The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday summoned Myanmar Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe and expressed deep concern of Bangladesh at the recent incident of gunfire from Myanmar towards Bangladesh near Whykong Union of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing on Sunday. Bangladesh reminded that the unprovoked firing towards Bangladesh is a blatant violation of the international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationship. Bangladesh asked Myanmar to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in future. The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. File photoDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the government has prepared a long-term energy strategy as energy remains a critical issue for the economy. “Energy remains a critical issue for the economy as both power and energy sectors depend heavily on assured supply,” he said. Dr Salehuddin explained that the plan looks at the issue from multiple angles, including strengthening domestic sources. Regarding the high inflation trend, Dr Salehuddin said inflation cannot be controlled by monetary policy alone.

decides in principle to withdraw one project from PPP listDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) – The Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a proposal in principle for withdrawing a project titled “New Modern Medical College & Hospital of 250 beds on the unused land in Khulna” from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project list. The approval came from the 2nd meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. Cabinet Division officials said the Ministry of Railways placed the proposal before the day’s meeting.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. File photoDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said the Pay Commission is continuing its work without any interruption. Mentioning that premature comments would not be helpful, Dr Salehuddin said, "The Pay Commission has not stopped its work at all. Dr Salehuddin indicated that discussions with senior officials could take place shortly, after which the commission would submit with its findings. Dr Salehuddin also said the Pay Commission has been open to feedback and interaction with stakeholders.

Alongside this initiative, a 24/7 toll-free helpline—13219—is being officially introduced to receive information related to missing children across the country. The MUN Alert system has been developed under the leadership of the Missing Children Cell of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police, with technical and coordination support from the Zero Missing Children Platform and international collaboration from the Amber Alert for Bangladesh team. The initiative draws inspiration from the globally recognized AMBER Alert system, first launched in the United States following the 1996 abduction and murder of child Amber Hagerman. Members of the public can report information about missing children through the national emergency service 999, the Missing Children Cell hotline (01320017060), or the newly launched toll-free helpline 13219. The authority to verify information, assess risk levels, and issue, suspend or withdraw alerts will rest solely with the Missing Children Cell of the CID.

Adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, Sharmeen S Murshid, spoke at a programme held in Gulshan today. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Sharmeen S Murshid has said that although women and children are the most important segment of society, in reality they remain the most vulnerable, making it imperative to ensure their citizen rights. Sharmeen Murshid said, "Citizenship is not merely a legal identity; it is a symbol of dignity, rights and opportunity. For women and children especially, recognition of citizenship opens doors to education, healthcare, security and social inclusion." She reiterated that ensuring citizen rights of women and children is the need of the hour and emphasized that all citizenship-related initiatives must prioritize women and children.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reduced customs duty on mobile phone imports by 60 percent aiming to keep handset prices within the purchasing capacity of general consumers. According to a press release, the NBR has issued a notification lowering customs duty on imported mobile phones from 25 percent to 10 percent. To protect domestic mobile phone assembling industries from adverse competition, the NBR has also reduced customs duty on the import of components used by local assemblers from 10 percent to 5 percent through a separate notification. The government expressed optimism that the significant reduction in duties on mobile phone imports and assembling components would help keep mobile phone prices affordable for the public and make digital services more accessible to citizens. It also reaffirmed that efforts to keep mobile phone prices within the purchasing power of people will continue.

Verdict in plot scam case against Hasina, Tulip, 16 others on Feb 2Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her nieces Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq-File photoDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today set February 2 for pronouncing judgment in a case against 18 people, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her nieces Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, over alleged irregularities in allocating a 10-katha plot in the RAJUK New Town Project. Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 passed the order as the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments in the case today, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam told BSS. The court on January 8 had set today to place arguments in the case. Earlier, on January 5, the court had brought the testimony in the case to an end. The ACC filed the case against 16 on January 13, 2025, and filed a charge sheet on March 10 against the 18.

BAMAKO, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A boat capsized near the fabled northern Malian city of Timbuktu, killing several people, the regional governor said Monday. "About 50 people were believed to be on board with their luggage" when the vessel sank late Thursday, the governor said. Boats are widely used in northern Mali on the Niger river and its tributaries. The Niger crosses Mali for 1,750 kilometres (1,100 miles), linking the south to the arid north. The landlocked country has faced a deep security crisis since 2012, fuelled notably by violence from jihadists as well as community-based criminal groups.

BAGERHAT, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized 4,000 metres of deer hunting traps along with 100 kilograms of venison from the Kagadobeki area of the Sundarbans. The information was confirmed to BSS by Coast Guard West Zone Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Md Muntasir Ibne Mohsin on Tuesday morning. During the operation, the Coast Guard recovered 4,000 metres of deer hunting traps and 100kg of venison from the spot. However, no one could be arrested as the poachers managed to flee sensing the presence of the Coast Guard. The seized venison and hunting traps were later handed over to the Kagadobeki Forest Patrol Outpost.

The much-awaited dot bangla domain is set to be unlocked for the people tomorrow as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it at a function on the day. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will open the dot bangla domain at a ceremony at her official Ganabhaban residence in the city tomorrow noon," sources at the Prime Minister's Office said. The International Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICAAN) has officially allotted the dot bangla (.bangla) internet domain to Bangladesh. Earlier, ICANN-approved another domain label for Bangladesh as dot bd or .bd. In 2003, a specification was released that allows most Unicode characters to be used in domain names.

The Chief Adviser inaugurated the conference titled “South Asian Regional Conference on State of Higher Education and Future Pathway (SARCHE 2026)” organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh this morning. Education Adviser Professor Dr CR Abrar addressed the inaugural ceremony as the special guest with UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz in the chair. According to the UGC officials, the conference is being organised under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project. On the first day (today), two sessions will focus on “The Current State of Higher Education in South Asia: Governance, Quality and Inclusion” and “Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Social Engagement”. On the final day, discussions on gender issues in higher education will be held while the conference will end following the adoption of the ‘Dhaka Higher Education Declaration’.

Chairman of MIDA, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun. File photoDHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS)- Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), today said that the government is working to establish a solid foundation for the country's future economic trajectory. Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), Sasakawa Peace Foundation in collaboration with MIDA and Peace and Policy Solutions (PPS) hosted the dialogue. OPRI President Professor Mitsutaku Makino and MIDA Member Commodore Tanzim Faruque, among others, also spoke on the occasion. Dr. Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, delivered the keynote presentation.

Lai, the Apple Daily founder who pleaded not guilty in the case, was convicted in December . Under the security law, a reduced penalty may be granted to those who report on offenses committed by others. Li said Chan, who started working at Apple Daily in 1996, regretted not resisting even more firmly when matters arose that made her uncomfortable. Apple Daily closure dealt a blow to Hong Kong press sceneLai founded Apple Daily in 1995, two years before Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule. Being openly critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, the newspaper was well-received among pro-democracy readers.

The BMD said a mild cold wave is currently affecting Panchagarh, Kurigram and Nilphamari districts and it may continue. This marks a reduction in the number of districts under cold wave conditions compared to yesterday, indicating a gradual easing of the cold spell. The lowest temperature was recorded today 7.5 degrees Celsius at Tetulia in Panchagarh, while the highest maximum temperature yesterday was 29 degrees Celsius at Sylhet. The lowest temperature of 7.5 degrees Celsius at Tetulia in Panchagarh confirmed that the northern fringe of the country remains the cold core, influenced by cold air inflow from the Himalayan foothills. In contrast, the highest maximum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius at Sylhet yesterday reflects a warmer daytime environment in the north-eastern region.