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PARIS, France, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A US plan to step up scrutiny of foreign visitors' social media use threatens to cut tourist spending by up to $15.7 billion this year as people decide to stay away, an industry group said Thursday. It estimated that could lead to 4.7 million fewer international arrivals this year, a 24 percent drop from average levels, and potentially reduce US tourism sector jobs by 157,000. Currently, those travellers need apply only for a waiver known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Under the new rules, the collection of social media data including use history from the past five years would become a "mandatory" part of ESTA applications. In 2024, the tourism sector contributed $2.6 trillion to the US economy and supported more than 20 million jobs.
DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) will work together to strengthen the linkage between agricultural research and extension in order to achieve inclusive growth. The meeting was chaired by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan said that although Bangladesh’s position in the global agricultural context is strong, sustainable and inclusive growth is not possible without addressing structural challenges. “The main objective of today’s meeting is to enhance mutual cooperation between PKSF and BARC for the overall development of the country’s agricultural sector. Senior officials of PKSF and BARC, as well as chief executives of PKSF’s Partner Organizations, were present at the event.
CID's further probe report into Hadi murder case on Feb 3Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Zunaid passed the order as the investigation agency failed to submit the report today. According to the case statement, Foysal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain opened fire on Hadi while he was travelling in a battery-run auto-rickshaw on December 12 before fleeing the scene. Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Zaber filed the case with Paltan Model Police Station on December 14. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Siddiq Azad on December 20 ordered the inclusion of Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code in the case, which was initially filed as attempted murder, following Hadi's death on December 18.
Photo: BSSBAGERHAT, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - A day-long free medical camp was held at the District Council Auditorium of Bagerhat today to mark the birth anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. Former President of Bagerhat Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Dr. SM Lutful Kabir presided over the program, organized by the Bagerhat unit of DAB. Speakers at the event highlighted the humanitarian and patriotic ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and emphasized the importance of continuing initiatives to support the health of the common people. During the day-long camp, experienced doctors from across the country provided free medical services to thousands of patients and distributed essential medicines. Rabiul Islam Tuhin, Bagerhat 250-Bed Hospital Superintendent Dr. Asim Samaddar, and Bagerhat Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahbubul Alam.
File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh under-19 women’s national football team traveled from Kathmandu to Pokhara today (Thursday) on a scheduled flight at 7:30 am. The team finally reached at their team hotel in Pokhara at around 1:30 pm. Considering the long travel delay and the players’ recovery, the Bangladesh under-19 women’s national football team cancelled their today’s scheduled training session. Earlier, on Wednesday, the Bangladesh Under-19 women’s national football team departed for Nepal and reached Kathmandu at night to participate in the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship scheduled to be held in Pokhara from January 31 to February 7. Bangladesh will start their tournament campaign taking on Bhutan in one of the opening day’s fixture on January 31, face India on February 2 and meet Nepal on January 4.
Speaking at a press briefing organized by PRI to launch the report "Tax Policy for Development: A Reform Agenda for Restructuring the Tax System," Dr. Sattar and Taskforce members presented a blueprint for raising the country's tax-to-GDP ratio to 10-12 percent by 2030 and 15-20 percent by 2035. Dr. Sattar cautioned that "tinkering at the margins will not suffice". He argued that when tax policy is incoherent—marked by narrow bases and distorted rates—even strong enforcement delivers limited revenue. Chairman of the Bangladesh Krishi Bank Dr. Mohammad Zahid Hossain, highlighted the inefficiencies in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) system. He noted that while VAT revenue stood at 2.8 percent of GDP in FY2023-24, exemptions cost the state an estimated 3.6 percent of GDP.
The Council of Advisers held its meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) – The government today gave final approval to the drafts of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Ordinance 2026 and the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026 aimed at safeguarding the women’s rights at home and workplace. CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the briefing. Noting that women are routinely subjected to severe sexual harassment in digital spaces, Tithi said this ordinance directly addresses that reality. If an allegation is proven to be false, provisions for punishment for the complainant are also included, the assistant press secretary said.
File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Champions Bangladesh women's team will return home from Bangkok today (Thursday) evening after finishing their campaign in the just-concluded inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship. A BG 389 flight, carrying the women's team, is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal Int'l Airport at 6.15 pm. The Bangladesh women's team, led by Sabina Khatun, emerged unbeaten champions in the seven-team SAFF Futsal championship. To make their historic victory memorable, the Bangladesh Football Federation decided to give the women's team a formal reception. Earlier, the Bangladesh women's team made a winning start in the tournament, beating India by 3-1 goals in their match.
Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Seven meritorious students of Khulna University (KU) are set to visit Japan to participate in the Sakura Science Exchange Programme. The programme is being conducted under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between KU and the University of Yamanashi, with support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Associate Professor Dr Md Tarek Bin Salam of KU's Soil, Water and Environment Discipline will lead the delegation as the invited faculty member. The students paid a courtesy call on KU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Harunur Rashid Khan, briefing him on the programme's planned activities today. Director of the Office of International Affairs Professor Dr Md Ashikur Rahman and Associate Professor Dr Md Tarek Bin Salam were also present at the meeting.
KYIV, Ukraine, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kyiv said on Thursday that it had received from Russia 1,000 remains of people that Moscow said were Ukrainian soldiers killed fighting the Kremlin's army. The exchange of prisoners of war and the remains of killed soldiers is one of the few remaining areas of cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky confirmed an exchange had taken place, writing on Telegram that the Russian side had received the remains of 38 killed Russian soldiers. Medinsky said the exchange was made possible as part of agreements struck between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul earlier last year. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed on both sides since Russia invaded, though neither side regularly publishes data on their own casualties.
LISBON, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Storm Kristin has claimed five lives and left nearly 450,000 clients without power on Thursday, more than 24 hours after it barrelled through central and northern Portugal, authorities said. Almost 450,000 customers were still without power early Thursday, mainly in the centre of the country, according to E-redes, the electricity distribution network operator. The majority were in the Leiria district in central Portugal where the storm knocking down poles and high-voltage lines. "Residents are calling for help because it's still raining, although not very heavily, but it's causing significant damage to homes," he added. The Portuguese government said the storm had "caused significant damage across several parts of the country."
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