Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire
At least 10 people have died in a massive fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping complex as rescue teams continue searching for dozens reported missing, officials said Monday. Firefighters brought the blaze under control late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it started, allowing rescuers to recover four more bodies overnight, raising the confirmed death toll to 10. The fire, which broke out late Saturday, spread quickly through shops storing cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods, said Dr Abid Jalal Sheikh, the city’s chief rescue officer. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said around 60 people were reported missing, prompting a large-scale search operation. In November 2023, a shopping mall fire killed 10 people, and a 2012 garments factory fire claimed 260 lives.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 10:16 UTC
‘Call the Midwife’: Where We Left Off & What’s Ahead in Season 15
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Source:Daily Sun
January 19, 2026 10:13 UTC
Government officers, employees free to campaign for referendum, says Ali Riaz
Government officers and employees are allowed to campaign in favour of the referendum, according to Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief advisor. Speaking at a divisional exchange meeting at the Tarek Smriti Auditorium in Mymensingh Town Hall, he clarified the legal position of public servants, noting that existing laws impose no restrictions on such activities. “It doesn’t matter who comes to power. The white ballot is for a five-year term, while the pink ballot will create the roadmap for state reform,” he said. Riaz mentioned that political parties have pledged their consensus on the matter, suggesting that those attempting to spread confusion would not succeed.
Source:bd News24
January 19, 2026 10:12 UTC
Monitor says internet down again in Iran after brief restoration
Internet access was down again in Iran after a brief restoration of limited services, a monitor said on Sunday. “As of internet shutdown hour 240, traffic levels have fallen after a brief, heavily filtered restoration of select Google and messaging services in Iran,” Netblocks said on X. “During this time, some Iranians were able to give updates detailing the severity of the crisis on the ground,” it added. It had earlier reported some internet access had been restored in Iran 238 hours after authorities imposed a shutdown on January 8 over mounting protests. “Traffic data indicate a significant return to some online services including Google, suggesting that heavily filtered access has been enabled, corroborating user reports of partial restoration,” Netblocks said earlier.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 10:10 UTC
Bangladesh face ICC deadline, risk replacement by Scotland at T20 World Cup
Cricket's governing body has told Bangladesh to agree to play their matches at next month's T20 World Cup in India or risk being kicked out of the tournament, reports said Monday. The BCB held talks in Dhaka at the weekend with ICC officials over the impasse, but no agreement was reached. "During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka," a BCB statement said. ICC sources have told AFP that Bangladesh could be replaced by Scotland, who are the highest-ranked team who did not qualify for the World Cup. The T20 World Cup begins on February 7 with Bangladesh in England's Group C and scheduled to play all of their group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 10:10 UTC
Your Daily Horoscope: Jan. 19, 2026
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Mental clarity could be excellent if your individual cycles support it, there’s both intelligence and higher wisdom. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): To trust or not to trust? Let facts inform your decision, ignore claims or twisted logic and drill down to the real real. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A friend should have your back, but check out any proposed deals carefully, something could be less than transparent. February through mid-March represents the most challenging period for you in 2026; once past this, a lot, A LOT, could go very right.
Source:Daily Sun
January 19, 2026 10:05 UTC
Rams fend off Bears comeback as Patriots advance in NFL playoffs
Having dramatically surrendered their lead with seconds remaining in regular time, the Rams gathered Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' third interception of the night, before Stafford stewarded his team into field goal range for a nerve-jangling victory. The Bears then prevented the Rams scoring on the opening drive of overtime, meaning Williams only needed to get into field goal range. After the Bears' bold attempted touchdown pass in an early 4th down was intercepted, the Rams scored on the ensuing drive, with running back Williams rushing for a touchdown. - Wonder catch -In Sunday's other game, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdowns and Kayson Boutte grabbed an end zone reception for the ages as New England scored a chaotic 28-16 playoff victory over the Houston Texans. The Patriots' victory takes them into next Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 09:55 UTC
Gas discovery provides boost to Philippines fast-dwindling reserves
MANILA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said Monday that a "significant" discovery of natural gas had been made near the country's sole producing offshore site. The discovery, the first in more than a decade, suggested the potential to produce even more, Marcos said. The Philippines -- regularly affected by electricity outages -- relies on imported carbon-belching coal for more than half of its power generation. In 2022, then president Rodrigo Duterte called a halt to oil and gas exploration in areas of the South China Sea disputed with China. Beijing has ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared its historical claim over most of the South China Sea to be without basis.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 09:25 UTC
W. Hoops Splits Home Stand
In the first game, Cornell came up just short of beating Brown (13-8, 7-1), falling 71-68. "It would have been nice to get the Brown win," Krasna said. The Red had to play both contests without the services of two of its regular starters, junior Claire Perry and freshman Kayleen Fitzsimmons. Led by career-highs in points from Maduka and Krasna, the Red built a 10-point halftime advantage, a lead they would never relenquish. "I stepped up at the free throw line," Maduka said.
Source:Daily Sun
January 19, 2026 09:16 UTC
Chinmoy Das, 38 others indicted over Chittagong lawyer murder
A Chittagong court on Monday indicted 39 people including the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former Iskcon leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, in lawyer Saiful Islam Alif murder case. Twenty-three accused, including Chinmoy Das, were produced before the court around 9:45am amid tight security. Slain lawyer Alif’s father, Jamal Uddin, was present at the court. On November 26, 2024, followers of Chinmoy Das intercepted a prison van carrying him after his bail prayer was rejected by a court in a sedition case. Three main accused in the case—Chandan Das, Ripon Das and Rajib Bhattarcharya gave confessional statements before the court.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 09:00 UTC
Man detained for murdering 6 people in 5 months in Savar
Police have detained a vagrant man in connection with the recovery of two burnt bodies from an abandoned municipal community centre in Savar, near Dhaka. Dhaka District Police Additional Superintendent (Crime, Ops and Traffic North) Arafatul Islam disclosed the information at a press conference at Savar Model police station around 11am on Monday. He said police have recovered six bodies in Savar over the past five months. Two months later, on December 19, another unidentified man (around 35) was found dead in a bathroom of the same building. Suspect identified through CCTVPolice said investigations began immediately after each incident, with Savar Model police station and the Detective Branch jointly conducting probes.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 09:00 UTC
Battery-powered autorickshaw drivers block Badda road, traffic halted
Battery-powered autorickshaw drivers have blocked the road in front of Fuji Tower in the capital’s Badda area. The blockade began after 9am on Monday, with the drivers protesting the shutdown of lithium battery-powered rickshaws. The protest has caused significant inconvenience to the general public. Badda police station Inspector Jahangir Alam, who was present at the spot, told Dhaka Tribune that the protesters were still occupying the road, resulting in a complete halt to traffic. He said police are trying to persuade them to withdraw the blockade.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 08:48 UTC
HSBC holds discussion on emerging risks in treasury functions
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) Bangladesh recently hosted an event titled “Treasury in Transition: Navigating Emerging Risk in Treasury function”. The session highlighted key market developments and emerging risk trends within the industry and was attended by distinguished finance and treasury officials representing local and multinational organizations. Rohit Rozario, managing director, regional head of business management and controls, Asia Pacific, Global Payments Solutions, presented the keynote speech. He mentioned: “In today’s dynamic world effective risk management in treasury functions has never been more critical. HSBC continues focusing leveraging on its global network, digital platforms, and deep expertise across markets, helping businesses navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 19, 2026 08:46 UTC
Legal firearms to be surrendered by Jan 31 ahead of nat’l polls
Legal firearms to be surrendered by Jan 31 ahead of nat’l pollsFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - To ensure a free, fair, and peaceful 13th national parliament election, the government has ordered all licensed firearm holders to surrender their weapons to the nearest police station by January 31, 2026. According to a notification from the Home Ministry issued on Sunday, carrying and displaying firearms will be completely prohibited from the date of surrender until February 15, 2026, in line with the announced election schedule. However, the restriction on displaying legal firearms will not apply to candidates for the post of Member of Parliament and their armed retainers, provided their nomination papers have been legally submitted to and accepted by the Election Commission. This exemption will be governed by the "Firearm License and Retainer Appointment Policy, 2025" applicable to politically important persons and parliamentary candidates. The order further warns that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the directive under the relevant provisions of The Arms Act, 1878.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 08:40 UTC