Photo: CollectedCHATTOGRAM, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS) - The holy night of Shab-e-Meraj is being observed tonight in the city and across the district with great religious fervor and solemnity. Muslim devotees are spending the night in prayer, seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country and the Muslim Ummah. Many Muslim devotees are visiting the shrines of renowned saints such as Hajrat Amanat Shah (RA), Hajrat Garibullah Shah (RA), and Hajrat Baizeed Bostami (RA). Devotees also visit graveyards to seek blessings for the departed souls of their loved ones. Adequate security measures are being taken at various important points, shrines, and mosques in the city on Saturday night.

Law enforcement agencies recovered seven crude bombs from a pond in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Friday. A bomb disposal unit of 9th Infantry Division recovered the bombs from the bank of the pond around 8:30 am. He said that three fish traders cast nets in the pond to catch fish. Later, they recovered the bombs from the pond. The recovered crude bombs are currently in police custody.

DHAKA, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS) - Motivated Bangladesh women's team take on Bhutanin their second match of the inaugural edition of SAFF Women's FutsalChampionship scheduled to be held at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailandtomorrow (Saturday). Earlier, Bangladesh made a winning start in the tournament beating India by3-1 goals in their opening match. Thanks to skipper Sabina Khatun who playeda key role behind the Bangladesh victory scoring a brace. On the other hand, Bhutan played out to a 1-1 goal draw with Pakistan intheir opening match. The table toppers at the end of all seven rounds of matches will be crownedin the SAFF Women's Futsal champions.

The interim government is set to provide election- and referendum-related information through the national helpline 333 ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the 2026 referendum. Once launched, citizens can access election and referendum information by pressing “9” on the helpline’s interactive voice response (IVR) menu. Speakers included Election Commission (EC) Additional Secretary KM Ali Newaz, a2i Project Director (Joint Secretary) Md Abdur Rafiq, a2i Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary) Md Rashidul Mannaf Kabir, EC Joint Secretary Md Abdul Halim Khan, and a2i Head of Program Management Abdullah Al Fahim. EC Joint Secretary Md Abdul Halim Khan guided agents on election and referendum do’s and don’ts, codes of conduct, and responding to citizens’ common queries in simple, accessible language. It will also provide guidance on emergency situations, special directives in specific areas, relevant contact numbers, and the Election Commission’s designated apps—Postal Vote BD and Smart Election Management BD.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS) - The government has allocated Taka 6.04 crore to renovate and repair 947 non-government educational institutions that will be used as polling centres for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. The allocated funds must be used solely for repairing and maintaining polling centres at the selected educational institutions. EED Superintending Engineer Md Shahjahan Ali said that with the allocation now confirmed, preparations of polling centres across the country will proceed at a faster pace. He added that the government has prioritised this urgent renovation programme to ensure a fair and conducive environment for the upcoming national election and referendum. EED Accounts Officer Md Abu Sayeed Chowdhury told BSS that the funds will be used exclusively for renovation, repair, and procurement of electrical equipment for educational institutions designated as polling centres, and not for any other purpose or for settling previous years' dues.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany confirmed midfielder Jamal Musiala was set to make his return after a six-month injury absence in Saturday's Bundesliga match at RB Leipzig. Speaking on Friday, Kompany said Musiala would be included in the squad "if everything goes well today in training". Bayern could also welcome back Germany captain Joshua Kimmich and Canada captain Alphonso Davies from injury. Chelsea junior Musiala joined Bayern in 2019 and has scored 64 goals and laid on 39 assists in 207 matches while winning five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. With half of the season played, unbeaten Bayern hold a 11-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund atop the table, the equal-best mark in Bundesliga history.

Police recovered the half-decomposed bodies of a woman and her teenage daughter from a private tutor’s residence in Keraniganj, Old Dhaka, 21 days after they went missing, officials said Thursday. Three people were arrested in connection with the incident — Fatema’s private tutor, Mim Akter, her husband Humayun, and her 15-year-old sister. According to police, Fatema went missing on the evening of December 25 while going to study at her private tutor’s house in a neighboring area. Mim later called Rokeya to the house by phone, and after she arrived, she was also strangled with a scarf. Inspector Ilias said the suspects continued to live normally in the house while keeping the bodies inside after the killings.

The protest movement in Iran has subsided after a crackdown that has killed thousands under an internet blackout, monitors said Friday, one week after the start of the biggest protests in years challenging the Islamic republic’s theocratic system. The repression has “likely suppressed the protest movement for now”, said the US-based Institute for the Study of War, which has monitored the protest activity. Attention had focused on the fate of a single protester, Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old who rights activists and Washington said was set to be executed as early as Wednesday. At the UN Security Council in New York, Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad, invited to address the body by Washington, said “all Iranians are united” against the clerical system in Iran. Iran’s representative at the meeting Gholamhossein Darzi accused Washington of “exploitation of peaceful protests for geopolitical purposes.”

A dead dolphin has washed up on the beach of the popular tourist destination Kuakata, raising concerns among locals and environmentalists. The dolphin's body was spotted this morning in the Swapna Rajya Park area on the west side of the beach by Solemar Biswas, a member of the Kuakata Dolphin Protection Committee. To prevent health risks, the dolphin was subsequently buried by the Environment Protection Movement (UPRA), Kuakata Dolphin Protection Committee, and Kuakata Municipality. Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, team leader of the Kuakata Dolphin Protection Committee, emphasized the need for higher authorities to intervene to determine the cause of death. "So far this year, one dead dolphin has washed up in Kuakata.

Rangpur Riders today confirmed that Liton Das will lead the side for the remainder of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) this season. Liton replaces Nurul Hasan Sohan as captain after the latter struggled with form, scoring just 30 runs in six innings across eight matches in this year's BPL. Rangpur acquired Liton, the Bangladesh national team's T20 captain, at the players' draft for Tk 70 lakh. Liton himself has endured a modest campaign, scoring 162 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 135. "I don't think it will be much of a challenge, because right now if we win one match, we will qualify for the playoffs," Liton said today.

Omar bin Hadi, the elder brother of Shaheed Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha who was killed by miscreants’ gunfire, has been appointed on a three-year contractual basis as second secretary at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Birmingham, United Kingdom by the interim government. The notification was issued on Thursday. The gazette was signed by Abul Hayat Md Rafique, joint secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, by order of the President. The notification stated that during the tenure of his appointment, he will not be allowed to engage in any other profession, business, or maintain any employment relationship with any government, semi-government, or private institution or organization. Other terms and conditions related to the appointment will be determined through the relevant contract.

President of the Editors’ Council Nurul Kabir on Friday said former prime minister and ex-BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia consistently stood out in Bangladesh’s political landscape for her grace, decency, restraint and strong sense of self-respect. “Khaleda Zia created a unique example in Bangladeshi politics through her refined conduct, decency, moderation, dignity and restraint, which always impressed me,” he said while addressing a citizens’ condolence meeting organized in memory of Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Reflecting on her centrist and democratic political approach, Nurul Kabir said that although he was never directly involved with BNP’s political strategies, he had always supported the party’s democratic ideals. “It was Khaleda Zia who stopped him. “It could even have affected Ziaur Rahman’s historic declaration of independence on March 26.”Addressing BNP leaders and activists, Nurul Kabir urged them not to take any action that would dishonour Khaleda Zia’s ideals.

The crisis in Bangladesh cricket has taken a serious turn as Mohammad Mithun, President of the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), said he is receiving severe threats involving physical harm against players. Mithun alleged that he has been receiving abusive calls and WhatsApp messages from various unknown domestic and international numbers. Mithun noted that the volume of these threats escalated significantly after 9:00 PM on Thursday. “We haven't spoken against the country, so I don't understand why these threats are coming,” Mithun said. These threats target Mithun as he leads the players' negotiation with the BCB regarding the boycott demanding the resignation of Director M Najmul Islam.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced it will not remain part of the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party seat-sharing alliance and will contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election independently in 268 constituencies. On Thursday, the 11-party alliance announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the national election in 253 constituencies, allocating 179 seats to Jamaat-e-Islami and 30 to the National Citizen Party (NCP), while leaving 47 seats unallocated for Islami Andolan Bangladesh out of the total 300 seats. Islami Andolan did not send any representative to the announcement, signaling uncertainty over its position within the alliance. Commenting on the matter, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: “They are working things out among themselves. I hope they will join us.”Alliance sources said Islami Andolan had demanded at least 70 seats, and Jamaat and its allies are continuing efforts to keep the party within the alliance.

A citizens' condolence meeting in memory of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has begun at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, with current BNP Chairman and her elder son Tarique Rahman in attendance. The program formally commenced at 3:05pm on Friday, with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Organized at the initiative of members of civil society, the event drew a growing crowd to the parliament area from noon onwards. To enter the condolence meeting venue, organizers have made designated entry cards mandatory. Only eminent professionals, researchers, religious representatives, and other prominent figures will speak on the life and contributions of Begum Khaleda Zia.