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.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday attended a discussion with members of the families of individuals who fell victim to enforced disappearances and killings during past democratic movements. The event, jointly organized by Amra BNP Poriba and Mayer Dak, began at 11:15am. at the China-Bangladesh Friendship International Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Also present were BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Treasurer and advisor of Amra BNP Poribar Rashiduzzaman Millat, wife of missing person Ilias Ali, Tahsina Rushdi Luna, BNP Joint Education Secretary Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon, National Executive Committee member Hummam Qader Chowdhury, convener of Amra BNP Poribar Atikur Rahman Rumon, and Mayer Dak coordinator Sanjida Islam Tuli.

Police recovered the body of a man who remained missing since Monday from an abandoned market at Paris road in Mirpur area on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Shariful Islam Suman, 32, a mobile mechanic who used to work at Shah Ali Market in Mirpur. Mobarak Hossain, sub-inspector of Pallabi Police Station, said Suman left his home for work on January 12 and since then he remained missing. After receiving information from emergency national number 999, police rushed to the spot and recovered the body. Whether it was a murder or an accident will be known once the post-mortem report is available, said the OC.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday claimed that the Election Commission (EC) has taken some controversial steps, though he did not specify what those steps were. However, the EC has taken some controversial steps. In the future, BNP will stand by the families of the victims,” he said. Several children brought photos of their fathers and broke down in tears upon seeing Tarique Rahman, hugging him tightly. Tarique Rahman himself could not hold back tears and comforted them by stroking their heads.

Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said Iran had called off the execution of more than 800 people. Trump echoed the message on social media, claiming that over 800 executions had been scheduled but were no longer going ahead. The remarks followed days of heightened rhetoric in which Trump suggested the United States could take military action if Iran carried out mass executions during widespread protests that have since subsided. Trump did not specify who in Iran confirmed that the executions were halted. In contrast, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged the United States to follow through on its pledge to support protesters, saying he still believed Trump would keep his word.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday that a political party is attempting to tactically avoid the upcoming election, but they will not be allowed to succeed. He urged the Election Commission to ensure a fair process and warned that those trying to obstruct democracy would fail. “Democracy will be restored in the country.”Salahuddin made the remarks while attending a discussion with families of victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture during the previous government. The event was held at the China-Bangladesh Friendship International Conference Center in Dhaka and jointly organized by Mayer Dak and Amra BNP Paribar, with families from across the country participating. He stressed that BNP’s politeness should not be mistaken for weakness, and reiterated that the party’s goal is to advance democracy.

SAFA conference calls for ethical use of AISAFA International Conference organized by the ICAB held at a city hotel in Dhaka. Financial experts said this at South Asia Federation of Accountants (SAFA) International Conference here Dhaka today. Khan emphasized that the adoption of AI in sustainability reporting is no longer a distant concept, but a structural shift already influencing how economic value is created, measured, and disclosed. However, without strong ethical frameworks, AI also poses risks such as algorithmic collusion, market dominance abuses, opacity, and exclusionary practices, he noted. He also emphasized on global relevance of the discussions and their potential to shape the future of the profession, particularly in sustainability reporting, ethical AI, and next-generation professional practices.

BNP to stand always by those lost dear ones in fight against fascism: Tarique RahmanBNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today exchanged views with family members of the victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture perpetrated by Awami fascism during the past democratic movement, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said BNP will always stand by the families who lost their near and dear ones in the fight against fascism. Alongside the movement against fascism, the utmost effort has been made to stand by the people who lost their loved ones. BNP will always stand by the families who lost their dear ones in the fight against fascism." BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman listened to the plight of families who have been victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture for 16 years.

A Media Conference organized by NOAB and the Editors' Council held at the Krishibid Institution in the capital. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Media professionals today urged journalists to unite in defending press freedom, freedom of expression, and democratic values, emphasizing that the profession can only be safeguarded through collective action. Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, said the development of a country's media is closely tied to national progress. Kaler Kantho editor and president of National Press Club, Hasan Hafiz criticized recent incidents affecting media houses and called for justice for those affected. Leaders from various journalist organizations-including the Association of Television Channel Owners, Broadcast Journalists Center, National Press Club, Dhaka Union of Journalists, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Economic Reporters Forum, Photo Journalists Association, and the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh-attended the conference.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain spoke as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference in the city. Photo: MoFADHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to a rule-based international order and collective global action, stressing dialogue and cooperation to address shared economic challenges. "As a responsible neighbor and an active member of the United Nations and other international bodies, Bangladesh advocates for a rule-based international order and collective action in addressing global economic challenges. Organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), the conference was themed "Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting". Khan urged the profession, regulators and standard-setters to work together to ensure AI-enabled sustainability reporting remains transparent, explainable and aligned with global standards and investor confidence.

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DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Contrasting half-centuries from openers Dawid Malan and Towhid Hridoy helped Rangpur Riders post a competitive 181-4 against Dhaka Capitals in a crucial Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. A victory in this match would confirm Rangpur's playoff berth as the final team in the last four. Former England opener Malan top-scored with a fluent 78 off 49 balls, an innings laced with eight fours and four sixes. Despite the strong platform, Rangpur failed to breach the 200-run mark due to poor finishing from the middle order. For Dhaka Capitals, Mohammad Saifuddin was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 2-33.

PARIS, France, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Internet connectivity in Iran rose "very" sightly, monitoring group NetBlocks said on Saturday, more than 200 hours into a nationwide internet shutdown during protests against authorities. "Metrics show a very slight rise in internet connectivity in Iran this morning after the 200 hour mark," Netblocks said on X, but added that connection was only around 2 percent of ordinary levels and there was no sign of "a significant return". Protests in Iran have subsided after a crackdown that has killed thousands, monitors said Friday, a week after the start of the largest demonstrations in years challenging the country's theocratic system. Demonstrations sparked by economic grievances started with a shutdown in the Tehran bazaar on December 28 but turned into a mass movement demanding the removal of the clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 revolution.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China on Friday proposed to host the secretariat of a new treaty governing the high seas, a surprise bid that underscores Beijing's desire to have greater influence over global environmental governance. China "has decided to present its candidature of the city of Xiamen to host the Secretariat" of the treaty, the Chinese mission to the United Nations wrote in a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to a copy seen by AFP. The treaty will officially enter into force on Saturday, and the host country of the eventual secretariat will be decided later this year. They include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the parent treaty underpinning all major international climate agreements, ratified by almost every country in the world. After years of delays, the treaty to protect the high seas was ratified in September by 60 countries.