Criminalizing suicide hinders prevention, experts warn
The half-day meeting was organized by ADD International as part of its community-based mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Speakers noted that suicide remains a major public health concern in Bangladesh, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The highest suicide mortality rate, 28 per 100,000, was recorded among those aged 18–24. Professor Kamal UA Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka said Bangladesh has adequate policies and technical capacity on suicide prevention, but community-level implementation remains weak. The meeting also discussed Section 7.13 of the National Mental Health Policy 2022, which calls for a national suicide prevention strategy involving all stakeholders.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 18:28 UTC
Submission deadline extended until Feb 28
As a result, income tax returns for the 2025-26 tax year can now be filed until Feb 28. This is the third time the deadline has been extended by the tax collecting body. It was then extended to Dec 31 and then to Jan 31.In the current tax year, filing returns online has been made mandatory. Authorised representatives of taxpayers can also file e-returns online this year. In addition, those who are unable to file returns online have been asked to apply to the concerned tax commissioner by Feb 15.
Source:bd News24
January 29, 2026 18:21 UTC
Patricia Cochran
Patricia Jean Cochran, 84 of Fort Smith passed away Monday, January 26, 2026 in a local hospital. She was retired owner/operator of Fianna Hills Liquor Store in Fort Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford LeRoy Cochran Sr.; her parents Harold and Evelyn (Greenleaf) Stull. She is survived by her two daughters, Caren King and husband William of Van Buren, Cheryl Ray of Van Buren; two sons, Clifford LeRoy Cochran Jr and wife Dora of Fort Smith, Brian Adams and wife Stacy of Leesburgh, Ohio; one sister, Terry Allen and husband John of La Quinta, California; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Cremation arrangement is under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Source:Daily Sun
January 29, 2026 18:21 UTC
Canadian Regina University VC calls on DU VC
Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina, Canada, today called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan at the DU Vice Chancellor's office. He was accompanied by Associate Vice-President Haroon Chaudhry and Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Asadullah of the University of Regina, according to a DU press release. During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening ongoing joint education and research programs and expanding collaboration in areas including international relations, political science, agriculture, business, engineering, physics, chemistry, social work, criminology, and psychology. The discussion also focused on exchanging academic resources, publications, faculty, students, and researchers between the two universities, the release added. The two universities had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 to launch joint education and research programs.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 18:13 UTC
National Film Awards 2023: Nisho, Putul win top actor awards, Saatao bags best film
Afran Nisho has been named Best Actor at this year’s National Film Awards, while Aynun Nahar Putul has won Best Actress. “Saatao” has been awarded the honour of Best Film. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the National Film Awards for 2023 on Thursday night, publishing a gazette listing winners across 28 categories, recognising 30 films, artistes and technicians. Alongside winning Best Film, Saatao director Khandaker Suman has also received the Best Director award. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred jointly on late filmmaker Tareque Masud and late cinematographer-director Abdul Latif Bachchu.
Source:bd News24
January 29, 2026 18:10 UTC
Sherpur clash death: UNO, OC withdrawn as parties trade blame
In the latest development on Thursday, the Sherpur upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and the officer-in-charge (OC) of the local police station were withdrawn following the incident, officials confirmed. BNP calls violence ‘unwarranted’On Thursday, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin described the Sherpur violence as “unwarranted” and called for a quick, impartial investigation. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Election Office in Gulshan, he questioned how the situation escalated and whether it could have been avoided. He alleged that Jamaat leaders occupied all the chairs at the venue despite seat allocations made by the administration and ignored repeated requests to de-escalate. Mahdi also said more than 40 BNP leaders and activists were injured, several critically.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 18:05 UTC
Referendum, security push election cost to Tk 3,150cr
Election Commission (EC) officials said the previous parliamentary election in 2024, which did not include a referendum, cost Tk2,276 crore. “We initially received funds only for the national election,” EC Additional Secretary KM Ali Nawaz told Dhaka Tribune. Election management and logistics will cost Tk1,200 crore, while Tk515 crore has been allocated as honorariums for election officials. Officials noted that election costs have risen steadily over time due to increased security needs, expanded logistics and rising prices. The 11th parliamentary election in 2018 cost Tk700 crore, compared with Tk265 crore in 2014 and Tk165 crore in 2008.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 18:05 UTC
Govt debunks claims of its extension following referendum
For this purpose, the elected members will take a separate oath and complete the reform process within 180 days." Rather, he stated that the elected members of parliament would carry out this responsibility. In other words, the elected representatives will function as the government, not the interim government, the statement explained. According to the Article 7 of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025-7. According to the Order, once constitutional reform is completed within 180 working days from the start of the parliamentary session, the Constitutional Reform Council will be dissolved.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 18:02 UTC
Updating red list of fauna to gradually increase number of endangered species: Rizwana
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan speaks at city hotel workshop on updating Bangladesh’s Red List of fauna. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the objective of updating Bangladesh's red list of fauna is to gradually increase the number of species classified as endangered. The workshop was held under "Updating the Red List of Fauna of Bangladesh", being implemented by the Forest Department with technical support from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh. Syeda Rizwana said the government is establishing a wildlife conservation wing in the country, but that alone is not sufficient. Detailed technical discussions were held across nine taxonomic groups, focusing on the scope, methodology, coordination framework and timeline of Red List assessments.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 18:00 UTC
KMP issues public notice ahead of BCS preliminary exam
The 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary (MCQ-type) examination will be held on Friday from 10 am to 12 noon at 21 centers in Khulna metropolitan area. To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), exercising powers under Sections 29 and 30 of the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985, has imposed restrictions from 7:00 am on the exam day until the end of the test, reports BSS. According to a public notice signed by KMP Commissioner Md Zulfikar Ali Haider, the assembly of five or more persons, processions, and roaming within a 200-yard radius of the examination centers will be prohibited. Carrying weapons, knives, sticks, explosives or similar items will also be banned in the examination areas. Legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order, added the notice.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 17:59 UTC
Republic employees barred from campaigning for 'Yes' or 'No' in referendum: EC
Republic employees barred from campaigning for 'Yes' or 'No' in referendum: ECFile photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has said employees of the republic are not permitted to campaign in favor of either 'Yes' or 'No' in the upcoming referendum scheduled for February 12. However, the EC clarified that government employees may engage in activities to inform the public and raise awareness about the referendum, provided they remain neutral and do not advocate for any particular outcome. In this regard, the Election Commission has issued a directive to all returning officers. According to the letter, any attempt by republic employees to influence the outcome of the referendum would be considered a punishable offense under Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025, and Article 86 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 17:32 UTC
Bangladesh envoy presents credentials to Lesotho King
Bangladesh's non-resident High Commissioner to Lesotho, Shah Ahmed Shafi. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's non-resident High Commissioner to Lesotho, Shah Ahmed Shafi, today formally presented his Letters of Credence to King Letsie III, reaffirming Dhaka's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. High Commissioner Shafi, based in Pretoria, presented the credentials to Lesetho King Letsie III at a formal ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Maseru, according to a message received here. During the meetings, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Lesotho, expanding trade and commercial cooperation, and exploring other areas of mutual interest. King Letsie III welcomed the initiative and conveyed his consent to send a high-level business delegation to Bangladesh in the first quarter of the year, said the release.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 17:03 UTC
522 communal attacks in 2025, not 71, says minority rights body
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Wednesday alleged that at least 522 incidents of communal violence occurred across Bangladesh in 2025, sharply contradicting the government’s claim that only 71 incidents carried communal elements. The violence also included land grabbing, abductions, extortion, torture and arrests on allegations of religious blasphemy. The Unity Council strongly criticized a January 19 Facebook post by the chief adviser, which stated that investigations identified 645 incidents involving minorities in 2025 but classified only 71 as communal, labelling the remaining 574 as non-communal. Many of these cases, he said, have been identified as communal violence by national and international media and rights groups. With the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, the Unity Council warned that communal violence has continued into the election period.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 17:01 UTC
Bias to any political party will be tolerated in Feb 12 election: Home Adviser
Bias to any political party will be tolerated in Feb 12 election: Home AdviserHome Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS)– Reiterating that February 12 national election is vital for shaping the country’s future, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. “Minimal prejudice toward any political party will not be tolerated,” he warned. “Any form of biased conduct toward a candidate or political party will face strict departmental and legal action,” he said. Senior administrative officials, election officers, and police officials from Dhaka Division and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police were present at the meeting.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 16:37 UTC
Microcredit borrowers to become bank owners: Ordinance promulgated
DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government has promulgated the ‘Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026’ to further streamline the country’s microcredit operations, create employment opportunities, alleviate poverty, and ensure ownership of microfinance institutions by borrowers themselves. Under the newly promulgated ordinance, microcredit borrowers will no longer remain only clients of financial institutions; they will now become shareholders and owners of microfinance banks. The ordinance shall be known as the Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026. However, any Microfinance Bank established under this ordinance will not be eligible for listing on the country’s stock exchanges. Social Business and Dividend Policy:The ordinance defines the Microfinance Bank as a social business institution.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 16:03 UTC