The event, titled “Media Reform in Bangladesh: Between Freedom, Responsibility and Power,” was held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka and brought together senior journalists, editors, academics, political leaders, and media analysts. Former head of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed attended as guest of honor. Media freedom and political pressureCGS President Zillur Rahman said that despite the chief adviser’s “three zeros” rhetoric, a governance vacuum persists. Political pressure and professional risksDr Sajedul Huq Rubel noted media freedom depends on the ruling party’s ideology and criticized inaction on inflammatory social media content. Reaz Ahmad praised the Media Reform Commission but criticized the government for ignoring its recommendations.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver its judgment any day in the case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University Student Abu Sayed during the July uprising. A three-member ICT-2 bench led by Justice Manjurul Bashid kept the verdict pending after concluding the law-point arguments of both sides in the case. On June 30, 2025, the investigating agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) found the involvement of 30 people, including police, in the killing of Abu Sayed. They are former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, former Proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russel and Anwar Pervez. Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of Begum Rokeya University's English Department, was shot dead during students’ protests on July 16 last year in front of Begum Rokeya University at Park Mor in Rangpur.

Prof Yunus formally inaugurated the program in 12 schools in the hill districts joining virtually from state guesthouse Jamuna and interacted with teachers and students of the three primary and nine secondary schools. The schools where e-learning began include Rani Dayamoyi High School in Rangamati, Al-Amin Nuria Dakhil Madrasha in Kaptai, Farua Primary School, Islamabad Government Primary School, Kamalchhari Pilot High School and Hajachhari Junior High School in Khagrachhari, Manikchhari Girls High School, Pujgang Mukh Government Primary School, Balaghata Ideal School in Bandarban, Haji Firoza Begum Academy, Tindu Junior High School and Bogamukh Para Government Primary School. Today we start with 12 schools, although the plan is to reach 3,500 schools. “A new horizon is opening for education in the hill districts. People of the hill districts should not be left behind—they want to stay connected with Bangladesh and the world,” he added.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday said no attempt to rehabilitate Awami League-style politics would be allowed in Bangladesh, stressing the need to safeguard democratic values and ensure a fair political environment in the post-uprising period. "We do not want a situation where eggs are thrown at candidates of one party today and at candidates of another party tomorrow. Nahid Islam alleged that Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP, was obstructed and pelted with bricks and stones when he went to Habibullah Bahar College as an invited guest. He also said that Ariful Islam Adib, an NCP candidate in the Dhaka-18 constituency, was attacked earlier. Referring to the post-uprising political context, Nahid Islam said the mass movement had created an opportunity to establish a new political culture based on accountability and democratic practices.

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on the plying of motorcycles across the country three days before and after the national election. According to the EC directives issued on Tuesday, the movement of four types of vehicles — trucks, microbuses, taxi-cabs, and motorcycles — will remain suspended for 24 hours on the election day. The EC has sent a letter requesting the Road Transport and Highways Division to ensure the implementation of the restriction. Besides, candidates or anyone on their behalf cannot use any vehicles to bring voters to the polling station on the election day, said the notice. Therefore, wherever possible, two secret booths should be set up in each polling room, and if it is not feasible, additional polling rooms must be arranged, it said.

A 35-year-old man was killed after being crushed between two buses while crossing the road in the Badda Link Road area of the capital on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Abul Kashem Azad, a staff member of UCB Bank, Khilkhet branch and son of Abul Kalam Azad of Faridganj upazila in Chandpur district. He used to live with his family in the Khilkhet area. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) police camp, said the accident occurred around 6:15pm when Abul Kashem was crushed between "Raida Paribahan" and "Victor Paribahan" while crossing the road, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.

Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman today reviewed troops deployed “in aid of civil power” in northwestern Rajshahi and Rangpur regions. “During the inspections, the army chief reviewed on ground the activities of military personnel, gave them necessary guidelines and exchanged views with the officials of the civil administration,” it said. According to the statement said Zaman joined two identical meetings at Rangpur Circuit House and Infantry Regimental Centre (BIRC) in Rajshahi with senior military officers and divisional and district level civil officials. During the Rangpur and Rajshahi visits, the general officer commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), GOCs of Rangpur and Bogura areas and commissioners of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions joined the view exchange meetings. Other senior officials of civil administration and law enforcement agencies, senior military officers from the Army Headquarters and cantonments in the northwestern region and representatives of media also attended the meetings.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on the Ministry of Railways, Dr. Sheik Moinuddin, gave an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his office today. Sheik Moinuddin pointed out that while 20 to 40 percent of goods are transported by rail in many developed countries, but the figure in Bangladesh remains only three to four percent. If both sectors are modernised, he said, it would be possible to transport 40 to 50 percent of the country’s goods through rail and water routes. Sheik Moinuddin mentioned several major projects are underway including dual-tracking of the Chattogram–Dohazari rail line, a newly approved project to bypass Chattogram, and rehabilitation of the Akhaura–Sylhet line into a dual-gauge track. Expressing optimism, Sheik Moinuddin said the realistic initiatives taken by the current interim government would be continued by the next government.

The National Taskforce on Restructuring the Tax System today submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The report proposed necessary restructuring of the tax system to support overall economic development and to formulate tax policies conducive to both domestic and foreign trade. The report titled “Tax Policy for Development: A Reform Agenda for Restructuring the Tax System,” identified a total of 55 policy issues and provided recommendations for each. The report also proposed restructuring the tax system to change the ratio of direct to indirect taxes from the current 30:70 to 50:50. It also recommended moving toward a single VAT rate instead of multiple rates in the value-added tax system.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - Alpi Akter and Ritu Porna Chakma slammed a brilliant hat-trick each as Rajshahi Stars Football Club (RSFC) thrashed Siraj Smrity Sangsad by 13-0 goals in the Women’s Football League held at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city’s Kamalapur today (Tuesday). With this win, RSFC maintained their domination in the league table with 24 points from eight matches. Siraj Smrity Sangsad remained with their previous collection of seven points playing the same number of matches. In the day’s match, Alpi Akter scored hat-trick with five goals in the 3rd, 18th, 60th, 83rd and 85th minutes and Ritu Porna scored hat-trick with three goals in the 24th, 43rd and 76th minutes. Alpi Akter of RSFC was named the player of the match for her impressive performance in the match.

Amzad highlighted the gap in Bangladesh's domestic T20 structure, noting thatthe National Cricket League (NCL) T20 is the only recognized competitionoutside the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). "For T20, apart from the NCL T20, we don't have any other recognized domestictournament," Amzad pointed out. He also referred to how neighboring countries like India and Sri Lanka havestructured their domestic T20 competitions to identify new talent. "Countries like India and Sri Lanka have strong domestic T20 systems, and wehope that the CCDM T20 Challenge will play a similar role for us." Historically, we've struggled in T20internationals, so it's crucial to focus on building a strong T20 team."

Call for unity in support of the Sheaf of Paddy Symbol to ensure women’s safetyPhoto: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - The country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held on February 12. As part of this campaign, a large women’s rally was held today (Tuesday) in the Kalupara area of Bargachhi Union under Paba Upazila. Addressing the gathering, she called on women, men, and the young generation alike to unite and vote for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. She therefore urged all women to unite and ensure victory by voting for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. At the end of the rally, the women present pledged to vote for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol and ensure its victory.

Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 311 people have been arrested in the Sundarbans East Forest area for various crimes related to forest, including illegal deer hunting and fishing during the past eight months. During the period, security forces, including the Coast Guard and Forest Department, have conducted numerous drives and nabbed them. They also seized 242 kilograms of venison and 351 boats and trawlers. According to the Forest Department, from May to December 2025, joint operations in the Shyamnagar and Chandpai ranges of the Sundarbans East Forest led to arrests for illegal deer poaching, fishing, crab catching, and other offenses. The authorities have emphasized a "zero-tolerance policy" to protect the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, he added.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged people, regardless of caste, creed or religion, to remain united like in 1971 and the July Uprising to ensure his party’s victory in the February-12 election and rebuild the country. If we remain united, just as we won independence and removed autocracy, we will be able to build the Bangladesh we dream of,” he told the crowd. Tarique said rebuilding Bangladesh in line with people’s aspirations requires one slogan: “Work for the country, build the nation; Bangladesh above everything.”“Bangladesh will move forward only if we remain united. Tarique introduced 24 BNP candidates from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Netrokona and Sherpur, handing them the party’s paddy sheaf symbol. But you must not leave after voting.”“You must stay at the polling centres and ensure votes are properly counted.

BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury today said sports and physical activities are indispensable for the physical, mental and intellectual development of the children“Sports represent the health, joy and pride of a nation. Along with education, children need a healthy and enjoyable life, and sports play a vital role in ensuring that,” he said. "Sports have greater importance in educational institutions," Kader Gani added. The programme was presided over by BPJA President AKM Mohsin, while its General Secretary Babul Talukder conducted the event.