16 countries to send 57 observers for Bangladesh election
DHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - At least 16 countries have accepted Bangladesh's invitation to send a total of 57 election observers for the country's 13th general election and the referendum on the July Charter, both scheduled to be held concurrently on February 12. Among bilateral delegations, Malaysia will send the largest contingent with 14 observers, followed by Türkiye, which is dispatching 12 observers. Most notable observers from these countries include Mohammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan, chief election commissioner of Pakistan, and Deki Pema, chief election commissioner of Bhutan. "We have received confirmation of close to 400 election observers, so far, and we expect a few more countries to confirm the visits of their delegates very soon," said Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and SDG coordinator, who is supporting the coordination of election observers. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be led by Ivars Ijabs, chief observer and member of the European Parliament from Latvia.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 16:23 UTC
Kim vows to 'transform' North Korea with building drive
SEOUL, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kim Jong Un vowed to "transform" North Korea with a drive to build public health facilities, leisure complexes and industrial plants over a third of the country, state media said Friday. "We are now standing on the starting line of our gigantic struggle for another year, aimed at transforming the regions," Kim said. Images released by state media showed Kim shovelling soil alongside other officials at a ceremony attended by an excited crowd clapping and waving North Korean flags. Photos showed a large, dramatic celebratory explosion that state media described as "thrilling". North Korea has long been criticised for prioritising the military and its banned weapons programmes over adequately providing for its people.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 16:07 UTC
Flagstaff Unified School District's FACTS program is filling the gaps of early child care in rural communities
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Source:Daily Sun
January 30, 2026 16:03 UTC
Jamaat Ameer pledges government medical colleges in all districts
Photo: BSSFENI, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman pledged to establish government-run medical colleges in all 64 districts of the country, announcing plans to set up such institutions in the remaining 31 districts, including Feni. There are already 33 government medical colleges in 33 districts, and the remaining 31 districts will have theirs," he said. The Jamaat Ameer also outlined plans to establish specialised hospitals in every district, saying medical colleges would serve as the foundation for developing these healthcare facilities. "We are committed to setting up specialised hospitals in every district, and medical colleges will play a key role in preparing the manpower needed for these hospitals," he said. The rally was chaired by Feni District Jamaat Ameer Mufti Abdul Hannan.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 15:58 UTC
Survey: Tarique Rahman tops PM race as voter confidence surges
A nationwide survey has showed BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman leading the race for Bangladesh’s next prime minister, with public confidence in the fairness and safety of the upcoming February 12 election also on the rise. The People’s Election Pulse Survey (Round 3), conducted by Innovision Consulting between January 16 and 27, interviewed 5,147 respondents across all eight divisions via phone (CATI). It found that 47.6% of voters favored Tarique Rahman for prime minister, followed by Shafiqur Rahman of the Jamaat–NCP alliance at 22.5%, while 22.2% remained undecided. In parliamentary seat preferences, the BNP-led alliance leads with 52.8% support among decided voters, while the Jamaat–NCP alliance holds 31.0%. The survey also highlights notable voter shifts since 2024.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 30, 2026 15:33 UTC
GSIMAL launched to promote media and AI literacy in Global South
GSIMAL launched to promote media and AI literacy in Global SouthPhoto : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - The Global South Initiative for Media and AI Literacy (GSIMAL) was officially launched here today. The organisation aims to advance critical media and AI literacy as a "citizen right" and to address the unique challenges that the Global South faces in the age of embedded Artificial Intelligence (AI). She highlighted the growing confusion caused by AI-driven misinformation and stressed the need to treat media and AI literacy as a public-interest issue. Dr. Lee Guo from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, said the initiative would help empower voices from the Global South. GSIML aims to promote inclusive, ethical, and accessible AI and media literacy across the Global South.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 15:29 UTC
US eases Venezuela sanctions after oil sector reforms
Within an hour of lawmakers in Caracas voting to open the oil industry to private investment, the US Treasury Department issued a general license allowing US companies to trade with state oil firm PDVSA. Addressing oil industry workers, Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez hailed the reform as a "historical leap." - 'For the future' -Trump pressured Caracas to open up its oil fields to American investors after overthrowing his socialist arch-foe Nicolas Maduro in a deadly US raid on January 3. It modifies a law dating to 2006 that forced foreign investors to form joint ventures with state oil company PDVSA, which insisted on a majority stake. - New fields -The US Department of Energy has already unveiled a plan to develop Venezuela's oil industry and begun marketing Venezuelan crude.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 15:27 UTC
RUET VC: Engineering education must contribute to sustainable development
A three-day "5th International Conference on Electrical, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (ICECTE 2026)" was inaugurated at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) on Friday. Engineering education must contribute to sustainable development." The conference, organized by RUET's Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), features participation from both local and international researchers. Special guests included Emeritus Professor Dr Yoshinori Namihira of the University of the Ryukyus, Japan. The welcome speech was delivered by Professor Dr Ajay Krishna Sarkar, Technical Chair of the organizing committee and Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 30, 2026 15:27 UTC
Djokovic stuns Sinner to return to Australian Open final
Novak Djokovic wiil face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after stunning reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to move to the brink of history. The 38-year-old Serb rolled back the years to battle past Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a 1:32 am finish and plays top seed Alcaraz in Sunday's Melbourne title decider.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 30, 2026 15:27 UTC
BGB tightens security along Rajshahi border ahead of national polls
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has announced that security has been beefed up in the border areas of Rajshahi Division in view of the 13th parliamentary elections. The use of modern technology has also been increased to curb crimes and keep the border situation normal. At the same time, discussions have been held with India's Border Security Force (BSF) to maintain stability along the border. The information was shared on Friday morning at a press conference held beside the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway in front of Rajshahi Postal Academy by BGB Rajshahi Sector Commander Colonel Syed Kamal Hossain. He said that extensive security plans have been adopted in the areas under the responsibility of the Rajshahi Sector centering the election.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 30, 2026 15:27 UTC
Youth with gold bars worth TK 77 Lakh held in Maheshpur
JHENAIDAH, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today arrested a gold trafficker with five gold bars valued at approximately Tk 77,53,412 at the Maheshpur border area here. According to the BGB, these gold bars were being smuggled illegally into India. During the search, Shishir was found carrying four gold bars and one small piece of gold hidden in his waistband," the press release reads. The total weight of the recovered gold was 358.84 grams, valued at approximately 77 lakh 52 thousand 412 taka, according to the press release. Maheshpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mehedi Hasan said, "The arrested youth will be produced before the court and the legal deposit process of the recovered gold bars in the government treasury is underway."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 14:59 UTC
HATER FRIDAY | Book Purists, Put the Book Down
Reading time: about 6 minutesHeated Rivalry, The Handmaid’s Tale and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: What do they all have in common? However, it’s because I can also acknowledge a truth book purists seem incapable of grasping: books and television are fundamentally different media. The original Percy Jackson novels are written in first person: Percy’s sarcasm and ADHD-fueled inner monologue are the story. Then there’s the elephant in the room: Much of the early book purism surrounding Percy Jackson was simply fueled by racism. It helps that Rick Riordan himself is deeply involved in the show, a rarity for book adaptations.
Source:Daily Sun
January 30, 2026 14:55 UTC
Eminent social worker Begum Rokeya passes away
Begum Rokeya. Photo: CollectedNETRAKONA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of the women's empowerment movement in greater Mymensingh and a distinguished social worker, passed away at the age of 78. Begum Rokeya was the founder and former Executive Director of the non-governmental organization 'Swabalambi Unnayan Samiti' (SUS). Born on May 17, 1948, in Kaurat village under Kendua Upazila, Begum Rokeya overcame numerous challenges in her personal life to earn both a BA and a BEd degree. In 1985, she left her teaching profession to establish 'Swabalambi Unnayan Samiti' with like-minded individuals.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 14:43 UTC
BGB arrests man with gold bars worth over Tk 77 lakh in Maheshpur
BGB arrests man with gold bars worth over Tk 77 lakh in MaheshpurJHENAIDAH, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) hasarrested an individual along with five gold bars while attempting to smugglethem into India from Maheshpur in the district. The arrestee has been identified as Faisal Hasan Shishir, 26. Officers recovered four large gold barsand one small gold piece concealed on Shishir's body. The total weight of the seized gold is 358.84 grams, with an estimated marketvalue of Taka77,52,412 according to a BGB press release. Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan confirmed that Shishir will be placed beforethe court, and the recovered gold is being processed for deposit into thegovernment treasury through BGB.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 14:35 UTC
Trump, first lady attend premier of multimillion-dollar 'Melania' documentary
WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and top administration officials attended the premier Thursday night of the first lady's new movie promising a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her husband's return to power. Melania Trump's movie aims to document the 20 days leading up to Trump's second inauguration through the eyes of the Slovenian-born 55-year-old first lady. In one of a series of promotional interviews this week for the film, Melania Trump called for "unity" after the Minneapolis killing. Ted Hope, a former Amazon film executive, was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "He was very talented," Melania Trump told Fox.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 30, 2026 14:35 UTC