Can the Patriots take it home this year?
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) celebrates after a touchdown against the New York Jets with teammate Demario Douglas (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 08:58 UTC
Tarique Rahman to launch election campaign from Sylhet Thursday
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will begin his election campaign on Thursday from Sylhet, addressing seven consecutive rallies in different areas. Mahdi Amin also the party’s election steering committee spokesperson revealed this at a press conference held at the BNP’s election office in Gulshan-2, Dhaka Wednesday morning. Tarique Rahman is expected to return to his Gulshan residence in the capital late at night after completing the day’s programs. Chief Coordinator of the Election Steering Committee Ismail Zabihullah, other committee members, BNP leaders and distinguished persons will be present on the occasion. Members of the party’s Election Steering Committee Mohammad Zakaria, Jubayer Babu and Mostakur Rahman, and Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan were present at the press conference.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 08:45 UTC
Manna’s Nagorik Oikya withdraws from BNP alliance, to contest 11 seats independently
Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya has withdrawn from the BNP-led alliance following the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD). The party has also announced it will contest 11 seats independently. Now, after negotiations over seat allocation with BNP also failed, Manna’s party has decided to go solo. On Monday, he held an urgent press conference, announcing that his party would contest the election independently. At the press conference, it was revealed that party president Manna will contest the Dhaka-18 and Bogra-2 seats.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 08:45 UTC
Bobby Hajjaj gets paddy sheaf, Mamunul Haque rickshaw symbol in Dhaka-13
BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-13 constituency Bobby Hajjaj, who has since left the party, has been allocated the paddy sheaf symbol, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Maulana Md Mamunul Haque has received the rickshaw symbol. The symbols were allocated on Wednesday at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the supervision of Md Yunus Ali, returning officer for Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 constituencies. Bobby Hajjaj’s chief election agent Kazi Md Yusuf received the symbol on his behalf. The rickshaw symbol was received by Mashrurul Haque, younger brother of Mamunul Haque. According to the revised election schedule, the returning officer published the final list of candidates and allocated election symbols on Wednesday.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 08:45 UTC
PCB writes to ICC backing Bangladesh’s stance in T20 World Cup dispute
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), extending support to Bangladesh’s position in the ongoing controversy over the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB’s communication was sent directly to the ICC and copied to members of the ICC Board. In the letter, the PCB supported the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) refusal to send its national team to India for the tournament, citing security-related concerns. Despite PCB’s backing, the ICC is understood to be firm on its stance. PCB’s involvement has also reignited speculation that Pakistan may be willing to host Bangladesh’s World Cup matches and that Pakistan’s own participation could be reviewed depending on the outcome of the situation.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 08:13 UTC
Battery rickshaws: Peril or promise?
In Dhaka’s alleys, the battery rickshaws are overpowering the pedal rickshaws and the fight for space has been a constant. The report shows that around 25% of the battery rickshaw drivers shifted from pedal to battery and the rest 75% of the battery rickshaw drivers are new entrants. Both pedal and battery rickshaw drivers are poorly educated -- almost 40% of the pedal rickshaw drivers and 35% of the battery rickshaw drivers do not have any formal education. According to him, battery rickshaws should be called battery-operated three wheelers while the rickshaws should remain as they are. Battery rickshaws should not be seen as a peril.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Holders PSG, Man City stumbled, Arsenal remain perfect
Manchester City were on the wrong side of one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history on Tuesday, while holders Paris Saint-Germain also stumbled but Gabriel Jesus helped keep Arsenal perfect. Pep Guardiola's Man City arrived in chilly Norway for their seventh and penultimate league-phase match against modest Bodo/Glimt as hot favourites. Luis Suarez struck twice for Sporting Lisbon in the second half, sealing victory with a 90th-minute header after substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had equalised for PSG after 79 minutes. Kasper Hogh's first half-brace and a second half strike from Jens Petter Hauge at the ecstatic Aspmyra Stadion triggered a seismic upset. Chelsea's new boss Liam Rosenior's first taste of Champions League football is a home game against Pafos while runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich welcome Union St-Gilloise.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Dhaka air 2nd worst in world Wednesday morning
Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 at 9:40am. The city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Tasnim Jara gets football symbol for Dhaka-9
Independent candidate Dr Tasnim Jara has been allotted the football symbol for the Dhaka-9 constituency. She collected the symbol from the Dhaka Divisional Office on Wednesday afternoon. On her verified Facebook page, Tasnim Jara said: “We are contesting the election with the football symbol, overcoming all obstacles.”The letter confirming the symbol allocation was handed to Dr Tasnim Jara by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury. Reacting immediately after receiving the symbol, Tasnim Jara said: “‘Football’ was my preferred symbol, and I applied specifically to get it.”She expressed satisfaction after the election commission approved her application.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Slot happy to have Salah back for misfiring Liverpool
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said he is "happy to have" Mohamed Salah back available for Wednesday's Champions League visit to Marseille to bolster his attacking options. "Let's see for the line-up tomorrow if you still think there's an issue. I spoke to him today and I'm happy to have him back," Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Salah is Liverpool's third-highest goalscorer of all time with 250 goals in 421 appearances, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League since joining from Roma in 2017. Liverpool are 11th in the league phase of the Champions League.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Surveillance must be done right
As such, visible surveillance becomes a necessity to serve as both a deterrent and reassurance. Cameras therefore could strengthen transparency, discourage irregularities, and restore public confidence in the ballot. Too many projects, year after year, have seen the same fate - large allocations squandered through poor procurement, rushed implementation, or a lack of transparency. Also important is the need for proper procurement and implementation to prevent corruption and inflated costs. The CCTV initiative can play a significant part in ensuring that, but only if it is done right.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Taking to the streets
Protests against the HSC exam results broke out in October 2024, as students questioned the transparency of the results. This led to the resignation of the board chairman, proving once again the power of the streets in pushing through changes, even in the most technical matters such as examination results. Apart from student marches and political protests, 2025 saw widespread discontent among government officials in general, and members of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) specifically. It is no different in the dispute over the 2025 Bangladesh Bar Council enrolment exam entrances. The Bar Council enrollment process has always included several things, such as the MCQ exam, the written exam, and the viva voce exam.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Deputy Minister: Italy supports Bangladesh’s democratic transition, July Charter
Italy expressed its full support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and the July Charter, which aims to introduce sweeping reforms for the country’s democratic renewal, the Italian Deputy Minister said on Tuesday during a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. Praising the July Charter, the visiting minister said Italy supports the comprehensive reforms outlined in the document. He also reaffirmed Rome’s backing of Bangladesh’s democratic transition through the February 12 vote. The chief adviser reaffirmed his commitment to holding a free, fair, transparent, and festive election on February 12. He also sought Italy’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and for strengthening cooperation in defence, trade, and investment.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Election campaigning begins Thursday amid tight security
Law enforcement agencies, including the police, view maintaining law and order during the campaign period as a major challenge. All security preparations have already been completed, and personnel deployed for election duty have received the necessary training. Law enforcement agencies are maintaining regular communication with political parties and issuing directives. Drawing on past experience, law enforcement agencies have taken extensive preparations to ensure the upcoming election is held smoothly. Nearly 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies, including the police, will be deployed during the election, sources said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Academic freedom cannot fall prey to intolerance
We are deeply troubled by the dismissal of two teachers at the University of Asia Pacific following student protests. Education institutions, but especially universities, are meant to be spaces of inquiry, debate, and dissent. The reputation of our higher education institutions is already in shambles, and our struggle with politicization and intolerance within these institutions have also been well documented. In the long run, the future health and progress of our nation depends on universities that defend inquiry, not suppress it. The dismissal of faculty members under pressure is certainly no victory -- it is a loss for our education itself.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 07:41 UTC