Vote 'Yes' in the referendum for changes: Rizwana Hasan
Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information andBroadcasting, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water ResourcesSyeda Rizwana Hasan has urged everyone to vote 'Yes' in the referendum forchanges. "In addition, 'Yes' vote will create opportunities for people to have theirsay in the administration, that's why we all have to say 'Yes' in thereferendum," she said. "If 'Yes' vote wins, accountability will come within the party, democracywill come and new leadership will be created. Rizwana Hasan said that the President should be empowered so that he can playthe necessary role as a guardian if the nation is ever divided. She said, "Vote 'Yes' if you want the country to not continue as before andto bring a balance in running the country."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 15:57 UTC
High-speed train collision in Spain kills 39, injures dozens
A high-speed train has derailed and been hit by another in southern Spain killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 120, authorities said on Monday. The crash happened on Sunday evening when a train operated by rail company Iryo travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz in Andalucia. Transport Minister Oscar Puente said at least 39 people died, warning this toll was “not definitive” and could still rise. The first train to derail was “practically new,” making the accident “extremely strange” and “very difficult to explain,” he said. Renfe, the operator of the second train, has not said how many passengers were on the service, which was travelling to the southern city of Huelva.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Home Adviser: Nearly 9 lakh law enforcers to be deployed during polls
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said some 8,97,117 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed during the national election to ensure security. The adviser disclosed the information while talking to reporters after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat. Law enforcement agencies will use 418 drones during the voting period as part of enhanced security measures to maintain law and order and monitor the situation across the country, he said. Besides, the adviser said, the government has identified 8,780 polling centres as highly risky. The 13th parliamentary election will be held on February 12.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Fire at Pakistan mall kills at least 21
A fire that ripped through a shopping mall in Pakistan’s biggest city has killed at least 21 people, rescuers in Karachi said Monday. “In total 21 bodies have been recovered,” Hassan Khan, spokesman for the Rescue 1122 Sindh emergency service, told AFP. Standing outside the burnt mall, Shehbaz Ghulam said his nephew’s whereabouts were unknown. It continued to ring until midnight, but no one picked up,” Qaisar, 55, told AFP. The three-storey shopping mall housed at least 1,200 shops, offering a wide range of goods and was famous for wedding shopping and home decoration items.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
NCP launches centralized crowdfunding ahead of election
The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Monday announced a centrally managed crowdfunding initiative ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, aiming to raise funds directly from the public. “We do not want to enter parliament with funds from loan defaulters or businessmen. Asif added that while NCP candidates had previously raised election funds individually, the party is now introducing a centralized crowdfunding system through a designated website. “Unlike the BNP, we will not contest elections with thousands of crores of taka from loan defaulters. When asked whether donations would be returned if NCP decides not to participate in the election, Asif declined to comment, saying no final decision has been made.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Tarique Rahman: Politics must move beyond decades of blame
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday called for a shift in Bangladesh’s political culture, saying politics must move beyond decades of blame and confrontation and focus instead on improving the lives of ordinary people. The event saw BNP provide financial assistance to three-year-old Afia, a child born with albinism, a genetic condition. Tarique said true politics is about easing people’s suffering, not merely criticizing rivals from public platforms. Referring to decades of confrontational politics, he said: “We have followed a certain style of politics for many years. “Insha’Allah, when BNP forms government in the coming days, just as Begum Khaleda Zia always stood beside you, so too will her party, BNP, stand firmly beside you,” he said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
EC unveils fresh roadmap for February 12 election
The Election Commission (EC) has rolled out a fresh action plan (roadmap) to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled for February 12. The Commission sent the action plan, along with the implementation progress of the previous action plan, to all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and EC officials, asking them to take necessary measures accordingly. Presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, polling officers, and master trainers of polling agents will be trained on January 21 and 22. On voting day (February 12), the EC will gather reports on the balloting situation and primary results, publishing the preliminary election results on its website as per the action plan. On August 28 last year, the Election Commission unveiled its electoral action plan, setting timelines for completing all necessary measures to hold the 13th parliamentary election before Ramadan in February 2026.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
150 candidates dropped from 13th Parliamentary Election race
A total of 150 candidates have been disqualified from the 13th national parliamentary election following scrutiny, appeals, and hearings conducted by the Election Commission (EC). Of the disqualified candidates, 98 were independents, while the remainder represented various political parties. These included four Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominees, four BNP rebel candidates, one Jamaat-e-Islami nominee, 21 Jatiya Party candidates, and 22 from other parties. BNP, Jamaat, and Jatiya Party candidatesBNP candidates whose nominations were cancelled include Munjurul Ahsan Munshi (Comilla-4), TS Ayub (Jessore-4), Sarwar Alamgir (Chittagong-2), and Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan (Comilla-10). Notable Jatiya Party candidates disqualified after appeal hearings include Mohammad Israfil Mia (Gazipur-2), Nurul Islam Milon (Comilla-8), Md Mujibul Haque (Kishoreganj-3), and SM Abdul Mannan (Manikganj-2).
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Asif Mahmud: EC bias will raise doubts over fair polls
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Chair of the Election Management Committee of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has said that concerns will arise over the credibility of the election if the Election Commission (EC) acts in a partisan manner. “Yet we are being issued show-cause notices for campaigning in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote,” he added. Asif Mahmud demanded that the show-cause notices issued to the NCP be withdrawn and that the Election Commission provide an explanation to the public. Asif Mahmud also stated that two NCP members had been served show-cause notices for campaigning related to the referendum. “These show-cause notices are being issued with ulterior motives,” he claimed, adding that the NCP supports the ‘Yes’ vote in favour of reform.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
EU delegation meets Tarique Rahman
A delegation of the European Union countries met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday. The meeting, led by European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, began at 5:40 pm at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Envoys from Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Italy attended the meeting. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, party chairman’s Advisory Council member Dr Mahdi Amin and press secretary Saleh Shibly were also present. Earlier in the day, newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen and Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh separately met Tarique Rahman.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
What we know about Syria president’s deal with Kurds
The 14-point agreement provides for a ceasefire between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Here’s what we know about the deal:The agreement stipulates the integration of the Kurdish forces -- numbering nearly 100,000, according to the Kurds -- into the Syrian army and security forces. Under Sunday’s deal, the SDF will be integrated into the defense ministry while the Kurdish security forces will join the interior ministry. The fate of the all-female Women’s Protection Units was unclear, as the Syrian army and security forces do not include women. The text also outlines the “integration of all civil institutions” in the Kurds’ stronghold of Hasakeh province into the state.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
No room for bias in election, says CA Yunus to NCP leaders
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to the interim government, has clearly stated that there is no room for any kind of bias in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. At the meeting, NCP leaders shared their various observations and concerns about the current election situation. In response, the chief adviser said: “If there are any complaints or suggestions regarding the election, inform the government immediately. At the meeting, NCP leaders said that party leaders and activists at all levels are actively campaigning in favor of a “Yes” vote in the referendum. On this matter, the chief adviser said: “We are trying to explain to the public why a ‘Yes’ vote is necessary in the referendum and what will result from it.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
US warns Bangladeshi applicants against advance visa bond payments
The US Embassy today cautioned Bangladeshi visa applicants against paying any visa bond before interviews, warning that advance payments neither guarantee visa approval nor protect applicants from fraud or scams. In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page today, the embassy said paying a bond in advance does not ensure a visa and noted that third-party websites offering such services may be fraudulent. It noted that a bond would be returned only if the visa holder fully complies with its terms. According to the website, eligible B1/B2 visa applicants from the listed countries may be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, with the amount determined during the visa interview. Applicants must agree to the bond conditions and make payments exclusively through the US Treasury Department’s official online platform, Pay.gov, the state department said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Trump says world not secure until US has Greenland
Donald Trump no longer needs to think “purely of peace” after being snubbed for a Nobel, the US president said in comments published Monday, adding the world will not be safe until Washington controls Greenland. Store also underlined that the Nobel Peace Prize was not awarded by the Norwegian government. Trump has repeatedly said his country needs vast, mineral-rich Greenland for “national security,” despite the United States already having a base on the island and security agreements with fellow Nato ally Denmark. First, the current tariff deal with the United States would be put on hold, he said. Second, European tariffs on imports from the United States, currently suspended until early February, could come into force.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
57,000 tonnes of wheat arrive from the US
A ship carrying 57,003 tonnes of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port. The release said that Bangladesh has already started wheat import activities from the United States on a government-to-government basis. Clipper Isadora ship carrying 57,003 tonnes of wheat is now at the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port. It also said that out of the 57,003 tonnes of wheat, 34,320 tonnes will be unloaded in Chittagong and the remaining 22,443 tonnes will be unloaded at Mongla Port. Earlier, the first shipment of 56,890 tonnes of wheat arrived in the country from the United States.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC