Unbridled Communal PropagandaIn 2025, Rumor Scanner identified 155 instances of disinformation spread by Indian sources, of which 91 were communal in nature. Evidence shows that in at least 10 incidents, Indian media outlets spread communal falsehoods involving Bangladesh. Disinformation about Bangladesh across 73 Indian media outletsIn 2025, Rumor Scanner analyzed fact-checks of disinformation circulated in Indian media and found that in 38 incidents, 73 news outlets published disinformation involving Bangladesh. Following this, at least 27 Indian media outlets falsely claimed that Sohag was a Hindu—a completely untrue assertion. It is important to note that this list does not represent the full scale of disinformation by Indian media.

Djokovic, Alcaraz into Melbourne last eight as next gen roarsCollected photoMELBOURNE, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday and Novak Djokovic joined him without hitting a ball, as the next generation roared. Djokovic will face American ninth seed Taylor Fritz or fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy for a place in the semi-finals. Alcaraz, who like Djokovic is yet to drop a set at this year's tournament, has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne. Tien, 20, eased into his first Grand Slam quarter-final despite a nosebleed in the first set that required lengthy treatment. Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Melbourne champion, opened the day on Rod Laver Arena and saw off the brave challenge of 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko.

Bangladesh qualified for the Super Six with just one win, which came againstthe United States of America (USA) . This is because the USA, whom Bangladesh defeated in the group stage, failedto qualify for the Super Six, meaning that victory does not count towardtheir Super Six points. As Bangladesh shared a point with New Zealand due to the rain-abandonedmatch, both teams will carry one point forward. Bangladesh's first Super Six opponent, England, also carried four points intothe stage. A victory against England is crucial for Bangladesh to keep their semifinalhopes alive, although progression will still depend on several other results.

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin spoke after a taskforce committee on reviewing commodity prices and market situation at the commerce ministry conference room in the city. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today said that prices of essentials will remain under control in the upcoming holy month of Ramadan and potentially better than the previous year as the government has already taken all-out preparations to this effect. The adviser was speaking after a taskforce committee on reviewing commodity prices and market situation at the commerce ministry conference room in the city.

Collected collageWASHINGTON, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/TASS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin may soon meet Vladimir Zelensky, Axios web portal said, citing a source in the US administration. "We are very close to a meeting between Putin and Zelensky," a US official said, cited by the news portal. Washington believes that trilateral talks of representatives of Russia, the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi "went as well as we could have expected." "We feel good where we are now," another US official told Axios. Trilateral consultations were held in Abu Dhabi on January 23 and 24.

Education Adviser Prof. Dr C R Abrar today addressed at a programme on the premises of Nagbari Hasina Chowdhury High School in Tangail. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - Education Adviser Prof. Dr C R Abrar today laid emphasis on introducing merit based evaluation system for flourishing the latent talent of students. “Ensuring proper evaluation of merit is the core foundation of a modern education system,” he said while addressing at a programme on the premises of Nagbari Hasina Chowdhury High School in Tangail district as the chief guest. Recalling the contributions of Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui, Prof. Abrar said, “He was a multidimensional and deeply humane personality. Teachers and students, cultural activists, local dignitaries and senior officials from the district and upazila levels were also present at the programme.

Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - The government today approved a major healthcareinfrastructure project worth Taka 2,459.34 crore to establish a 1,000-bedBangladesh-China Friendship General Hospital in Nilphamari. The project, titled "Establishment of a 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China FriendshipGeneral Hospital", has an estimated cost of Taka 2,459.34 crore. Talking to BSS, Planning Commission officials said the objective of theproject is to establish a modern, specialised 1,000-bed general hospital toensure quality healthcare for the people of northern Bangladesh. The hospital will provide integrated general and specialised services,including nephrology, cardiology, oncology and neurology, enabling effectivetreatment of complex and long-term diseases. Currently, healthcare services in the district mainly depend on the 250-bedNilphamari General Hospital and primary healthcare facilities at the upazilalevel.

RANGPUR, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested twoalleged female drug dealers with 15.1 kilograms of ganja from the Teesta TollPlaza area under Sadar Police Station in Lalmonirhat district on Saturdaynight. The detainees were identified as Most Babita, 35, wife of Md Lebon ofKandirpara village and Most Rubia Khatun, 36, wife of Farman Mandal of ChakKrishnapur village under Doulatpur Police Station of Kushtia district. On a tip-off, an operational team of RAB-13 Crime Prevention SpecialisedCompany from Rangpur in a drive seized the contraband [5.1-kg] ganja andarrested the alleged two female drug dealers from the Teesta Toll Plaza areaat 10:30 pm, a press release said. After filing a case against the arrested women under the Narcotics ControlAct, 2018, the elite force handed over them along with the seized drugs toSadar Police Station of Lalmonirhat district, the release added.

This special measure was taken for the 'Out of Country Voting' (OCB) and 'InCountry Postal Ballot' (ICPB) voting, introduced for the first time in thecountry's history. "There are 5,617 registered voters in Dhaka-13 constituency where some 14ballot boxes were prepared for them and 19 ballot boxes were ready for 7,405registered voters in Dhaka-15 electoral constituency," he said. He said, "Today, the ballot boxes were closed with the prescribed lock sealsin front of the candidates' representatives. Earlier, a notification has alsobeen issued stating the number with which these ballot boxes have beenclosed." After the postal ballots arrive from the postal department, theywill be verified with a barcode scanner and entered in Form No.

The High Court has issued a six-month injunction restraining the authorities concerned from disconnecting electricity, gas and water connections to under-construction buildings in Dhaka. The order came in response to a writ petition filed by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), seeking protection against the disconnection of utility services at construction sites. During the hearing, REHAB placed before the court the possible adverse impacts of disconnecting utility services. The court noted that disconnection of water and electricity often creates severe crises, which it took into consideration while issuing the injunction. The association claimed that the disconnection of electricity and utility services at developers’ projects had effectively stalled many construction works.

On Sunday (January 25), more than a hundred depositors participated in the human chain in front of Bangladesh Bank's head office in Motijheel. The speakers in the human chain said that Bangladesh Bank had announced in a notification dated January 14, 2026, that no profit would be paid on deposits for 2024 and 2025. Later, in another notification issued on January 21, the previous decision was revised to pay only 4% profit. If this decision becomes a precedent, the responsibility for corruption in any bank in the future will be placed on ordinary depositors. The depositors raised six demands in the human chain.

Tarique said Chattogram carries historical, emotional and economic significance, and many people have long demanded the declaration of the city as the country’s commercial capital. Tarique said such a move will create large employment opportunities, strengthen trade and boost economic activities not only in Chattogram but across the country. At the beginning of his speech, Tarique greeted the crowd in the local Chattogram dialect, asking, “Onera Ken Achon?” (How are you?). Tarique reached Shah Amanat International Airport on Saturday night and stayed at a hotel before attending Sunday’s programme. The rally was chaired by City Mayor and Chattogram BNP President Shahadat Hossain.

Jamaat alliance candidate for Dhaka-11 and convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam on Sunday alleged that a level playing field has yet to be ensured for the upcoming national election. Speaking during electioneering at different spots in Badda-Satarkul area in the morning, Nahid claimed that the Jamaat alliance activists are being subjected to intimidation ahead of the polls. Nahid said the election would mark the end of extortionists, terrorists and land grabbers. “People expected extortion and land grabbing to stop after August 5, but that has not happened in some cases. February 12, the election day, will be the final day for extortionists.”Highlighting various local problems, Nahid assured voters that he would work to address the area’s crises if elected.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said his party does not allow anybody to exploit people to accumulate personal wealth. He made the remarks while addressing an election rally at Barunagao of Salandar Union under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila on Sunday. Local BNP leaders attended the rally with BNP Ward unit President Mofiz Uddin in the chair. “BNP is a tested party; there is nothing to know about us newly,” he said. People were often arrested for expressing their views.”Seeking vote in the coming election Mirza Fakhrul said, “I am at an age where this will be my last election.

Eight Sylhet Medical University officials sent to jail in ACC caseFile PhotoSYLHET, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today sent eight officials and employees of Sylhet Medical University to jail in connection with an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) case over alleged irregularities in appointments. Sylhet Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court Judge Munshi Abdul Majid passed the order after rejecting their bail petitions. Earlier in the day, the accused surrendered before the court in the ACC case and sought bail, which was subsequently denied. According to case documents, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption in the recruitment of officials and employees at Sylhet Medical University, which was established in 2018. Several other officials of Sylhet Medical University have previously served jail terms in connection with corruption cases linked to the same allegations.