Biman’s Boeing procurement decision based on operational, commercial grounds: CEO
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman. Photo: BSSBy Md Tanzim AnwarDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) – Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has dismissed the allegations of political motivation behind the decision of procurement of 14 Boeing aircraft, saying it was taken on the demands based on operational and commercial grounds. “The aircraft procurement decision followed detailed assessments of fleet compatibility, maintenance support, financing options, delivery schedules and long-term operational efficiency,” he told BSS in an exclusive interview today. According to the Biman chief, the approval covers the purchase of eight Boeing 787-10 aircraft, two Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, subject to price negotiations and financing arrangements. He said achieving sustained profitability, maintaining uninterrupted operations, improving aircraft utilisation and strengthening internal controls reflected collective efforts across the airline.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 16:37 UTC
Tanzim, Mushfiqur lead Rajshahi to victory in low-scoring game
DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Tanzim Hasan Sakib's 4-17 was complemented by Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant 46 not out as Rajshahi Warriors eked out a three-wicket victory against Chattogram Royals in a low-scoring Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game at Sher-e-Bangladesh National Cricket Stadium today. Tanzim Hasan Sakib's brilliance with the ball helped Rajshahi bundle Chattogram out for just 125 in 19.5 overs but they almost defended the total before Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant effort saw the team home with three balls to spare. Pacer Shoriful Islam claimed three wickets in 16 balls to leave Rajshahi 21-3, giving the side an ample chance to win the game. Mushfiqur and Akbar Ali then steadied the innings with 84-run for the fifth wicket, edging the side closer to victory. With six runs needing in the last over, Jahandad Khan found an all important boundary to seal victory for Rajshahi.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 16:23 UTC
Ali Riaz: No legal bar for govt employees to campaign for ‘Yes’ vote
Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser has stated that there is no legal restriction preventing public servants from campaigning in favour of a "Yes" vote in the referendum. Rather, it is an agenda for state reform based on the July National Charter, written in blood and belonging to all the people of Bangladesh. Professor Ali Riaz said that discussions with constitutional experts, former judges and relevant legal professionals had produced a unanimous opinion that there is no legal prohibition on public servants campaigning in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. Ali Riaz further stated that public servants are not only officials and employees of the Republic but also citizens. Therefore, it is necessary to explain how to cast a ballot and what a "Yes" or "No" vote signifies.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:32 UTC
Tarique Rahman meets British High Commissioner, calls election atmosphere ‘positive’
British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke on Saturday reaffirmed her country’s long‑standing encouragement of ‘free, fair, credible and peaceful’ elections in Bangladesh. The British High Commissioner met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed the UK's positions, according to the High Commission. She also conveyed sincere condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Joint Secretary Humayun Kabir and Mahdi Amin were present.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:32 UTC
Trump says no reason 'right now' for Insurrection Act in Minnesota
Trump says no reason 'right now' for Insurrection Act in MinnesotaWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Friday there was no immediate need to invoke the Insurrection Act over protests against immigration raids in Minnesota, a day after threatening to use the law. Crowds of protesters have clashed with immigration officers across the city of Minneapolis, opposing their efforts to target undocumented migrants with some officers responding with violence. - 'Incitement of violence' -Federal agents fired their weapons in two separate incidents, wounding a man from Venezuela Wednesday, and in Good's killing last week. A woman was roughly pulled from her car by officers Tuesday, an AFP correspondent saw, amid the escalating deployment of federal officers to the state. Proponents of immigration enforcement have also begun to face off with those who oppose it in the state, leading to tense encounters.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 15:31 UTC
BCB reiterates request to move T20 WC matches from India to Sri Lanka
DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reiterated its formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety and security concerns. The request was reiterated during a meeting between BCB officials and ICC representatives at a city hotel, where matters related to Bangladesh's participation in the tournament were discussed. During the meeting, the BCB shared the Bangladesh Government's views and concerns regarding the safety and security of the national team, Bangladeshi fans, media personnel and other stakeholders while in India. "During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka," the BCB said in a press release today. "The BCB and the ICC have agreed to continue engaging in constructive dialogue on this matter," the release concluded.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 15:21 UTC
Tigresses take on USA to open ICC T20 WC Qualifiers
DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Women's team will take on USA to kick-start their ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers campaign tomorrow (Sunday) at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. Drawn in Group A, Bangladesh will also face off Ireland, Namibia and Papua New Guinea to qualify to the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in England and Wales in June-July this year. The Bangladesh Women's team however had a superb preparation in the build up to the tournament as they won both of their official warm-up matches. The top four teams from the Super Six will qualify for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The Group B team is formed with Nepal, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Scotland.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 15:16 UTC
Bangladesh U19 need 239 to beat India after Fahad's fifer
Fahad ended with the figures of 5-38, thoroughly embarrassing Indian batterswith his nagging line and length. After Bangladesh put India into bat first, Fahad dealt a double blow in hisjust second over, dismissing Indian captain Ayush Mhatre (6) and VedantTrivedi for ducks in consecutive deliveries. Iqbal Hossain Emon and captain Azizul Hakim who both picked up two wicketsapiece gave him the apt support in further keeping India at bay. However, amid the Bangladeshi bowlers' surge, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hammered a67 ball-72 with six fours and three sixes to keep India's scoreboardrotating. Abhigyan Kundo eventually top-scored for the side with 80 off 112, hittingfour fours and three sixes.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 15:16 UTC
Proper zakat management can eradicate poverty: Religious Adviser
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain addressed the Zakat Conference 2026 as chief guest at a city hotel in the capital this afternoon. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS)- Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain today said poverty could be eradicated through proper management of zakat. Proper zakat management could also reduce dependence on foreign assistance,” the adviser said. He made the remarks while addressing the Zakat Conference 2026 as chief guest at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital this afternoon. Terming poverty, as a curse for nation, Dr Khalid said a strong economy ensures stability, while poverty hinders national progress.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 17, 2026 15:13 UTC
EC upholds NCP candidate Hasnat’s candidacy, cancels BNP nominee in Comilla-4
The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed an appeal against the valid nomination of National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abul Hasnat Abdullah in Comilla-4, thereby upholding his candidacy while cancelling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination from the same seat over loan default charges. Earlier, BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi had filed an appeal challenging the candidacy of NCP nominee Hasnat Abdullah in Comilla-4. The EC rejected the appeal and upheld Hasnat Abdullah’s candidature. Separately, the EC declared Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination invalid on charges of loan default. Previously, NCP candidate Hasnat Abdullah had filed an appeal with the EC seeking the cancellation of Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination on allegations of loan default.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:07 UTC
BNP announces 2-day program to mark Ziaur Rahman’s 90th birth anniversary
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a two-day program to mark the 90th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman. The programs include paying respects at his grave, offering floral tributes, holding prayer sessions and organizing a discussion meeting. He said that on January 19 at 11am BNP and its affiliated and associate organizations will place wreaths and offer prayers at Ziaur Rahman’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. On the second day January 20 at 11am BNP will hold a discussion meeting highlighting the colourful life of Ziaur Rahman. Senior party leaders are expected to attend the program.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:07 UTC
Greenlanders put faith in Europe’s troops and US Congress
Greenlanders were putting cautious hope in all-out efforts to contain US President Donald Trump’s designs on their Arctic island, as European soldiers arrived in their streets and US lawmakers visited Denmark. The Republican has pursued that argument, despite Greenland -- as part of Denmark -- being covered by Nato’s security umbrella. While the European military presence has been relatively discreet, it has been well-received on the city’s icy streets, where Greenland’s red-and-white flag hangs from many shopfronts and buildings. “There will be more military flights and ships,” Greenland’s deputy prime minister Mute Egede said on Wednesday. But now is not the time, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said this week.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:07 UTC
Nepal’s Ambassador meets Tarique Rahman
Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari on Saturday called on Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman at the latter’s office and discussed issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, they reviewed the current state of Bangladesh-Nepal relations, said the Nepalese Embassy in Dhaka. They also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, tourism, education and people-to-people exchanges. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, BNP Joint Secretary Humayun Kabir, and senior officials of the Embassy were present at the meeting.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:07 UTC
U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh - India captains avoid handshakes at toss
The diplomatic tension between Dhaka and New Delhi has spilled onto the cricket field, as the captains of the Bangladesh and India Under-19 teams refused to shake hands during the toss at the ICC U-19 World Cup on Saturday in Zimbabwe. In a scene reminiscent of recent India-Pakistan encounters, Bangladesh acting captain Jawad Abrar and India captain Ayush Mhatre visibly avoided each other at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. This incident mirrors the stance taken by India during the Asia Cup in September, where captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that his team would not shake hands with Pakistani players due to military conflicts. The breakdown in on-field courtesies comes amid “cold relations” between the two nations and a deepening standoff regarding the upcoming senior Men's T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains firm in its decision not to send the national team to India for the tournament in February, citing severe security risks.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:07 UTC
Mamunul Haque: No further scope for seat-sharing with Islami Andolan
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque has stated that there is no longer any scope for a seat-sharing arrangement with Islami Andolan. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at an event held at the central office of Jamaat-e-Islami in Moghbazar, Dhaka. Rejecting claims of any third-party influence behind Islami Andolan’s withdrawal, Mamunul Haque said that the situation had arisen due to a lack of mutual understanding. “There is no possibility of holding any fresh discussions with Islami Andolan ahead of the election,” he said. “However, if they wish to return to the alliance, they will be welcomed.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 17, 2026 15:07 UTC