BNP National Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Saturday warned that any attempt by a political party to monopolize the achievements of the July Uprising would fail, saying the movement was a collective effort of people from all walks of life. Dr Zahid made the remarks while speaking at a winter clothes distribution programme for poor and orphaned students, organised by the Hakimpur Upazila, Dinajpur and Municipality BNP units at noon. Referring to accountability, Dr Zahid said those responsible for disappearances, killings and other brutal acts during the ousted regime would be brought to justice. The programme was chaired by Hakimpur Upazila BNP President Ferdous Rahman. District BNP President Advocate Md Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, Adviser Akram Hossain, Upazila BNP General Secretary Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi, Municipality BNP President Md Farid Khan and General Secretary Nazmul Haque were also present.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reiterated its formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka, citing serious safety and security concerns. The BCB said it conveyed the Bangladesh government’s concerns regarding the safety of players, support staff, fans, media personnel and other stakeholders should the team travel to India. The renewed appeal comes amid visibly heightened tensions between Bangladesh and India, which have spilled onto the cricket field during the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe on the same day. In a press release issued, the BCB said: “During the discussions, the Board reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. Among other proposals, the BCB raised the possibility of shifting Bangladesh to a different group so that its matches could be played in Sri Lanka with minimal logistical adjustments.

Thirty-five swimmers, including two women, have begun an attempt to swim across the Bangla Channel, a stretch of water off the coast of Bangladesh known for its strong currents. The Bangla Channel forms part of the sea route between Teknaf and St Martin’s Island and measures about 16.1 kilometres. Among the participants is Saiful Islam Russell, a former member of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union, who has previously crossed the Bangla Channel six times and completed a double crossing in 2021. The Bangla Channel swim was first attempted in 2006 under a plan devised by the late scuba diver and cinematographer Kazi Hamidul Haque. The two women taking part this year are Ferdousi Akhtar, a student at Daffodil University, and Shohagi Akhtar, the first woman to have previously completed the Bangla Channel crossing.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali on Saturday urged the police members to teach their children ethical education and moral values alongside academic education, as it is impossible to build a developed nation without morally sound people. “You have to teach them ethical education from childhood, and you have to obey morality yourselves,” he said while speaking at the Scholarship-2024 award ceremony for meritorious children of DMP personnel at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh. At the event, scholarships were awarded to 517 meritorious students under different categories to inspire them in their academic pursuits. Addressing the students, the DMP Commissioner emphasised the importance of technical education in line with present-day demands and stressed the need to focus on English language proficiency. If you (meritorious students) become good human beings, that would make your parents proud, he added.

Search for Indonesia plane missing with 11 people on boardMAKASSAR, Indonesia, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesian authorities aresearching for a small passenger plane after contact with the aircraft waslost on Saturday, rescue officials told AFP. The Indonesia Air Transport turboprop plane left from Yogyakarta and washeaded for the city of Makassar on Sulawesi island, carrying three passengersand eight crew members, according to the Makassar search and rescue agency. Muhammad Arif Anwar, the head of the local search and rescue agency, saidteams were deployed to a mountainous area of Maros Regency, which bordersMakassar, near the last known location of the plane. Andi Sultan, operations chief at the Makassar search and rescue agency, saida helicopter and drones were being used to find the plane. In September last year, a helicopter carrying six passengers and two crewmembers crashed shortly after taking off from South Kalimantan province,killing everybody on board.

Iran's Khamenei says authorities 'must break the back of the seditionists'Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo: CollectedPARIS, France, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah AliKhamenei on Saturday said authorities "must break the back of theseditionists" and blamed US President Donald Trump for "casualties" after acrackdown on a protest wave against the country's clerical authorities. "By God's grace, the Iranian nation must break the back of the seditionistsjust as it broke the back of the sedition." Iranian authorities have blamed the United States for the mass demonstrationsthey have called "riots" and "terrorist" operations. "This was an American conspiracy," he said, adding that "America's goal is toswallow Iran... the goal is to put Iran back under military, political andeconomic domination".

Fahad produced a venomous spell to claim 5-38 as India were dismissed for 238 in 48.4 overs after Bangladesh opted to bowl first. Bangladesh lost opener Zawad Abrar early in the chase, but Rifat Beg and skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim kept the innings on track with positive batting. Indian spinner Vihan Malhotra then triggered a dramatic collapse, claiming 4-14 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs. He was aptly supported by Iqbal Hossain Emon and Azizul Hakim Tamim, who picked up two wickets each to keep India in check. Although Emon dismissed Sooryavanshi to regain control, Abhigyan Kundu produced a resolute innings to push India past the 200-run mark.

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Theodore "Ted" Ravas Jr. passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home in The Villages, Florida. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara Ann Ravas, Ted leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience. He is survived by his two children: Stephen H Ravas and his wife, Lesley; Theodore John Ravas and his wife, Yanni; and his partner, Kristy Kemp. Born on August 1, 1943, Ted's life was nothing short of miraculous. After law school, Ted moved to Washington, D.C. and joined the Department of Agriculture, where he drafted policy.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman. Photo: BSSBy Md Tanzim AnwarDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) – Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has dismissed the allegations of political motivation behind the decision of procurement of 14 Boeing aircraft, saying it was taken on the demands based on operational and commercial grounds. “The aircraft procurement decision followed detailed assessments of fleet compatibility, maintenance support, financing options, delivery schedules and long-term operational efficiency,” he told BSS in an exclusive interview today. According to the Biman chief, the approval covers the purchase of eight Boeing 787-10 aircraft, two Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, subject to price negotiations and financing arrangements. He said achieving sustained profitability, maintaining uninterrupted operations, improving aircraft utilisation and strengthening internal controls reflected collective efforts across the airline.

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Tanzim Hasan Sakib's 4-17 was complemented by Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant 46 not out as Rajshahi Warriors eked out a three-wicket victory against Chattogram Royals in a low-scoring Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game at Sher-e-Bangladesh National Cricket Stadium today. Tanzim Hasan Sakib's brilliance with the ball helped Rajshahi bundle Chattogram out for just 125 in 19.5 overs but they almost defended the total before Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant effort saw the team home with three balls to spare. Pacer Shoriful Islam claimed three wickets in 16 balls to leave Rajshahi 21-3, giving the side an ample chance to win the game. Mushfiqur and Akbar Ali then steadied the innings with 84-run for the fifth wicket, edging the side closer to victory. With six runs needing in the last over, Jahandad Khan found an all important boundary to seal victory for Rajshahi.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser has stated that there is no legal restriction preventing public servants from campaigning in favour of a "Yes" vote in the referendum. Rather, it is an agenda for state reform based on the July National Charter, written in blood and belonging to all the people of Bangladesh. Professor Ali Riaz said that discussions with constitutional experts, former judges and relevant legal professionals had produced a unanimous opinion that there is no legal prohibition on public servants campaigning in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. Ali Riaz further stated that public servants are not only officials and employees of the Republic but also citizens. Therefore, it is necessary to explain how to cast a ballot and what a "Yes" or "No" vote signifies.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke on Saturday reaffirmed her country’s long‑standing encouragement of ‘free, fair, credible and peaceful’ elections in Bangladesh. The British High Commissioner met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed the UK's positions, according to the High Commission. She also conveyed sincere condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Joint Secretary Humayun Kabir and Mahdi Amin were present.

Trump says no reason 'right now' for Insurrection Act in MinnesotaWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Friday there was no immediate need to invoke the Insurrection Act over protests against immigration raids in Minnesota, a day after threatening to use the law. Crowds of protesters have clashed with immigration officers across the city of Minneapolis, opposing their efforts to target undocumented migrants with some officers responding with violence. - 'Incitement of violence' -Federal agents fired their weapons in two separate incidents, wounding a man from Venezuela Wednesday, and in Good's killing last week. A woman was roughly pulled from her car by officers Tuesday, an AFP correspondent saw, amid the escalating deployment of federal officers to the state. Proponents of immigration enforcement have also begun to face off with those who oppose it in the state, leading to tense encounters.

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reiterated its formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety and security concerns. The request was reiterated during a meeting between BCB officials and ICC representatives at a city hotel, where matters related to Bangladesh's participation in the tournament were discussed. During the meeting, the BCB shared the Bangladesh Government's views and concerns regarding the safety and security of the national team, Bangladeshi fans, media personnel and other stakeholders while in India. "During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka," the BCB said in a press release today. "The BCB and the ICC have agreed to continue engaging in constructive dialogue on this matter," the release concluded.