Feb 12 elections to set standard for future votes, CA tells US ambassador
Photo: CA Press WingDHAKA, Jan 23, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the February 12 general elections would set a benchmark for all future polls in Bangladesh. Professor Yunus said the government was fully prepared to hold free, fair, and transparent elections on February 12. In response, Ambassador Christensen, who arrived in Bangladesh earlier this month, said he was looking forward to working with whoever wins the February elections. Ambassador Christensen also appreciated the newly promulgated labour laws. Professor Yunus lauded the United States for its continued humanitarian assistance to more than one million Rohingya Muslims living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 23, 2026 10:16 UTC
Embassy Football Fest begins with 31 foreign missions
The sixth Embassy Football Fest kicked off in the capital today. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 23, 2025 (BSS) - The sixth Embassy Football Fest kicked off in the capital today drawing diplomats and international officials as 35 teams from foreign missions and international organisations compete in a two-day tournament featuring 43 matches. The tournament was inaugurated at the Armed Police Battalion field in Uttara by Dr Md Nazrul Islam, secretary (East and West) of the Foreign Ministry, who noted a record participation this year with 31 foreign missions and international organisations taking part in the seven-a-side competition. Deputy High Commissioner of British High Commission James Goldman expressed optimism that football would be "coming home" this weekend. Managed by GamePlay Limited, the festival continues to place sports diplomacy at its core, using football to foster unity, dialogue and goodwill among nations.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 23, 2026 10:12 UTC
Polling officers' training begins in Lalpur ahead of 13th JS polls
Photo: BSSNATORE, Jan 23, 2026 (BSS) - Training for polling officers ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum began in Lalpur upazila of the district today. The three-day training programme started in the morning at North Bengal Sugar Mills High School. A total of 1,496 election officials-- 88 presiding officers, 469 assistant presiding officers and 939 polling officers-- from 84 polling stations of the upazila are taking part in the training programme in phases. Nazrul Islam said the training covers key aspects of election management, including transportation and security of polling materials, layout of polling stations, voting and vote-counting procedures and preparation of election results. The trained officials will be responsible for conducting voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections and Referendum scheduled to be held on February 12, he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 23, 2026 09:32 UTC
Bangladesh meet Nepal tomorrow
DHAKA, Jan 23, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh men's team will meet Nepal in their last match of the SAFF Futsal Championship scheduled to be held at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailand tomorrow. Earlier, Bangladesh team played to a fighting 4-4 goals draw with India in their tournament opening match, suffered 6-1 goal defeat to Maldives in their second match. Bangladesh however fought back to registered a 4-1 victory over Nepal in their third match and inflicted a massive 5-1 defeat on Sri Lanka and again suffered a 5-1 goal defeat to Pakistan. Nepal beat Sri Lanka 2-1, played out to a 3-3 draw with India, 4-4 with Pakistan and lost 2-1 to Maldives. The table toppers at the end of all seven rounds of matches will be crowned the first-ever SAFF Men's Futsal champions.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 23, 2026 09:12 UTC
Meals on Wheels rolls ahead with 2030 strategic plan
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Source:Daily Sun
January 23, 2026 09:00 UTC
278 arrested nationwide in joint military operations
DHAKA, Jan 23, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 278 people were arrested across the country in several joint military operations conducted from January 16 to 22, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) said here today. According to an ISPR press release, the operations also led to the seizure of 22 illegal firearms, 822 rounds of ammunition, seven cocktails, home-made weapons, and various local and imported narcotics.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 23, 2026 08:36 UTC
GIRLS BASKETBALL: North Port hammers Venice, earns 11th win
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Source:Daily Sun
January 23, 2026 08:06 UTC
Digitization in name only
To say that Bangladesh was obsessed with digitization for years would be an understatement. Yet, while digitization is unquestionably a worthy pursuit that, if done right, would help countless Bangladeshis, the reality is that without proper planning and implementation, digitization is reduced to squandering public funds and little more. That funds are diverted to such projects that ultimately deliver little beyond dreams of a digital future is nothing if not frustrating. Every wasted taka on dysfunctional technology is a taka denied to essential services that could transform lives. As such, while digitization is and will continue to be of importance, it is necessary for subsequent administrations of Bangladesh to prioritize spending public funds better - investing in essentials such as roads, drainage, healthcare, education, and the likes before chasing after gadgets that serve more as status symbols than solutions.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC
Getting election campaigns right
With the election campaigns for the upcoming election officially beginning yesterday, there is a need, even before votes are cast, to ensure that the weeks of campaigning are done right. The onus is also on political parties to ensure that their campaigning activities do not interfere with people’s day to day lives. The next elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in our nation’s history. If we are indeed serious about becoming a better Bangladesh, one that embraces the principles of democracy, then we must start with our political parties and leaders rejecting the campaign tactics of old. The world’s eyes are on Bangladesh over the next few weeks leading up to February 12, and avoiding the pitfalls and unrest that have normally defined the election season will send the message that we can have a peaceful election season.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC
Feb 12 elections to set standard for future votes, Yunus tells US ambassador
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the February 12 general elections would set a benchmark for all future polls in Bangladesh. He made the remarks when the newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent Christensen, paid his maiden courtesy call on the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing on Friday morning. Professor Yunus said the government was fully prepared to hold free, fair, and transparent elections on February 12. It will set the standard for good elections in the future. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,” the chief adviser said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC
Saraswati Puja begins with offerings at 76 pavilions at DU Jagannath Hall
The worship of Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and music, has begun with offerings at a total of 76 pavilions at Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall. Every year, this grand puja celebration is held on the Jagannath Hall grounds. From Friday morning, students have been worshipping Saraswati at the Jagannath Hall grounds through chanting, aarti ceremonies, and floral offerings from devotees. Jagannath Hall has traditionally been known as the main hub for this puja at the university. As always, the Faculty of Fine Arts has created the idols to be placed in the middle of Jagannath Hall's pond.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC
Nahid says major party fearful of 10-party alliance’s growing support
Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that a major political party has become fearful after witnessing the surge of popular support for the 10-party alliance ahead of the upcoming national election. He alleged that this party is spreading misleading information among the public and creating an atmosphere of fear. Nahid Islam emphasized that extortionists and land grabbers must be resisted in the forthcoming election. We did not retreat even after facing gunfire, and we will not retreat from the polling centers either,” he said. He also noted that the Dhaka-11 constituency is plagued by numerous problems, including severe traffic congestion, extortion, and land grabbing.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC
2 held with local weapons at Jamaat candidate’s Dhaka rally
Two individuals were detained with locally made weapons during an election rally of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Dhaka-7 constituency, Haji Md Enayetullah. They were detained around 9:30pm on Thursday from a rally held on the ground floor of Moulvibazar Tower in Chawkbazar. Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, Chawkbazar Thana Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md Anisur Rahman, said the individuals were standing at the rally with weapons in their hands. Meanwhile, Sub-Inspector Jalal Uddin, duty officer of Chawkbazar Police Station, told Dhaka Tribune that two individuals had been detained. He added that a meeting was ongoing inside and further details would be shared later.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC
Press secretary: Public support for ‘Yes’ vote surging nationwide
Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Shafiqul Alam, has said that a strong wave of public opinion in favor of the "Yes" vote is evident across the country in the upcoming referendum. He said: "People understand that a ‘Yes’ vote will ensure that autocracy, misrule, and oppression do not return to the country. Shafiqul Alam further said: “We believe that a nationwide momentum has developed in favor of the ‘Yes’ vote. Regarding the Buchai Pagla shrine, the press secretary noted: "This is not merely a religious site; it is also a symbol of communal harmony. On the issue of journalists’ safety, the press secretary said: “Any form of attack on journalists must be condemned.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC