EU envoy highlights women's role in democratic societies
European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller visited the exhibition "Women in the July Uprising: Essential Then—Why Erased Now?" Photo: Video ScreenshotDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The European Union (EU) today reaffirmed itssupport for women's participation in democratic life as a cornerstone ofresilience, prosperity and security, with its envoy stressing recognition andequal space for women in civic, political and media spheres. That women's participation is essential," EuropeanUnion ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller said. The envoy made the remarks at a guided tour of the exhibition 'Women in theJuly Uprising: Essential Then-Why Erased Now?' on the third day of the 11thedition of Chobi Mela - International Festival of Photography (CM XI), heldat the South Plaza of the Bangladesh National Parliament on Manik Mia Avenue.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 15:33 UTC
Safdarpur date jaggery market thrives as trade booms across country
Safdarpur Bazar of Kotchandpur upazila has emerged as the largest date jaggery market in the district. The Safdarpur market offers a wide variety of date jaggery, including jhola jaggery, granular jaggery, jiren raser jaggery and patali jaggery. Abul Kashem Babu, lessee of the Safdarpur Jaggery Market, expressed concern over the gradual decline of date palm trees. If the government supports the preservation and plantation of date palm trees, jaggery production will increase and contribute more to the national economy,” he said. “If plantation and proper care of date palm trees are increased, jaggery production will rise further,” he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 15:27 UTC
Vote for ‘Yes’ in referendum to bring change: Rizwana
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today spoke as the chief guest at the referendum promotion and voter motivation view-exchange meeting in Nilphamari. Photo: PIDNILPHAMARI, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today urged voters to vote for “Yes” in the upcoming general elections and referendum. “If you are in favour of change, if you are in favour of reform, if you truly want accountable governance and political leadership, then you must vote for ‘Yes’,” she said. While speaking as the chief guest at the referendum promotion and voter motivation view-exchange meeting at District Shilpakala Academy auditorium here this afternoon, Rizwana highlighted the importance of the referendum. The adviser said the government has formed various reform commissions to determine the process through which change can be brought.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 15:23 UTC
UAE distributes reliefs, blankets in Kapilmuni
UAE distributed relief items and blankets among destitute families in Paikgachha upazila of southern Khulna. Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) distributed relief items and blankets among poor and destitute families in Paikgachha upazila of southern Khulna, which has been hit hard by cold weather and dense fog. The relief distribution was led by Rashed Al Mail Al Jabi, Director for Foreign Assistance Affairs at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Bangladesh, on Sunday morning at the Kapilmuni Srirampur Zia Primary Health Care Centre premises. Above 200 underprivileged families received food items and blankets on the occasion. They conveyed gratitude to Almighty Allah and thanks to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for the donation.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 15:17 UTC
We are ready for JS elections: Syeda Rizwana Hasan
We are ready for JS elections: Syeda Rizwana HasanAdviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today spoke to journalists before joining a view exchange meeting at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium in Rangpur. Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said the imterim government is now fully ready for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections. "The Election Commission has not been able to participate in the election process properly in the past regarding the national elections. At present, when the people, political parties, government, administration, law enforcement agencies and everyone are ready for the elections, we are also ready for the elections." Syeda Rizwana Hasan has come to Nilphamari and Rangpur districts on a two-day visit.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 14:58 UTC
90th birth anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman tomorrow
Founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam. -File photoDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The 90th birth anniversary of the architect of multi-party democracy and founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, will be celebrated tomorrow. Ziaur Rahman was the second of five sons of Chemist Mansur Rahman and Jahanara Khatun. On the eventful November 7, 1975 Ziaur Rahman came to the center of the state power. President Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on September 1, 1978.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 14:45 UTC
Forex reserves stand at US$32.62b
DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have stood at US$ 32.62 billion. But, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) methodology under the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $28.03 billion, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released today.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 14:34 UTC
ICC steps in on India visas for Pakistan-origin players ahead of T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC), under the leadership of Jay Shah, has intervened to ensure players and officials of Pakistani origin receive Indian visas in time for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka from February to March. Several full-member and associate nations feature players of Pakistani origin. Visas for England and Netherlands players, as well as some officials, have already been cleared. Officials stressed that the aim is to ensure all applications, including remaining players and support personnel, are processed efficiently without unnecessary delays. Indian authorities generally scrutinize visa applications from Pakistani nationals or origin due to security considerations, especially given historical incidents such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 18, 2026 14:12 UTC
PCB backs Bangladesh, may rethink T20 World Cup participation
Pakistan has assured Bangladesh of its full support and emphasised that unresolved concerns could impact not only Bangladesh’s participation but also the broader preparations for the tournament. Earlier this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) publicly expressed its willingness to host Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches if alternative venues, particularly in Sri Lanka, are not made available. Meanwhile, the ICC has held meetings with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka to discuss possible solutions, including a potential group swap. Cricket Ireland has already dismissed speculation of any group-stage changes, confirming that its matches will remain in Sri Lanka as originally scheduled. Under the current fixture list, Bangladesh are set to play group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 18, 2026 14:04 UTC
Pentagon puts about 1,500 troops on alert for possible Minnesota deployment
Defense officials say roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers have been ordered to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota if unrest escalates, placing the units on "prepare-to-deploy" orders as officials monitor demonstrations tied to a recent fatal shooting. The forces reportedly include two infantry battalions from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, a unit based in Alaska with training in cold-weather operations. President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if state officials do not act to stop attacks on federal immigration personnel. Federal scrutiny of state and local officials, including an inquiry by the Department of Justice into obstruction allegations in Minnesota, has amplified partisan and community divisions. Officials have emphasized planning rather than orders to move, but the alert underscores the fraught intersection of national security, civil liberties, and public health.
Source:bd News24
January 18, 2026 13:57 UTC
Mitchell, Phillips tons guide New Zealand to 337-8 in ODI decider
New Zealand slipped to 5-2 and then 58-3 after being invited to bat first inIndore before Mitchell and Phillips put on 219 runs for the fourth wicket. Mitchell made 137 and Phillips hit 106 off 88 balls to take the attack to theopposition bowlers as New Zealand look for their first ODI series win inIndia. Mitchell reached his ninth ODI ton with a single of Ravindra Jadeja, lettingout a scream and celebrating with his partner. Phillips reached his hundred off Arshdeep Singh and pointed his bat to thesky as the crowd and the New Zealand dressing room stood to applaud. Rana stuck again to remove Will Young for 30 but Mitchell and Phillips thenrebuilt the innings and put New Zealand on course to a challenging total.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 13:53 UTC
Singapore Charge d'Affaires pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
Singapore’s acting ambassador Mitchell Lee called on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka today. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Singapore's acting ambassador to Bangladesh (Charg‚ d'Affaires) Mitchell Lee paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party office in Bashundhara this morning. The meeting was held around 9:00 am in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, according to a press release. Mitchell Lee appreciated the positive role of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the country's economic development and democratic progress. Both sides also expressed optimism that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Singapore would be further strengthened in the future.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 13:48 UTC
Campaign to be launched in educational institutions to promote 'Yes' vote
Campaign to be launched in educational institutions to promote 'Yes' votePhoto : Chief Adviser’s Press WingDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) – The government has decided to carry out campaigns at all universities, colleges, schools and madrasahs across the country to encourage students to cast ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum slated to be held on February 12. Chief Adviser’s special assistants Professor Dr Ali Riaz and Monir Haidar, UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven, Technical and Madrasah Education Division Secretary Muhammad Rafiqul, NU Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Amanullah and UGC Member Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan joined the meeting. As part of the campaign, leaflets and booklets titled ‘Yes for Change’ will be distributed among students. However, documentaries, video clips and songs produced on the referendum will be released through mobile platforms and university social media platforms. He said there is no alternative to the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum to establish a humane and democratic state.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 13:45 UTC
Chhatra Dal surrounds EC over alleged political influence
Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Sunday surrounded the Election Commission (EC) building in Agargaon, protesting what it described as political influence and biased decisions by the commission, particularly regarding postal ballots. Hundreds of Chhatra Dal activists gathered in front of and around the Election Commission, positioning themselves outside the EC’s security cordon and chanting slogans. The program was led by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam. Addressing the protest, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam alleged that a specific political group had exerted undue influence over postal ballots and that the EC had acted with its encouragement. EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that postal ballots are sent through the Universal Postal Union and that postal systems differ across countries, particularly in the Middle East.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 18, 2026 13:43 UTC
Bangladesh strengthens global textile footprint at Heimtextil-2026
Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has successfully concluded its participation at Heimtextil 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, reinforcing its status as a competitive destination for global sourcing. Bangladesh was represented by 15 exhibitors, comprising a strategic mix of direct exhibitors and companies supported by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). This delegation joined over 3,000 exhibitors from 65 countries, engaging with thousands of sourcing professionals, designers, and buyers attending the fair. The successful conclusion of Heimtextil-2026 has allowed Bangladesh to reinforce its position as a reliable and competitive sourcing destination within the global home textiles market. The event provided a crucial opportunity for networking and trend exploration, further expanding the country's footprint in international textile trade.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 13:38 UTC