None but voters will choose their state 'managers': Ali ImamFood and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today spoke at a public awareness campaign on the referendum as the chief guest at Shaheed Hadis Park in the city. Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today said people are the owners of the country and none but they will choose 'managers' to run the state in the 13th parliamentary election, slated for February 12. Calling for public support to build a "New Bangladesh," Ali Imam Majumdar urged voters to cast a 'Yes' vote in the referendum to recognize the charter. Officials and employees of various district offices and people from all walks of life attended the programme. Awareness videos promoting the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum were also screened using campaign vehicles at the event.

he European Union (EU) election observer mission today visited Chandpur to observe the situation of the upcoming 12th parliamentary polls. Photo: BSSCHANDPUR, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - A delegation of the European Union (EU) election observer mission today visited Chandpur to observe the situation of the upcoming 12th parliamentary polls. The members of the observer team held a view exchange meeting with journalists from various media outlets at Chandpur Press Club here. The EU observer delegation included Maya Hurlimann and Lars Plagmann. Chandpur Press Club President Sohel Rushdi and General Secretary M A Latif welcomed the EU observer team on the occasion.

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has initiated to introduce an automated system to make the export-import process faster and transparent. CPA has hired the Magnetic Tech Limited on outsourcing basis under revenue sharing model to introduce new help point titled “CPA Agent Desk System” and a web based platform has also been developed in this regard to provide services to the port users in the export-import documentation process. Leading port users like shipping agents, freight forwarders, clearing and forwarding agents have been informed and apprised on practice manual and operational method as well as benefits of the newly introduced system. New system will significantly bring dynamism in overall port management, reduce processing cost and make easier and hassle-free the documentation procedure through online platform. The increased growth rate is 4.87 in percentage point in container handling , 12.64 points in cargo handling and 10.97 points in ship handling , CPA sources said .

Clashes broke out between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists in the Pirerbagh area of Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday evening, leaving 10–15 people injured. Police, RAB, and other law enforcement personnel were deployed to control the situation. Mirpur Division Police Deputy Commissioner Moinul Haque confirmed the incident and said officers were sent after receiving reports. Eyewitnesses said the clash began after arguments between Jamaat leaders and others following Maghrib prayers, escalating into chasing and counter-chasing, resulting in injuries on both sides. Tensions remain high in the area.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has affirmed the Election Commission’s commitment to successfully implementing postal voting, despite the challenges involved. Speaking on Tuesday at a briefing for political parties at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, the CEC said: “When we undertook the initiative of postal voting, we were aware of the numerous challenges and complexities. We were entering uncharted territory, yet it was our solemn pledge to see this through.”He added that allowing overseas Bangladeshis in 122 countries to vote via postal ballots, if successful, would bring global recognition to Bangladesh. “No other country has attempted such a bold domestic measure, and even many developed nations have not been able to implement it. For the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum, overseas voters, as well as election officials, employees, and legally protected persons, will be able to vote via postal ballots starting January 21.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has attributed the recent rise in rice prices to what he described as excessive public spending on large infrastructure projects, particularly the Padma Bridge, arguing that the allocation of resources away from agriculture and irrigation has contributed to higher food costs. “Instead of reducing prices, we are now seeing rice prices increase by Tk20 while the country is paying the debt burden of the Padma Bridge,” he said. Sheikh Bashir Uddin further warned that unchecked public expenditure without corresponding income growth could create long-term fiscal risks. “Otherwise, people will ultimately be deceived.”The commerce adviser criticized the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government for undertaking what he termed “unnecessary mega projects,” alleging that several land ports built at significant cost remain largely non-functional. According to Sheikh Bashir Uddin, the previous government prioritized expanding expenditure through large projects without adequate planning to generate corresponding economic returns.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today spoke at the premises of the Sunamganj Heritage Museum. Photo: BSSSUNAMGANJ, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM KhalidHossain today said a referendum is essential for ensuring a better future, asrestoring a democratic system, free and fair elections and democraticpractices requires voting "Yes" in the upcoming referendum. Highlighting the significance of the referendum, Dr Khalid said it is ahistoric and important event in Bangladesh's political journey, as allpolitical parties have signed the July Charter, making the referendum aproduct of national consensus. The Religious Adviser also assured that the administration and lawenforcement agencies would perform their duties with complete neutralityduring the election. Earlier, speech of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and awareness videos onthe referendum were screened through a campaign vehicle named "SuperCaravan."

Vice Premier Yang Sung Ho was sacked "on the spot", the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, in a speech in which Kim attacked "irresponsible, rude and incompetent leading officials". "Please, Comrade Vice Premier, resign by yourself when you can do it on your own before it is too late," Kim reportedly said. "Put simply, it was like hitching a cart to a goat -- an accidental mistake in our cadre appointment process," the North Korean leader explained. - Lazy officials -The impoverished North has long prioritised its military and banned nuclear weapons programmes over providing for its people. The North Korean leader is "using public accountability as a shock tactic to warn party officials", he told AFP.

Sharmeen for raising awareness among voters about referendumAdviser Sharmeen S. Murshid spoke as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting titled "Referendum Campaign and Voter Motivation" held at the DC office in Chuadanga. Photo: BSSCHUADANGA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children AffairsAdviser Sharmeen S. Murshid today underscored the need for working togetherto raise awareness among voters and deliver accurate information to them toensure a participatory referendum. "Referendum is an important democratic process which cannot be successfullycarried out without the active participation of the people," she said. Sharmeen was speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting titled"Referendum Campaign and Voter Motivation" held at the conference room of theDeputy Commissioner's office, aimed at raising awareness and motivatingvoters ahead of the upcoming referendum. The speakers emphasized strengthening grassroots-level campaign activities toincrease voter turnout.

SHERPUR, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - The district administration has taken action against four illegal brick kilns in Sherpur, imposing fines totaling Taka 9 lakh and ordering the kilns to cease operations. In addition, the raw bricks from these kilns were destroyed, and their electricity connections were disconnected. The day-long drive in Sadar upazila was conducted today by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Nilufa Yasmin Mitu. Members of the army, police, fire service, and representatives of the Power Development Board were present during the operation. This latest action brings the total number of illegal brick kilns fined in Sherpur to 22, with cumulative fines reaching Taka 91 lakh.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – LPG operators today assured the government that the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) crisis would be resolved before the upcoming Ramadan. While holding a meeting with the Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, the operators informed the adviser that the crisis ensued as LPG import was hampered due to various adverse international situations. The adviser directed all concerned to make every effort to ensure smooth supply of LPG before the national elections and during the month of Ramadan. The LPG operators informed the adviser that the crisis can be solved if import of 167,600 metric tons of LPG is allowed in January 2026. The participants discussed with operators about how to balance the demand and supply of LPG gas during the Ramadan.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today inspected the progress of the final phase work of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at the Ganabhaban. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today inspected the progress of the final phase work of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at the Ganabhaban here, residence of the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The Chief Adviser arrived at the museum around 3pm and went around the museum that projects the reasons behind the mass uprising and the history of Awami League's 16-years' misrule under the dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina. Led by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, museum curators Tanjim Wahab and Marina Tabassum Khan, researchers at the museum, and other officials guided the visitors to tour the entire museum. The July Uprising Memorial Museum preserves various materials including photographs of the uprising, various memorabilia, martyrs' clothes, letters, important documents, newspaper cutting of that time, and audios and videos.

The team suffering defeat will get a second chance to reach the final whenthey take on Sylhet Titans in Qualifier-2 tomorrow (Wednesday). Captain Mahedi Hasan led the charge after opting to bowl first, returningimpressive figures of 2-20 from his four overs. Pakistan recruit Aamer Jamalalso picked up two wickets, while the rest of the bowling unit chipped inwith tight and economical spells. Despite Tanzid's resistance at the top, where he top-scored with a 37-ball41, Rajshahi slumped to 98-7. Abdul Gaffar Saqlain offered some late resistance with a fighting 15-ball 32,including two fours and three sixes to push the total to a modest 133.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Hossain on Tuesday indicated that candidates would be able to launch their election campaigns immediately after the allocation of electoral symbols on Wednesday. You have given both the question and the answer… What else can I answer? Campaigning can begin after the allocation of symbols,” he said, replying to a question from reporters if the campaign can be conducted right after the symbol allocation on Wednesday. Akhtar Ahmed the Swedish envoy assured that if EC needs any assistance, EC can inform them and they will try their best to provide support. Besides, they were briefed on the technical aspects of the postal ballot system, said the EC secretary.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has been awarded the International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) Honours-2025 in the National Category, in recognition of its outstanding achievement in formulating and effectively implementing the Guideline on Sustainability and Climate-related Financial Disclosure for Banks and Finance Companies. The ISAR Honours, conferred by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), acknowledge exemplary policy, institutional and capacity-building initiatives that encourage enterprises to disclose sustainability-related information aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into corporate reporting frameworks, said a press release. The award was formally received on behalf of Bangladesh Bank by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva, Switzerland from UNCTAD. To celebrate this significant international recognition, Bangladesh Bank organized the ISAR Honours-2025 Award-Winning Ceremony today. On this occasion, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, formally handed over the ISAR Honours-2025 award to Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor, Bangladesh Bank.