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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur . In his speech, Ahsan H. Mansur clarified that this target is expected to be met without relying on IMF money, stating that any additional external funding would simply be icing on the cake rather than a necessity for hitting the target. The governor highlighted significant progress in the balance of payments and the external sector. The governor addressed the very difficult liquidity situation the banking sector previously faced, which began with a shortage of foreign exchange. “With total deposits now standing at approximately 20 trillion taka, this growth rate translates to an influx of roughly 2.2 trillion taka into the system,” he added.

DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Rangpur Riders will take on Sylhet Titans in theEliminator of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) tomorrow (Tuesday) at theSher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in a bid to stay alive for a spot inthe final. The loser of the game will be knocked out of the BPL final race, while thewinner will advance to Qualifier-2, where they will face the loser ofQualifier-1 for a place in the final. Rangpur Riders, widely regarded as one of the strongest teams on paper, had amixed tournament. However, they recovered in time, finishing third with six wins from 10matches to secure a place in the final four. Rangpur have historically struggled in knockout matches, suffering defeats incrucial games over the last three BPL seasons, including their last playoffappearances.

The Muslim festival of Shab-e-Barat will be celebrated in Bangladesh on the night of Feb 3, according to the National Moon-Sighting Committee. The public holiday on the occasion will be on Feb 4. Shab-e-Barat is observed on the night of the 14th of Shaban in the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated 15 days before the arrival of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims. Muslims offer special prayers at mosques and homes, families exchange bread and sweets, and give handouts to the poor on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat.