Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman today reviewed troops deployed “in aid of civil power” in northwestern Rajshahi and Rangpur regions. “During the inspections, the army chief reviewed on ground the activities of military personnel, gave them necessary guidelines and exchanged views with the officials of the civil administration,” it said. According to the statement said Zaman joined two identical meetings at Rangpur Circuit House and Infantry Regimental Centre (BIRC) in Rajshahi with senior military officers and divisional and district level civil officials. During the Rangpur and Rajshahi visits, the general officer commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), GOCs of Rangpur and Bogura areas and commissioners of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions joined the view exchange meetings. Other senior officials of civil administration and law enforcement agencies, senior military officers from the Army Headquarters and cantonments in the northwestern region and representatives of media also attended the meetings.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on the Ministry of Railways, Dr. Sheik Moinuddin, gave an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his office today. Sheik Moinuddin pointed out that while 20 to 40 percent of goods are transported by rail in many developed countries, but the figure in Bangladesh remains only three to four percent. If both sectors are modernised, he said, it would be possible to transport 40 to 50 percent of the country’s goods through rail and water routes. Sheik Moinuddin mentioned several major projects are underway including dual-tracking of the Chattogram–Dohazari rail line, a newly approved project to bypass Chattogram, and rehabilitation of the Akhaura–Sylhet line into a dual-gauge track. Expressing optimism, Sheik Moinuddin said the realistic initiatives taken by the current interim government would be continued by the next government.

The National Taskforce on Restructuring the Tax System today submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The report proposed necessary restructuring of the tax system to support overall economic development and to formulate tax policies conducive to both domestic and foreign trade. The report titled “Tax Policy for Development: A Reform Agenda for Restructuring the Tax System,” identified a total of 55 policy issues and provided recommendations for each. The report also proposed restructuring the tax system to change the ratio of direct to indirect taxes from the current 30:70 to 50:50. It also recommended moving toward a single VAT rate instead of multiple rates in the value-added tax system.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - Alpi Akter and Ritu Porna Chakma slammed a brilliant hat-trick each as Rajshahi Stars Football Club (RSFC) thrashed Siraj Smrity Sangsad by 13-0 goals in the Women’s Football League held at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city’s Kamalapur today (Tuesday). With this win, RSFC maintained their domination in the league table with 24 points from eight matches. Siraj Smrity Sangsad remained with their previous collection of seven points playing the same number of matches. In the day’s match, Alpi Akter scored hat-trick with five goals in the 3rd, 18th, 60th, 83rd and 85th minutes and Ritu Porna scored hat-trick with three goals in the 24th, 43rd and 76th minutes. Alpi Akter of RSFC was named the player of the match for her impressive performance in the match.

Amzad highlighted the gap in Bangladesh's domestic T20 structure, noting thatthe National Cricket League (NCL) T20 is the only recognized competitionoutside the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). "For T20, apart from the NCL T20, we don't have any other recognized domestictournament," Amzad pointed out. He also referred to how neighboring countries like India and Sri Lanka havestructured their domestic T20 competitions to identify new talent. "Countries like India and Sri Lanka have strong domestic T20 systems, and wehope that the CCDM T20 Challenge will play a similar role for us." Historically, we've struggled in T20internationals, so it's crucial to focus on building a strong T20 team."

Call for unity in support of the Sheaf of Paddy Symbol to ensure women’s safetyPhoto: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - The country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held on February 12. As part of this campaign, a large women’s rally was held today (Tuesday) in the Kalupara area of Bargachhi Union under Paba Upazila. Addressing the gathering, she called on women, men, and the young generation alike to unite and vote for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. She therefore urged all women to unite and ensure victory by voting for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. At the end of the rally, the women present pledged to vote for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol and ensure its victory.

Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 311 people have been arrested in the Sundarbans East Forest area for various crimes related to forest, including illegal deer hunting and fishing during the past eight months. During the period, security forces, including the Coast Guard and Forest Department, have conducted numerous drives and nabbed them. They also seized 242 kilograms of venison and 351 boats and trawlers. According to the Forest Department, from May to December 2025, joint operations in the Shyamnagar and Chandpai ranges of the Sundarbans East Forest led to arrests for illegal deer poaching, fishing, crab catching, and other offenses. The authorities have emphasized a "zero-tolerance policy" to protect the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, he added.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged people, regardless of caste, creed or religion, to remain united like in 1971 and the July Uprising to ensure his party’s victory in the February-12 election and rebuild the country. If we remain united, just as we won independence and removed autocracy, we will be able to build the Bangladesh we dream of,” he told the crowd. Tarique said rebuilding Bangladesh in line with people’s aspirations requires one slogan: “Work for the country, build the nation; Bangladesh above everything.”“Bangladesh will move forward only if we remain united. Tarique introduced 24 BNP candidates from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Netrokona and Sherpur, handing them the party’s paddy sheaf symbol. But you must not leave after voting.”“You must stay at the polling centres and ensure votes are properly counted.

BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury today said sports and physical activities are indispensable for the physical, mental and intellectual development of the children“Sports represent the health, joy and pride of a nation. Along with education, children need a healthy and enjoyable life, and sports play a vital role in ensuring that,” he said. "Sports have greater importance in educational institutions," Kader Gani added. The programme was presided over by BPJA President AKM Mohsin, while its General Secretary Babul Talukder conducted the event.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam attended at a press conference at the party's Fakirapul office under the Dhaka-8 constituency. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today said no attempt to rehabilitate Awami League-style politics would be allowed in Bangladesh, stressing the need to safeguard democratic values and ensure a fair political environment in the post-uprising period. Nahid Islam alleged that Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP, was obstructed and pelted with bricks and stones when he went to Habibullah Bahar College as an invited guest. Referring to the post-uprising political context, Nahid Islam said the mass movement had created an opportunity to establish a new political culture based on accountability and democratic practices. The NCP convener said his party was not interested in dwelling on the past but was focused on ensuring a free, fair and neutral election.

What we have asked for is an alternative venue,” he told reporters responding to a question after a meeting of the Economic Affairs Committee at the Secretariat. Referring to past precedents, the adviser said the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier arranged neutral venues for teams facing security or political concerns. So, providing an alternative venue is nothing unusual,” he added. Explaining the rationale behind the government’s decision, the adviser pointed to security concerns arising from political developments in the host country. In that context, the government considered the safety of our players and the security of spectators and that is why this decision was taken, he added.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - Old Dhaka outfit Farashganj Sporting Club blankedBangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP) Football Club by 2-0 goals in theWomen's Football League (WFL) held at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy MohammadMostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's Kamalapur today (Tuesday). After the barren first half, Monika Chakma put Farashganj ahead in the 56thminute while Shamsunnahar Jr. sealed the victory scoring the second goal forFarashganj in the 90+2nd minute of the match.

DHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS)—A brilliant all-round performance from Mohammad Paran helped Duronto team thrash Durbar by 28 runs in their opening match of the CCDM T20 Challenge Cup today at Cricketers Academy Ground in Purbachal, Dhaka. Opening the innings, Mohammad Paran struck a superb 35 ball-64, studded by three fours and six sixes, as Duronto piled up 155-9 in the stipulated 20 overs. Paran held together the innings astutely amid the wickets tumbling around him after his side was asked to bat first. Ariful Jony and Sheikh Arif Billah took two wickets apiece for Durbar. Paran (3-25) and Moahmmad Shoaib (3-29) picked up three wickets apiece to derail Durbar batting line up.

EU to show Google how to open up to rival AI servicesBRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Google must provide rival AIservices equal access to its features and other search engine platformsaccess to data, the EU said on Tuesday, as it said it would help the giantover six months to comply with rules. The EU executive said it would launch proceedings to help Google preparemeasures in line with its flagship rulebook, the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission wants to ensure Google gives rival AI serviceproviders equal access to its Android operating system, and demands theAmerican titan grants competing search engines access to search data. Brussels believes the move will allow rivals "to optimise their services andoffer users genuine alternatives to Google Search". That came after the EU slapped Google with a 2.95-billion-euro ($3.5 billion)fine in September for breaking competition rules.

RAJSHAHI, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - A three-day-long International Conference titled "5th International Conference on Electrical, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (ICECTE 2026)" is going to be held at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) from Friday. RUET, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is set to host the international conference to advance research and innovation to address rapidly changing technological challenges of the modern world. Although the formal inauguration of the conference will take place on January 30, various technical sessions involving conference participants will be held on January 29. Highlighting the uniqueness of the conference, Professor Dr. Bashir Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said that renowned professors from the United States, Australia, and Japan will attend different sessions as keynote speakers. It is also sponsored by several government and autonomous organizations, including the ICT Division of the Government, UGC, and the Bangladesh Computer Council.