Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Panchagarh district clinched title of the TCL National Youth Men’s Handball competition beating favorite Dhaka district by 36-23 goals in the final held at Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital today (Thursday). Tanvir Constructions Limited managing director Tanvir Ahmed was the chief guest in the final and distributed the prizes. Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) general secretary Md Salahuddin Ahmed, its joint secretary organizing committee member Rashida Afzalun Nessa and executive member and organizing committee joint member secretary Md Mokbul Hossain among others, were present in the prize distribution ceremony. Ratul Uddin of Panchagarh was adjudged the best player of the competition. Earlier, Kushtia district finished third in the competition beating Jashore district by 27-23 goals in place-deciding match held at the same venue.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Under-19 team is set to kick-starttheir ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign by taking on India on Saturday inBulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bangladesh, the champions of the 2020 edition led by Akbar Ali, could not getproper match practice as both of their warm-up games against Pakistan andScotland were abandoned due to rain. However, both the batters and bowlers showed encouraging signs and appearedto be in good form in the limited overs they managed to play amid the raininterruptions in both of the practice matches. Prior to leaving for Zimbabwe, Bangladesh played several bilateral andpreparatory series and also went through intensive training sessions as partof their preparation for the tournament, with the aim of regaining the title. Drawn in Group B, Bangladesh will also face off New Zealand at the same venueon January 20 before meeting the USA in their final group match on January 23in Harare.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Insurance Innovation Challenge (IIC) was launched today in Dhaka by the SME Foundation (SMEF) under the Ministry of Industries, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen resilience among Cottage, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CMSEs) through innovative insurance solutions. In these moments, the vulnerability of enterprises and families becomes inseparable.”Liller said, “Yet access to insurance for cottage, micro and small enterprises remains extremely limited, leaving livelihoods exposed. For this reason, UNDP and SME Foundation are launching the Insurance Innovation Challenge, to identify and scale innovative, regulator-approved insurance solutions that reflect how small enterprises truly operate”. Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, Managing Director, SME Foundation noted, “Marginal entrepreneurs face real financial risks, and addressing them remains a priority. This MoU reaffirms commitment of the UNDP and SME Foundation in supporting the climate vulnerable CMSEs in Bangladesh.

Youth and Sports Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul addressed a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Youth and Sports Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul today said that Bangladesh is determined to play World Cup cricket matches in Sri Lanka, saying, "We have no chance to move away from our stance". The adviser said that an International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to visit Bangladesh for discussions over the issue. "We are strongly determined to play World Cup cricket and want to play the matches in Sri Lanka. We firmly believe that hosting the matches there (Sri Lanka) is not impossible," Prof Asif Nazrul added.

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei. Photo: collectedNEW DELHI, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The first solo exhibition in India byChinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei opened Thursday, featuring sculpture,installation and mixed media spanning his career, as well as his "homage" tothe country. The son of a revered poet, 68-year-old Ai is perhaps China's best-knownmodern artist. The exhibition includes three pieces made "as a homage to India", Jain added-- toy-brick works based on historic Indian paintings. Srishti Rana Menon, an artist based at Nature Morte, said that seeing thework in India was exciting.

SME entrepreneurs can get a prize of $40,000 or about Tk49 lakh taka for coming up with an innovative idea of ​​insurance to address financial risks. The ceremony was presided over by SME Foundation managing director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, with Industries Secretary and SME Foundation chairperson Md Obaidur Rahman as chief guest. Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, managing director of SME Foundation, and Stephen Lillar, resident representative of UNDP, signed the MoU on behalf of SME Foundation. Applications can be made on the Facebook page and website of SME Foundation and UNDP to participate in this competition. The SME Foundation is implementing various programs to develop the SME sector through economic, social and environmental protection of the country.

To prevent a financial crisis in the country's banking system, Bangladesh Bank has provided more than Tk9,178 crore in liquidity to the market through various financial instruments. According to Bangladesh Bank, this money has flowed into the market from the repo, special fund for Islamic banks and standing deposit facility activities conducted till January 14. A total of Tk744 crore was provided under the Islamic Banks Liquidity Facility (IBLF) for 14 and 28 days under the current liquidity support of Islamic banks. However, due to the return of some of the money from the previous period, the net liquidity from this sector decreased by about Tk383 crore. All activities combined, a net amount of Tk9,1789 crore has flowed into the market, which will help reduce the ongoing pressure on the banking sector.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - A civic condolence meeting in memory of Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time former Prime Minister will be held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building at 2:30 pm. The programme will be aired live on state-run broadcaster Bangladesh Betar Dhaka-K (693 KHz), FM 106.0 MHz, Traffic Broadcast Service FM 88.8 MHz, as well as through the website www.betar.gov.bd and the mobile app Bangladesh Betar, said a press release today. At the same time, the programme will be aired simultaneously on the medium-wave frequencies of all regional stations of Bangladesh Betar.

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Two individuals were apprehended and fined Taka 5 lakh for excavating soil from agricultural land near Jugnighata Bridge in Paindang Union of Fatikchhari upazila today. Nazrul Islam, Fatikchhari Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate carried out the drive. Alamgir and Kazi Md. Alamgir was fined Taka 3.50 lakh and Kazi Md. Habibullah was fined Tk 1.50 lakh under Section 15 of the Balumahal and Soil Management Act 2010.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS)—The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today issued a press release, saying that it reiterates its regret over the recent objectionable comments made by a member of the Board. The release added that the board had already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against board member M Najmul Islam. In line with this responsibility, the Board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the Board member concerned,” the release added. The matter will be dealt with through due process and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings, the release reaffirmed. “The BCB firmly believes that the players are the main stakeholders and the lifeblood of the BPL and of all cricketing activities under the Board.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS)— Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has released M Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect, reaffirming that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect,” a BCB press release said today. “The decision has been taken in accordance with the authority vested in the BCB President under Article 31 of the BCB Constitution and is aimed at ensuring the continued smooth and effective functioning of the Board’s affairs,” it added. BCB President Aminul will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee until further notice. “The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The government today gave final approval to the draft of the 'July Mass Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance 2026' granting indemnity to the participants in the 2024 July Uprising. By political resistance, the law adviser said, the ordinance means activities carried out with the objective of restoring democratic governance through the fall of the fascist government. "And from now on, no new cases can be filed against them for actions carried out during July and August as part of organised political resistance," he added. About the formation of the Human Rights Commission, Prof Asif Nazrul said the commission would be formed by January 31, noting that the selection committee has already held its first meeting. He expressed confidence that Bangladesh will soon have the strongest, most powerful, and most effective Human Rights Commission in its history.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafer Bin Abiyah meet with Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) — Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafer Bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. The ambassador also formally invited Bangladesh to participate in the upcoming World Defense Show to be held in Riyadh. He emphasized the significant contribution of expatriates to Bangladesh’s economy and urged Saudi Arabia to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh, expressing optimism that this would further deepen bilateral ties. The home adviser expressed his inability to attend the show due to Bangladesh’s 13th national election on 12 February 2026 but confirmed that a suitable representative would be sent.

LONDON, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain's Foreign Office on Thursday rejected as "malicious and baseless" Russian accusations that one of the United Kingdom's diplomats in Moscow was a spy. "This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff ... We are carefully considering our options in response," it said in a statement after Moscow announced it was expelling the diplomat.

The crisis in Bangladesh cricket has paralysed the domestic calendar, with players following through on their threat to boycott all forms of the game. The boycott, organised by the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), came into effect despite a desperate, last-minute attempt by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to de-escalate the situation. The board described players as the “lifeblood” of the sport and urged them to demonstrate professionalism by allowing the BPL to continue. CWAB remains firm on the boycott, which also caused matches in the Dhaka Cricket League to be stalled earlier in the day. According to BCB constitution, the board can't terminate Najmul from the director's post unless he quits himself.