The sluggish pace of development project implementation is likely to continue through the current fiscal year, Planning Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud said on Monday. Prof Wahiduddin said while the quality of projects has improved overall development spending has been constrained by structural, administrative and political factors. “The government has focused on better quality and accountability even though these reforms have temporarily slowed project execution,” he added. The Planning Adviser also acknowledged longstanding weaknesses in project management including shortages of competent project directors, delays, and cost overruns. To address this, NEC approved the creation of a pool of trained civil servants for key planning and project management roles.

Health officials on Monday said they recorded 33 fresh cases of dengue onslaughts, killing at least one person in the past 24 hours. "We recorded death of one dengue patient in 24 hours ending at 8 am today," a spokesman of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said adding his office simultaneously recorded 33 fresh cases of dengue onslaughts during the same period. Since the start of the dengue onslaughts Bangladesh this year witnessed so far one death while the disease inflicted 610 people. The dengue last year claimed 413 lives and inflicted 1,02,861 people in the country. Besides, the dengue claimed 575 lives and inflicted 1,01,214 people in 2024.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz has said a mandate of the voters (referendum) on the July Charter is indispensable for future Bangladesh’s state structure and full-length establishment of democracy. Ali Riaz said this while addressing a conference of Imams of Rajshahi division at Hazrat Shah Makhdum Edigah in the city on Monday. District Administration and Islamic Foundation organized the conference aimed at publicity for the referendum and motivating the voters. Prof Ali Riaz said some differences among the political parties were seen on the issue of signing of the July National Charter. Prof Ali Reaz also said if the people give verdict to the fundamental structure of state operation the next governments will be compelled to function according the peoples will.

Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup campaign has been plunged into fresh controversy after Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally flagged the inclusion of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the Bangladesh squad as a potential security risk. According to Asif Nazrul, the ICC letter warned that the overall security threat could increase if Mustafizur is part of the squad, if Bangladeshi supporters are seen wearing the national team jersey, and as India’s election period draws closer. However, the Sports Adviser revealed that the ICC security team has already communicated its assessment in a separate letter, outlining three factors that would significantly increase security risks for the Bangladesh team in India. “This statement of the ICC security team has proven beyond doubt that there is no situation for the Bangladesh cricket team to play the T20 World Cup in India,” he said. “We believe that the prevailing communal situation in India and the anti-Bangladesh atmosphere… have made it impossible for Bangladesh to play cricket in India,” he said, adding that he would make the ICC security letter available to the media.

Prime Bank PLC has taken another meaningful step toward inclusive banking by distributing Braille books among persons with visual impairments, ensuring that financial knowledge is accessible to all. The initiative, carried out recently in Savar in collaboration with Team Inclusion Bangladesh, reflects the bank’s deep commitment to empowering underserved communities. Building on its earlier Consumer Banking Braille books initiative, Prime Bank expanded its efforts through the distribution of CMSME Banking Braille books, enabling visually impaired individuals to better understand banking products, services and opportunities. Recognizing that access goes beyond information, the Bank also arranged on-the-spot bank account opening services, allowing participants to immediately enter the formal banking system. The engagement served as a heartfelt reminder that financial inclusion is not merely a service—it is a responsibility toward building a more compassionate and inclusive society.

Former Japanese First Lady Akie Abe and a delegation of Japanese entrepreneurs met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday. Photo: CA's Press wingDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on Japanese investors to expand investment in Bangladesh and recruit more Bangladeshi workers for employment in Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser and the former First Lady discussed potential cooperation in investment, marine research, and the recruitment of caregivers and nurses for Japan, which is facing rapid population ageing. At the invitation of the Chief Adviser, Sasakawa Foundation has also planned to sign an agreement with the newly constituted Maheshkhali–Matarbari Development Authority to establish three model fishing villages along the Chattogram coast. The Chief Adviser said his government has intensified efforts to train thousands of nurses and caregivers for employment in Japan and has expanded Japanese language training programmes to support this initiative.

Govt expects turnaround in implementation of investment projects from next year: Planning AdviserPlanning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud. He also said that project quality has improved, overall development spending has been constrained by structural, administrative and political factors. As a result, Mahmud said, many areas that rely less on remittance inflows have been hit harder by the slowdown, as development projects have progressed slowly. Despite the current challenges, Mahmud expressed cautious optimism that project implementation and development spending could regain momentum in the next fiscal year, provided political stability improves and fully return of investment confidence. “We want both better quality and a larger volume of development spending,” he said.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled goods worth more than Taka 155.59 crore during anti-smuggling operations conducted across border areas and other parts of the country in past December. The seized contraband included 2 kg 63.38 grams of gold, 14,883 sarees, 26,100 three-piece/shirtpiece/chadar/blankets, 26,520 ready-made garments, 9,883 meters of cloth, and 443,646 cosmetic items. The haul also comprised 16,954 pieces of imitation jewellery, 3,386,882 fireworks, 11,119 cubic feet of wood, 4,639 kg of tea leaves, 10,099 kg of betel nuts, 23,130 kg of coal, 708 cubic feet of stone and 176 cubic feet of sand. In addition, 425 people were detained for illegal border crossings, including 134 Bangladeshi citizens, 15 Indian citizens, and 276 Myanmar nationals. BGB authorities reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border security and continuing strict operations to curb smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal cross-border movement.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has eased import rules for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), permitting importers to use credit facilities of up to 270 days, a move aimed at easing dollar liquidity pressure and ensuring steady LPG supplies in the domestic market. As a result, local importers require time for storage, bottling and related operational processes,” said a BB circular issued on Sunday. It is hereby clarified that LPG shall be treated as an industrial raw material eligible for import under supplier’s or buyer’s credit. Accordingly, imports of LPG may be allowed for usance terms of up to 270 days, the circular added. In addition to availing trade credit from suppliers, Authorized Dealers (ADs) are advised to arrange buyer’s credit facilities from overseas banks and financial institutions, or bill discounting facilities through Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) of scheduled banks in Bangladesh, subject to compliance with applicable foreign exchange regulations and prudential credit norms.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- The Annual Conference of Farmer Hub Owners of Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF) Bangladesh was held successfully here today with the call for strengthening collaboration among farmer hub owners, public institutions and private sector stakeholders. Strengthening collaboration among farmer hub owners, public institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development partners coupled with promoting sustainable agricultural practices through enhancing backward and forward market linkages was the prime objective of the event. Around 120 participants, including 80 Farmer Hub Owners, who play a crucial role in providing services, inputs, and market linkages to farmers at the grassroots level, joined the conference. He said strengthening farmer hub networks, promoting efficient irrigation technologies, and enhancing market-oriented services for farmers can be the crucial means of making agriculture more value-added and profitable. Dr Rahman attributed that the event facilitated experience sharing among Farmers’ Hub owners, government and private stakeholders.

HONG KONG, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gold and silver surged to record highsafter the US Justice Department targeted the Federal Reserve in aninvestigation, fuelling fears over the bank's independence and raising demandfor safe haven assets. Gold vaulted toward $4,600 an ounce and silver approached $85 for the firsttime after Fed chair Jerome Powell warned a potential criminal indictment ispart of President Donald Trump's pressure campaign on monetary policydecisions.

Chalamet, 'One Battle' among winners at Golden GlobesBEVERLY HILLS, United States, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - "One Battle After Another" was among the big winners at the Golden Globes on Sunday, though its star Leonardo DiCaprio missed out to Timothee Chalamet in one of the glitzy gala's most closely watched contests. Midway through the ceremony, it had collected awards for best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress for Teyana Taylor. Chalamet said his four previous Globes losses "make this moment that much sweeter" before thanking his girlfriend Kylie Jenner. - 'BE GOOD' -Rose Byrne won for best comedy actress for "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You." "Let's do the right thing," said Jean Smart, after winning best comedy series actress for "Hacks."

Nepal estimated it suffered losses of about $586 million and that nearly 15,000 people lost their jobs after protests toppled the government in September. More than 27,000 people applied for the temporary police jobs on Friday and Saturday, the first two days of applications, Nepal police spokesman Abinarayan Kafle said. "I am also Gen-Z, but I do not have a job," she told AFP in the capital Kathmandu on Sunday. "Sunday was a public holiday but so many people, most (of them) youths, were queueing outside police stations with great excitement," police spokesman Kafle told AFP. "I used to work in a hotel as a cook, but I am jobless now," Nischal Poudel, 30, told AFP from an application queue in Kathmandu.

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - An unidentified young man believed to be around 23 years old was killed today after being hit by a car on the northern side of Kuril Bishwa Road in Khilkhet in the capital. The youth was critically injured and later rescued by passersby, who rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment and he was declared dead around 10:00am today. A pedestrian, Mohammad Koyes, who was present at the scene, said the victim was struck by a speeding vehicle on the northern lane of Kuril Bishwa Road and was immediately taken to the hospital in serious condition. Confirming the incident, Khilkhet Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Farooq said the exact details of the vehicle involved are yet to be known. The body has been kept in the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and the matter has been reported to the concerned authorities for further investigation

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday ordered investigators to submit an investigation report by February 5 in the case over alleged crimes against humanity, including genocide and torture, during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar. The order was passed by a tribunal led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder following a hearing on an application filed by the prosecution. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution and sought three weeks to submit the investigation report. The case stems from a complaint filed on May 5, 2013, by Hefazat-e-Islam leader Azizul Haque with the tribunal’s chief prosecutor. The complaint was lodged on behalf of Hefazat leaders Junaid Al Habib and Maulana Mamunul Haque, accusing 21 individuals in connection with the Shapla Chattar incident.