Govt expects turnaround in implementation of investment projects from next year: Planning AdviserPlanning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud. He also said that project quality has improved, overall development spending has been constrained by structural, administrative and political factors. As a result, Mahmud said, many areas that rely less on remittance inflows have been hit harder by the slowdown, as development projects have progressed slowly. Despite the current challenges, Mahmud expressed cautious optimism that project implementation and development spending could regain momentum in the next fiscal year, provided political stability improves and fully return of investment confidence. “We want both better quality and a larger volume of development spending,” he said.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled goods worth more than Taka 155.59 crore during anti-smuggling operations conducted across border areas and other parts of the country in past December. The seized contraband included 2 kg 63.38 grams of gold, 14,883 sarees, 26,100 three-piece/shirtpiece/chadar/blankets, 26,520 ready-made garments, 9,883 meters of cloth, and 443,646 cosmetic items. The haul also comprised 16,954 pieces of imitation jewellery, 3,386,882 fireworks, 11,119 cubic feet of wood, 4,639 kg of tea leaves, 10,099 kg of betel nuts, 23,130 kg of coal, 708 cubic feet of stone and 176 cubic feet of sand. In addition, 425 people were detained for illegal border crossings, including 134 Bangladeshi citizens, 15 Indian citizens, and 276 Myanmar nationals. BGB authorities reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border security and continuing strict operations to curb smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal cross-border movement.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has eased import rules for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), permitting importers to use credit facilities of up to 270 days, a move aimed at easing dollar liquidity pressure and ensuring steady LPG supplies in the domestic market. As a result, local importers require time for storage, bottling and related operational processes,” said a BB circular issued on Sunday. It is hereby clarified that LPG shall be treated as an industrial raw material eligible for import under supplier’s or buyer’s credit. Accordingly, imports of LPG may be allowed for usance terms of up to 270 days, the circular added. In addition to availing trade credit from suppliers, Authorized Dealers (ADs) are advised to arrange buyer’s credit facilities from overseas banks and financial institutions, or bill discounting facilities through Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) of scheduled banks in Bangladesh, subject to compliance with applicable foreign exchange regulations and prudential credit norms.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- The Annual Conference of Farmer Hub Owners of Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF) Bangladesh was held successfully here today with the call for strengthening collaboration among farmer hub owners, public institutions and private sector stakeholders. Strengthening collaboration among farmer hub owners, public institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development partners coupled with promoting sustainable agricultural practices through enhancing backward and forward market linkages was the prime objective of the event. Around 120 participants, including 80 Farmer Hub Owners, who play a crucial role in providing services, inputs, and market linkages to farmers at the grassroots level, joined the conference. He said strengthening farmer hub networks, promoting efficient irrigation technologies, and enhancing market-oriented services for farmers can be the crucial means of making agriculture more value-added and profitable. Dr Rahman attributed that the event facilitated experience sharing among Farmers’ Hub owners, government and private stakeholders.

HONG KONG, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gold and silver surged to record highsafter the US Justice Department targeted the Federal Reserve in aninvestigation, fuelling fears over the bank's independence and raising demandfor safe haven assets. Gold vaulted toward $4,600 an ounce and silver approached $85 for the firsttime after Fed chair Jerome Powell warned a potential criminal indictment ispart of President Donald Trump's pressure campaign on monetary policydecisions.

Chalamet, 'One Battle' among winners at Golden GlobesBEVERLY HILLS, United States, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - "One Battle After Another" was among the big winners at the Golden Globes on Sunday, though its star Leonardo DiCaprio missed out to Timothee Chalamet in one of the glitzy gala's most closely watched contests. Midway through the ceremony, it had collected awards for best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress for Teyana Taylor. Chalamet said his four previous Globes losses "make this moment that much sweeter" before thanking his girlfriend Kylie Jenner. - 'BE GOOD' -Rose Byrne won for best comedy actress for "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You." "Let's do the right thing," said Jean Smart, after winning best comedy series actress for "Hacks."

Nepal estimated it suffered losses of about $586 million and that nearly 15,000 people lost their jobs after protests toppled the government in September. More than 27,000 people applied for the temporary police jobs on Friday and Saturday, the first two days of applications, Nepal police spokesman Abinarayan Kafle said. "I am also Gen-Z, but I do not have a job," she told AFP in the capital Kathmandu on Sunday. "Sunday was a public holiday but so many people, most (of them) youths, were queueing outside police stations with great excitement," police spokesman Kafle told AFP. "I used to work in a hotel as a cook, but I am jobless now," Nischal Poudel, 30, told AFP from an application queue in Kathmandu.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - An unidentified young man believed to be around 23 years old was killed today after being hit by a car on the northern side of Kuril Bishwa Road in Khilkhet in the capital. The youth was critically injured and later rescued by passersby, who rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment and he was declared dead around 10:00am today. A pedestrian, Mohammad Koyes, who was present at the scene, said the victim was struck by a speeding vehicle on the northern lane of Kuril Bishwa Road and was immediately taken to the hospital in serious condition. Confirming the incident, Khilkhet Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Farooq said the exact details of the vehicle involved are yet to be known. The body has been kept in the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and the matter has been reported to the concerned authorities for further investigation

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday ordered investigators to submit an investigation report by February 5 in the case over alleged crimes against humanity, including genocide and torture, during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar. The order was passed by a tribunal led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder following a hearing on an application filed by the prosecution. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution and sought three weeks to submit the investigation report. The case stems from a complaint filed on May 5, 2013, by Hefazat-e-Islam leader Azizul Haque with the tribunal’s chief prosecutor. The complaint was lodged on behalf of Hefazat leaders Junaid Al Habib and Maulana Mamunul Haque, accusing 21 individuals in connection with the Shapla Chattar incident.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is poised to formally respond to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) between Monday and Tuesday regarding the ongoing World Cup venue standoff. Instead, the ICC is expected to propose shifting the games to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram as a compromise. Bangladesh is currently scheduled to play their group-stage fixtures in Kolkata and Mumbai—hubs that the board now views as politically sensitive. The governing body is likely to use his participation as evidence that Bangladeshi representatives can travel and work safely in India. With less than four weeks remaining before teams arrive for the tournament, the ICC is pressing for a swift resolution to the current deadlock.

However, considering the autonomous bodies’ and corporations’ own fund, the RADP size stood at Tk 2,08,935.53 crore. Of the Tk two lakh crore RADP for FY2025–‘26, Tk 1,28,000 crore will come from domestic sources, while Tk 72,000 crore will be financed from foreign sources. Compared to the original ADP, the revised programme has seen a reduction of Tk 16,000 crore from domestic financing and Tk 14,000 crore from foreign sources, resulting in a total cut of Tk 30,000 crore. In addition, the RADP allocation for autonomous bodies and corporations has been set at Tk 8,935.53 crore, of which Tk 8,930.53 crore will be financed from domestic sources and Tk five crore from foreign sources. Together, these five sectors account for Tk 1,21,118 crore, representing 60.54 per cent of the total RADP allocation.

Get Breaking NewsSign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.

SYDNEY, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia's parliament will reopen two weeks early to crack down on hate crimes and gun ownership following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, the government said Monday. Australia has flagged a suite of reforms to hate crime and gun laws since the December 14 attack on a Jewish festival that killed 15 people -- the country's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. "The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds but guns in their hands -- this law will deal with both," Albanese told a news conference. Last week, the government announced a royal commission inquiry into the Bondi Beach shooting. Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly targeted Jews attending a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach.

Trump says US will take Greenland 'one way or the other'ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if Washington didn't act. Trump says controlling the mineral-rich Danish territory is crucial for US national security given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, despite neither country laying claim to the vast island. Trump said he would be open to making a deal with the Danish self-governing territory "but one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." "Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over," Trump warned, as he mocked its defenses.

Photo : BSSJHENAIDAH, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- A three-day long agriculture technology fair-2026 has begun today on the premises of Upazila Parishad here in Jhenaidah district. "If modern technology is incorporated in agriculture, a new dimension will be added to the agricultural sector. Young people are becoming interested in modern agricultural technology and agricultural methods. Meanwhile, the Sadar Upazila Agriculture Office said that this agricultural technology fair has started under the Sustainable Agriculture Extension Project in Jashore region. Young agricultural entrepreneurs of Sadar Upazila have displayed various types of modern technology-based agricultural innovations and cultivation techniques.