File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - The High Court (HC) today summarily rejected a writ petition filed by BNP candidate Md Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan, pleading to restoring his nomination for the Comilla-10 constituency. A High Court division bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam passed the order, rejecting the writ filed against the Election Commission's decision that declared his nomination paper invalid. Kazi Nur-e Alam Siddiqui, a candidate of the Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance from the same constituency, filed an appeal with the Election Commission (EC) alleging that Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan holds dual citizenship. After hearing the appeal, the EC cancelled Bhuiyan's nomination on January 18. However, seeking restoration of his candidacy, Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan filed a writ petition on January 19, challenging the EC's decision.

Rajshahi is bustling with election campaigns as candidates have officially started their campaigns across the six parliamentary constituencies in the district for the 13th National Parliament election. In Rajshahi-2 (Sadar) constituency, BNP-nominated candidate Mijanur Rahman Minu launched his campaign on Thursday noon with a prayer in Upashahar area. After the prayers, Minu began campaign for votes under the party’s symbol Sheaf of Paddy. He called on residents to cast their votes for the development of Rajshahi and held mass rallies in various parts of the city. BNP’s heavyweight candidate Major General (Retd) Sharif Uddin began his election campaign this morning and reached the voters in general in different parts of his Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency.

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - As part of the soft diplomacy initiative of the foreign affairs ministry is set to host the two-day Embassy Football Fest for the sixth consecutive year, with 35 embassies and international organizations, starting from tomorrow. The much-anticipated 6th edition of the Embassy Football Fest will bring together embassies, high commissions and international organizations based inDhaka in what organizers describe as the largest football tournament yet for the diplomatic community. Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Inspector General of Missions) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will inaugurate the tournament while Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain is expected to attend the closing ceremony. Organisers said the Embassy Football Fest continues to demonstrate how sports can serve as a bridge between cultures and strengthen unity. As host, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will participate as "Team Bangladesh," while the Bangladesh Football Federation is serving as the logistics partner.

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - The government has issued the Rangpur Development Authority (RDA)(Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 inserting a provision of allowing retirement after 25 years of service. Through this amendment, the authority has been given the power to retire any employee, who has completed 25 years of service, in the public interest without giving any reason. Earlier, the President, under the powers bestowed upon him by Article 93(1) of the Constitution, issued the ‘Rangpur Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026’ on January 19. An employee can voluntarily retire by giving 30 days’ written notice after completing 25 years of service. If an employee completes 25 years of service, the authority can send him/her to retirement without showing any reason, if it deems it necessary in the public interest, with the prior approval of the government.

We should do what BCB and Govt instruct regarding WC: MahediAll-rounder Mahedi Hasan. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - All-rounder Mahedi Hasan said the players wouldfollow the instructions of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and thegovernment regarding the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The meeting was arranged to brief the players on the current situation afterthe ICC rejected the BCB's request to relocate Bangladesh's World Cup matchesto Sri Lanka. "Every player who is in the World Cup squad was personally informed about themeeting," Mahedi said beforehand. "Who wouldn't want to play in a World Cup?

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - The final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)will be held tomorrow with Chattogram Royals and Rajshahi Warriors vying forthe coveted trophy at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Rajshahi Warriors topped the group phase, winning eight of their 10 matches. Chattogram Royals, on the other hand, finished second with six victories. In the first encounter, Chattogram defeated Rajshahi by two wickets,while Rajshahi avenged that loss with a three-wicket win in the secondmeeting. Rajshahi, however, had to play Qualifier 2, where they defeated Sylhet Titansby 12 runs to set up a summit clash against Chattogram.

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS)- Establishment of the Dhaka Central University (DCU) will bring radical change in the higher education system in the country. The government has approved the ‘Dhaka Central University Ordinance, 2026’ to bring seven government colleges of Dhaka under an integrated higher education framework. “The decision will bring about a radical change in the higher education system of seven government colleges in Dhaka,” said a press release of the Ministry of Education. Under the ordinance Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Govt Girls College, Govt. Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Govt Bangla College and Govt Titumir College will be run as 'affiliated colleges'.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said that there would be no possibility of ballot snatching at polling centres in the upcoming national election. Of them, at least two will be armed police members and three armed Ansar members, he added. The election officials and law-enforcement personnel must perform their duties with 100% honesty, neutrality and professionalism, he added. Besides, a record number of around 0.9 million law-enforcement personnel will be engaged in election duties. The first phase, with currently deployed personnel, will continue, while the second phase will see polling-centre-based deployment from February 8–14, with officers on duty for seven days.

CARACAS, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's interim president will soon visit the United States, a senior US official said Wednesday, further signaling President Donald Trump's willingness to embrace the oil-rich country's new leader. Delcy Rodriguez would be the first sitting Venezuelan president to visit the United States in more than a quarter century -- aside from presidents attending United Nations meetings in New York. She said Wednesday that she approached any dialogue with the United States "without fear." Rodriguez was a former vice president and long-time insider in Venezuela's authoritarian and anti-American government, before changing tack as interim president. - All for oil -The last bilateral visit by a sitting Venezuelan president came in the 1990s -- before populist leader Hugo Chavez took power.

The restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant was suspended in Japan on Thursday, with the operator saying it does not know when the problem would be solved. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world’s biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven was restarted. The facility was taken offline when Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a colossal earthquake and tsunami sent three reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011. The company also operates the stricken Fukushima Daiichi plant, now being decommissioned. That makes no sense,” Yumiko Abe, a 73-year-old resident, told AFP this week during a protest in front of the plant.

Nato said the issue of Greenland’s sovereignty was not discussed in a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, after Trump claimed a “framework of a future deal” had been discussed. Trump said the United States is exploring a potential deal on Greenland following the talks with Nato. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark is open to talks on security, investment and the economy, but sovereignty is not negotiable. She said decisions on issues related to Denmark and Greenland can only be taken by Denmark and Greenland. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due to meet Frederiksen for talks later.

The government has appointed 3,263 candidates from the 48th (Special) BCS, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday. The candidates have been asked to join offices designated by the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the morning of February 1. Unless directed otherwise by the Health Services Division, candidates are expected to report to their respective ministry or division on the specified date. Failure to do so will be considered a refusal of the appointment, and the appointment letter will be deemed cancelled.

“Today I have come to the Election Commission with my written explanation. In the notice, Rumeen was asked to submit a written explanation by 2pm on January 22. “I have come to inform the Election Commission that as an independent candidate, I am to contest against major political parties (in the election),” she said. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. Altogether, the total number of candidates across the 300 constituencies stands at 1,981—comprising 1,732 candidates from 51 registered political parties and 249 independent candidates.

At least two candidates contesting the 13th national parliamentary election concealed their dual citizenship in affidavits, while several others hid details of overseas assets, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said Thursday. TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said 21 candidates claimed to have renounced dual citizenship, but reliable information shows at least two still hold dual nationality. Another declared no overseas assets despite a Dubai flat registered to his wife. A total of 530 candidates has cases filed against them; in 259 cases, spouses or dependents own more assets than the candidates. Spouses or dependents of 118 candidates own more buildings or flats, and for 164 candidates, dependents own more land.

Prof Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, on Thursday said the key to the nation’s success rests with the country’s people. Speaking at a consultation meeting organized by the Khulna Divisional Administration at the Divisional Commissioner’s Office auditorium, Prof Riaz emphasised the importance of public participation in the referendum and voter mobilization. Ali Riaz highlighted that the July National Charter 2025 reflects the aspirations of people. Voting in favour of the July National Charter will constitutionally block the path of fascism,” he added. Presided over by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Mokhtar Ahmed, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Prof Dr Md Maksud Helali, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Range DIG Md Rezaul Haque, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Zahidul Hasan.