DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) – The rulers of the United Arab Emirates have granted royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners on the occasion of the UAE’s 54th Union Day, reflecting the country’s longstanding humanitarian tradition. The pardons were announced as part of the 2025 Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) celebrations, during which the UAE leadership extended clemency to thousands of inmates of various nationalities across the country, said a press release issued by the UAE embassy here today. Such royal pardons are routinely issued by UAE rulers on major national and religious occasions, including Eid festivals and National Day, with the aim of promoting forgiveness, social reintegration, and family reunification. Officials noted that recent pardon initiatives in late 2025 covered a large number of prisoners, including Bangladeshi nationals, offering them an opportunity to rebuild their lives and return to their families and communities. The gesture underscores the UAE leadership’s commitment to humanitarian values and compassion.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) – Finnish election observers will soon join the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Bangladesh, reaffirming Finland’s support for the country’s democratic transition ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections. Appreciating Finland’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, Islam lauded Finland and the European Union for deploying a large European Union Election Observation Mission for the polls. The Secretary also sought Finland’s support for Bangladesh’s post-LDC transition and GSP+ aspirations, underscoring the country’s commitment to labour rights and workplace safety. Highlighting investment opportunities, Islam invited the Ambassador to visit Bangladesh’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and encouraged Finnish participation in upcoming business events in Dhaka. In response, the Ambassador expressed interest in visiting EPZs and said Finnish businesses were keen to engage in future EU business initiatives in Bangladesh.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) – Swiss President Guy Parmelin has conveyed his best wishes for peace and prosperity for Bangladesh and its people ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for February 12. The Swiss President also enquired about the forthcoming national elections in Bangladesh and conveyed his hopes for continued peace, stability and prosperity for the Bangladeshi people. Ambassador Sobhan further apprised the Swiss President of Bangladesh’s decision to open a resident diplomatic mission in Bern. President Parmelin welcomed the move, expressing satisfaction and assuring Switzerland’s full support in strengthening bilateral engagement.

BANGKOK, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A crane at a China-backed high-speed rail line in Thailand collapsed onto a passenger train on Wednesday, causing it to derail and killing at least 22 people, local authorities said. "Twenty-two people were killed and more than 30 were injured," a local police chief in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thatchapon Chinnawong, told AFP. "A crane collapsed onto a train causing it to derail and catch fire," the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial public relations department said in a statement. The Nakhon Ratchasima provincial department said the train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. Industrial and construction site accidents have long been common in Thailand, where lax enforcement of safety regulations often leads to deadly incidents.

Two more people have died of alcohol poisoning after drinking “bootleg alcohol” in Rangpur, leading to a tally of six deaths from alcohol over three days in the district. The two most recent deaths have been identified as Abdul Malek, who hails from Badarganj Upazila, and Rashedul Islam, who hails from Rangpur’s Sadar Upazila. Around midnight on Sunday, several people drank "bootleg alchohol" at the house of a narcotics trader in the Shyampurhat area of Badarganj Upazila. Several of them later fell ill.Three people died on Sunday - Alamgir Hossain and Sohel Mia from Badarganj Upazila and Jannat Ali of Rangpur Sadar Upazila. Another man died of alcohol poisoning in the Balarbazar area of Hazirhat Thana on Monday evening.

The lottery system for allocating shares to investors in initial public offerings has been reinstated in Bangladesh’s capital market. Following reforms to the IPO framework, the “Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Public Offer of Equity Securities) Rules, 2025” was gazetted on Dec 30. The revised rules were explained at a press conference at the BSEC office in Agargaon on Wednesday. The lottery-based share allotment system was scrapped in 2024, when the BSEC introduced proportional allocation based on investor demand and deposited funds. Structural reforms in the capital market are now under way based on recommendations from those taskforces.

Photo: BSSLALMONIRHAT, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - A new Border Observation Post (BOP) of theBorder Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was inaugurated in Lalmonirhat on Wednesday tostrengthen border security and enhance surveillance in the area. Brigadier General A S M Nasher, region commander of the BGB North-WestRegion, formally inaugurated the newly-constructed BOP at the East Sardubiborder area of the district. Senior BGB officials present at the ceremony included Colonel SM ShafiqurRahman, Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Md. Musahid Masum, Lieutenant Colonel SyedFazle Munim and other officers of various ranks. According to BGB sources, the establishment of the new BOP aims to strengthenregular patrolling along the border and enhance monitoring activities.

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus speaks at a function at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today stressed that the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) must remain a strong and profitable organization. Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain and BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek handed over the cheque to the Chief Adviser. The Chief Adviser also emphasized that trainers of marine academies must be retained by providing them with appropriate honorariums so that they can produce world-class seafarers. Following the directives of the Chief Adviser, BSC has already taken several initiatives to procure new ships.

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma. -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma today stressed on global partnership in transforming the people living in the CHT region into skilled human resources aimed at improving their living standard. During the meeting, they discussed wide range of issues including ensuring sustainable development, capacity building and making sure the global labour market standards in the CHT region. Every development project is being implemented in compliance with international standards and labour laws, he added. The adviser thanked the ILO delegation for their assurance of cooperation in the government’s development efforts.

Eminent playwright Selim Al Deen’s death anniversary is observed at JU today. Photo: BSSJAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The 19th death anniversary of eminent playwright Selim Al Deen was observed today at Jahangirnagar University through a series of programmes held with due respect and solemnity. The day began at 10:00 am with a memorial procession followed by wreath-laying at Selim Al Deen’s grave. “Within the thousand-year-old tradition of Bangla theatre, Selim Al Deen searched for the fundamental essence of art while continuously breaking and reshaping theatrical forms in the process of artistic creation. “Selim Al Deen’s creative works and artistic philosophy continue to remain a constant source of inspiration in his absence,” she added.

US budget deficit narrows in October-December, as tariffs boost revenueWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Boosts in revenue from taxes and tariffs narrowed the US budget deficit in the October to December period from the year before, Department of Treasury data showed on Tuesday. The deficit shrank by 15 percent from the prior fiscal year, from $711 billion to $602 billion. Overall revenue climbed by 13 percent to $1.2 trillion, while spending rose by two percent overall to $1.8 trillion. The leap in duties collections was primarily due to higher tariffs, the official said. But critics warn that whether the revenues are fully realized depends on how the economy reacts to higher duties.

DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The prices of at least 20 essential agricultural products, including onion and garlic, have decreased since the July Uprising, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM). The prices of essentials in the market were always upward although Bangladesh produces many essential agricultural products. According to the market price data of daily essential agricultural products of the DAM, the retail price of potatoes was Taka 60 per kilogram before the July Uprising in 2024. Before the uprising, the price of lentils was Taka 110 while this year, the price has decreased by 10 percent to Taka 100. The above information is taken from the Department of Agricultural Marketing's updated retail market price data for August 2024 and the updated market price data for January 8, 2026.

Seven arrested in Shibpur raid; arms, drugs, cash, and weapons seized early Tuesday morning. Photo : BSSNARSINGDI, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Seven people were arrested along with arms, drugs and a large amount of cash during a joint drive conducted by law and enforcement agencies in Kararchar and Jangaila areas of Shibpur upazila in the district early today. The operation was carried out around 3:00 am under the leadership of Lt Col Shamim Rahman, commanding officer of 9 Signal Battalion. The arrestees along with the recovered arms, drugs and other items were handed over to Shibpur Model Police Station. OC Mohammad Kohinoor Mia said the arrestees were produced before a court and sent to jail this afternoon.

PARIS, France, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's judiciary chief vowed fast-track trials for suspects arrested over a wave of protests which the authorities have dismissed as "riots", state television said Wednesday. "If a person burned someone, beheaded someone and set them on fire then we must do our work quickly," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on a visit to a prison holding protest detainees, in comments broadcast by state television. Iranian news agencies also quoted him as saying the trials should be held "in public" and said he had spent five hours in a prison in Tehran to examine the cases. Rights groups say thousands have been arrested and fear the judiciary will make extensive use of capital punishment.