over the death of BBC journalist Mark Tully, who reported on Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971. In a Facebook post on his verified page, Tarique Rahman said, "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Mark Tully." Tarique Rahman alo extended his heartfelt condolences to Mark Tully's family, friends and colleagues at the BBC. Mark Tully passed away at a hospital in New Delhi, India, on Sunday at the age of 90.
DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has successfully reaffirmed its standing as a global leader in the textile and apparel industry during the Texworld and Apparel Sourcing New York City 2026 exhibition. Gulam Mustafa, Managing Director of Design Sourcing, highlighted the event's value for the industry:“The Texworld Apparel Sourcing New York exhibition proved to be a valuable platform for us. He added that while inquiries focused on smaller order quantities, the experience has encouraged his firm to participate in Texworld Paris in February 2026. Reinforcing Global Standing The three-day exhibition reinforced Bangladesh's position as a "reliable, competitive, and forward-looking global sourcing destination" for textiles and apparel. By bringing together global fabric buyers and sourcing professionals, the event solidified Bangladesh's presence as a key sourcing hub for the U.S. market.
Seventeen personnel have returned to India from Rampal Power Plant on “security grounds”. Subsequently, 12 NTPC executives were deployed at the plant solely in advisory capacities, without any operational responsibilities. In view of the existing personal security concerns in Bangladesh, the NTPC advisory officials informed NTPC management and returned to India after obtaining all necessary approvals. They are available around the clock and are prepared to travel to the plant immediately if any operational emergency arises. BIFPCL further emphasized that both units of the Rampal Power Plant are operating at near full capacity in line with national grid demand, and that overall plant performance remains stable.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said his party would ensure a merit-based recruitment system and would not allow bribery in public sector jobs if it comes to power. “If BNP comes to power, there will be no bribes for jobs, nor will anyone be allowed to take bribes. All appointments will be based on merit,” he said, adding that BNP does not betray public trust. Everyone must remain vigilant so that no one can succeed in creating such divisions.”Addressing members of the Hindu community, the BNP secretary general said they should not feel afraid. Local BNP leaders and activists were present at the meetings.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday said he wanted to bring extortionists back to an honourable life by providing them with dignified work, even offering personal support if poverty was the root cause. “I want to embrace extortionists and hand them honourable work. Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat-e-Islami has refrained from filing false cases, claiming that each of the party’s eight cases names only one accused. Everyone—from truck drivers to mill owners—is distressed,” he said, adding that Jamaat-e-Islami aims to ensure dignified livelihoods for all. This time, we want to see the scales,” he added, alluding to Jamaat-e-Islami’s electoral symbol.
