Young star Zheng may have to give back Australian Open prize money
MELBOURNE, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - American rising star Michael Zheng faces the prospect of giving back his Australian Open prize money as a college student, but is hoping a concession can be made. But US college tennis rules state that he can only earn a maximum of $10,000 in prize money from tournaments per year. So whenever my run here is done, I'm going back to school," said Zheng, a senior psychology major. "But, yeah, I'll talk to our head coach and try to figure out what's the deal with the prize money, if I'm allowed to take it or not. "I've heard rumours I'm allowed to take it, because it's my senior spring," he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 03:10 UTC
China says economy grew 5% last year, among slowest in decades
China says economy grew 5% last year, among slowest in decadesBEIJING, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China's economy expanded five percent in 2025, Beijing said Monday, one of its slowest rates of growth in decades as it struggles with persistently low consumer spending and a debt crisis in its property sector. The economy grew at 4.5 percent between October and December last year, in line with expectations but marking a significant slowdown towards the end of the year. Last month's sales were worse than the 1.3 percent year-on-year growth recorded in November, extending a months-long slowdown. Fixed-asset investments in China shrunk 3.8 percent year-on-year in 2025, an inevitable rebalancing following a property and infrastructure boom in recent decades. Last year also saw the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the revival of a fierce trade war between the world's two largest economies.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 03:08 UTC
Nazrul Islam Khan describes July warriors as freedom fighters of present age
BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan today spoke at a view exchange meeting with the families of those killed and injured in the July Mass Uprising at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) – BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan today stressed on recognizing the fighters of July uprising as the freedom fighters of the present time. “If the aspirations of the Liberation War had been fully realized, the country would not have witnessed the killing, torture, and repression of leaders and activists over the past 17–18 years,” he said. Referring to the sufferings of the families of the July fighters, he said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is deeply concerned about ensuring justice and rehabilitation for them. Lauding the BNP leadership, Nazrul Islam Khan said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was the first rebel of the Liberation War and laid down his life for the country.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 01:48 UTC
Hajj pilgrims to be vaccinated through 80 centres
Hajj pilgrims to be vaccinated through 80 centresPhoto : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) – Pilgrims intending to perform the Holy Hajj this year are to be vaccinated against meningitis and influenza through 80 vaccination centres in the country under the government initiative, an official statement said here today. “The religious affairs ministry today published a list of 80 vaccination centres for Hajj pilgrims, who will receive the required vaccines from there,” said the ministry statement. It said the date of vaccination would be communicated to pilgrims through SMS on their mobile phones later. The capital-based centres are: Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital, Government Employees Hospital, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Central Police Hospital and Bangladesh Secretariat Clinic. The other centres are Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital in Gazipur, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Khulna Medical College Hospital, 250-bed Mohammad Ali Hospital in Bogura and 250-bed Sadar Hospital in Dinajpur.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 00:58 UTC
Women voters will decide who wins or loses in polls: Salam
Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairperson's Adviser and Chief Coordinator of the Dhaka-17 Election Campaign Committee Abdus Salam today said women voters will play the decisive role in determining victory or defeat in the upcoming national parliamentary election. It is the vote that will decide who wins and who loses. Salam was addressing a views exchange meeting with the leaders of different professional organisations at the main election office of Dhaka-17 constituency in Banani this afternoon. Abdus Salam further said, "Everyone knows BNP will come to power. Stressing the importance of an overwhelming victory in Dhaka-17, he said, "The party's candidate in Dhaka-17 is BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 19, 2026 00:43 UTC
Sabalenka belatedly comes good to win Melbourne opener
Collected photoMELBOURNE, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An error-strewn Aryna Sabalenka made a stodgy start to her Australian Open title charge with a 6-4, 6-1 win over French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah on Sunday. The world number one, who is chasing a third Melbourne crown in four years, faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia or Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan next. Sabalenka, who is favourite to add a fifth Grand Slam title to her career haul, pulled back level but if she expected the spirited world number 118 to melt away, it did not immediately happen. The reigning US Open champion offered an apology to her underdog opponent at 4-4 when she unleashed a forehand into the 20-year-old's head. Sabalenka was stunned in the Melbourne final by Madison Keys of the United States a year ago.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 21:53 UTC
Chief Prosecutor Tajul cautions over ‘mob’ label for July Uprising, CPB’s Ruhin Prince calls remarks a threat
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has warned against using the word “mob” to describe the July Uprising, saying it risks questioning the legitimacy of the movement. Justice has not been delivered.”Former CPB general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince described Tajul’s comments as a “threat”. Jatiya Party Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwary also spoke, saying mobs had once been tolerated but were now undermining institutions. The debate follows earlier remarks by Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, who last year described mobs as “pressure groups”. CGS President Zillur Rahman, moderating the event, warned that legitimising mobs had already led to incidents such as attacks on newspapers.
Source:bd News24
January 18, 2026 17:34 UTC
BNP asks EC for data on ‘transferred voters’, raises postal ballot concerns
Without naming the party, BNP also accused its workers of collecting copies of national ID cards and mobile payment numbers from voters, calling it a violation of privacy and a criminal offence. After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir briefed reporters, saying the party had raised objections over postal ballots as well. BNP urged that postal ballots for election officials be distributed only after symbols are allocated. Despite the concerns, Fakhrul said BNP believes a fair election is possible if the commission addresses the issues raised. The BNP delegation included Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Advisory Council Member Ismail Jabiuallah, Election Committee Member Mohammad Zakaria and lawyer Ruhul Quddus Kajal.
Source:bd News24
January 18, 2026 17:34 UTC
WALLY KELLER CLASSIC: Lemon Bay bested by Cape Coral, but prepare for district championship
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Source:Daily Sun
January 18, 2026 16:57 UTC
Referendum leaflet to reach 3.72 cr Palli Bidyut consumers
DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - A leaflet titled "Yes", calling for state reforms through the upcoming referendum, will be distributed among 3.72 crore consumers of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB), which provides electricity services across the country's rural areas. The information was shared today by REB Chairman Major General S M Zia-Ul-Azim during a meeting with Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz at his office in Dhaka. Chief Adviser's Special Assistant (Consensus) Monir Haider was also present at the meeting.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 16:37 UTC
Saif hits back to form as Dhaka bow out BPL with a victory
DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS)- A superb 73 off 44 balls from Saif Hassan helped Dhaka Capitals romp to a commanding 42-run victory over Chattogram Royals in their final Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. Dhaka finished their BPL campaign second from bottom in the points table with three victories. The bowlers then delivered a disciplined performance, led by Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin, to dismiss Chattogram for 128 in 19.4 overs. Saif took charge early after the dismissal of opener Usman Khan, who played a brief but blistering knock of 16 off six balls. Mohammad Saifuddin ripped through the middle order with figures of 4-20, while Taskin finished with 3-28.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 16:29 UTC
Elections must be held on Feb 12, CA tells Jamaat
A four-member delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami led by its Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna today. I seek cooperation of all political parties in this regard," the Chief Adviser added. Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan were present at the meeting. The Jamaat leaders informed the Chief Adviser that the election campaign will start in full-swing from January 22. Responding to the Jamaat leaders, the Chief Adviser said, "We must hold a good election at any cost.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 16:11 UTC
Nabi's son Eisakhil eyes BPL comeback after maiden T20 ton
Eisakhil spent the first half of the ongoing BPL season on the sidelinesbefore finally getting an opportunity for Noakhali Express in Sylhet. The match was also memorable as it marked the first time Eisakhil took thefield alongside his father, Mohammad Nabi, in professional cricket. Eisakhil struck a 72 ball-107, laced with four fours and 11 sixes and withthat effort, he joined an elite list of batters to have hit 11 sixes in asingle BPL innings, alongside Chris Gayle, Tamim Iqbal and Johnson Charles. "I never thought I had to hit 10 or 11 sixes. I didn't even realize that Ihit 11 sixes today.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 16:04 UTC
NBR launches automatic credit of import-stage income tax to e-returns
Under the new arrangement, importing taxpayers will automatically receivebill-of-entry-wise information on advance income tax paid during the relevantincome year while entering business income details in their e-returns. Theimport-stage income tax will be adjusted against the total payable tax,enabling automatic calculation of the net payable amount. The initiative is expected to significantly facilitate e-return filing forimporting businesspersons and ensure accurate and timely tax credit. It reiterated that its efforts would continue toenable individual taxpayers to pay income tax and submit returns easily fromhome. The NBR also urged all individual taxpayers to submit their income taxreturns online through the e-return system by January 31, 2026.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 16:01 UTC
Impact matters more than batting position, Hridoy says
However, sincebeing promoted to the opening position, Hridoy has been in scintillatingform, scoring 272 runs in four innings, including a century, at a strike rateof over 140. Despite his success as an opener, Hridoy stressed that impact matters morethan position in the batting order. Despite flourishing in the opening role, Hridoy maintained a team-firstapproach when asked about his preferred batting position in the nationalside. "At the end of the day, it's a team game, not my game alone. But in a team game, I try to servethe team wherever needed and contribute as much as I can."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 18, 2026 15:53 UTC