With pollution in Pakistan hitting record highs in recent years, citizens clutching air monitors and legal papers are taking the fight for clean air into their own hands. Using one of their air monitors, Paqi demonstrated that “the air quality was hazardous inside the courtroom,” Omar said. “They got alarmed and shut down some stations when the air pollution went up,” Omar said. Worried about their community in Islamabad, academics Umair Shahid and Taha Ali established the Curious Friends of Clean Air organization. “We need accessible public transport... we need to go towards sustainable development,” said Imran, who moved from Lahore to Islamabad in search of better air quality.

A legal notice has been served on the government demanding the appointment of two separate police commissioners for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The notice was sent to the secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, with a copy forwarded to the inspector general of police. Citing existing laws, principles of administrative justice, and norms of good governance, the notice said each city corporation should have its own police commissioner. It called for the immediate appointment of one police commissioner for DNCC and another for DSCC through necessary legal and administrative measures. The notice warned that legal action would be initiated if effective steps are not taken within 15 days of receipt.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) will formally begin its election campaign on Thursday by paying respects at the shrines of three national leaders—Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Khwaja Nazimuddin and Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq—in the Dhaka University area, as well as at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi. The program is scheduled to start at 10am and will be attended by party Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Joint Conveners Ariful and Javed Rasin, Joint Member Secretary Monira Sharmin, and leaders Dilshana Parul and Nabila Tasnid, among others. According to party sources, following the visits, the party leaders will proceed towards the Press Club.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said preparations for the 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July National Charter have entered the final phase, with February 12 set as the decisive day. “Our step-by-step preparations have begun starting from Wednesday with February 12 as the final target. Chaired by Professor Yunus, the meeting reviewed overall security and logistical preparations ahead of the polls. Stressing the government’s role, the chief adviser said supporting the Election Commission was a core responsibility. The chief adviser further noted that candidates were maintaining a positive and cooperative attitude and expressed hope that this would continue.

An armed attack has killed at least 31 civilians in a village in western Niger near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali in a region rife with jihadist groups, local sources said Tuesday. The assailants struck on Sunday in a village lying in the Tillaberi region, located in the so-called tri-border area -- a flashpoint zone where the frontiers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali converge. Jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have made the region a fiefdom, carrying out deadly attacks for nearly a decade. “On Sunday, armed individuals killed 31 of our residents in Bosiye; 30 died on the spot, and one of the five wounded succumbed at a health center,” a resident told AFP. The Tillaberi region became the “deadliest region across central Sahel” in 2025, according to Acled, an NGO that monitors conflicts.

Muntasir Rahman, Assistant Director of the Jhenaidah Department of Environment, said the brick kiln operators were violating the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment Control Act-2013 by using firewood and running the kilns without legal authorization. The demolition targeted Shah Bricks and Milan Bricks in Dudhsar village, as well as M/S Molla Bricks and M/S. Each kiln was fined Taka 5 lakh, totaling Taka 20 lakh in fines. Muntasir Rahman added that during the operation, the owners signed bonds promising not to run brick kilns illegally in the future. He also stated that the Department's campaign against unauthorized brick kilns will continue across the district.

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry entered the witness box Wednesday for his testimony against the publisher of the Daily Mail in the final round of his battle against the British tabloids. Defense lawyer Antony White immediately began cross-examining Harry on his written evidence. The company has vehemently denied the allegations and says witnesses from the newspapers will name names of sources when they testify in the nine-week trial. Harry was dressed in a dark suit as he stepped up to the witness box. He held a small Bible in his right hand as he swore on “almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”The Duke of Sussex said he preferred to be addressed simply as Prince Harry.

Symbols allocated to 26 candidates in Kurigram's 4 seatsPhoto : BSSKURIGRAM, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Symbols have been officially allocated among 26 candidates contesting in the four parliamentary constituencies of Kurigram, ahead of the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Polls. In Kurigram-1, the symbols were allocated as follows: Saifur Rahman Rana - Sheaf of Paddy, Harisul Bari Roni - Hat Pakha (Hand Fan), Anwarul Islam- Daripalla (balance scale), Mostafizur Rahman- Langol (Plow), Bin Yamin Molla- Truck. In Kurigram-2, the candidates received these symbols: Sohel Hossain Kaikobad- Sheaf of Paddy, Atiqur Rahman Mujahid- Shapla Koli, Maulana Noor Bakht Miah- Hat Pakha, Panir Uddin Ahmed- Langol. In Kurigram-4, the symbols were distributed as follows: Azizur Rahman- Sheaf of Paddy, Mostafizur Rahman- Daripalla, Hafizur Rahman- Hat Pakha, AKM Fazlul Haque- Langol, Independent candidate Rukhunuzzaman Shahin- Bucket. The symbol allocation is a key step in the election process, allowing voters to identify candidates easily on the ballot.

Bangladesh fought back strongly in the match when goal-machine Sabina Khatun scored two goals in two minutes. She reduced the margin scoring the first goal for Bangladesh in the 18th minute and leveled the margin scoring the second goal in the 20th minute of the match. Imesha reduced the margin scoring her second and third goal for Sri Lanka few second before the final whistle. Thanks to skipper Sabina Khatun who played a key role behind the Bangladesh victory scoring a brace. While Sri Lanka played out to a 2-2 with Nepal, suffered 3-2 defeat to Pakistan and 5-1 defeat to Bhutan.

"The 2026 polls should be such an election that will set a standard for future elections," he said. Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media about the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon. The Chief Adviser stressed that there must be no lack of coordination among the forces while performing their duties. Given the current situation and the preparations in place, it is possible to hold a good election,” Prof Yunus said. Watching the documentary, the Chief Adviser said that body-worn cameras have many potential uses, and if it is utilised properly, it will be possible to achieve success on a massive scale.

Photo: CollectedNARA, Japan, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The gunman charged with killingJapan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe was found guilty Wednesday andjailed for life, as the judge declared the broad-daylight assassination"despicable and extremely malicious". As he handed down the sentence at a court in the city of Nara, judge ShinichiTanaka said Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, had been "determined" to shoot Abe. - 'Significant grief' -Prosecutors had argued that the defendant's motive to kill Abe was rooted inhis desire to besmirch the Unification Church. Another man outside the court held a banner urging the judge to takeYamagami's difficult life circumstances "into the fullest consideration". The Japanese version of life imprisonment leaves open the possibility ofparole, although in reality, experts say many die while incarcerated.

Netflix posted profit of $2.4 billion on revenue of $12 billion in the final three months of last year, and forecast taking in $12.1 billion in revenue this quarter. The earnings report came as Netflix presses a bid to buy television and film titan Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD). The suit, and a letter to WBD shareholders by Paramount Skydance chief executive David Ellison, are moves in a saga spanning several months. "We are committed to seeing our tender offer through," Ellison said in the letter to WBD shareholders. "If WBD calls a special meeting ahead of its annual meeting to vote on the Netflix Agreement, Paramount will solicit proxies against such approval."

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Symbols for contesting candidates in the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections will be allotted today across constituencies. According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 305 candidates withdrew their nominations by the deadline at 5 pm on Tuesday. With these withdrawals, 1,967 candidates remain in the race nationwide. Ruhul Amin Mallick said that the 1,967 candidates - both party-nominated and independents - will contest in 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. Balloting will be conducted using transparent ballot boxes and printed ballot papers for both the 13th National Parliament (JS) elections and the referendum.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 305 candidates have withdrawn their nominations for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections, leaving 1,967 contenders in the fray. He said the 1,967 candidates - comprising both party nominees and independents - will contest in 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. As per the election schedule, the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures expired at 5 pm yesterday. Voting for the 13th JS elections and referendum will be held on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without interruption. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary (JS) elections in his address to the nation on December 11.

Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain today spoke to journalists after a meeting at the Mirza Ruhul Amin Auditorium, Thakurgaon. Photo : BSSTHAKURGAON, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS): Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministries of Shipping, Labor and Employment today urged the people of the country to vote ‘Yes’ aimed at building a democratic environment. “If any party is campaigning against the yes vote, then it should be understood that they are betraying the blood of this country." Regarding the rise in commodity prices, the adviser said, many mafias are no more. We will make some recommendations for the next government so that there is a balanced distribution across the country.