The White Panel, a platform of pro-BNP teachers at Dhaka University (DU), has expressed concern over the harassment of a colleague at Chittagong University. Leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students' Union (CUCSU) allegedly manhandled Prof Hasan Mohammad Roman of the university’s Department of Law on Saturday. The student leaders said they targeted the teacher for his role against the university’s students during the July Uprising. “Publicly insulting, intimidating, or physically harassing any university teacher creates insecurity on campus,” said the teachers’ platform in the statement. Roman remained in detention by students for nine hours before the Chittagong University officials escorted him back to his residence.

Photo: BSSNARSINGDI, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi district unit President Khairul Kabir Khokon today urged people to remain vigilant against religious extremists who spread confusion in the name of religion. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a doa mahfil organised by Chinishpur Union unit of BNP at the Daspara Nursery Field this afternoon. In the event, all sought eternal peace of the departed soul of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Khokon said following the political ideals of Tarique Rahman and implementing his proposed 31-point outline would help build a happy, prosperous and democratic state. The programme was presided over by Abdul Al-Mamun Munshi, president of Chinishpur Union BNP Ward No-6, while Advocate Shirin Sultana, Self-Reliance Affairs Secretary of the BNP National Executive Committee, spoke as the main discussant.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US State Department on Saturday urged Americans in Venezuela to leave the country "immediately," citing risks from armed militias searching vehicles for US citizens at roadblocks. "The security situation in Venezuela remains fluid," the department said in a security alert, one week after the country's leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces in a lightning raid. "As international flights have resumed, US citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately," it said, warning of armed militias called colectivos searching cars for Americans or evidence of US support.

Photo : BSSKURIGRAM, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) – The district administration is committed to holding the 13th National Parliament elections in a free, fair, peaceful and neutral manner, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Annapurna Debnath said today. Of these, 351 have been identified as vulnerable,” she said while addressing a meeting of the Law and Order Committee at her conference room. SP Fazle Rabbi said coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, political parties, journalists and professionals would be required to conduct the upcoming elections smoothly. The BGB commander said 490 BGB members would be deployed in five upazilas of the district to maintain law and order during the polls. Meanwhile, the army camp commander said 650 army personnel would be deployed to ensure a free and fair election.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- The Election Commission (EC) has taken measures to widely distribute banners and leaflets prepared for the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliament Election 2026 to be held on February 12. The distribution of the printed banners and leaflets is ongoing nationwide through the Publication and Documentation Branch of the Election Commission Secretariat. The commission has issued instructions for widespread publicity by hanging banners in every Divisional Commissioner's Office, Regional Election Office, Deputy Commissioner's Office, Senior District/District Election Office. The City Corporation Office and every ward office and important places in Dhaka City, Municipality Office, Upazila Nirbahi Office, Upazila/Thana Election Office also have directed hanging banners as part of widespread campaign. Distribution activities are underway through the Procurement and Printing Branch of the Election Commission Secretariat, with 15 thousand per Upazila/Thana Election Office, 3,000 per Senior District/District Election Office and 2,000 thousand per Regional Election Office.

Photo: CollectedPARIS, France, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 192 people have been killed in two weeks of protests against the government and economic strain in Iran, a rights group said on Sunday, in a sharp rise from an earlier death toll of 51. "Since the start of the protests, Iran Human Rights has confirmed the killing of at least 192 protesters," the Norway-based NGO said, warning that the toll could be much higher as a days-long internet blackout hampered verification.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder spoke at a press conference at his residence in Sadar Union, Madhyanagar, Sunamganj today. Photo: BSSSUNAMGANJ, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said the government is taking special measures, including the school feeding programme, to reduce the rate of student dropouts at the primary level. The adviser made the remarks while visiting Golha Government Primary School in his native village under Sadar Union, Jamsherpur Government Primary School and Madhyanagar Bazar Government Primary School in Madhyanagar upazila. Responding to concerns over the shortage of teachers in primary schools in Madhyanagar upazila, the adviser said the problem would be resolved soon, noting that the teacher recruitment process is currently underway. On the school feeding programme, Dr Bidhan said the initiative would be expanded gradually to bring all primary schools across the country under its coverage.

As the week began Sunday, Dhaka once again found itself at the top of a grim global ranking—emerging as the world’s most polluted city amid persistently hazardous air conditions that continue to affect millions across Bangladesh. At around 8:30am, the capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 235, categorised as “very unhealthy,” according to Switzerland-based air quality monitoring platform IQAir. Dhaka topped a list of 125 cities worldwide, underscoring the severity of the ongoing air pollution crisis. Regarding air quality issues on Sunday morning, India’s capital New Delhi ranked second globally, with an AQI score of 230. Over the years, authorities have launched multiple projects and announced a range of policy measures aimed at curbing air pollution.

Four houses were gutted by a massive fire on Green Road, leaving several families homeless last night. Photo : BSSBARGUNA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - At least four houses were completely gutted in a fire in the Green Road area of the district town last night, leaving several families homeless and destitute. The fire broke out around 8.30 pm in a house and rapidly spread to adjacent houses, according to local sources. The injured person was rescued in critical condition and admitted to a local hospital. Local authorities have assured that further investigation is underway and that steps will be taken to provide assistance to the affected families.

The workshop was organised by the non-government organisation NICE Foundation at the CSS Ava Centre in the city. Former Member of Parliament and BNP nominated MP aspirant of Khulna-2 constituency Nazrul Islam Manju said delays in the trial of women and child abuse cases are seriously hampering justice. Nazrul Islam Manju said that if elected in the future, effective laws would be enacted by reforming existing weaknesses and loopholes in laws related to women and child abuse to ensure justice. M. Mujibur Rahman, Editor of NICE Foundation chaired the workshop, while Mamun Akhtar, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Betar, Khulna moderated the event. Welcome remarks were delivered by Rabeya Sultana, Programme Director of NICE Foundation, while the concept paper was presented by Anjum Tasnuva, Associate Professor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology.

Mary Jane Moeller (née Hughes) of The Villages, Florida, entered the Lord's service gently and peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice on January 5th, 2026, at the age of 82. Mary Jane was born in New York City on April 12, 1943, to Annette Cecilia (Morgan) Hughes and Mark Fabian Hughes. Mary Jane is survived by Peter, her devoted husband of 57 years; her sister Annette (Toni) Hillary of Denver, CO; her daughter Suzanne and son-in-law Steven Quintavalla of Branchburg, NJ; and her grandson John Paul. Mary Jane was a classy lady who could set an amazing table for a party and liven it up with her sharp wit and devious sense of humor. Services held for Mary Jane will be private.

Corrected memorial service location. Paul Robert Sutterer, 88, of Summerfield, Florida, passed away on December 3, 2025. Paul was born on February 1, 1937, in Worthington, Minnesota, and devoted nearly six decades of his life to the Lutheran ministry. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, William and Florence; his brothers, William and Dittmar; and his sister, Mary Jane. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Strezishar, and his son, Mike Sutterer, as well as five beloved grandchildren who brought him immense joy.

A youth was shot dead by miscreants at Purba Rupsa area in Khulna on Sunday. The victim was identified as Abdul Rashed, also known as Pikul, 30, son of Abdul Awal of Bagmara area under Rupsa upazila in the district. The incident occurred around 1.00 am at the Kadamtala Balu Maath area, where assailants opened fire targeting him with the intent to kill. He was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), where he succumbed to his injuries. The police official added that Pikul has several allegations against him with the Rupsa Police Station.

A persistent cold wave has gripped Rangpur division for several days, intensifying the suffering of poor and marginalized people and threatening their livelihoods. The severe cold has led to a rise in cold-related illnesses, including pneumonia, fever, diarrhoea and respiratory complications. Over the past 24 hours, nine patients—five elderly men and women and four children—died while undergoing treatment for cold-related diseases at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Hospitals across the region are also facing growing pressure as patient numbers rise. Hundreds of children suffering from cold-related illnesses are visiting the outpatient department of Rangpur Medical College Hospital every day, crowding the facility along with their attendants.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) — The Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCB IU) headed by its Independent Chair Alex Marshall CBE, QPM, has reaffirmed that routine integrity operations in response to credible suspicion are being conducted for BPL-12 under ICC’s global integrity framework. “Such measures by BCB IU are part of BCB’s zero-tolerance policy and drive against corrupt cricketing activities,” the BCB said in a statement today. “BCB IU operates in accordance with the general processes under prevailing anti-corruption code of ICC. These preventive measures by BCB IU have resulted in an approximately 80 percent reduction in alerts relating to suspicious activities, the statement claimed. “BCB reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and remains firmly committed to protecting the credibility, transparency and reputation of the Bangladesh Premier League,” the statement concluded.