BMD: Mild cold wave sweeps parts of Bangladesh
A mild cold wave is sweeping over parts of the country, and it may continue in some places, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Thursday. According to the regular Met office bulletin: “Mild cold wave is sweeping over the districts of Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Kurigram and Chuadanga and it may continue and spread." Light to moderate fog may occur at a few places over the country during late night to morning. Panchagarh’s Tetulia recorded the country’s lowest temperature at 7.5°C on Thursday morning. Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 15, 2026 10:57 UTC
Sheikh Hasina life sentence appeal placed on Appellate Division agenda
The prosecution has placed its appeal against the life sentence of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on the agenda of the Appellate Division’s Chamber Court. On November 27, the prosecution had announced its intention to appeal for a harsher sentence for the former prime minister. That day, Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim said that Tribunal-1, on November 17, sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death on one charge and to life imprisonment on another. For these incidents, Sheikh Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to life imprisonment. For these incidents, Sheikh Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to death, and their assets were ordered to be confiscated for distribution among victims of the July movement.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 15, 2026 10:57 UTC
New US Ambassador presents credentials to President
Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen on Thursday presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Welcoming the new envoy, the President expressed the hope that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the US would further strengthen in the coming days particularly in the areas of business, investment, education and culture, said Shabbir Ahmed Akunjee, private secretary to the Public Division secretary at the President’s Office. Ambassador Christensen pledged to make all-out efforts to deepen and expand Bangladesh–US relations. He also sought the President’s overall cooperation in carrying out his diplomatic duties.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 15, 2026 10:57 UTC
CPD for integrating regional RE trade into national plan
DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) – The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today laid emphasis on integrating regional Renewable Energy (RE) trade into the national plan to stabilize the grid and lower costs. The think tank made the observation at a press briefing on “Energy & Power Sector Master Plan (EPSMP): 2026-2050” at its office in the city. Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of CPD; Md Mehadi Hasan Shamim, Research Associate; Abrar Ahammed Bhuiyan, Research Associate; Atikuzzaman Shazeed, Research Associate; Sabiha Sharmin, Research Associate; Maleehah Sabah Ali, Programme Associate; and Md. Khalid Mahmud, Programme Associate; among others, were present on the occasion. Helen Mashiyat Preoty, senior research associate, delivered the presentation at the briefing.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:53 UTC
SC to hear plea to upgrade Hasina, Kamal's sentence to death on Jan 20
SC to hear plea to upgrade Hasina, Kamal's sentence to death on Jan 20Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "Fixed on 20.01.2026,"said the short order passed by Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque. The matter was listed as item number 58 on the cause list of the Appellate Division Chamber Judge Court this morning. The prosecution filed "Criminal Appeal No 96/2025: Chief Prosecutor vs Sheikh Hasina and another" on eight grounds with the Appellate Division on that day. Under charge number one, the tribunal found both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal guilty on three counts and sentenced them to imprisonment till natural death.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:50 UTC
Import of fry in vannamei shrimp farming suspended
DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The government has suspended the new and existing approvals for importing fry in vannamei shrimp farming in the country. In this context, the meeting expressed the opinion that the unchecked expansion of vannamei shrimp farming is not acceptable. The discussion emphasised limiting vannamei shrimp farming to controlled, intensive and environment-friendly methods. It was decided to suspend all new and existing approvals for the import of fry in vannamei shrimp farming until the evaluation is completed. In addition, emphasis was put on increasing the production of local bagda and galda shrimp instead of imported species and taking appropriate projects to expand local shrimp farming.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:47 UTC
German economy grew 0.2 percent in 2025
FRANKFURT, Germany, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Germany's economy expanded by 0.2 percent in 2025, returning to growth after two years of recession, official data showed Thursday, despite challenges ranging from the US tariff blitz to weak demand in China. The performance of Europe's biggest economy remained subdued however due to a decline in exports, she said. "Germany's export business faced strong headwinds owing to higher US tariffs, the appreciation of the euro and increased competition from China," Brand said. Investment also remained weak last year, and fell in the construction and machinery manufacturing industries, according to the provisional data released by Destatis. For the final quarter of 2025, the agency estimated that the economy grew 0.2 percent from the third quarter.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:45 UTC
Kremlin says Ukraine running out of time to agree to Moscow's peace terms
Kremlin says Ukraine running out of time to agree to Moscow's peace termsMOSCOW, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Kremlin said Thursday that Ukraine was running out of options to strike a deal to end almost four years of war with Russia, as thousands were without heating in Kyiv in -12C temperatures following waves of Russian strikes on the country's energy grid. "The situation is deteriorating day by day for the Kyiv regime," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, adding that Ukraine's "corridor for decision-making" was "narrowing".
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:43 UTC
Tarique Rahman attends citizens condolence meeting for Khaleda Zia tomorrow
Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File photoDHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will attend the citizens condolence meeting for former BNP Chairperson and three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia here tomorrow. The condolence meeting will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Friday after Zuma prayers. The press conference was chaired by educationist and economist Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah. During the press conference, the speakers said that all members of her family have been invited to the citizens' condolence meeting for Begum Khaleda Zia and they have agreed to remain present at the meeting.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:40 UTC
Hotel owner fined for storing stale food in Chandpur
Photo: BSSCHANDPUR, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - A hotel owner in the district town was fined Taka 15,000 on Thursday for preparing food in an unhygienic environment and storing stale food, officials said. The fine was imposed during a mobile court drive conducted yesterday by Abdullah Al Imran, Assistant Director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department (NCRPD), Chandpur District Office. According to the official, the owner of a Dhaka Hotel in the district town was found guilty of preparing food in dirty and unhygienic conditions and storing cooked stale food together with raw food in a refrigerator, which is a violation of the Consumer Rights Protection Act. Leaflets and pamphlets were distributed among traders and consumers to raise public awareness about consumer rights and discourage unlawful practices. The official said such drives would continue in the public interest to ensure safe and hygienic food for consumers.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:10 UTC
Motivational meeting on referendum held in Magura
Photo: BSSMAGURA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - A motivational meeting with teachers was held in Magura today to ensure the successful organization of the upcoming referendum in the district, marking the occasion of the 13th National Parliament elections. The meeting took place at 10:00 am at the conference room of the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Representatives from the district police, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and head teachers of various primary schools under Sadar upazila were present at the meeting. The speakers emphasized that teachers play a crucial and responsible role in encouraging spontaneous public participation in the referendum process. At the end of the meeting, special importance was given to enhancing grassroots-level public awareness about the referendum through the active involvement of teachers.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 10:05 UTC
India shuts Kashmir medical college after Muslim students dominated first MBBS batch
India has shut down a medical college in Indian-administered Kashmir following protests by right-wing Hindu groups over the admission of a large number of Muslim students into its first batch. Students who meet the minimum qualifying threshold but fall short of public college cut-offs typically enrol in private institutions. However, several students told Al Jazeera they did not observe any major shortcomings. Salim Manzoor,* another student, noted that in Muslim-majority Kashmir there are medical colleges where Hindu students are enrolled under minority quotas. “I appeared for a competitive exam, which is one of the hardest in India, and was able to get a seat at a medical college,” she said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 15, 2026 09:47 UTC
Govt. moves to finalise appointment process for principals, assistant principals in pvt educational institutions
DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The government is in the final stages of completing the long-awaited recommendation process for appointing principals and assistant principals in private schools, colleges and madrasas across the country. A high-level meeting is going on at the Ministry of Education to finalise the draft circular prepared by the Non-Government Teachers Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) on the appointment procedure. The meeting is expected to approve the final circular outlining the procedure for recommending appointments to key leadership posts in private educational institutions, including principal, vice-principal, head teacher, assistant head teacher, superintendent and assistant superintendent. An official from the Ministry of Education said that the issuance of the circular would bring a “radical change” to the long-standing recruitment system. NTRCA officials said the initiative aims to ensure greater transparency, accountability and fairness in the appointment of leadership positions in private educational institutions.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 15, 2026 09:02 UTC
