Over 432,000 expatriates cast votes through postal system
More than 432,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have successfully cast their votes in the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum through the postal voting system. A total of 432,989 overseas voters completed voting after registering via the Postal Vote BD mobile application, according to officials involved in the process. He said that as of 10:30am on Wednesday, 766,862 ballot papers registered through the Postal Vote BD app had reached destination countries where expatriate voters reside. Of them, 499,328 expatriate voters have received their ballots. The postal voting initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring the participation of Bangladeshi citizens living abroad in the country’s democratic process.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 12:51 UTC
Amazon says to cut 16,000 jobs worldwide
NEW YORK, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Amazon said Wednesday that it would becutting 16,000 jobs worldwide as part of a restructuring announced inOctober, when the e-commerce giant had already flagged plans to cut itsworkforce by 14,000 posts. The jobs cuts are aimed at "reducing layers, increasing ownership, andremoving bureaucracy," senior vice president Beth Galetti said in astatement. At the time the company refused to comment on the reports, which said theycame amid increased investments in artificial intelligence. Amazon did not give any breakdown of the latest job cuts on Wednesday, sayingonly that "every team will continue to evaluate the ownership, speed, andcapacity to invent for customers, and make adjustments as appropriate." The company will release its full-year 2025 results on February 6, when itwill hold a conference call that will be broadcast live.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 12:23 UTC
Public notice issued on voting time in six Rangpur seats
RANGPUR, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - A public notice signed by the Rangpur DeputyCommissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Enamul Ahsan has been issuedregarding the voting time in all six parliamentary constituencies of thedistrict. According to the notice, the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election and Referendumin six parliamentary constituencies of Rangpur district will be held onFebruary 12 (Thursday), 2026. The voting programme will continue uninterrupted from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm onthe election day. Voting will be held in separate transparent ballot boxes through black andwhite ballot papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and through pinkcolored ballot papers for the Referendum.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 12:23 UTC
Nepal says election preparations on track for March 5
KATHMANDU, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepal's Election Commission saidWednesday it is ready to hold elections as planned, despite concerns overweather conditions in high-altitude Himalayan regions when the vote takesplace on March 5. The poll follows deadly anti-corruption protests in September that toppledthe previous government, prompting an accelerated election schedule and anunusual early-year date for voting. "As of today, we are prepared to conduct the election in all locations," thecommission's assistant spokesman, Prakash Nyaupane, told AFP, sayinglogistical, administrative and security arrangements were progressing asplanned. "We are moving ahead with preparations to hold the elections in alldistricts," Nyaupane said, adding that helicopters will be used in five high-altitude districts for voting logistics. There are about 18.9 million eligible voters, including more than 800,000first-time voters, who could cast ballots in 10,967 polling booths.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 12:19 UTC
NCP conducting door-to-door outreach for people’s mandate
NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today addressed a rally as the chief guest in Debidwar in Cumilla. Photo: BSSCUMILLA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and chairman of its Election Management Committee Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan on Wednesday said they (NCP) are conducting door-to-door outreach for seeking people’s mandate in the upcoming election. Addressing the gathering, Asif Mahmud also said that Bangladesh had witnessed widespread lawlessness over the past 17 years, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture, extortion, tender manipulation and corruption. Highlighting the roots of the NCP leadership, Asif Mahmud stated that the party’s leaders did not emerge suddenly but rose from grassroots movements across the country. “We come from the ground level, so we understand the real problems of the people and know how to address them effectively,” he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 12:08 UTC
Biman resumes Dhaka–Karachi flight tomorrow
Photo: BimanDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi tomorrow after a 14-year gap, with the inaugural flight departing fully booked, reflecting strong passenger demand for the revived route. All 162 seats on the inaugural flight were sold out, leaving no vacant seats, airline officials said. She added that most of the tickets for the second flight have also so far been sold out. The inaugural flight will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8pm and is scheduled to arrive in Karachi at 11pm local time. The resumption of direct flights is expected to significantly reduce travel time and strengthen air connectivity between the two countries.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 12:03 UTC
Takeover of vote centers must be prevented: Asif Mahmud
NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today addressed a road show organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Kompaniganj market in Muradnagar. He made the remarks this morning while addressing a road show organised byBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Kompaniganj market in Muradnagar upazila here. Ensure victory for the 'Yes' vote in the generalpolls." "Vote for 'Yes' and ensure the establishmentof a just Bangladesh when the alliance comes to power," he added. Yusuf Sohel, 11-party alliance candidate for Comilla-3 [Muradnagar]constituency, appealed to voters to oppose "Indian dominance, extortionists,and stone-throwers" in the upcoming election.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:53 UTC
Saudi envoy discusses Hajj management issues with Hossain
Saudi ambassador in Dhaka Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today met with religious affairs adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain at the secretariat. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) – Saudi ambassador in Dhaka Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today called on religious affairs adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and discussed matters related to Hajj management particularly the house rent issues, officials said. Hossain, he said, told the ambassador that the ministry was monitoring all Hajj activities including progress of house rent contracts for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims. The adviser thanked the envoy for his significant role in determining Bangladesh’s Hajj quota for this year and expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Religious affairs secretary Md Kamal Uddin, additional secretary (Hajj) Dr Ayatul Islam and joint secretary Dr Md Manjurul Haque were present at the meeting.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:49 UTC
Pakistan face Australia with T20 World Cup participation uncertain
LAHORE, Pakistan, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan take on Australia in athree-match Twenty20 international series starting in Lahore from Thursday,despite doubts over their participation in next month's World Cup incricket's shortest format. However, despite the doubts, the Pakistan team was preparing for the WorldCup with skipper Salman Agha stressing the importance of the Australiaseries. "These three games will give us an idea how prepared we are for the WorldCup," Agha told a news conference on Wednesday. "We need to see how many boxes we tick in the series which are important forthe World Cup as we aim to do well and win the Cup," Agha said. Marsh still believes Australia were ready for the World Cup tune-up series.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:43 UTC
Don't fall into anyone's trap during polls, Div Commissioner to Journos
Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS)- Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr BazlurRashid has said that the real truth must be published without falling intoanyone's trap during elections. There is no scope to stay away from the media, as the media broadcasts newsabout their activities. Highlighting the deep trust the general public places in the media, theDivisional Commissioner said that elections are a very important public-oriented matter. During voting periods, people remain highly alert, and thepublic looks to the media for information, he said. District Information Office Director Tazkia Akbari, Deputy Director NafeyalaNasreen, Senior Assistant Commissioner Md.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:43 UTC
Election campaigning heats up in Jamalpur-4
JAMALPUR, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Campaigning has gained momentum in Jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari) constituency as candidates intensify their electioneering ahead of the upcoming national election. Abdul Awal alleged that corruption has taken place in the distribution of government allowances, including old-age, widow and maternity allowances, depriving many eligible beneficiaries. Regarding the July Charter, he said Jamaat leaders and activists are campaigning in its favour and distributing leaflets seeking a 'Yes' vote alongside election campaigns. He also urged the Election Commission to take necessary measures to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and violence-free election. According to the Election Office, the Jamalpur-4 constituency has a total of 301,045 voters, including 149,228 men, 151,816 women and one transgender voter.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:34 UTC
Economy rebounds but major challenges lie ahead: Planning Adviser
Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud today said that although Bangladesh’s economy has made a turnaround, but major structural challenges still lie ahead. The Planning Adviser made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Economic Stability and Challenges for the Next Government” and the “ERF Scholarship-2026 Award Ceremony”, as the chief guest organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in the capital. Dr Mahmud said imports of industrial raw materials have increased, export growth has been maintained, while the external sector remains stable. The Planning Adviser warned that it would take a long time to recover from the damage caused by money laundering and mismanagement in the banking sector. Despite various limitations, the Planning Adviser said the government is working to stabilise the economy and implement necessary reforms, the outcomes of which will become clearer in the future.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:24 UTC
Case over Tk 240mn ‘embezzlement’ against S Alam, PK Halder and 11 others goes to trial
A Dhaka court has indicted 13 people, including S Alam Group Chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam and former managing director of Reliance Finance Limited (now Aviva Finance Limited) Prashanta Kumar (PK) Halder, in a case over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 240 million. Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-8 Judge Nure Alam Bhuiyan framed charges against the accused on Wednesday. The recording of testimony will begin on Mar 1, the court’s bench assistant Fazlur Rahman confirmed. Only two of the accused are currently in jail. The rest are absconding.
Source:bd News24
January 28, 2026 11:16 UTC
Venezuela's acting president says US unfreezing sanctioned funds
During his first term, US President Donald Trump also froze Venezuelan funds in international accounts, which Maduro estimated in 2022 amounted to some $30 billion. "We are unfreezing resources from Venezuela that belong to the Venezuelan people," Delcy Rodriguez, acting as president since Maduro's toppling in a deadly US military operation on January 3, said on state TV. "This will allow us to invest significant resources in equipment for hospitals -- equipment we are acquiring in the United States and in other countries." Trump has since called Rodriguez's leadership "very strong" and said the United States is already taking a cut of Venezuela's oil. Rodriguez "is well aware of the fate of Maduro," Rubio is to tell the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to prepared testimony.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 11:13 UTC