Electric school buses still on the table
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}}Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 01:57 UTC
Call to readers: Send us your letters
You have permission to edit this article.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 01:47 UTC
Islami Andolan to contest 259 seats
DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Islami Andolan Bangladesh will contest 259 seats in the upcoming elections with its electoral symbol "Hat Pakha". Maulana Lokman Hossain Jafri, member secretary of the party's central election management committee, came up with the development in a press release today. He said some candidates were withdrawn from a few constituencies after the Election Commission's scrutiny and in the spirit of political goodwill. Maulana Jafri urged all party leaders and workers to conduct election activities peacefully and ensure protecting voters' rights and property.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 21, 2026 00:34 UTC
2,000 blankets distributed among cold-stricken people in Bagerhat
BAGERHAT, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 2,000 blankets were distributed among cold-stricken, helpless and distressed people in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat district today to alleviate their sufferings amid the prevailing cold wave. The blanket distribution programme was organised by the Rampal Coal-Based Thermal Power Plant at the Rajnagar Union Parishad premises in Rampal upazila. Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten attended the programme as the chief guest. He added that the power plant has been carrying out various welfare activities for the benefit of the local community, which people should accept positively. Local officials, representatives of the power plant, and residents of the area were present at the programme.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 22:46 UTC
BB buys $45m through dollar auction
Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) today purchased US$ 45 million from two commercial banks through multiple auction methods as part of its ongoing strategy to curb the depreciation of the US dollar against the taka and revitalise the remittance and export sectors. According to central bank data, it bought dollars today at the rate of Tk 122.30. Accordingly, total purchases stood at $743 million in January 2026 and $3,878.50 million in FY 2025–26 to date.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 20:33 UTC
Rizwana calls for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke at a referendum campaign in Rajbari. Photo: BSSRAJBARI, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today urged voters to vote for ‘Yes’ in upcoming referendum so that no dictatorship can return in the country in future. “Give your opinion through referendum so that no other dictatorship can take away your voting rights in future,” she said while speaking at a referendum campaign in Rajbari. Rizwana said the young people who took part in the July Uprising wanted a democratic government instead of dictatorship. Rizwana came to Rajbari this afternoon on the occasion of the referendum campaign.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 20:28 UTC
RAB chief pledges joint raids to clear Jungle Salimpur ‘safe haven for criminals’ after Nayek Motaleb murder
“We will eliminate the criminals’ safe haven no matter how long it takes,” he said, addressing repeated attacks on law enforcers in the area. He added that all law-enforcing agencies would work together to recover government land from illegal occupation in Jungle Salimpur. Authorities have long described Jungle Salimpur, on the outskirts of Chattogram, as a hotspot for crime and illegal settlements. An estimated 400 to 500 miscreants launched a sudden attack on RAB members after announcements over a loudspeaker, the statement said. Police say Jungle Salimpur is a zone where outsiders outnumber locals.
Source:bd News24
January 20, 2026 19:15 UTC
Election atmosphere will change after symbol allocation: Prof Bidhan Ranjan
Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today attended a view-exchange meeting organised at Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium in Naogaon. Photo: BSSNAOGAON, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said the scenario of the election will change after the allocation of symbols. “Once the campaign begins, a fair voting atmosphere will be created,” he said responding to a question from journalists before a view-exchange meeting organised at Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium in Naogaon. Prof Bidhan Ranjan said the referendum campaign vehicles may not be able to go everywhere due to the lack of wide roads. Later, he joined the view-exchange meeting as the chief guest.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 19:08 UTC
BNP fields candidate in Bogura 2 despite Manna's protest
Nagorik Oikko President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has expressed frustration after the BNP kept its own candidate in Bogura 2, despite a seat sharing understanding with allies. The district administration confirmed that Mir Shahe Alam is the BNP's final candidate for Bogura 2, covering Shibganj Upazila, reports bdnews24.com. Bogura's returning officer and district administrator Toufikur Rahman said: "Shahe Alam is the sole BNP candidate in Bogura 2. Speculation had lingered that BNP might withdraw Shahe Alam to support Manna, but no withdrawal occurred by Tuesday's deadline. Local BNP leaders confirmed Shahe Alam will receive the party's Paddy Sheaf symbol on Wednesday.
Source:bd News24
January 20, 2026 19:04 UTC
RAB vows joint raids in Jungle Salimpur
He added that all law-enforcing agencies would work together to recover government land from illegal occupation in Jungle Salimpur. Authorities have long described Jungle Salimpur, on the outskirts of Chattogram, as a hotspot for crime and illegal settlements. An estimated 400 to 500 miscreants launched a sudden attack on RAB members after announcements over a loudspeaker, the statement said. Asked whether the Jungle Salimpur raid was conducted with a small number of personnel, the RAB DG said around 50 officers took part in the operation. Police say Jungle Salimpur is a zone where outsiders outnumber locals.
Source:bd News24
January 20, 2026 19:04 UTC
Tarique pledges flats, schools for Korail slum residents
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addresses a gathering at Mohakhali T&T Colony ground in the capital on Tuesday. -AgencyBNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has promised flats, schools and healthcare for Korail slum residents in his Dhaka 17 constituency, seeking their prayers ahead of the Feb 12 election. As the BNP candidate for Dhaka 17, Tarique pledged to establish two schools, a playground and healthcare facilities in Korail, alongside introducing "family cards" for mothers and "farmer cards" for cultivators, reports bdnews24.com. He stressed that all plans depended on divine mercy and the prayers of residents. Tarique added that his party's politics was for ordinary people and vowed to continue standing by Korail residents.
Source:bd News24
January 20, 2026 19:04 UTC
Why cycling still matters in Dhaka and why policy keeps ignoring it
Yet despite its potential to reduce air pollution, carbon emissions, and public health risks, cycling remains largely absent from urban transport planning in Bangladesh. Cycling is not a lifestyle choice—it is survivalFor many in Dhaka, cycling is not about fitness or leisure. “Cycling survives through informal systems that policymakers barely acknowledge.”The hidden systems keeping cycling aliveDespite neglect, cycling in Dhaka persists through informal networks: roadside repair shops, secondhand bicycle markets, and community-based support systems. The study warns that without policy support; these informal systems may not survive. They also call for stronger involvement from health and environment ministries, rather than leaving cycling solely to transport authorities.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 18:03 UTC
Coast Guard battles pirates as fishermen face renewed terror
According to fishermen from multiple districts bordering the Sundarbans - including Satkhira, Bagerhat and Khulna - more than 10 pirate groups are now active inside the forest. “If a fisherman shows the token, pirates let him go. Sources familiar with the region estimate that a single pirate group of 10–15 members can earn Tk2–5 crore annually, creating strong incentives for criminal resurgence. Habibur Rahman (pseudonym), a former fisherman and ex-member of a surrendered pirate group, said he stopped entering the forest after pirates returned. Coast Guard operations and rescuesAmid the deteriorating situation, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has played a central role in countering piracy through intelligence-driven operations.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 18:03 UTC
27 candidates withdraw from 20 Dhaka constituencies ahead of Feb polls
A total of 27 candidates have withdrawn their nominations from 20 constituencies in Dhaka ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Yesterday, the candidates submitted their withdrawal papers separately at three offices: the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Returning Officer office in Segunbagicha, the Dhaka Regional Returning Officer office, and the Dhaka District Returning Officer office. Election Commission sources said most candidates withdrew their nominations following party decisions to allow electoral alliance candidates to contest. From the Dhaka District Returning Officer office, Farhad Hossain (Khelafat Majlis) withdrew from Dhaka-1, A.K.M. According to the revised election schedule, the Returning Officer will publish the final candidate list and allocate symbols on January 21.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 18:03 UTC
'Mattress money' worth 300,000C outside the banking system
The amount of cash in the hands of people outside the country's banking system—known as 'mattress money'—is around Tk300,000 crore, said Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) chairman Masrur Arefin. Regarding the management of non-performing loans, the ABB chairman said that it is reasonable to start a new journey by completely writing off the rotten loans. According to Masrur Arefin, non-performing loans are mainly a management and good governance problem. He commented that the creation of new non-performing loans is mainly the result of weak supervision and lack of good governance. Strongly criticizing looting, money laundering, directed and fake loans in the banking sector, the ABB Chairman said that these practices are very dangerous and unacceptable in any way.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 17:53 UTC