The Jatiya Party leader said this time there will be two sharp parties in the voting field. “So, the Jatiya Party can get votes from the Islamists as well,” he said. The Japa secretary general reiterated his demand for a level playing field, alleging that the current administration appears aligned with BNP-Jamaat interests. “There is a risk of unwarranted attacks and threats against Jatiya Party candidates and voters. That is why state control and a level playing field must be ensured before that time,” he added.

EU election observer chief Ivars Ijabs on Sunday said that it would be important for Bangladesh to conduct the upcoming election in a peaceful, credible and transparent manner. In response to an invitation by the authorities of Bangladesh, the European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for the parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 February 2026. The long-term observers will be deployed across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, marking the first fully-fledged EU election observation mission in the country since 2008. He said the EU EOM would also assess the overall space for political and civic participation, including for women, youth and other vulnerable groups. The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Dhaka on February 14, two days after the polls.

On Sunday, the EC heard a total of 35 petitions till 1pm. The Election Commission will hear and dispose of all the petitions by January 18. Earlier, the returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny from December 30 to January 04. Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers were not scrutinized. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu -Photo:CollectedDHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- A Dhaka court today acquitted BNP leader and former deputy minister for land Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu in a case lodged over tax evasion. Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka 4th Special Judge Court passed the judgement today. Then assistant commissioner of taxes Hafij Al Asad of National Bureau of Revenue (NBR) filed the case on August 3, 2008 for evading income tax around Taka 10 lakh, against his total income of Taka 2.34 crore since 1983. He was also accused of concealing actual income and expenditure information to mislead the income tax authorities. On April 9, 2023, the court framed charge against Dulu.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has announced a major upgrade to all its existing internet packages, increasing speeds by up to three times while keeping monthly charges unchanged, aiming to ensure improved digital services for customers. Under the new initiative, customers will be able to enjoy significantly faster internet at the same cost, enhancing experiences in online education, official work, video streaming, gaming and the use of smart services, said a BTCL press release today. As per the upgraded packages, the Taka 399 SULOV-5 package offering 5 Mbps has been upgraded to SHASHROYI-20 with 20 Mbps. The Taka 500 SULOV-12 package with 12 Mbps has been upgraded to SHASHROYI-25 providing 25 Mbps, while the Taka 500 CAMPUS-15 package has been enhanced to CAMPUS-50 offering 50 Mbps. BTCL believes the initiative will ensure more reliable, faster and quality internet services for customers and further accelerate the country's digital transformation.

“We spent US$ 855.42 million more for the LNG import in then outgoing year compared to the previous 2024 to meet increased demand,” an official of Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) said. He said some US$3,877.74 million ws required to import 350,766,440 MMBTu (Million British Thermal units). “The LNG import appeared essential since the gas availability from domestic sources appeared inadequate,” an official of state-run Rupantaroto Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) said. RPGCL officials said each LNG-filled cargo contain nearly 33.60 lakh MMBTu gas while under long-term contracts the price stands at $9.5 per MMBTu. Patrobangla’s deputy general manager and spokesman Tariqul Islam Khan said Bangladesh received LNG cargos every month to meet energy demand in the country.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended three games by the NBA for "confronting and attempting to strike another player," the league said Saturday. The NBA said in a release that the incident occurred some 40 minutes after the Kings' 125-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 28 at Crypto.com Arena. There, the league said, "Schroder sought out the player in an arena hallway and initiated the confrontation." Germany's Schroder will begin serving his suspension on Sunday when the Kings host the Houston Rockets. Schroder, 32, is averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 31 games this season.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When you believe in your mission and purpose, taking constructive action is as natural as breathing. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You could be asked to stretch credulity past the snapping point, most likely in your home space. Keep your eyes open, don’t join and just go to sleep. By mid-March everything can turn around and 2026 can open its opportunities and blessings to you. With just a few glitches, your stars for 2026 are setting up to deliver dreams come true in multiple categories.

PARIS, France, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran would strike US military and shipping targets in the event of a new attack by the United States during an ongoing wave of protests, the parliament speaker said on Sunday. "In the event of a military attack by the United States, both the occupied territory and centres of the US military and shipping will be our legitimate targets," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told parliament in comments broadcast by state TV, apparently also referring to Israel, which the Islamic republic does not recognise and considers occupied Palestinian territory.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched the large-value corporate tax, VAT payments through mobile financial service bKash as part of the revenue board’s ongoing efforts to digitize the revenue management system. Speaking at the inauguration of digital corporate tax and VAT payments via bKash at the NBR Bhaban, the chairman said two successful real-time transactions had already been completed, proving the system’s capability to handle high-value payments securely and efficiently. We want all tax payments to be digital because digital transactions bring multiple advantages—real-time settlement, accuracy, transparency and reduced risk,” he said. Calling for the complete abolition of pay orders and crossed cheques for tax payments, he said modern digital payment channels have made such instruments obsolete. “With collective effort, we can build a transparent, efficient and technology-driven revenue system that benefits both taxpayers and the state,” he added.

Linguistic Olympiad-2026 of Rangpur region was held at Rangpur Zilla School yesterday. Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- Linguistic Olympiad-2026 of Rangpur region was held at Rangpur Zilla School yesterday. The Linguistic Olympiad is being held 10 regions of the country under the auspices of IMLI for the third time as part of observing the Martyr's Day and International Mother Language Day-2026. The Linguistic Olympiad will be held Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Mymensingh, Narayanganj, Cumilla and online. To participate in the Linguistic Olympiad-2026 students can register online by visiting the IMLI website.

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PARIS, France, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The nationwide shutdown of the internet in Iran during protests against the authorities remains in place and has now lasted more than 60 hours, monitor Netblocks said on Sunday. "The censorship measure presents a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of Iranians at a key moment for the country's future," it said on X, adding that the blackout is "now past the 60 hour mark".

BANGKOK, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Assailants detonated bombs at nearly a dozen petrol stations in Thailand's south early Sunday, injuring four people, the army said, the latest attacks in the insurgency-hit region. Several bombs exploded within a 40-minute period after midnight on Sunday, igniting 11 petrol stations across Thailand's southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, an army statement said. A firefighter and two petrol station employees were injured in Pattani province, the army said. All four were admitted to hospitals, none with serious injuries, a Thai army spokesman told AFP. The area is heavily policed by Thai security forces -- the usual targets of insurgent attacks.

Hobart captain Nathan Ellis was full of praise for Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who continued shinning in the Big Bash League (BBL) in his inaugural season. Ellis’ praise came after the match against Adelaide Strikers as Rishad took 3-26 to contribute in the side’s 37-run victory. “There was a short side here tonight and Rishad took it with both hands with a smile on his face. Citing Rishad ‘world class’, Ellis further said that he was also glad that the leg-spinner will be with the side for the entire season. “I have to give credit to our spinners again; they (Rishad and Rehan Ahmed) have been brilliant for us this year.