Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Monday said they recognize the significance of the UN Security Council decision to establish the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza and understand that some Muslim countries are interested in participating in the force. These include, among others, that the ISF should be temporary and operate under a clear UN Security Council mandate, he said, adding that there must be permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza; and the responsibilities for Gaza will be transferred to the Palestinians. Bangladesh noted that the United Nations Security Council, on 17th November 2025, adopted resolution 2803 which provided for, among other things, the establishment of an ISF for Gaza. Shafiqul said all Muslim countries members of the Security Council voted for the resolution. He also said a number of other Arab and Muslim countries jointly recommended the adoption of the resolution by the Security Council.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz addressed a conference of Imams of Rajshahi division at Hazrat Shah Makhdum Edigah today. Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz has said a mandate of the voters (referendum) on the July Charter is indispensable for future Bangladesh’s state structure and full-length establishment of democracy. Ali Riaz said this while addressing a conference of Imams of Rajshahi division at Hazrat Shah Makhdum Edigah in the city today. Prof Ali Riaz said some differences among the political parties were seen on the issue of signing of the July National Charter. Prof Ali Reaz also said if the people give verdict to the fundamental structure of state operation the next governments will be compelled to function according the peoples will.

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Gwynda L. Hook, age 75, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the Cornerstone Hospice House in The Villages, Florida, after a brief illness. Gwynda was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 1950. Friends and family describe her as kind and giving, with a great sense of humor, a feisty nature, and a fierce love for family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, and her kindness, compassion, and unwavering devotion to family and friends will be remembered always. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date in Maryland, with details to be shared with family and friends.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) -The BCF FIDE Blitz Rating Chess Tournament,organized by the Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF), begins tomorrow(Tuesday), at the hall-room of BCF. This tournament is open to all and interested chess players are requested opresent at the venue in time. The tournament will be conducted under the Swiss-League system and thewinners' will be awarded a total cash prize of Taka 30,000 (thirty thousandtaka).

Analysts believe that some policy and administrative decisions made during the interim government have created additional pressure for the next elected government. However, to increase investment, it is necessary to improve the law-and-order situation, reduce administrative complexity, and ensure policy stability—which is not an easy task in political reality." The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) says the biggest challenge for the next elected government will be to restore investment and control inflation. However, according to Fahmida Khatun, it is not possible to restore the entire economy in one and a half years. According to the CPD, consumers are not benefiting from the international price decline due to weak market management, rising production costs, and influential business syndicates.

Brent Christensen, the newly appointed 18th United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, arrived in Dhaka on Monday evening (12 January). Diplomatic sources said Ambassador Christensen is expected to present his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin later this week. Following the ceremony, he pledged to strengthen bilateral relations between the United States and Bangladesh. A seasoned diplomat and senior member of the US Foreign Service, Christensen previously served in Dhaka as Political and Economic eounsellor from 2019 to 2021. From 2022 to 2025, Christensen served as Foreign Policy adviser to the United States Strategic Command.

'We are not there yet', EU says on talking to PutinEU spokeswoman Paula Pinho. "At some point there will have to be talks, also with President Putin, and inthe meantime, a lot of work is being done. Unfortunately, we're not seeingany signs by President Putin to be engaging," EU spokeswoman Paula Pinhosaid. Trump has spoken repeatedly to Putin and US negotiators have held multiplerounds of talks with counterparts from Moscow. Any push to talk to Putin would likely face resistance from more hawkishcountries along the bloc's eastern border who are profoundly wary of dealingwith Russia.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Sheik Moinuddin inaugurated the mobile app service at the DTCA in Dhaka. The authorities said that through the app, users can safely recharge their Rapid Pass and MRT Pass without visiting counters. After logging in, previously linked cards will be displayed automatically, and users can add new Rapid Pass or MRT Pass cards if needed. Earlier, on November 25 last year, online recharge facilities were introduced through the Rapid Pass website at Agargaon Metro Station. Following that announcement, the Android-based Rapid Pass app was made available on the Google Play Store from January 1 this year.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Young pacer Abdul Gaffar Saqlain claimed hiscareer-best 4-24 as Rajshahi Warriors kept them in favourable position bybowling out Dhaka Capitals for 131 in 20 overs in a crucial BangladeshPremier League (BPL) game today at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Gaffar broke through with the wicket of Usman and followed it up by sendingback Saif Hasan for a duck in his immediate next delivery. The two wickets in consecutive deliveries triggered a collapse that was toughto gauge for Dhaka eventually. Ripon Mondol who finished with 3-30 joined Gaffar to further rip throughDhaka batting line up, forcing them to lose wickets at regular intervals. Nasir Hossain was the other notable scorer with 24 and was key in taking theside past the 100-run mark.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) today saidthat expatriate Bangladeshis are showing a strong and encouraging response tothe online income tax return (e-return) system, even though it is notmandatory for them. The e-return system was formally inaugurated on 4 August 2025 by FinanceAdviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed through the official portal www.etaxnbr.gov.bd. Although expatriate Bangladeshis are exempted from mandatory online filing,the NBR noted that many are voluntarily using the digital platform. On average, around 100 expatriate taxpayers per day are availing e-return-related services remotely through email support provided by the NBR's E-TaxManagement Unit. The NBR said the growing participation of expatriate Bangladeshis, along withdomestic taxpayers, is significantly boosting its digital tax serviceinitiatives.

After submitting the report, committee members discussed various aspects of their investigation with the Chief Adviser. Receiving the report, Prof Yunus said, “We had heard about vote rigging, and we knew some things. They could do nothing,” the Chief Adviser said, adding, for the country’s people to feel at least some relief, the faces of those involved must be unmasked. Measures must be taken so that election rigging never happens again,” Prof Yunus said. Later, the committee chief and members briefed the media in front of the Jamuna where they presented the findings of the investigation.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the media, "BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is going to start his election campaign from Sylhet, the sacred land of Pirs and Auliyas. Kaiyum Chowdhury, President of Sylhet District BNP, said, "On January 22, Tarique Rahman will begin his election campaign from Sylhet. Sylhet residents are eagerly waiting as Tarique Rahman is visiting Sylhet after almost two decades. BNP’s Sylhet leaders mentioned that Tarique Rahman last visited Sylhet in 2005 as the party's Senior Joint Secretary General to attend the party's union representative conference.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today said that the government recognized the significance of the UN Security Council decision to establish the international stabilization force (ISF) for Gaza and is carefully considering the matter of joining the force. “We recognize the significance of the UN Security Council decision to establish the ISF and understand that some Muslim countries are interested in participating in the force. We are also carefully considering the matter,” he told BSS regarding the Bangladesh’s stance in joining the ISF. A number of other Arab and Muslim countries jointly recommended the adoption of the resolution by the Security Council, he added.

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