DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Contrasting half-centuries from openers DawidMalan and Towhid Hridoy powered Rangpur Riders to an 11-run victory overDhaka Capitals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today,confirming their place in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs as thefinal qualifying team. Despite the win, Rangpur are set to play the Eliminator against SylhetTitans, with Rajshahi Warriors and Chattogram Royals having already securedthe top two spots on the points table. Former England opener Malan starred with a fluent 78 off 49 balls, an inningslaced with eight fours and four sixes. Rangpur then leaned on their bowlers, led by a venomous spell from fastbowler Nahid Rana, who returned outstanding figures of 3-11. Earlier, Fahim Ashraf also played his part for Rangpur by claiming 2-43 tocheck Dhaka's top order.

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Rajshahi Warriors captain Najmul Hossain Shantowon the toss and sent Chattogram Royals into bat first in their last game ofthe Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game today at Sher-e-Bangla NationalCricket Stadium. Both teams had already confirmed the top two finish, meaning they would playthe Qualifier-1 game on January 21 to move to the final of the BPL. A victory in this match is deemed to be a morale booster for both ofthe sides. A Rajshahi victory in this game would confirm that they will finish the BPLgroup phase as table toppers. Chattogram won the first-leg game between the two sides, edging Rajshahi pastby two wickets in a thrilling contest.

US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: CollectedISTANBUL, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump has invited Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to join the so-called Board of Peace that will oversee post-war Gaza, Turkey said Saturday. Erdogan received the proposal in a letter sent Friday by Trump inviting him to "become a founding member" of the board, Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran posted on social media.

CAIRO, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Palestinian committee set to govern post-war Gaza has begun its work in Cairo, a member told AFP on Friday. "We hope to go to Gaza next week or the week after; our work is there, and we need to be there," he said. According to diplomatic sources, the committee will be based in Cairo, with members travelling to and from Gaza regularly. The committee is headed by Gaza native and former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath. Omar Shamali, another member of the committee, meanwhile told AFP that "200,000 prefabricated units will enter Gaza... to provide education, health, and security services".

Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee today met with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairman's Office in the city's Gulshan. Photo: Video ScreenshotDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - The Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh DashoKarma Hamu Dorjee today met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. The meeting took place at the BNP Chairman's Office in the city's Gulshanarea at around 4:55pm, according to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and its Joint SecretaryGeneral (International Affairs) and BNP Chairman's Foreign Affairs AdvisoryCouncil Member Humayun Kabir were present during the meeting.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Google filed a notice onFriday to appeal a federal judge's ruling that it held an illegal monopoly ononline search, court records show. On Friday, Google said the ruling "ignored the reality that people use Googlebecause they want to, not because they're forced to." That order risks Google losing trade secrets before a decision is made on itsappeal, the company argued in a court filing. He said at the time that Google must make available to "qualifiedcompetitors" search index data and user interaction information that rivalscan use to improve their services. Google on Friday said it is not seeking to postpone other requirements fromMehta's previous orders, including those related to "privacy and securitysafeguards" for user data.

Ukrainian negotiators arrive in US for talks on plan to end war: delegation memberKYIV, Ukraine, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian negotiators have arrived inthe United States for talks with the Trump administration on ending almostfour years of war with Russia, a member of the delegation said on Saturday. They will meet US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. "Arrived in the United States. "A joint meeting with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and (US Army Secretary)Daniel Driscoll is planned." Ukraine's ambassador to the US said a day earlier that the talks would focuson security guarantees and post-war reconstruction.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh on Saturday said it is in the country solely to observe the electoral process and will not interfere, as it deployed 56 long-term observers across all 64 administrative districts. Their observations and insights will form the foundation of an impartial and evidence-based assessment of the electoral process,” she said. The EU EOM applies a structured and well-established methodology for long-term, nationwide observation, allowing for a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the electoral process. The EU Election Observation Mission will present its preliminary findings at a press conference in Dhaka on February 14. A final report, including recommendations, will be submitted to the authorities after completion of the entire electoral process.

Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a rally organised under the Department of Environment's ongoing Integrated and Partnership-based Project for Noise Pollution Control in Dhaka. Adviser Rizwana highlighted that the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025, have already been gazetted. The adviser identified unnecessary honking and fireworks as the two main sources of noise pollution currently being addressed. Expressing optimism, she said the next elected government would continue ongoing programmes to control noise pollution. Addressing young volunteers, she emphasized that a social movement against noise pollution is essential to protect future generations from hearing impairment.

Protests in Iran seem to have subsided after weeks of mass unrest drew a bloody clampdown that has reportedly left thousands of people dead. There have been no signs of protests for days in the capital, Tehran. But they quickly morphed into the largest threat to the Islamic regime’s rule since it took power in a 1979 revolution. Meanwhile, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said he was confident the Islamic Republic would fall and called for foreign intervention. Pahlavi, whose father was overthrown by Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, said he still believes Trump’s promise of assistance.

BAU’s dairy farm. Among its key facilities, the university’s 70-acre dairy farm has emerged as a unique and vital center for education, research and sustainable livestock development. Established just three years after the founding of the university, the dairy farm has evolved over the decades with continuous modernization. Today, it stands as a comprehensive hub combining animal husbandry, farming, education, research and production. Overall, BAU’s dairy farm is not merely a milk production unit but a successful model of integrated education, research and sustainable livestock development in Bangladesh.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh women's team played out to a 3-3 goal draw with Bhutan in their second match of SAFF Women's Futsal Championship held at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand today. Sonam Lhamo scored the second goal in the 27th and third for her team in the 30th minute. With the day's outcome, Bangladesh secured four points from two matches while Nepal bagged two points playing the same number of matches. Thanks to skipper Sabina Khatun who played a key role behind the Bangladesh victory scoring a brace. On the other hand, Bhutan played out to a 1-1 goal draw with Pakistan in their opening match.

The body of 19-year-old student was recovered from a rented flat in Mirpur-10 on Saturday morning, police said. The deceased was identified as Sanjana Islam Mim, daughter of Shawkat Mridha from Chandkhali village in Barguna Sadar Upazila. She was a second-year intermediate student at Mirpur English Version School and College, said Inspector Md Faruk of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police OutpostThe body was found around 6:30am. Sanjana was first taken to a local hospital and later was taken to DMCH emergency department where she was pronounced dead. “We found her after she did not respond to calls, and broke the door to rescue her,” he said.

Two people died and at least five others injured in a head-on collision between two buses on the Sylhet–Dhaka highway in Osmani Nagar upazila of Sylhet on Saturday morning. The accident happened around 7:30am near the Dayamir Kunapara area when buses of Shyamoli Paribahan and Ena Paribahan collided while attempting to overtake, said Habibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sherpur Highway Police Station. “Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot, rescued the injured and sent them to hospital,” said the OC. At least five passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Both buses were seized and were in police custody, added the OC.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday said vast sums of money were laundered out of Bangladesh over the past 15 years, much of it through what he described as “banks being looted in broad daylight.”He added that a significant portion was also siphoned off through accounting manipulation. Addressing a gathering of leading accountants, he said, “Many of the country’s top accountants are present here today. The foreign adviser noted that the world is experiencing rapid technological advancement, with artificial intelligence and digital innovation transforming professions globally, including his own. At the same time, the global community is placing increasing emphasis on sustainability, transparency, and ethical practices in business and governance. “For Bangladesh, the proposed integration of technology and sustainable capacity is particularly significant,” he said.