Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh women's team got off to a winning start in the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship beating India by 3-1 goals in a match held at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand today (Thursday). In 2018, the Bangladesh women's team participated in the Asian Futsal qualifiers in Thailand. After seven years, Sabina and Co. got the opportunity to play in international Futsal championship again. Bangladesh will play their next match against Bhutan (January 17), Nepal (January 19), Sri Lanka (January 21), Pakistan (January 23) and Maldives (January 25). The table toppers at the end of all seven rounds of matches will be crowned in the SAFF Women's Futsal champions.

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan spoak as the chief guest at a prayer congregation organized to seek forgiveness for the soul of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan today said that many prime ministers have come in the history of Bangladesh, but no one has departed with the honor and dignity like stateswoman Begum Khaleda Zia . Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and stateswoman Begum Khaleda Zia are the finest examples of it." He said that Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia deeply loved the country and its people. Humayun Kabir Khan, General Secretary of Workers' Dal Nurul Islam Khan Nasim, Co-President Abul Kalam Azad, among others, took part in the event.

Bangladesh–Nepal 8th Commerce Secretary-Level meeting concluded on Wednesday. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and his Nepalese counterpart Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire led their respective delegation to the meeting, said a Commerce Ministry press release here today. The meeting featured extensive discussions on a wide range of issues aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Discussions were held on promoting bilateral trade through government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) initiatives, including trade fairs, exhibitions and exchange of business delegations. It was also decided that the 9th Commerce Secretary-level meeting will be held in Nepal at a mutually convenient time.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh is gearing up for a significant presence at ‘Ambiente Frankfurt 2026’, the world’s premier international trade fair for consumer goods. Scheduled to take place from February 6 to 10, 2026, at Messe Frankfurt, the event is recognized as a vital one-stop sourcing destination for the global order season, attracting a diverse array of international professional buyers, said a press release. The nation will be represented by a total of 38 exhibitors, a move that reflects its expanding export potential and established strengths in multiple living goods sectors. In addition, 05 Participation through the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) includes Eco Crave, Sonali Aansh Industries, Jute Crafts, Maaf Craft BD, and Tarango, representing Bangladesh’s artisan, sustainable, and craft-based manufacturing sectors. Ambiente Frankfurt remains a strategic platform for Bangladeshi exporters to strengthen engagement with European and global markets, enhance brand visibility, promote sustainable and artisan-made products, and align with emerging global consumer and trade trends.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded that, in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, postal ballots used within the country should include the candidates’ names alongside their electoral symbols. The party has submitted a formal proposal to the Election Commission (EC) in this regard. He said that postal ballots will be used mainly within the country, so BNP has proposed using the same constituency-wise ballots that include candidates’ names and symbols as postal ballots. Salahuddin Ahmed stated: “In the postal ballots sent for expatriates, the matter was not properly considered. He further said: “Since the Election Commission has the authority to amend the code of conduct, this matter should be taken into consideration.

Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Mancha and the plaintiff in the case, on Thursday filed an objection to the chargesheet submitted by the Detective Branch (DB) police in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Lawyer Mostafizur Rahman Mukul, representing the plaintiff, said the investigation officer had submitted the chargesheet merely to fulfil procedural obligations. He added that Hadi was not an ordinary individual and that the murder must have involved a larger plan. On January 6, DB Police Inspector Faisal Ahmed, the investigation officer, submitted a chargesheet against 17 people in the case. Following the shooting, Abdullah Al Jaber filed an attempted murder case with Paltan Police Station on December 14, which was later converted into a murder case after Hadi’s death.

The people of Bangladesh will emerge as the frontline guardians of democracy in the days ahead, Citizen’s Platform Convener Debapriya Bhattacharya said on Thursday, citing the country’s evolving political and social transformation. In the days ahead, safeguarding democracy will not require anyone else, the people of this country will themselves act as the principal guardians of democracy,” Debapriya said at a press briefing. The event titled ‘National Election 2026: Citizens’ Recommendations for the Next Government’, organised by the Citizen’s Platform at a city hotel. To that end, alongside policy recommendations, the Citizen’s Platform has now introduced a national programme to monitor policy implementation. With a focus on improving people’s living standards, the Citizen’s Platform has structured its policy recommendations accordingly.

Students of seven government colleges in Dhaka on Thursday again blocked the Science Lab intersection, demanding the early approval of the revised draft of the proposed “Dhaka Central University” ordinance and its immediate promulgation by the president. The blockade began shortly after 12:30pm, when students from Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College and Badrunnesa Government Women’s College marched in processions and took positions at the Science Lab intersection, in line with their prior announcement. Calling the delay an “excuse” by the authorities, they said they would not vacate the road until the Dhaka Central University ordinance was issued. The Science Lab intersection was blocked around 1pm, while the Technical intersection in Mirpur was blocked from around 12:30pm. Students left the Technical intersection at around 3:30pm, Tantibazar at around 3:15pm and the Science Lab intersection at about 5:40pm.

A mild cold wave is sweeping over parts of the country, and it may continue in some places, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Thursday. According to the regular Met office bulletin: “Mild cold wave is sweeping over the districts of Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Kurigram and Chuadanga and it may continue and spread." Light to moderate fog may occur at a few places over the country during late night to morning. Panchagarh’s Tetulia recorded the country’s lowest temperature at 7.5°C on Thursday morning. Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.

The prosecution has placed its appeal against the life sentence of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on the agenda of the Appellate Division’s Chamber Court. On November 27, the prosecution had announced its intention to appeal for a harsher sentence for the former prime minister. That day, Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim said that Tribunal-1, on November 17, sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death on one charge and to life imprisonment on another. For these incidents, Sheikh Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to life imprisonment. For these incidents, Sheikh Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to death, and their assets were ordered to be confiscated for distribution among victims of the July movement.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen on Thursday presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Welcoming the new envoy, the President expressed the hope that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the US would further strengthen in the coming days particularly in the areas of business, investment, education and culture, said Shabbir Ahmed Akunjee, private secretary to the Public Division secretary at the President’s Office. Ambassador Christensen pledged to make all-out efforts to deepen and expand Bangladesh–US relations. He also sought the President’s overall cooperation in carrying out his diplomatic duties.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) – The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today laid emphasis on integrating regional Renewable Energy (RE) trade into the national plan to stabilize the grid and lower costs. The think tank made the observation at a press briefing on “Energy & Power Sector Master Plan (EPSMP): 2026-2050” at its office in the city. Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of CPD; Md Mehadi Hasan Shamim, Research Associate; Abrar Ahammed Bhuiyan, Research Associate; Atikuzzaman Shazeed, Research Associate; Sabiha Sharmin, Research Associate; Maleehah Sabah Ali, Programme Associate; and Md. Khalid Mahmud, Programme Associate; among others, were present on the occasion. Helen Mashiyat Preoty, senior research associate, delivered the presentation at the briefing.

SC to hear plea to upgrade Hasina, Kamal's sentence to death on Jan 20Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "Fixed on 20.01.2026,"said the short order passed by Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque. The matter was listed as item number 58 on the cause list of the Appellate Division Chamber Judge Court this morning. The prosecution filed "Criminal Appeal No 96/2025: Chief Prosecutor vs Sheikh Hasina and another" on eight grounds with the Appellate Division on that day. Under charge number one, the tribunal found both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal guilty on three counts and sentenced them to imprisonment till natural death.

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The government has suspended the new and existing approvals for importing fry in vannamei shrimp farming in the country. In this context, the meeting expressed the opinion that the unchecked expansion of vannamei shrimp farming is not acceptable. The discussion emphasised limiting vannamei shrimp farming to controlled, intensive and environment-friendly methods. It was decided to suspend all new and existing approvals for the import of fry in vannamei shrimp farming until the evaluation is completed. In addition, emphasis was put on increasing the production of local bagda and galda shrimp instead of imported species and taking appropriate projects to expand local shrimp farming.

FRANKFURT, Germany, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Germany's economy expanded by 0.2 percent in 2025, returning to growth after two years of recession, official data showed Thursday, despite challenges ranging from the US tariff blitz to weak demand in China. The performance of Europe's biggest economy remained subdued however due to a decline in exports, she said. "Germany's export business faced strong headwinds owing to higher US tariffs, the appreciation of the euro and increased competition from China," Brand said. Investment also remained weak last year, and fell in the construction and machinery manufacturing industries, according to the provisional data released by Destatis. For the final quarter of 2025, the agency estimated that the economy grew 0.2 percent from the third quarter.