Secretary of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJON) Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar has said a fair, acceptable and neutral election is the demand of time. To this end, he said basic reformation has become crucial to make the present political and electoral environment voters-friendly. Dr Badiul Alam made the observations while addressing a divisional dialogue organized by the district and city units of SUJON at a city hotel yesterday. He said the political parties should refrain from using black money and muscle power to make the election fields clean and congenial. SUJON Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said reformation in the Election Commission (EC) has become the prime need at present as the previous EC members were the partners of ruling party instead of performing duties impartially.

Discussions focused on power shifts, equity-based climate finance, local data systems, indigenous knowledge, and stronger national–local coordination. Promote indigenous knowledge systems in climate adaptation strategies to blend traditional wisdom with modern scientific approaches. Ensure equitable distribution of climate adaptation funds by focusing on vulnerable populations and regions most affected by climate change. Encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration between government, civil society, NGOs, and local communities to maximize the impact of climate adaptation projects. Enhance capacity-building initiatives by investing in training programs that build expertise in climate adaptation and resilience at all levels of society.

Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur said that due to major financial losses in some Islamic banks in FY25, it was not possible to pay any profit on deposits as per Shariah principles. He said these while talking to the media at the Bangladesh Bank conference room on Thursday (January 15). But the real picture is that the government and Bangladesh Bank have made arrangements to return the principal to the depositors in full. The governor said: “Despite such a big crisis, the government and Bangladesh Bank are returning 100% of the principal to depositors. “Bangladesh Bank and the government have given top priority to protecting the interests of the people from the beginning.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and nine other parties on Thursday announced their electoral alliance for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, deliberately leaving seat vacant for Islami Andolan Bangladesh. Dr Syed Abdullah Md Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, announced the seat allocations on behalf of the alliance partners. According to the list, Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) has been allocated 30 seats. Other partners include Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis with 20 seats, Khelafat Majlis 10 seats, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 7 seats, AB Party 3 seats, Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) 2 seats, and Nezam-e-Islami Party 2 seats. The press conference, held after prolonged negotiations, was not attended by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the party of ChormonaiPir.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Thursday said the Election Commission (EC) has found no evidence of any irregularities in the postal ballots sent to expatriate Bangladeshis abroad, reviewing several video clips circulating on social media regarding the distribution of postal ballots. The election commissioner made the remarks while briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Thursday evening. Earlier on Tuesday, BNP raised concerns before the Election Commission over the viral videos related to the distribution of postal ballots sent to expatriates. The Election Commissioner said a total of 7,67,084 postal ballots were dispatched for the expatriate voters. Some 1,71,680 voters used an address shared by two voters, while 95,816 voters used addresses shared by up to five voters, 59,276 voters used addresses shared by up to 10 voters, 38,109 voters used addresses shared by up to 20 voters, 21,915 voters used addresses shared by 20 to 50 voters, 14,891 voters used addresses shared by 100 or more voters, he said.

Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke at the 25th ICMAB Convocation 2026 held in the capital today. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said that the country must establish a functional financial system free from political influence and corruption to ensure rational and accountable public expenditure. She made the remarks while attending the 25th ICMAB Convocation 2026 as the chief guest at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants, spoke as the convocation speaker. Past presidents, council members, associate and fellow members, and guests from the government and corporate sectors attended the event.

The historic 'Amtala 52 Gate'. Photo : CollectedBy Bulbul ChowdhuryDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - After nearly four decades, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) authorities have reopened the historic 'Amtala 52 Gate', a site deeply connected with the memories of the 1952 Language Movement. The reopening of the Amtala 52 Gate is being seen as both a practical solution to traffic woes and a symbolic restoration of a historic landmark of the Language Movement. With the reopening of the alternative Amtala Gate, vehicles will now be able to enter through one gate and exit through another, ensuring smoother and faster access for emergency patients. This time, following direct instructions from the DMCH Director, the gate has been permanently reopened for public use.

Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news. I want to go full conspiracy theory here, as I believe that things might not be right in “Jalen Green Land”. Q2: When team owner Mat Ishbia was recently questioned about the upcoming trade deadline, he responded, “We don’t need to make a change at all. ET)April 14-17 - SoFi NBA Play-In TournamentApril 18 - NBA Playoffs begin

Canada Lynx were reintroduced into the same habitat wolverines will be released starting in 1999, with CPW releasing 218 of them into the San Juan Mountains. But finalizing the 106-page plan is a big step toward bringing more “charismatic critters” to Colorado, says Luke Perkins, agency spokesperson. Designation will come only after the federal government reviews the reintroduction plan under the National Environmental Policy Act. CPW said it’s unclear if or how that situation would impact wolverine reintroduction, because it could still be years off. But the plan says Colorado is still a good place to restore wolverines.

Ski patrollers are on the front line of those crowds, handling ugly traumas, terrible accidents, near-misses and worse. Winter Park’s ski patrollers assist their service dog onto the chairlift, Feb. 29, 2024, at the ski area in Winter Park. (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun)But a new three-year program at Winter Park ski area is better preparing patrollers for the stresses of front-line resort work. “Ski patrollers are exposed to acute long-term stress and short-term stress and historically, response to that stress has been reactive,” said Griffin Lawrence, the director of Responder Alliance. Charlie, a service dog for the Winter Park Ski Patrol, rests prior to the daily meeting, Feb. 29, 2024, at the ski area in Winter Park.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman led efforts to talk US President Donald Trump out of an attack on Iran, a senior Saudi official told AFP on Thursday, with another Gulf official confirming the discussions. The Gulf trio “led a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort to convince President Trump to give Iran a chance to show good intention,” the Saudi official said on condition of anonymity. After the repeated threats Trump changed course, saying he had received assurances from “very important sources on the other side” that Iran would not execute demonstrators. The Gulf efforts aimed to “avoid an uncontrollable situation in the region,” the Saudi official said. “We told Washington that an attack on Iran would open the way for a series of grave blowbacks in the region,” the official added.

The protesters cleared Science Lab and Technical intersections later in the evening but warned of renewed agitation on Monday, saying they would again blockade Science Lab Morh and set up a mass assembly stage if their demands remain unmet. The demonstrations began around 1pm, with students blocking roads at Science Lab intersection as part of a pre-announced program. At one point, clashes broke out between the college protesters and Dhaka University students, resulting in the vandalism of a Dhaka University bus. The prolonged blockade at Science Lab caused immense inconvenience for thousands of commuters. Among students, opinions were also divided, with some supporting swift legal recognition and others opposing the schooling structure.

The interim government has appointed three key officials of the administration to the Board of Directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited. The new appointees are National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, and Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed. A gazette notification was issued in this regard by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on Wednesday. The order, issued by the president's command and signed by the ministry's Senior Assistant Secretary Mst Shakila Pervin stated that the appointments were made under Section 30(b) of the Bangladesh Biman Act, 2023. The order comes into effect immediately in the "public interest," according to the notification.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his family members paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna this evening. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his family members paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here this evening. Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman reached Jamuna around 7:30 pm, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing, adding that they spent about over an hour with the Chief Adviser and his daughter Deena Yunus. During the meeting, the members of the two families exchanged greetings with each other, the press wing said.

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - A two-day photo exhibition showcasing the struggle and achievements of three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will be held at the capital tomorrow. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to inaugurate the exhibition. The exhibition will feature around 100 photographs depicting different phases of Begum Zia's family and political life. Additionally, a special video documentary on her life will be screened at the park's open-air stage (mukta mancha).