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.

PARIS, France, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The nationwide shutdown of the internet by authorities in Iran, which activists fear is aimed at masking the true scale of a crackdown on protests, has now lasted over 132 hours, a monitor said Wednesday. "Metrics show #Iran remains offline as the country wakes to another day of digital darkness," said Netblocks in a post on X.

Former US Acting Under Secretary Albert Gombis and Ambassador-at-Large Morse Tan called on Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to hold the general elections and the referendum as scheduled on February 12. “No matter who says what, elections will be held on February 12—not a day before, not a day after,” the Chief Adviser said, adding that the vote would be free, fair and peaceful, and held in a festive atmosphere. Albert Gombis, a former Acting Under Secretary of State, and Morse Tan, a former Ambassador-at-Large, are visiting Bangladesh ahead of the crucial elections. Both diplomats praised the Chief Adviser for his crucial role in steering the country over the past one and a half years.

today called on newly recruited Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members to uphold the force’s image by embodying discipline, professionalism and the core values of the organisation. The adviser lauded the brilliant parade displayed by the BGB recruits and wished them continued success in every aspect of their respective careers. Stating that BGTC&C has been training BGB recruits for the past 44 years and developing them as 'Alert Guards of the Border', the adviser said since Independence, a total of 72 batches have been successfully trained in the training centre. The adviser thanked and congratulated all concerned, including the BGB Director General for the aesthetic parade and successful holding the event. The parade was declared over by the armed salute given by the smart group of new soldiers to the home adviser.

TOKYO, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will inform senior party officials Wednesday of her plan to call a general election to capitalise on strong public support for her government, media reports said. Takaichi was appointed Japan's first woman prime minister in October and her cabinet is enjoying an approval rating of around 70 percent. That would pave the way for a snap election, "aiming to increase the number of ruling party seats", the Nikkei said. Public broadcaster NHK also reported Takaichi "is coordinating" a meeting with senior officials to explain her plan. Top government spokesman Minoru Kihara declined to comment on the reports, saying it was "a decision for the prime minister to make".