Search for Indonesia plane missing with 11 people on boardMAKASSAR, Indonesia, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesian authorities aresearching for a small passenger plane after contact with the aircraft waslost on Saturday, rescue officials told AFP. The Indonesia Air Transport turboprop plane left from Yogyakarta and washeaded for the city of Makassar on Sulawesi island, carrying three passengersand eight crew members, according to the Makassar search and rescue agency. Muhammad Arif Anwar, the head of the local search and rescue agency, saidteams were deployed to a mountainous area of Maros Regency, which bordersMakassar, near the last known location of the plane. Andi Sultan, operations chief at the Makassar search and rescue agency, saida helicopter and drones were being used to find the plane. In September last year, a helicopter carrying six passengers and two crewmembers crashed shortly after taking off from South Kalimantan province,killing everybody on board.

Iran's Khamenei says authorities 'must break the back of the seditionists'Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo: CollectedPARIS, France, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah AliKhamenei on Saturday said authorities "must break the back of theseditionists" and blamed US President Donald Trump for "casualties" after acrackdown on a protest wave against the country's clerical authorities. "By God's grace, the Iranian nation must break the back of the seditionistsjust as it broke the back of the sedition." Iranian authorities have blamed the United States for the mass demonstrationsthey have called "riots" and "terrorist" operations. "This was an American conspiracy," he said, adding that "America's goal is toswallow Iran... the goal is to put Iran back under military, political andeconomic domination".

Fahad produced a venomous spell to claim 5-38 as India were dismissed for 238 in 48.4 overs after Bangladesh opted to bowl first. Bangladesh lost opener Zawad Abrar early in the chase, but Rifat Beg and skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim kept the innings on track with positive batting. Indian spinner Vihan Malhotra then triggered a dramatic collapse, claiming 4-14 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs. He was aptly supported by Iqbal Hossain Emon and Azizul Hakim Tamim, who picked up two wickets each to keep India in check. Although Emon dismissed Sooryavanshi to regain control, Abhigyan Kundu produced a resolute innings to push India past the 200-run mark.

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Theodore "Ted" Ravas Jr. passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home in The Villages, Florida. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara Ann Ravas, Ted leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience. He is survived by his two children: Stephen H Ravas and his wife, Lesley; Theodore John Ravas and his wife, Yanni; and his partner, Kristy Kemp. Born on August 1, 1943, Ted's life was nothing short of miraculous. After law school, Ted moved to Washington, D.C. and joined the Department of Agriculture, where he drafted policy.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman. Photo: BSSBy Md Tanzim AnwarDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) – Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has dismissed the allegations of political motivation behind the decision of procurement of 14 Boeing aircraft, saying it was taken on the demands based on operational and commercial grounds. “The aircraft procurement decision followed detailed assessments of fleet compatibility, maintenance support, financing options, delivery schedules and long-term operational efficiency,” he told BSS in an exclusive interview today. According to the Biman chief, the approval covers the purchase of eight Boeing 787-10 aircraft, two Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, subject to price negotiations and financing arrangements. He said achieving sustained profitability, maintaining uninterrupted operations, improving aircraft utilisation and strengthening internal controls reflected collective efforts across the airline.

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Tanzim Hasan Sakib's 4-17 was complemented by Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant 46 not out as Rajshahi Warriors eked out a three-wicket victory against Chattogram Royals in a low-scoring Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game at Sher-e-Bangladesh National Cricket Stadium today. Tanzim Hasan Sakib's brilliance with the ball helped Rajshahi bundle Chattogram out for just 125 in 19.5 overs but they almost defended the total before Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant effort saw the team home with three balls to spare. Pacer Shoriful Islam claimed three wickets in 16 balls to leave Rajshahi 21-3, giving the side an ample chance to win the game. Mushfiqur and Akbar Ali then steadied the innings with 84-run for the fifth wicket, edging the side closer to victory. With six runs needing in the last over, Jahandad Khan found an all important boundary to seal victory for Rajshahi.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser has stated that there is no legal restriction preventing public servants from campaigning in favour of a "Yes" vote in the referendum. Rather, it is an agenda for state reform based on the July National Charter, written in blood and belonging to all the people of Bangladesh. Professor Ali Riaz said that discussions with constitutional experts, former judges and relevant legal professionals had produced a unanimous opinion that there is no legal prohibition on public servants campaigning in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. Ali Riaz further stated that public servants are not only officials and employees of the Republic but also citizens. Therefore, it is necessary to explain how to cast a ballot and what a "Yes" or "No" vote signifies.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke on Saturday reaffirmed her country’s long‑standing encouragement of ‘free, fair, credible and peaceful’ elections in Bangladesh. The British High Commissioner met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed the UK's positions, according to the High Commission. She also conveyed sincere condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Joint Secretary Humayun Kabir and Mahdi Amin were present.

Trump says no reason 'right now' for Insurrection Act in MinnesotaWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Friday there was no immediate need to invoke the Insurrection Act over protests against immigration raids in Minnesota, a day after threatening to use the law. Crowds of protesters have clashed with immigration officers across the city of Minneapolis, opposing their efforts to target undocumented migrants with some officers responding with violence. - 'Incitement of violence' -Federal agents fired their weapons in two separate incidents, wounding a man from Venezuela Wednesday, and in Good's killing last week. A woman was roughly pulled from her car by officers Tuesday, an AFP correspondent saw, amid the escalating deployment of federal officers to the state. Proponents of immigration enforcement have also begun to face off with those who oppose it in the state, leading to tense encounters.

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reiterated its formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety and security concerns. The request was reiterated during a meeting between BCB officials and ICC representatives at a city hotel, where matters related to Bangladesh's participation in the tournament were discussed. During the meeting, the BCB shared the Bangladesh Government's views and concerns regarding the safety and security of the national team, Bangladeshi fans, media personnel and other stakeholders while in India. "During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka," the BCB said in a press release today. "The BCB and the ICC have agreed to continue engaging in constructive dialogue on this matter," the release concluded.

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Women's team will take on USA to kick-start their ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers campaign tomorrow (Sunday) at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. Drawn in Group A, Bangladesh will also face off Ireland, Namibia and Papua New Guinea to qualify to the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in England and Wales in June-July this year. The Bangladesh Women's team however had a superb preparation in the build up to the tournament as they won both of their official warm-up matches. The top four teams from the Super Six will qualify for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The Group B team is formed with Nepal, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Scotland.

Fahad ended with the figures of 5-38, thoroughly embarrassing Indian batterswith his nagging line and length. After Bangladesh put India into bat first, Fahad dealt a double blow in hisjust second over, dismissing Indian captain Ayush Mhatre (6) and VedantTrivedi for ducks in consecutive deliveries. Iqbal Hossain Emon and captain Azizul Hakim who both picked up two wicketsapiece gave him the apt support in further keeping India at bay. However, amid the Bangladeshi bowlers' surge, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hammered a67 ball-72 with six fours and three sixes to keep India's scoreboardrotating. Abhigyan Kundo eventually top-scored for the side with 80 off 112, hittingfour fours and three sixes.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain addressed the Zakat Conference 2026 as chief guest at a city hotel in the capital this afternoon. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS)- Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain today said poverty could be eradicated through proper management of zakat. Proper zakat management could also reduce dependence on foreign assistance,” the adviser said. He made the remarks while addressing the Zakat Conference 2026 as chief guest at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital this afternoon. Terming poverty, as a curse for nation, Dr Khalid said a strong economy ensures stability, while poverty hinders national progress.

The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed an appeal against the valid nomination of National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abul Hasnat Abdullah in Comilla-4, thereby upholding his candidacy while cancelling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination from the same seat over loan default charges. Earlier, BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi had filed an appeal challenging the candidacy of NCP nominee Hasnat Abdullah in Comilla-4. The EC rejected the appeal and upheld Hasnat Abdullah’s candidature. Separately, the EC declared Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination invalid on charges of loan default. Previously, NCP candidate Hasnat Abdullah had filed an appeal with the EC seeking the cancellation of Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination on allegations of loan default.