Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS)- Speakers at a participatory meeting here todayunanimously said informed electorates are the most important prerequisite fora free, fair, and acceptable election. At the same time, responsible voter participation would help ensuretransparency and accountability in the electoral system. DC Afia Akhtar said that informed and responsible participation by voters isessential to organising a democratic election. Harun Or Rashid told the meeting that the project aims to strengthendemocracy by boosting the participation among women, youth, and marginalisedcommunities, including persons with disabilities and minorities. The key goals include enhancing civic knowledge, fostering informed, peacefulvoting, and increasing the representation of these groups as both voters andcandidates.

By Stephen BeechBeing a grandparent is good for the brain, according to a new study. Lead researcher Flavia Chereches said: “Many grandparents provide regular care for their grandchildren – care that supports families and society more broadly. The participants answered survey questions and completed cognitive tests three times between 2016 and 2022. The survey asked whether they had provided care for a grandchild at any point in the past year. The findings, published in the journal Psychology and Aging, held true regardless of the frequency and type of care the grandparents provided.

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): An impulse money move won’t likely deliver on its promise; too much confusion could obscure significant facts. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): True confidence isn’t built in someone else’s noise, ultimately building that foundation is an inner journey. CANCER (June 21-July 22): A joint venture could yield results if a pre-launch investigation comes up clean. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your confidence should be coming through, people likely trust your recommendations. Opportunities could be actualized for financial growth, commitment in love, a more healed inner child, fame, and clarity around your mission.

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS)-The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned 16 individuals of Summit Group including its Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan and his family members in connection with an investigation into allegations of amassing illegal wealth through corruption and laundering crores of Taka abroad. The information was confirmed today by Md Akhtarul Islam, Deputy Director of the Public Relations Department of ACC. He said Muhammed Aziz Khan has been asked to appear before the ACC in the morning of January 29 to give his statement. At the same time, letters have been sent to his family members and responsible officials of various institutions affiliated with the Summit Group, asking them to appear before the commission to provide their statements. The notice stated that failure to appear of all the accused and give statements within the stipulated time would be counted as they have no statement of their own regarding the allegations.

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Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami today demanded installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at all polling centres across the country to ensure a free, fair and secure election. "We demanded installation of CCTV cameras at all polling centres to ensure security. Zubayer said that the number of centres where cameras have been installed is insufficient and less than half of the total. "We clearly told the commission that effective CCTV cameras must be installed inside polling centres to avoid any untoward incidents and to identify troublemakers," he added, noting that the commission has assured them of taking necessary steps. Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed was present at the meeting.

Reading time: about 3 minutesCornell’s Ithaca and AgriTech campuses will reopen at noon on Monday, after closing at noon on Sunday due to a major winter storm, according to the University’s Office of Emergency Management. “Classes, exams, events, and activities scheduled to begin after noon [on Monday] will be held as planned,” OEM’s statement read. This announcement confirms the University’s Saturday decision, which closed Cornell’s Ithaca and AgriTech campuses beginning at noon on Sunday and announced that campuses “will potentially” reopen at noon on Monday, pending a Monday morning confirmation. Some campus dining operations will be closed on Monday due to the weather, according to SCL. The City of Ithaca also declared a state of emergency, closing city facilities on Monday.

Independent candidate AZM Rezwanul Haque. File PhotoDINAJPUR, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Independent candidate AZM Rezwanul Haque, contesting from Dinajpur-5 (Parbatipur and Phulbari)constituency in the 13th national parliamentary election, has pledged to undertake development-oriented initiatives and build a safe constituency free from extortion and criminal activities. Rezwanul Haque also said he would take effective steps to prevent theft of resources extracted from the Barapukuria coal mine, the coal-based thermal power plant and the Madhyapara hard rock mine. He urged the government and the Election Commission to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. Dinajpur-5 constituency comprises Parbatipur and Phulbari upazilas, with two municipalities and 17 unions.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh nominated candidate Md Kamrul asan Pradhan. Md Kamrul Hasan Pradhan outlined his development plans while responding to queries in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). As Islami Andolan Bangladesh is a disciplined organization, we will ensure full compliance with the election code of conduct. This stance also reflects the organizational directive issued by the central leadership of Islami Andolan Bangladesh. At the same time, I hope the people will cast their votes in favor of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s “Hat Pakha” symbol.

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) – Stocks today edged higher after three consecutive sessions of decline as investors selectively accumulated beaten-down stocks, although cautious sentiment continued to prevail ahead of the national election and upcoming corporate earnings announcements. DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), advanced by 8.4 points or 0.2% to settle at 5,081 points, as against 5,072 points in the previous trading session. However, market turnover decreased by 6.5% to a Taka 4.9 billion from Taka 5.3 billion in the previous session. On the sectoral front, General Insurance (20.9%) issues exerted the highest turnover, followed by Pharma (10.9%) and Life Insurance (10.7%) sectors. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) advanced by 25.2 points and 43.1 points, respectively.

The program has been jointly organized by BIDA and the Confucius Institute of North South University, said a press release. Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Treasurer of North South University, noted that the Confucius Institute has been working for years to promote Chinese language and culture in Bangladesh. In this context, acquiring basic proficiency in the Chinese language would add a new dimension to investment facilitation and communication with investors. Also present at the event were Xia Daojing, Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy; Ma Xiaoyan, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute; and Chinese language teachers Huang Xinran and Li Yuanxi. Following the inauguration ceremony, the first class of the Chinese Language Course commenced at 4:00 pm at BIDA’s Training Room-1 (Level-1).

Updated Jan. 26, 2026, 3:52 p.m. ETWhile residents are still shoveling out from a storm that dropped up to a foot of snow in southcentral Pennsylvania, another one could be on the way for this coming weekend, according to AccuWeather.com and the National Weather Service. Meteorologists are watching a potential coastal storm that could bring snow to southcentral Pennsylvania. This comes as frigid temperatures are predicted through the weekend, which will keep the snow currently on the ground from melting much.

I want to build Khulna into a modern city: BNP nominee ManjuBNP nominee for the Khulna-2 constituency Nazrul Islam Manju in the middle-File photoKHULNA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - BNP nominee for the Khulna-2 constituency and former MP Nazrul Islam Manju today said he aims to transform Khulna into a modern city through planned development and people-oriented initiatives. He said steps would be taken to develop the city with a clean and pleasant environment and to turn it into an industrial hub. Emphasizing youth development, he added that young people would be trained through various skill development programmes with ensured employment opportunities. Nazrul Islam Manju made the remarks while carrying out mass contact and distributing leaflets in several areas of the city, including Greenland Slum under Ward No. Manju also stressed the need for collective efforts to make Khulna free from terrorism and drugs, adding that corruption must be eliminated from society to ensure sustainable development.