Photo: BSSPIROJPUR, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Four suspected drug peddlers were arrested along with country-made sharp weapons and yaba tablets during a joint forces operation in Pirojpur on Monday. Joint forces comprising members of the Bangladesh Army, police, Narcotics Control Department (DNC) and civil administration conducted the raid. During the search, law enforcers recovered 496 pieces of banned yaba tablets and seven country-made sharp weapons, including Chinese axes, pocket knives and stainless steel weapons, from several concealed rooms inside the building. The court also ordered an additional two months of imprisonment in case of failure to pay the fine. Major Ishraq Rahman, commander of the Pirojpur Army Camp and leader of the operation, said the drive was part of the government's zero-tolerance policy against drugs.

MELBOURNE, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Learner Tien got his name because his mum was a teacher and the rising star of United States tennis still lives at home even as he reached a Grand Slam milestone. Tien's mother Huyen, a retired teacher, and the rest of the family have played a central part in his fast rise to prominence. Tien suffered a nosebleed early on against Medvedev in their last-16 match, the result he said of a dry nose. "I feel like I have been playing a little bit better match by match, and, you know, each match I'm making a little jump in how well I'm playing, how comfortable I feel," he said. "Right now I'm feeling better than I have all week, all year, so I'm really looking forward to it."

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday in the presence of EU leaders who were invited as the guests of honor. The Republic Day was organized around the central theme “150 Years of Vande Mataram,” commemorating the national song. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were the official guests at the Republic Day celebrations. “It is the honor of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. My dear friend Narendra Modi, dear Indian friends, my very best wishes on this great day of celebration.

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) – The government has issued strict instructions to ensure prevention of non-communicable diseases and tobacco free environment at all the educational Institutions and concerned offices across the country. Selling of tobacco products, use and publicity are strictly prohibited within 100 meters of the educational institutions, according to the directives, adding that the directives have also asked to impose ‘joint declaration’ issued by the Health Services department. All the educational institutions and offices must to declare ‘tobacco free’ and also to display necessary signage there, said the directives. The WHO FCTC regulations also have asked on limitations of marketing unhealthy food and highly sugary drink at the educational institutions with an aim to ensure nutrition for the students. The educational institutions have been asked to ensure at least 30 minutes moderate and high intensity physical exercises daily for raising physical capability of the students, said the DSHE instructions.

Any illegal weapons being used by nefarious individuals could intimidate voters, disrupt campaigns, or fuel violence - a scenario that we must avoid at all costs. As such, a robust, coordinated crackdown on illegal arms must be treated as a national priority. Law enforcement agencies have been left wanting for some time now, and citizens must be assured that they are acting impartially and targeting arms traffickers regardless of political affiliation. These days leading up to the election are crucial, and we need our law enforcement to be operating with full transparency. We need our law enforcement to be united and send a clear message: Illegal arms and explosives have no place in our plans for a better Bangladesh.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will visit Mymensingh on Tuesday as part of his election campaign for the 13th national parliamentary election, during which he will address three separate public meetings in Mymensingh, Gazipur and Uttara in the capital. The BNP media cell confirmed the schedule on Monday afternoon. According to the media cell, Tarique Rahman will address a public meeting at the Mymensingh Circuit House ground at 2:30pm as the chief guest. On his return journey, he is scheduled to speak at a rally at the historic Rajbari ground in Gazipur at 6pm. Later in the evening, he will join another public meeting organised by the local BNP at the Azampur Eidgah ground in Uttara at 7pm, after which he will return to his Gulshan residence.

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.