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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Publish : 12 Jan 2026, 19:32The Election Commission (EC) on Monday upheld 41 more appeals against returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers for the 13th National Parliament election, allowing the candidates to regain their eligibility. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said a total of 71 appeals were heard on Monday, with 41 accepted, 25 rejected and four kept pending. With Monday's decisions, 150 candidates have had their candidacy restored over the three days of appeal hearings. So far, a total of 645 appeals have been filed challenging returning officers’ decisions. During the final scrutiny on January 4, 1,842 nomination papers were declared valid and 723 rejected out of 2,568 submissions across 300 constituencies.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan spoke at a discussion titled 'National Convention on Labor Manifesto' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the city. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan today said the needs of the impoverished population must be met through the creation of wealth. It is possible to meet the needs of the poor only through wealth creation. Moyeen Khan further said that most of the demands that workers make today were also present back in 1886. Development of rural people must be ensured," Moyeen Khan added.

Brent Christensen, the newly appointed United States ambassador to Bangladesh, has arrived in Dhaka. This marks Christensen’s return to Bangladesh, having previously served as political and economic counsellor at the US Embassy from 2019 to 2021. Christensen last served as foreign policy advisor at the US Strategic Command from August 2022 to January this year, providing guidance on the international implications of US strategic deterrence missions. He said he would bring over 20 years of experience on US policy toward Bangladesh, including prior work in Dhaka. Focusing on economic engagement, Christensen said as ambassador he would work to strengthen US-Bangladesh trade relations, reduce trade barriers and deficits, and support Bangladesh’s development in alignment with US commercial interests.

Three people, including two siblings, were killed and 10 others injured when a pickup collided with a train in Boalmari upazila on Monday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Jabbar Molla, 15, and Mocha Molla, 30, sons of Shaifar Molla, and Jahanara Begum, wife of Abul Kalam. Quoting locals, Officer-in-Charge of Boalmari Police Station Md Anwar Hossain said the accident occurred in the Sotashi area around 2:30pm when the victims were returning from Dobra Jute Mill riding in a pickup van. The train hit the vehicle, killing three people on the spot and injuring 10 others. Five seriously injured victims were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, while the remaining five were admitted to Boalmari Upazila Health Complex.

Jinat, the “shooter” arrested over the murder of Jatiotabadi Swecchasebak Dal leader Azizur Rahman Muchabbir, has “confessed” to his involvement in court. The court ordered three other suspects to be interrogated in custody for seven days each in connection with the killing. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque recorded Jinat’s statement and later sent him to jail. In a separate hearing, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam granted seven days in custody for the other three suspects. The three are Abdul Qadir, Billal Hossain, and Riaz, identified with a single name.

Photo: BSSKUSHTIA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today recovered different smuggled and illegal goods from various places of the district. In another drive, the BGB recovered Indian smuggled 39 bottles of liquor worth about Taka 58,500 from Pashchim Dharmodaho ground. In separate drive, a BGB team raided on Morarpara Ground and recovered Indian smuggled 996 sildenafil tablets worth about Taka 2,98,700. Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB) said they are in a strong position to ensure border security and prevent all types of smuggling and illegal activities including drug trafficking. Strict and effective operation of BGB will continue to suppress such crimes in the future as well, they added.

Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul spoke to pressmen at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban today. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul saidthere is no atmosphere to play the T20 World Cup (WC) in India afterreceiving the letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) securityteam. The ICC security team recently sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket boardregarding the security risks Bangladesh could face if it goes to India toplay the T20 World Cup. Speaking to the pressmen at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhabantoday (Monday), Asif Nazrul said the ICC security team has mentioned threeissues regarding the security risks of Bangladesh playing in India. Asif Nazrul said this observation by the ICC's security team has provenbeyond a doubt that there is no situation for Bangladesh to play the T20World Cup in India.

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - A special court here today sentenced five years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to former chairman of Cox’s Bazar municipality and Awami League leader Nurul Abser for misappropriating public funds, allocated for development work. Court sources said Nurul Abser has been absconding for long after getting bail from a court. Abser had gobbled up the public fund while he was chairman of Cox’s bazar municipality during 1984-1989. The then Anti-Corruption Bureau filed the a case in 1991 accusing former municipality chairman and Awami League leader Nurul Abser for misappropriating the development fund . The same court earlier sentenced Nurul Abser three years imprisonment in three corruption cases for pocketing TK 57 lakhs on January 7 , this year .

Two cases filed against ex-Addi.DIG Hamidul, his wife and three sistersFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - The ACC today filed two cases against former Additional Deputy Inspector General (Addi.DIG) Md. Hamidul Alam, his wife Shahazadi Alam Lipi and three others for amassing illegal wealth, providing false information in asset declarations and money laundering. Hamidul Alam, along with his three sisters Mosammat Aziza Sultana, Mosammat Arefa Salma and Mosammat Shirin Shabnam have been named as accused. In the second case, his wife Shahazadi Alam Lipi has been made an accused with Hamidul Alam as an abettor. On charges of abetment, her husband Hamidul Alam has also been accused under section 109 of the Penal Code.