Bangladesh U-19 women’s team skip training in Pokhara
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:58 UTC
Taskforce suggests raising tax-to-GDP ratio to 15-20pc by 2035
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:58 UTC
Govt okays ordinance on prevention of sexual harassment, domestic violence
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:30 UTC
Champions Bangladesh women's team to return home today
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:28 UTC
7 KU students to join Sakura Science Exchange Programme in Japan
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:24 UTC
Ukraine says has received 1,000 bodies from Russia
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:14 UTC
Portugal storm death toll climbs, 450,000 without power
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."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:10 UTC
‘Jeopardy!’: Daily Double Drama Decides Who Joins Scott Riccardi in TOC Final
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Source:Daily Sun
January 29, 2026 12:05 UTC
National Cup Chess begins Saturday
DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The qualifying tournament of the Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess begins from Saturday (Jan 31) at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room in the capital. The qualifying tournament is open to all participants, organised by the Bangladesh Chess Federation under the patronage of Spectrum Engineering Consortium Limited. Interested chess players are requested to submit their names along with an entry fee of Taka 500 by tomorrow (Friday). The qualifying round will be held in a nine-round Swiss-league system and the top sixteen players will qualify for the final round. The champion will receive Taka one lac and the runner-up will get Taka fifty thousand.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 12:03 UTC
rohingyas-with-passports-are-not-citizens-states-foreign-adviser-touhid-hossain
Hossain said, “Due to our own mistakes, a large number of Rohingyas went abroad with Bangladeshi passports many years ago. At that time, the passports were handwritten, and there were numerous allegations of corruption…The situation is such that those who went with our passports are being pressured by the Saudis to have their passports renewed by us. When a decision is made in the context of any country, many other interests are involved. Just know this: we tried to avoid doing it, but due to our other interests, we ultimately decided to give Bangladeshi passports to these 69,000 Rohingyas. A passport does not mean the person is a citizen of Bangladesh.”
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 11:57 UTC
Tarique promises Padma barrage, Barendra project for Rajshahi
He reached the Madrasa ground at around 1:55pm, where he greeted party leaders and supporters by waving from the stage. Addressing the gathering, Tarique Rahman outlined BNP’s development plans for the Rajshahi region if the party comes to power. Referring to previous elections, Tarique alleged that the country had experienced “night-time elections” and “voterless elections” over the past 16 years, which, he said, deprived people of their voting rights. Following the Rajshahi rally, Tarique Rahman travelled by road to Naogaon, where leaders and activists welcomed him at the ATM field in the afternoon. Tarique Rahman last visited Rajshahi in 2004.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 11:50 UTC
Govt approves several ordinances, proposals
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 Council of Advisers at its weekly meeting today gave approval to six ordinances, three proposals and a policy. Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon, saying the advisory council discussed 11 important agenda and gave approval to them. He said the meeting gave approval to drafts of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Ordinance 2026, the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026, the National Sports Council (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, the Bangladesh Animal and Animal Products Quarantine Ordinance 2026, the Narayanganj Development Authority Ordinance 2026 and the Cumilla Development Authority Ordinance 2026. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were present at the briefing.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:48 UTC
EC instructs ROs to prevent use of posters in electioneering
EC instructs ROs to prevent use of posters in electioneeringFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC)has directed all Returning Officers (ROs) to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance to the electoral code of conduct, particularly prohibiting the use of posters in electioneering by candidates contesting the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS)polls. The directive was issued through a letter signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the EC Secretariat (Election Management-2 Wing), on Wednesday. The letter noted that electioneering activities are currently underway ahead of the 13th JS elections scheduled for February 12. It cited Rule 7(a) of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025, which explicitly bans the use of posters in election campaigns. Accordingly, all ROs have been instructed to ensure that no candidate uses posters during electioneering, to enforce compliance with the code of conduct, and to direct printing presses not to produce election posters.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:48 UTC
Iran army has 1,000 new drones, vows 'crushing response': army chief
PARIS, France, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's army on Thursday added 1,000 drones to its combat regiments as its chief vowed a "crushing response" to any attack, state television reported, after the United States moved a strike force into regional waters. "In accordance with the threats we are facing, maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages for rapid combat and a crushing response to any invasion... is always on the army's agenda," Iran's army commander Amir Hatami said, cited by state television.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:37 UTC
3 factories get LEED certification, 1 factory scores highest globally
Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Three readymade garment (RMG) factories in Bangladesh have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), with one factory achieving the highest score globally. Meanwhile, Ecotrims Bangladesh Ltd – Unit 1, situated in Telihati union of Gazipur, obtained Gold certification under the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings v4.1 rating system with 70 points. Another factory, NAFA Apparels Ltd – Unit 1, located in Kaliakoir of Gazipur, also achieved Gold certification under the LEED BD+C: New Construction v4 rating system after scoring 65 points. With the addition of these three factories, the total number of LEED-certified garment factories in Bangladesh has risen to 273, including 115 Platinum and 139 Gold certified units. “With hundreds of green garment factories already in operation, this record-setting performance by HAMS Garments Ltd. raises the benchmark for what is possible and encourages the industry to move beyond minimum compliance toward measurable excellence.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 11:33 UTC