File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan today said restoring discipline in the country’s jewellery sector is both essential and achievable through policy reform, digitalisation, and close cooperation between the government and industry stakeholders. However, despite multiple initiatives, the sector has not progressed as expected due to the absence of discipline and structured systems. “Jewellery value addition is primarily labour-based. He added that once real-time, accurate records are ensured, the need for minimum turnover tax would gradually disappear. He stressed the need to remove the stigma attached to the jewellery sector, noting that negative perceptions hinder access to banking and finance.

Photo: BSSKHAGRACHHARI, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The two-day 'Election Journalism Training'for local journalists began here today emphasizing the importance ofresponsible and impartial reporting during the election period. Shefalika Tripura, chairman of the District Council, inaugurated theprogramme as the chief guest at the conference room of the Khagrachhari HillDistrict Council. She emphasized that journalists play a crucial role during thisperiod by reporting news with truth, impartiality, and professionalism. The training focuses on responsible reporting during elections and offersguidance to journalists on ethics, laws, responsibilities, challenges, andpractical experiences. A total of 50 journalists from eight upazilas, including the districtheadquarters, are participating in the two-day training programme.

The BMD forecast said a mild cold wave may affect parts of the north and west, suggesting a wider spatial influence than the previous day when the cold wave had eased and remained confined to a few northern districts. Night temperature may fall by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius and day temperature may fall slightly over the country. The expected fall in both night and day temperatures indicates strengthening winter conditions, particularly in inland areas away from the coast. The highest maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 30.0 degrees Celsius at Feni, while the lowest minimum temperature today was 8.0 degrees Celsius at Tetulia in Panchagarh. On the other hand, Feni's highest temperature of 30.0 degrees Celsius highlights the relative warmth of the south-eastern region.

MEHERPUR, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The District Education Office has publishedthe list of best educational institutions, teachers and students selected atthe district level on the occasion of National Education Week 2026. Acting District Education Officer Abdur Rahim said the selection was madeacross school, technical, madrasa and college levels in recognition ofoutstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. At the madrasa level, Maisha Siddika of Govipur Dakhil Madrasa was selected,while Afia Ibnat, a class 12 student of Sandhani School and College wasrecognised at the college level. In the institutional category, Jorpukuria Secondary School was selected asthe best school, Gangni Technical and BM College as the best technicalinstitution, Harabhanga DH Fazil Madrasa as the best madrasa, and SandhaniSchool and College announced as the best college of the district. Anik Hasan of Meherpur Government College was named best rover,while Amir Hamza of the same college was selected as the best BNCC cadet.

DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) – The rulers of the United Arab Emirates have granted royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners on the occasion of the UAE’s 54th Union Day, reflecting the country’s longstanding humanitarian tradition. The pardons were announced as part of the 2025 Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) celebrations, during which the UAE leadership extended clemency to thousands of inmates of various nationalities across the country, said a press release issued by the UAE embassy here today. Such royal pardons are routinely issued by UAE rulers on major national and religious occasions, including Eid festivals and National Day, with the aim of promoting forgiveness, social reintegration, and family reunification. Officials noted that recent pardon initiatives in late 2025 covered a large number of prisoners, including Bangladeshi nationals, offering them an opportunity to rebuild their lives and return to their families and communities. The gesture underscores the UAE leadership’s commitment to humanitarian values and compassion.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) – Finnish election observers will soon join the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Bangladesh, reaffirming Finland’s support for the country’s democratic transition ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections. Appreciating Finland’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, Islam lauded Finland and the European Union for deploying a large European Union Election Observation Mission for the polls. The Secretary also sought Finland’s support for Bangladesh’s post-LDC transition and GSP+ aspirations, underscoring the country’s commitment to labour rights and workplace safety. Highlighting investment opportunities, Islam invited the Ambassador to visit Bangladesh’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and encouraged Finnish participation in upcoming business events in Dhaka. In response, the Ambassador expressed interest in visiting EPZs and said Finnish businesses were keen to engage in future EU business initiatives in Bangladesh.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) – Swiss President Guy Parmelin has conveyed his best wishes for peace and prosperity for Bangladesh and its people ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for February 12. The Swiss President also enquired about the forthcoming national elections in Bangladesh and conveyed his hopes for continued peace, stability and prosperity for the Bangladeshi people. Ambassador Sobhan further apprised the Swiss President of Bangladesh’s decision to open a resident diplomatic mission in Bern. President Parmelin welcomed the move, expressing satisfaction and assuring Switzerland’s full support in strengthening bilateral engagement.

BANGKOK, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A crane at a China-backed high-speed rail line in Thailand collapsed onto a passenger train on Wednesday, causing it to derail and killing at least 22 people, local authorities said. "Twenty-two people were killed and more than 30 were injured," a local police chief in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thatchapon Chinnawong, told AFP. "A crane collapsed onto a train causing it to derail and catch fire," the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial public relations department said in a statement. The Nakhon Ratchasima provincial department said the train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. Industrial and construction site accidents have long been common in Thailand, where lax enforcement of safety regulations often leads to deadly incidents.

Two more people have died of alcohol poisoning after drinking “bootleg alcohol” in Rangpur, leading to a tally of six deaths from alcohol over three days in the district. The two most recent deaths have been identified as Abdul Malek, who hails from Badarganj Upazila, and Rashedul Islam, who hails from Rangpur’s Sadar Upazila. Around midnight on Sunday, several people drank "bootleg alchohol" at the house of a narcotics trader in the Shyampurhat area of Badarganj Upazila. Several of them later fell ill.Three people died on Sunday - Alamgir Hossain and Sohel Mia from Badarganj Upazila and Jannat Ali of Rangpur Sadar Upazila. Another man died of alcohol poisoning in the Balarbazar area of Hazirhat Thana on Monday evening.

The lottery system for allocating shares to investors in initial public offerings has been reinstated in Bangladesh’s capital market. Following reforms to the IPO framework, the “Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Public Offer of Equity Securities) Rules, 2025” was gazetted on Dec 30. The revised rules were explained at a press conference at the BSEC office in Agargaon on Wednesday. The lottery-based share allotment system was scrapped in 2024, when the BSEC introduced proportional allocation based on investor demand and deposited funds. Structural reforms in the capital market are now under way based on recommendations from those taskforces.

Photo: BSSLALMONIRHAT, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - A new Border Observation Post (BOP) of theBorder Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was inaugurated in Lalmonirhat on Wednesday tostrengthen border security and enhance surveillance in the area. Brigadier General A S M Nasher, region commander of the BGB North-WestRegion, formally inaugurated the newly-constructed BOP at the East Sardubiborder area of the district. Senior BGB officials present at the ceremony included Colonel SM ShafiqurRahman, Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Md. Musahid Masum, Lieutenant Colonel SyedFazle Munim and other officers of various ranks. According to BGB sources, the establishment of the new BOP aims to strengthenregular patrolling along the border and enhance monitoring activities.

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus speaks at a function at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today stressed that the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) must remain a strong and profitable organization. Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain and BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek handed over the cheque to the Chief Adviser. The Chief Adviser also emphasized that trainers of marine academies must be retained by providing them with appropriate honorariums so that they can produce world-class seafarers. Following the directives of the Chief Adviser, BSC has already taken several initiatives to procure new ships.

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma. -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma today stressed on global partnership in transforming the people living in the CHT region into skilled human resources aimed at improving their living standard. During the meeting, they discussed wide range of issues including ensuring sustainable development, capacity building and making sure the global labour market standards in the CHT region. Every development project is being implemented in compliance with international standards and labour laws, he added. The adviser thanked the ILO delegation for their assurance of cooperation in the government’s development efforts.

Eminent playwright Selim Al Deen’s death anniversary is observed at JU today. Photo: BSSJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The 19th death anniversary of eminent playwright Selim Al Deen was observed today at Jahangirnagar University through a series of programmes held with due respect and solemnity. The day began at 10:00 am with a memorial procession followed by wreath-laying at Selim Al Deen’s grave. “Within the thousand-year-old tradition of Bangla theatre, Selim Al Deen searched for the fundamental essence of art while continuously breaking and reshaping theatrical forms in the process of artistic creation. “Selim Al Deen’s creative works and artistic philosophy continue to remain a constant source of inspiration in his absence,” she added.