Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud on Monday hoped that the Election Commission would be able to hold fair polls, citing full cooperation from political parties ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12. Replying to a question on whether the commission has faced any non-cooperation or pressure from any political party, the election commissioner said the EC has not faced any pressure from any quarter. We are taking all necessary steps to hold a fair election,” he said. Considering the environment we have observed so far, I think the situation is quite good.”The election commissioner urged the voters to apply their voting rights freely in the upcoming elections. Rahmanel Masud said even if an ineligible candidate manages to contest and get elected for any reason, the Election Commission will still have the authority to take action at a later stage.

The death toll in a massive Indonesian landslide hit 17 on Monday as rescuers used heavy equipment to hunt for dozens still missing days after heavy rains unleashed a torrent of mud. I feel so sad seeing my older sister like that (buried by the landslide),” he told AFP. Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the national disaster agency, confirmed on Monday that at least 17 people were killed and local officials said 73 were still missing. More than 50 houses were severely damaged by the disaster, which also displaced more than 650 people, the local disaster agency added. They excavated manually and used heavy equipment, but said they had to tread carefully for fear of another landslide due to the unstable ground and bad weather.

Pakistan may boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 match against arch-rivals India amid growing discontent with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) handling of Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament, Pakistani media reported on Monday. According to Pakistan media outlet Geo News, sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the board is considering multiple options to formally register its protest, including refusing to play the India fixture scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Despite this, the board is said to be keeping all options open, even if it ultimately decides to participate in the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. The development comes in the wake of the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns. A final decision is expected after a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Naqvi in Islamabad on Monday.

In a post shared on a Facebook group of university students on Monday afternoon, Sarbamitra said he was stepping down after accepting moral responsibility for what he described as an undesirable incident. In the post, he outlined the security crisis caused by unrestricted entry of outsiders into the university’s Central Playground and Physical Education Center. He said that although the field is designated exclusively for university students, frequent intrusion by outsiders has led to repeated incidents of harassment of female students. Sarbamitra said outsiders regularly enter the playground by climbing over the wall opposite Dhaka Medical College. Addressing the controversy, Sarbamitra said: “Amid administrative failure and insecurity, while trying to manage the situation, I was compelled to make the outsiders do sit-ups holding their ears.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - The BPL champions Rajshahi Warriors were given a warm reception on an open-top bus in Rajshahi today. From Monday morning until noon, Shanto, Mushfiq and their teammates toured the city riding on the open-top bus. An open-top bus was waiting in advance. Written on the front of the open-top bus was the slogan, "The Cup Has Come Home." As the players toured the city on the open-top bus, people along the roads raised their hands to greet them.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today spoke at a views exchange meeting with senior officials of the Armed Forces over the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum-2026 at the Helmet Auditorium of the Army Headquarters in Dhaka. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today instructed the Armed Forces to perform their duties with professionalism, neutrality, and inter-institutional coordination to ensure participatory, fear-free and fair national elections. Upon arrival at the venue, the Chief Adviser was received by Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Armed Forces Division (AFD) Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan. At the outset of the meeting, Prof Yunus highlighted the glorious and responsible role played by the Armed Forces in various national needs and expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Armed Forces for maintaining law and order in the country with patience and professionalism over a long period of time. Senior military officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, invited guests, and members of the media were present at the views exchange meeting.

The last time Japanese authorities stepped in to support their unit was in 2024 when it hit 160 to the greenback. That in turn sent gold prices surging almost two percent and past $5,000 for the first time. "In thin early Asian liquidity, the yen jumped, and that was enough to knock the broader dollar back into the Asia open." The latest developments come ahead of the Fed's next policy meeting this week, which is expected to see officials stand pat on rates, having cut in the past three. Tokyo sank almost two percent owing to the stronger yen, which weighs on Japanese exporters, while Singapore, Seoul and Wellington also retreated.

Photo : BSSKHAGRACHHARI, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has conducted a free medical camp and provided educational equipment in Ramgarh upazila as part of its humanitarian and public welfare activities. The initiative was carried out on Monday morning by BGB Ramgarh 43 Battalion in Ramgarh union and Patachhara union. During the programme, free medical services along with essential medicines were provided among underprivileged members of small ethnic communities and Bengali residents living in the remote Banvihar area of Ramgarh union. Lieutenant Colonel Md Ahsan ul Islam, Commander of BGB Ramgarh 43 Battalion, formally handed over the educational materials. Captain Atasi Debnath Binoti, Medical Officer of BGB Ramgarh Zone, provided medical treatment to the local residents during the camp.

MELBOURNE, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A clinical Jessica Pegula dumped defending champion and good friend Madison Keys out of the Australian Open on Monday to surge into the quarter-finals. The sixth seed dominated the all-American showdown 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to set up a clash with either fourth seed Amanda Anisimova or China's Wang Xinyu.

MELBOURNE, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A clinical Jessica Pegula dumped defending champion and good friend Madison Keys out of the Australian Open on Monday to surge into the quarter-finals. Pegula, who is chasing an elusive Grand Slam title after reaching the US Open final in 2024, made three consecutive Melbourne quarters between 2021-2023. But it was well-deserved with Keys, who stunned heavy favourite Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final for her maiden Slam title, tense and out-of-sorts. She consolidated by holding to take a firm grip on the set with Keys winning just three points in three games. Despite mustering some late fight there was no way back for the deflated defending champion as Pegula emphatically sent her packing.

EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed spoke at a briefing held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon area. DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has asked that complaints over violations of the electoral code of conduct against any candidate be filed directly with the concerned returning officers or Election Enquiry Committees (EEC) for quicker resolution. EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said this today while briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon area. He said if the same complaint is submitted directly to the EEC or the returning officers, it can be resolved more quickly. "The counting of postal ballots may take a little longer," he added.

Special holiday for workers in industrial areas on Feb 10DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - The government has declared a special holiday for workers and employees in industrial areas on February 10 next. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this end today. The notification said the special holiday has been declared for workers and employees of industrial areas so that they can exercise their voting rights. Earlier, the government also announced holidays on February 11 and 12 (Wednesday and Thursday) on the occasion of the 13th national election and referendum.

Many char people have achieved self-reliance by raising cows, goats, sheep and poultry in the sandy char areas. According to local people and experts, the livestock sector has been a boon for improving the living standards of char people since the implementation of the 12-year (2004-2016) Comprehensive Char Livelihood Programme (CLP) in 10 northern districts. Under the programme, extremely poor households of Kurigram, Bogura, Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Pabna and Tangail districts received assistance to successfully boost the livestock sector at the family level. The comprehensive CLP activities eradicate extreme poverty of the have-nots group households through animal husbandry and various IGAs to improve their livelihoods, life standard and change socioeconomic conditions. Md Mamunur Rashid, a PhD Fellow in the Department of Agricultural Extension at Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology, said the animal husbandry sector continues expanding fast on char areas bringing fortune to char people.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against 41 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in two separate murder cases over the killings of truck driver Md Hossain and CNG autorickshaw driver Sabuj in Mohammadpur of the capital during the July uprising. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jamsed Alam passed the order on Monday, after taking cognisance of the charge sheets submitted in the two cases. Court sources said police charge sheets were accepted against a total of 64 accused in the murder cases filed with the Mohammadpur police station. As 41 of the accused, including Sheikh Hasina, are absconding, the court issued arrest warrants for them following an application by the prosecution. Arrest warrants were issued against Sheikh Hasina in both cases, as she remains absconding.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed senior army officers at the army headquarters on Monday morning. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed senior officials of the Armed Forces at the Army Headquarters here this morning. The Chief Adviser's Press Wing said.