File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - The country’s premier trade exhibition, the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2026 concluded today after a month-long run, recording total sales worth Taka 393 crore and export orders amounting Taka 224.26 crore. According to the organizers, export orders worth Taka 224.26 crore were secured during the fair, while overall sales of goods amounted to Taka 393 crore, marking a 3.42 percent increase compared to 2025. Sectors that received notable export orders included diversified jute products, electrical and electronic goods, home appliances, cosmetics, hygiene products, processed food, handloom products, tableware, home textiles, Nakshi Kantha and fabrics. Export orders were received from Afghanistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey. Considering both foreign buyers and local visitors, an Export Enclave was established to highlight the capabilities of seven top export sectors.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today spoke at an election rally held at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj. Photo : BSSSIRAJGANJ, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today called upon the countrymen to vote for ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ in the parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12 giving answer against fascists. The BNP Chairman said, "We want to live together in peace with people of all religions. The BNP Chairman promised to solve the unemployment problem by establishing new industrial parks across the country including Sirajganj and Pabna. During the two-day campaign in the northern region, Tarique Rahman held four election rallies in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, and Rangpur.

Although tourist travel to St Martin’s is typically permitted every year from Oct 1 to Mar 31, authorities curtailed the season this year, setting Jan 31 as the final date, citing growing environmental risks. MA Abdur Rahman, president of the St Martin’s Hotel, Motel and Resort Owners’ Association, said many business owners failed to recover their investments this season. St Martin’s Union BNP President Nurul Alam said the island’s residents are entirely dependent on tourism. St Martin’s Union Parishad Acting Chairman Foyezul Islam echoed the concern. Strict restrictions were imposed on carrying single-use plastics such as polythene, and tourists were advised to carry their own water flasks.

DHAKA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - A brilliant half-century from Captain Azizul HakimTamim steered Bangladesh Under-19 to a respectable 253-9 in their secondSuper Six phase match of the Youth World Cup at Harare Sports Club today. The Bangladesh youngsters had already made exit from the semifinal race but avictory still is imperative to finish on high. Hakim led the charge with the willow with 87 ball-59, an innings whichincluded six fours. 10 batter Al Fahad chipped-in-with a fluent 23 not out which wasinstrumental in taking the side past the 250-run mark. Tatenda Chimugoro, Shelton Mazvitorera and Michael Blignaut picked up twowickets apiece for Zimbabwe.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Photo: CollectedTOKYO, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain and Japan agreed to strengthendefence and economic ties, visiting Prime Minister Keir Starmer said onSaturday, after his bid to forge closer links with China drew warnings fromUS President Donald Trump. Starmer noted that Japan and Britain were the leading economies in a trans-Pacific that includes fellow G7 member Canada, as well as other internationaltrade and defence pacts. Tokyo's ties with Beijing have deteriorated since Takaichi suggested inNovember that Japan could intervene militarily during a potential attack onTaiwan. Britain, Japan and Italy are also developing a new fighter jet after Tokyorelied for decades on the United States for military hardware.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary-General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair today said the failure to bring justice for the recent murder of a Jamaat leader in Sherpur will undermine the credibility of the upcoming election. He called upon the Election Commission (EC) and law enforcement agencies to take swift action to ensure a fair electoral process, at press briefing today at the central office of Jamaat-e-Islami at Moghbazar in the capital. We urge the local administration and Election Commission to take appropriate action,” he added. Along with the Jamaat leader in Sherpur, Zubair also referred to several attacks on Jamaat workers in places like Gajipur, Polashbari and Gaibandha. The Jamaat leader reiterated that the Election Commission should take immediate action and ensure that all violators must bring to justice to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today spoke at a election meetings in Akcha and Chilarang unions of Thakurgaon. Photo : BSSTHAKURGAON, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said he has been involved in politics throughout his life for establishing the people's voting rights. "In demanding the people's right to vote, I have suffered immense hardship and harassment over the past 15 years. "However, the source of peace is that today the common people have regained their right to vote," Fakhrul added. The BNP secretary general said this is an opportunity for all to move the country forward by remaining united, irrespective of religion.

NAOGAON, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - Five indigenous farmers were killed after a dump truck ran over a battery-operated rickshaw-van in Mohadevpur upazila of Naogaon early today. The deceased were identified as Biren Pahan (35), son of late Koko Pahan, Ujjal Pahan (38), son of late Naren Pahan, Bipul Pahan (25), son of Jhotu Pahan, Sanju Urao (45), son of late Mangra Urao, and Biplab Pahan (22), son of Jhotu Pahan. When the van reached the Pathakathi area on the Mohadevpur-Patnitala regional road, a speeding dump truck ran over it. Acting Station Officer of Mohadevpur Fire Service and Civil Defence Abul Kashem said the dump truck was heading towards Patnitala from Mohadevpur when it lost control and ran over the van. After the accident, the dump truck was found abandoned in a roadside canal, while its driver and helper fled the scene.

Photo: CollectedJAKARTA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The death toll from a landslide on Indonesia's main island of Java a week ago rose to 53 on Saturday, a rescue official said, with 10 people still missing. They had recovered and identified 53 bodies by Saturday, said Ade Dian Permana, the head of the local search and rescue agency, up from a previous toll of 44. The Indonesian navy has said that 23 personnel, who were training in the area, were among those caught in the landslide. Such disasters are common across the vast Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season, which typically runs from October to March. Torrential rain also battered Indonesia's Siau island this month, causing a flash flood that killed at least 16 people.

Election Commissioner Brig. BHOLA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brig. The commissioner said ahead of the election and referendum, law enforcement agencies, along with vigilance and observation teams, will work actively at the field level. Sanaullah said the law enforcement agencies must remain on maximum alert to prevent the presence of drug addicts and juvenile gangs at polling centers. The coordinated role of the administration, law enforcement agencies, and the Election Commission is crucial for organizing a free, fair, and impartial election.

Farmers in Narail are busy transplanting Boro seedlings in the fields. Boro rice transplantation is going on in full swing in the fields of various villages under Narail Sadar, Lohagara and Kalia upazilas of the district. According to the sources at the DAE, a target has been fixed to cultivate Boro rice on 50,297 hectares of land in the district during the 2025–26 season. In the 2024–25 season,Boro rice was cultivated on 50,280 hectares while in the 2023–24 season it was 50,230 hectares. Sagar Sheikh of Chougacha village under Narail Sadar said, “I am transplanting Rod Miniket rice seedlings on about one and a half acres of land.

It was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between twoof the hardest hitters in women's tennis. She was into her fourth Australian Open final in a row and had been imperiousuntil now, with tears in her eyes at the end. With the roof on because of drizzle in Melbourne, Rybakina immediately brokeserve and then comfortably held for 2-0. The second game of the second set was tense, Rybakina saving three breakpoints in a 10-minute arm-wrestle. But a surging Rybakina won a fourth game in a row to break for 4-3, then heldto put a thrilling victory within sight.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - The first day's training session of the Bangladeshunder-20 national football team was held today (Saturday) at the Shams-Ul-Huda Football Academy in Jashore for the upcoming SAFF U-20 Championship. The residential training camp initially started with 15 footballers. In addition, other players included in the squad and expatriate footballersstep by step will also join the camp. The SAFF U-20 Championship is scheduled to be held from March 23 to April 3in the Maldives with the participation of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, hostMaldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. Earlier on Thursday last, the Bangladesh Football Federation initially pickedup 32 footballers for the camp.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar today spoke as the chief guest at an election rally in Chandpur. Photo: BSSCHANDPUR, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General ProfessorMia Golam Parwar today said if the 11-party alliance wins a majority ofseats, a society of good governance will be established. Maulana Bilal Hossain Miajhi, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami's Chandpur districtunit and the alliance candidate chaired the programme. Jamaat-e-Islami Central Majlish-e-Shura member and Noakhali-Cumilla regionalteam member Professor Liyakat Ali Bhuiyan; Islami Chhatra Shibir JagannathUniversity President and JnUCSU Vice President Md. Mazharul Islam; District Secretary Aminul Islam; District AssistantSecretary Principal Harunur Rashid; Faridganj Upazila Jamaat Ameer MaulanaYunus Helal; and its Secretary Md.

An image for the Bangladesh under-19 women's national football teamDHAKA, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh under-19 women's national football team off to a flying start in the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship, thrashing Bhutan by 12-0 goals held at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Pokhara, Nepal today (Saturday). The winners led the first half by 4-0 goals. Alpi Akter scored a hat-trick with 3 goals in the 73rd, 86th and 90+5th minutes while Mamoni Chakma and skipper Arpita Biswas scored a lone goal each in the 28th and 90+4th minutes for Bangladesh in the one-sided affair. Bangladesh will play their remaining matches of the tournament against India and Nepal on February 2 and 4, respectively, at the same venue. The top two teams will play the final to be held on February 7.