‘Stray bullets’ leave 2 teenagers injured near Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar
Two teenagers were shot and injured apparently by stray bullets fired from Myanmar amid exchanges of gunfire near the border at Jimbongkhali in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday morning. The injured were identified as Sohel, 15, son of Sheikh Kamal and Obaidullah, 14, son of Muhammad Yunus of Kanjorpara area of the upazila. The victims were collecting firewood in a forest area near Jimbongkhali BOP when bullet from the Myanmar side hit them around 11:30am. Sohel was shot in his left leg and hand while Obaidullah sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Earlier, on January 11, a 12-year-old girl suffered injuries by a stray bullet allegedly fired from Myanmar along the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Child rights advocates warn against exploiting children ahead of election
Speakers at a roundtable on Tuesday called for strong political commitment and strict enforcement of existing laws to prevent the use of children in political activities, stressing the protection of disadvantaged children ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The event, titled “Safeguarding the Rights of Disadvantaged Children Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election 2026,” was organized by the Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO) with support from Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Participants condemned exploiting children for political gain, calling it unethical and a serious violation of child rights. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz stressed building a child-friendly city through playgrounds and a clean environment, noting that urban safety nets often overlook disadvantaged children. Media and theatre personality Tropa Majumder said: “But these children are future citizens,” stressing the media’s role in child advocacy.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Energy adviser: No proposal for 9,000 square feet minister flats submitted
No proposal over the construction of 9,000 square feet flats for ministers has been placed before the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, said Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday. He said any project involving such a significant expenditure would necessarily have to be placed before the Purchase Committee. Such matter has not been discussed at the committee level, he said, responding to a question over the media report on flat construction. “They may be preparing something at their level, but a project involving such a large amount of money must come to the purchase committee. I attend every purchase committee meeting, and I do not recall any such proposal being placed,” he said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Martyr families dissatisfied over Chankharpul verdict
Families of martyrs have expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Chankharpul during the July uprising linked to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. On Tuesday, Motasim Billah Mahfuz, secretary of the movement’s Legal Cell, submitted a memorandum to the Registrar of International Crimes Tribunal-1 seeking reconsideration of the ruling. Family members of martyrs from the July–August 2024 movement were present. The memorandum stated that those who died in the violence will be remembered as martyrs and that their sacrifice strengthened the struggle to restore democracy and establish human rights and justice in the country. The memorandum, signed by Mir Mahmudur Rahman Dipto, elder brother of martyr Mir Mugdho, and other family members, urged the tribunal to review the verdict to ensure justice and uphold the spirit of the July uprising.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
US monster storm kills 30
More than half a million Americans woke up without power Tuesday, as freezing temperatures gripped swathes of the country in a monster storm that has killed at least 30 people. It added that “record low temperatures” hit southern states, which are unaccustomed to intense winter weather. More than 9,000 flights were disrupted, as the storm paralyzed transportation across the country. We’ve been here since Sunday,” Alan Vazquez told AFP at Dallas–Fort Worth airport in Texas. NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli told AFP this storm recovery was particularly arduous because so many states were impacted -- meaning northern states with more winter supplies were unable to share their resources with less-prepared southern regions.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Speakers warn of shrinking media freedom, political pressure on journalists in Bangladesh
The event, titled “Media Reform in Bangladesh: Between Freedom, Responsibility and Power,” was held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka and brought together senior journalists, editors, academics, political leaders, and media analysts. Former head of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed attended as guest of honor. Media freedom and political pressureCGS President Zillur Rahman said that despite the chief adviser’s “three zeros” rhetoric, a governance vacuum persists. Political pressure and professional risksDr Sajedul Huq Rubel noted media freedom depends on the ruling party’s ideology and criticized inaction on inflammatory social media content. Reaz Ahmad praised the Media Reform Commission but criticized the government for ignoring its recommendations.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Abu Sayed murder case verdict any day
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver its judgment any day in the case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University Student Abu Sayed during the July uprising. A three-member ICT-2 bench led by Justice Manjurul Bashid kept the verdict pending after concluding the law-point arguments of both sides in the case. On June 30, 2025, the investigating agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) found the involvement of 30 people, including police, in the killing of Abu Sayed. They are former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, former Proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russel and Anwar Pervez. Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of Begum Rokeya University's English Department, was shot dead during students’ protests on July 16 last year in front of Begum Rokeya University at Park Mor in Rangpur.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Govt rolls out e-learning in 12 Chittagong schools
Prof Yunus formally inaugurated the program in 12 schools in the hill districts joining virtually from state guesthouse Jamuna and interacted with teachers and students of the three primary and nine secondary schools. The schools where e-learning began include Rani Dayamoyi High School in Rangamati, Al-Amin Nuria Dakhil Madrasha in Kaptai, Farua Primary School, Islamabad Government Primary School, Kamalchhari Pilot High School and Hajachhari Junior High School in Khagrachhari, Manikchhari Girls High School, Pujgang Mukh Government Primary School, Balaghata Ideal School in Bandarban, Haji Firoza Begum Academy, Tindu Junior High School and Bogamukh Para Government Primary School. Today we start with 12 schools, although the plan is to reach 3,500 schools. “A new horizon is opening for education in the hill districts. People of the hill districts should not be left behind—they want to stay connected with Bangladesh and the world,” he added.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Nahid: No attempt to rehabilitate AL-style politics will be allowed
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday said no attempt to rehabilitate Awami League-style politics would be allowed in Bangladesh, stressing the need to safeguard democratic values and ensure a fair political environment in the post-uprising period. "We do not want a situation where eggs are thrown at candidates of one party today and at candidates of another party tomorrow. Nahid Islam alleged that Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP, was obstructed and pelted with bricks and stones when he went to Habibullah Bahar College as an invited guest. He also said that Ariful Islam Adib, an NCP candidate in the Dhaka-18 constituency, was attacked earlier. Referring to the post-uprising political context, Nahid Islam said the mass movement had created an opportunity to establish a new political culture based on accountability and democratic practices.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
EC bans motorcycles for 3 days ahead of election
The Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on the plying of motorcycles across the country three days before and after the national election. According to the EC directives issued on Tuesday, the movement of four types of vehicles — trucks, microbuses, taxi-cabs, and motorcycles — will remain suspended for 24 hours on the election day. The EC has sent a letter requesting the Road Transport and Highways Division to ensure the implementation of the restriction. Besides, candidates or anyone on their behalf cannot use any vehicles to bring voters to the polling station on the election day, said the notice. Therefore, wherever possible, two secret booths should be set up in each polling room, and if it is not feasible, additional polling rooms must be arranged, it said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Bank staff killed in Dhaka road crash
A 35-year-old man was killed after being crushed between two buses while crossing the road in the Badda Link Road area of the capital on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Abul Kashem Azad, a staff member of UCB Bank, Khilkhet branch and son of Abul Kalam Azad of Faridganj upazila in Chandpur district. He used to live with his family in the Khilkhet area. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) police camp, said the accident occurred around 6:15pm when Abul Kashem was crushed between "Raida Paribahan" and "Victor Paribahan" while crossing the road, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 27, 2026 15:52 UTC
Army chief reviews troops on polls duty in Rajshahi, Rangpur
Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman today reviewed troops deployed “in aid of civil power” in northwestern Rajshahi and Rangpur regions. “During the inspections, the army chief reviewed on ground the activities of military personnel, gave them necessary guidelines and exchanged views with the officials of the civil administration,” it said. According to the statement said Zaman joined two identical meetings at Rangpur Circuit House and Infantry Regimental Centre (BIRC) in Rajshahi with senior military officers and divisional and district level civil officials. During the Rangpur and Rajshahi visits, the general officer commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), GOCs of Rangpur and Bogura areas and commissioners of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions joined the view exchange meetings. Other senior officials of civil administration and law enforcement agencies, senior military officers from the Army Headquarters and cantonments in the northwestern region and representatives of media also attended the meetings.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 27, 2026 15:38 UTC
600km rail lines to be expanded to boost freight transport: Sheik Moinuddin
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on the Ministry of Railways, Dr. Sheik Moinuddin, gave an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his office today. Sheik Moinuddin pointed out that while 20 to 40 percent of goods are transported by rail in many developed countries, but the figure in Bangladesh remains only three to four percent. If both sectors are modernised, he said, it would be possible to transport 40 to 50 percent of the country’s goods through rail and water routes. Sheik Moinuddin mentioned several major projects are underway including dual-tracking of the Chattogram–Dohazari rail line, a newly approved project to bypass Chattogram, and rehabilitation of the Akhaura–Sylhet line into a dual-gauge track. Expressing optimism, Sheik Moinuddin said the realistic initiatives taken by the current interim government would be continued by the next government.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 27, 2026 15:27 UTC
National Taskforce submits report on restructuring tax system to CA
The National Taskforce on Restructuring the Tax System today submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The report proposed necessary restructuring of the tax system to support overall economic development and to formulate tax policies conducive to both domestic and foreign trade. The report titled “Tax Policy for Development: A Reform Agenda for Restructuring the Tax System,” identified a total of 55 policy issues and provided recommendations for each. The report also proposed restructuring the tax system to change the ratio of direct to indirect taxes from the current 30:70 to 50:50. It also recommended moving toward a single VAT rate instead of multiple rates in the value-added tax system.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 27, 2026 15:03 UTC
RSFC post massive win as Alpi, Rituporna slams hat-trick
Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - Alpi Akter and Ritu Porna Chakma slammed a brilliant hat-trick each as Rajshahi Stars Football Club (RSFC) thrashed Siraj Smrity Sangsad by 13-0 goals in the Women’s Football League held at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city’s Kamalapur today (Tuesday). With this win, RSFC maintained their domination in the league table with 24 points from eight matches. Siraj Smrity Sangsad remained with their previous collection of seven points playing the same number of matches. In the day’s match, Alpi Akter scored hat-trick with five goals in the 3rd, 18th, 60th, 83rd and 85th minutes and Ritu Porna scored hat-trick with three goals in the 24th, 43rd and 76th minutes. Alpi Akter of RSFC was named the player of the match for her impressive performance in the match.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 27, 2026 14:47 UTC