Campaign for 'Yes' vote in referendum to begin in universitiesDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - A massive campaign is set to begin in the country's universities to promote 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum. As per the decision, public universities have been divided into six zones - Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Jashore, Mymensingh and Sylhet - for the convenience of the campaign. The campaign will commence by exchanging views with students. The views-exchange meetings will be held so that the youths of the country can motivate the citizens to vote for 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum. Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider, and UGC members Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossen were present at the meeting.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi spoke at WEF Meeting in Davos. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs, represented Bangladesh at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting held last week in Davos, Switzerland. The Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy called on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr Harini Amarasuriya which was also attended by Sri Lanka’s Labour Minister Anil Fernando. Furthermore, he exchanged greetings with and provided brief updates on Bangladesh to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, IMF President Kristalina Georgieva, Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Governor of California Gavin Newsom, Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear, and Saudi Ambassador to the USA Princess Reema, amongst others. Throughout the week, Siddiqi was accompanied by Abdullah Mahabub, First Secretary at the Bangladesh mission in Geneva.

Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved 25 development projects worth Taka 45,191.27 crore including a 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship General Hospital in the northern region. Of the total project cost, Taka 10,881.40 crore will come from government funds, Taka 32,018.09 crore from project loans and Taka 2,291.78 crore from the implementing agencies' own resources. Among the approved projects, 14 are new, six are revised and five involve extension of project duration. Two revised projects under the Textiles and Jute Ministry were approved for the establishment of Sylhet Textile Engineering College and Sylhet Textile Institute. The Agriculture Ministry had two projects approved, including the Ashuganj-Palash Green Project and the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project (third revision).

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× Expand Graphic by Erin Nelson SweeneyDue to the potential for icy weather conditions, Hoover City Schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, school officials said. With the rain that came Sunday, freezing temperatures overnight and prediction of freezing temperatures almost all day Monday, there is potential for black ice on the roads and dangerous travel conditions, Hoover City Schools spokeswoman Merrick Wilson said. “The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority,” the school system said in a news release. The Hoover system will not use Monday as an e-learning day either. The temperature in Hoover is forecast to drop to 21 Monday morning and 14 Tuesday morning, according to weather.com.

Winter Weather AlertsThe National Weather Service uses a watch, warning and advisory system to categorize hazardous weather events. A winter storm watch indicates that conditions are favorable for a winter storm event within the next 24 to 72 hours. A winter storm warning advertises a winter storm event causing a significant threat to life or property. NWS also issues warnings for other types of winter weather, such as lake effect snow, ice storms, and blizzards. Issuance criteria varies across the country and scales with how well-equipped an area is to deal with winter weather.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office in Dhaka this evening. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) – French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office here this evening. The ambassador was accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Frédéric Inja and Economic Adviser Julien Dure. In the meeting, both parties expressed optimism that the friendly relations and mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and France would be further strengthened in the days to come. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Head of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, prominent educationist Dr Zubayer Ahmed, and Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Ameer Professor Dr Mahmudul Hasan attended the meeting.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly issued a stern warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), cautioning that Pakistan could face complete cricketing isolation if it withdraws from the 2026 T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. Naqvi’s comments were triggered by the ICC’s refusal to move Bangladesh’s World Cup matches out of India, despite previously approving a hybrid hosting model for Pakistan fixtures. By publicly questioning the ICC’s authority and hinting at a possible boycott of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan has escalated the dispute to what officials describe as a “breaking point.”If Pakistan follows through on its threat to withdraw, the ICC is said to be prepared with unprecedented sanctions. While Pakistan has not yet formally withdrawn from the T20 World Cup, Naqvi has stated that the final decision rests with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. With the World Cup deadline approaching, the ICC and PCB now face a critical period that could significantly reshape Pakistan’s role in international cricket.

Robert Buchanan Jr., 80, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 15th at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by loved ones, following a four-year battle with lung cancer. Born May 13, 1945, to Robert and Marjorie Buchanan, Bob was the oldest of four children and a steady, caring presence to family and friends. In 1970, Bob married JoAnn Kay Buchanan, his wife of 51 years. After retiring to The Villages in 2004, Bob embraced an active life, enjoying golf, pickleball, softball, travel, and time with friends and family. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Kay Buchanan, and several beloved family members.

Robert Lawrence Flanagan, age 83, of The Villages, Florida passed away on January 1, 2026. Upon graduating from Quincy High School in 1960, Bob worked at American Airlines until entering the U.S. Marine Corps. Bob is the son of William and Kay Flanagan (both deceased). He is survived by his brothers Thomas William Flanagan (wife Rita) and William Stang Flanagan. Bob was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and will be interred with full military honors.

Richard "Dick" Hazard Wheeler IV passed peacefully from this life on January 16, 2026 at the age of 96 following a brief illness. He grew up in Newport and developed a lifelong love of pond hockey, skiing and music. He and his wife of 74 years, Louise Erickson Wheeler, were high school sweethearts. He worked for 35 years at the Travelers Insurance Company as a director before enjoying semi retirement in real estate. In addition to his wife, Louise, he leaves a son, Richard Wheeler V and his grandsons, Richard and Robert Wheeler, a daughter, Christine and his youngest daughter Rebecca Wheeler, her husband David Protheroe and their children Evan, Drew, Brett and Bryn Protheroe.

William Shipp McGehee, 88, passed away at his home on January 15, 2026, in The Villages, Florida. His love of life and roads less traveled led him to the Florida Keys where he found diving and adventure. He became a treasure diver recovering artifacts and treasure in Chichen Itza, the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sandra Fredericks McGehee. He was a devoted and loving father to Darren Matthew McGehee and daughter Dawn Shambre.

The Villages, FL (32162)TodayRain showers in the morning with bright sunshine in the afternoon. Morning high of 69F with temps falling to near 55. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.

Ethel Elizabeth (Raymond) Sullivan, 90, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home January 16, 2026. She was married on November 11, 1954 in Salem, to her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, John Francis Sullivan, who preceded her in death in July 2022. Ethel enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting, bowling, golfing and traveling. Ethel is survived by her loving children: Donna Marie (Sullivan) Anderson of Grain Valley, MO, Michael James Sullivan of Kansas City, MOKaren Sullivan Losin and husband Dan of Citrus Hills, FL, and Mark John Sullivan and wife Deneal of The Villages, FL; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends who will miss her dearly. She will be interred with her husband, John, at Florida National Cemetery, and her celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

In a statement on Sunday, ASK said the family had formally applied to authorities for Saddam’s release on parole so he could join the funeral prayers and burial. Saddam, president of the banned Chhatra League’s Bagerhat Sadar Upazila unit, has been in Jashore Jail since his arrest in a Aug 5, 2024 case. On Saturday evening, the bodies were taken to Jashore Jail, where he touched them for the last time before being returned to custody. It said denying parole in such extreme humanitarian circumstances amounted to inhuman treatment and breached Article 35(5) of the Constitution. Preventing Saddam from attending the funeral, ASK said, was inconsistent with Articles 7 and 10(1) of the ICCPR.