Research reveals water in Pompeii’s Roman baths was contaminated
By Stephen BeechWater in Pompeii's Roman baths was contaminated, reveals new research. Based on the different geochemical characteristics, the team was able to determine the origin of the bathing water and draw conclusions about Pompeii's water management system and quality. During the reign of Augustus, the aqueduct was built in Pompeii, significantly increasing the amount of available water for bathing and providing drinking water. The researchers also found lead, zinc, and copper peaks in the carbonate deposits which indicates contamination with heavy metals in the baths water. "An increase in stable oxygen isotopes also shows that the pools in the Republican Baths provided warmer water after the renovation."
Source:Daily Sun
January 19, 2026 18:04 UTC
Political parties silent on disability rights in manifestos
As Bangladesh prepares for its 13th national parliamentary election on February 12, persons with disabilities are urging political parties to make disability rights a core political commitment, while parties themselves offer cautious assurances that concrete pledges are forthcoming. “Without measurable targets, these promises remain rhetorical,” said Jahangir Alam, senior coordinator at the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD). Otherwise, disability rights will again be sidelined.”Accessibility remains a major concern across sectors. Salma Mahbub, general secretary of the Bangladesh Society for Change and Advocacy Nexus (BSCAN), said parties must recognize disability rights as a legal and constitutional obligation. If political parties are serious about inclusion, that seriousness must begin with their manifestos.”As campaigning intensifies, rights groups say the coming weeks will show whether political parties are willing to translate words into clear, enforceable commitments - or whether disability rights will once again be relegated to the margins of electoral politics.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 18:03 UTC
Holy Shab-e-Barat on Feb 3
DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - The holy Shab-e-Barat will be observed across the country on February 3, as the moon of the holy month of Shaban, 1447 Hijri, was not sighted anywhere in the country today. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held this evening at the conference room of the Islamic Foundation (IF) at Baitul Mukarram. According to the committee, the month of Rajab will complete 30 days on Tuesday (January 20), and the month of Shaban will begin on Wednesday (January 21). Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs M Kamal Uddin presided over the meeting. The National Moon Sighting Committee made the announcement after reviewing reports and information received from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation head office and its divisional and district offices, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO).
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 18:01 UTC
Rizwana urges people to vote 'Yes' to bring change
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan in a rally in Rangpur town. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today urged citizens to vote 'yes' in the upcoming referendum, saying it is an opportunity to honour the July martyrs who sacrificed their lives for change. Regardless of party affiliation, we must seize this opportunity to vote 'yes' in the referendum scheduled for February 12," she said. Rizwana, also the Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser, made the remarks after a rally for voter motivation held in front of Rangpur Shilpakala Academy. She further noted that a 'yes' vote would restore political balance, prevent forced or rigged elections, and promote democratic practices within political parties.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 17:28 UTC
Protesters stage demo over postponement of Sucsu election
Later, they blocked the Sylhet–Sunamganj regional highway and chanted slogans saying "Sucsu is our right, who can stop it", disrupting traffic movement. Voting for the long-awaited Sucsu election was scheduled to begin at 9am on Tuesday after 28 years. The High Court postponed the election for four weeks after hearing a writ petition filed by an independent candidate. “Our only demand is that the SUCSU election must be held tomorrow. The last Sucsu election was held on August 25, 1997.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 17:15 UTC
Electricity production at Barapukuria plant suspended
Full power generation at Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Dinajpur has been suspended following a boiler tube burst. All three units of the plant, with a combined capacity of 525 megawatts (MW), have been out of operation since Sunday morning. Abu Bakr Siddique, chief engineer of the power plant, said that of the three units, Unit-1, with a capacity of 125 MW, had been generating around 60 MW of electricity at the time of the incident. He added, ''The boiler tube of Unit-1 burst around 11am due to excessive heat pressure. As a result, the coal-fired power plant is currently completely shut down.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 17:05 UTC
Discussion held marking Ziaur Rahman’s 90th birth anniversary in Bagerhat
A discussion and doa mahfil were held on Monday in Bagerhat marking the 90th birth anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. The event was arranged by Bagerhat Zila BNP along with its affiliated and associate organizations. Bagerhat Zila BNP Convener Engineer ATM Akram Hossain Talmir presided over the discussion meeting, while Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakaria Hossain delivered the keynote address. Among others, Central BNP member Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bagerhat Zila BNP Member Secretary Mozaffar Rahman Alam, Joint Secretary Khadem-e-Nayemul Nasri Alap and Shamsur Ali Mohan addressed the meeting. Following the discussion, a special prayer (doa) was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of President Ziaur Rahman.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 16:59 UTC
Amir Hamza sued in Kushtia, Khulna over defamatory remarks
Criminal defamation cases have been filed in Kushtia and Khulna against Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated Kushtia-3 candidate Mufti Amir Hamza for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the late Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. According to the complaint, several videos circulating on social media show Mufti Amir Hamza making derogatory comments during a religious sermon. He allegedly mocked the name of the late Arafat Rahman Koko and made offensive remarks about Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment during the previous Awami League government. The complaint claims the remarks harmed the honour and dignity of Arafat Rahman Koko, Begum Khaleda Zia, and their family. In the video, the accused allegedly made mocking, offensive and obscene remarks using the name of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, which were later widely circulated on social media.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 16:53 UTC
Coast Guard detains 11 in Cox’s Bazar over cement smuggling to Myanmar
The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 11 smugglers along with a trawler carrying 750 bags of cement while attempting to smuggle the goods to Myanmar. The incident took place in the sea near Saint Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. In a press release issued on Sunday, Coast Guard Headquarters’ media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the detainees are residents of different areas in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong districts. When the Coast Guard ordered the trawler to stop, the smugglers attempted to flee at high speed. The estimated market value of the seized cement is approximately Tk 3.737 million.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 16:39 UTC
E-ticketing and counter-based bus system to return to Dhaka
The Dhaka Transport Owners’ Association, in coordination with the Traffic Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has taken an initiative to reintroduce a counter-based and e-ticketing system for bus operations in Dhaka city and its surrounding areas. The system is expected to be launched next week, the DMP Media Division said on Monday. Speaking at the event, Sarwar said, “The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has been working continuously to ease traffic congestion in the city. As part of this effort, the e-ticketing system is being introduced today and will be implemented next week. This initiative will benefit bus passengers, owners, workers and the residents of Dhaka.”
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 16:21 UTC
Rumeen Farhana says administration ‘punished’ her thrice over single offence
Rumeen Farhana, the independent candidate for Brahmanbaria-2, has said the administration has “punished” her three times over an offence. She accused the election authorities of showing “bias” during a meeting with journalists at the Brahmanbaria Press Club on Monday. In a video that went viral on social media, Rumeen was seen showing her thumb to the administrator. I was copying Ashuganj Upazila BNP’s General Secretary when I made this gesture,” said Rumeen. “Even if I did commit an offence, I am being punished three times for it,” she said.
Source:bd News24
January 19, 2026 16:13 UTC
Vote 'Yes' in the referendum for changes: Rizwana Hasan
Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information andBroadcasting, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water ResourcesSyeda Rizwana Hasan has urged everyone to vote 'Yes' in the referendum forchanges. "In addition, 'Yes' vote will create opportunities for people to have theirsay in the administration, that's why we all have to say 'Yes' in thereferendum," she said. "If 'Yes' vote wins, accountability will come within the party, democracywill come and new leadership will be created. Rizwana Hasan said that the President should be empowered so that he can playthe necessary role as a guardian if the nation is ever divided. She said, "Vote 'Yes' if you want the country to not continue as before andto bring a balance in running the country."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 15:57 UTC
High-speed train collision in Spain kills 39, injures dozens
A high-speed train has derailed and been hit by another in southern Spain killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 120, authorities said on Monday. The crash happened on Sunday evening when a train operated by rail company Iryo travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz in Andalucia. Transport Minister Oscar Puente said at least 39 people died, warning this toll was “not definitive” and could still rise. The first train to derail was “practically new,” making the accident “extremely strange” and “very difficult to explain,” he said. Renfe, the operator of the second train, has not said how many passengers were on the service, which was travelling to the southern city of Huelva.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Home Adviser: Nearly 9 lakh law enforcers to be deployed during polls
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said some 8,97,117 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed during the national election to ensure security. The adviser disclosed the information while talking to reporters after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat. Law enforcement agencies will use 418 drones during the voting period as part of enhanced security measures to maintain law and order and monitor the situation across the country, he said. Besides, the adviser said, the government has identified 8,780 polling centres as highly risky. The 13th parliamentary election will be held on February 12.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC
Fire at Pakistan mall kills at least 21
A fire that ripped through a shopping mall in Pakistan’s biggest city has killed at least 21 people, rescuers in Karachi said Monday. “In total 21 bodies have been recovered,” Hassan Khan, spokesman for the Rescue 1122 Sindh emergency service, told AFP. Standing outside the burnt mall, Shehbaz Ghulam said his nephew’s whereabouts were unknown. It continued to ring until midnight, but no one picked up,” Qaisar, 55, told AFP. The three-storey shopping mall housed at least 1,200 shops, offering a wide range of goods and was famous for wedding shopping and home decoration items.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 15:55 UTC