Portugal storm death toll climbs, 450,000 without power
LISBON, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Storm Kristin has claimed five lives and left nearly 450,000 clients without power on Thursday, more than 24 hours after it barrelled through central and northern Portugal, authorities said. Almost 450,000 customers were still without power early Thursday, mainly in the centre of the country, according to E-redes, the electricity distribution network operator. The majority were in the Leiria district in central Portugal where the storm knocking down poles and high-voltage lines. "Residents are calling for help because it's still raining, although not very heavily, but it's causing significant damage to homes," he added. The Portuguese government said the storm had "caused significant damage across several parts of the country."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:10 UTC
‘Jeopardy!’: Daily Double Drama Decides Who Joins Scott Riccardi in TOC Final
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Source:Daily Sun
January 29, 2026 12:05 UTC
National Cup Chess begins Saturday
DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The qualifying tournament of the Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess begins from Saturday (Jan 31) at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room in the capital. The qualifying tournament is open to all participants, organised by the Bangladesh Chess Federation under the patronage of Spectrum Engineering Consortium Limited. Interested chess players are requested to submit their names along with an entry fee of Taka 500 by tomorrow (Friday). The qualifying round will be held in a nine-round Swiss-league system and the top sixteen players will qualify for the final round. The champion will receive Taka one lac and the runner-up will get Taka fifty thousand.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:03 UTC
rohingyas-with-passports-are-not-citizens-states-foreign-adviser-touhid-hossain
Hossain said, “Due to our own mistakes, a large number of Rohingyas went abroad with Bangladeshi passports many years ago. At that time, the passports were handwritten, and there were numerous allegations of corruption…The situation is such that those who went with our passports are being pressured by the Saudis to have their passports renewed by us. When a decision is made in the context of any country, many other interests are involved. Just know this: we tried to avoid doing it, but due to our other interests, we ultimately decided to give Bangladeshi passports to these 69,000 Rohingyas. A passport does not mean the person is a citizen of Bangladesh.”
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 11:57 UTC
Tarique promises Padma barrage, Barendra project for Rajshahi
He reached the Madrasa ground at around 1:55pm, where he greeted party leaders and supporters by waving from the stage. Addressing the gathering, Tarique Rahman outlined BNP’s development plans for the Rajshahi region if the party comes to power. Referring to previous elections, Tarique alleged that the country had experienced “night-time elections” and “voterless elections” over the past 16 years, which, he said, deprived people of their voting rights. Following the Rajshahi rally, Tarique Rahman travelled by road to Naogaon, where leaders and activists welcomed him at the ATM field in the afternoon. Tarique Rahman last visited Rajshahi in 2004.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 11:50 UTC
Govt approves several ordinances, proposals
The Council of Advisers held its meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Council of Advisers at its weekly meeting today gave approval to six ordinances, three proposals and a policy. Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon, saying the advisory council discussed 11 important agenda and gave approval to them. He said the meeting gave approval to drafts of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Ordinance 2026, the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026, the National Sports Council (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, the Bangladesh Animal and Animal Products Quarantine Ordinance 2026, the Narayanganj Development Authority Ordinance 2026 and the Cumilla Development Authority Ordinance 2026. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were present at the briefing.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:48 UTC
EC instructs ROs to prevent use of posters in electioneering
EC instructs ROs to prevent use of posters in electioneeringFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC)has directed all Returning Officers (ROs) to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance to the electoral code of conduct, particularly prohibiting the use of posters in electioneering by candidates contesting the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS)polls. The directive was issued through a letter signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the EC Secretariat (Election Management-2 Wing), on Wednesday. The letter noted that electioneering activities are currently underway ahead of the 13th JS elections scheduled for February 12. It cited Rule 7(a) of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025, which explicitly bans the use of posters in election campaigns. Accordingly, all ROs have been instructed to ensure that no candidate uses posters during electioneering, to enforce compliance with the code of conduct, and to direct printing presses not to produce election posters.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:48 UTC
Iran army has 1,000 new drones, vows 'crushing response': army chief
PARIS, France, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's army on Thursday added 1,000 drones to its combat regiments as its chief vowed a "crushing response" to any attack, state television reported, after the United States moved a strike force into regional waters. "In accordance with the threats we are facing, maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages for rapid combat and a crushing response to any invasion... is always on the army's agenda," Iran's army commander Amir Hatami said, cited by state television.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:37 UTC
3 factories get LEED certification, 1 factory scores highest globally
Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Three readymade garment (RMG) factories in Bangladesh have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), with one factory achieving the highest score globally. Meanwhile, Ecotrims Bangladesh Ltd – Unit 1, situated in Telihati union of Gazipur, obtained Gold certification under the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings v4.1 rating system with 70 points. Another factory, NAFA Apparels Ltd – Unit 1, located in Kaliakoir of Gazipur, also achieved Gold certification under the LEED BD+C: New Construction v4 rating system after scoring 65 points. With the addition of these three factories, the total number of LEED-certified garment factories in Bangladesh has risen to 273, including 115 Platinum and 139 Gold certified units. “With hundreds of green garment factories already in operation, this record-setting performance by HAMS Garments Ltd. raises the benchmark for what is possible and encourages the industry to move beyond minimum compliance toward measurable excellence.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:33 UTC
EC asks printing presses not to print election posters ahead of Feb 12 polls
The Election Commission (EC) has instructed printing presses across Bangladesh not to print any election posters ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, marking the first time posters have been banned in election campaigns. The directive was outlined in a letter signed on Wednesday by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary of the EC’s Election Management-2 Wing. Letters have also been sent to all returning officers to ensure the decision is enforced. The EC cited Rule 7(a) of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct for Parliamentary Elections 2025, which prohibits the use of posters in election campaigns. The letter stressed that necessary measures should be taken to ensure no contesting candidate uses posters, that the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025 is strictly followed, and that printing presses comply with the instruction not to produce election posters.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 11:19 UTC
Dry weather likely with fog in parts of country
Dry weather likely with fog in parts of countryFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country during the next 24 hours commencing from 9 am today, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Light to moderate fog may occur at places over the country during late night to morning, it said. Night temperatures may rise slightly while day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The highest maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 32.5 degrees Celsius in Rangamati, while the lowest minimum temperature recorded today was 10.6 degrees Celsius at Tetulia. Today's sunset at Dhaka will be at 5:42 pm, while tomorrow's sunrise is expected at 6:41 am.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:08 UTC
Trump battles Minneapolis shooting fallout as agents put on leave
MINNEAPOLIS, United States, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Trump administration said Wednesday that two immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of a civilian in Minneapolis had been placed on leave, as the president slammed the city's mayor despite a promise to de-escalate the situation. In a bid to stem the backlash, Trump shuffled the leadership of immigration agents deployed in Minneapolis. That turned to fury this month after immigration agents shot dead two Minneapolis protesters at point-blank range in separate incidents -- Pretti and Renee Good, both US citizens. Late Tuesday, Miller said the Customs and Border Patrol agents who killed Pretti "may not have been following that protocol." Speaking to reporters in Minneapolis Wednesday evening, Omar said Trump's attacks against her helped fuel the incident.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:03 UTC
Youth dies after being hit by train in Lalmonirhat
Youth dies after being hit by train in LalmonirhatFile PhotoLALMONIRHAT, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - A 22-year-old youth was killed when a train hit him at Patgram Railway Station of the district early this morning. The deceased was identified as Md Munna Mia, son of Khokon Mia, a resident of Chowrangi More area under Patgram Municipality. According to police and locals, Munna was standing on the railway tracks near the mosque adjacent to the station after offering Fajr prayers. At that time, a Lalmonirhat-bound local train departing from Burimari struck him, leaving him critically injured. Local people rushed to the spot and rescued Munna, taking him to Patgram Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:03 UTC
Source tax on savings certificates increases
From January 2026, 10% tax at source on all savings certificates is being deducted for all customers, regardless of the amount invested in savings certificates. National savings certificates have long been one of the safest investments for the middle class, retired and limited income people. As a result, the profit rate of savings certificates remains unchanged on paper and in writing. According to economists, savings certificates are essentially an alternative tool for social security. A large portion of investors in savings certificates seek additional income opportunities beyond regular income or pension.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 10:40 UTC
Iran vows to resist any US attack, insists ready for nuclear deal
Iran's foreign minister warned Wednesday its forces would respond immediately and forcefully to any US military operation after President Donald Trump declared time was running out to avoid one, but did not rule out a new deal on Tehran's nuclear program. “Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable NUCLEAR DEAL -- on equal footing, and free from coercion, threats, and intimidation -- which ensures Iran's rights to PEACEFUL nuclear technology, and guarantees NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS,” Araghchi posted on X. Washington has expressed support for the revolt, but Trump's recent statements have focused more on Iran's nuclear program than the fate of the demonstrators. In June last year the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during Israel's 12-day war against the Islamic Republic. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meanwhile held separate calls with both Araghchi and Witkoff, and stressed the need to “work towards de-escalation,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 10:40 UTC