Huge smuggled goods seized in Kushtia
Photo: BSSKUSHTIA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today recovered different smuggled and illegal goods from various places of the district. In another drive, the BGB recovered Indian smuggled 39 bottles of liquor worth about Taka 58,500 from Pashchim Dharmodaho ground. In separate drive, a BGB team raided on Morarpara Ground and recovered Indian smuggled 996 sildenafil tablets worth about Taka 2,98,700. Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB) said they are in a strong position to ensure border security and prevent all types of smuggling and illegal activities including drug trafficking. Strict and effective operation of BGB will continue to suppress such crimes in the future as well, they added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 13:49 UTC
There is no atmosphere to play T20 WC in India: Asif Nazrul
Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul spoke to pressmen at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban today. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul saidthere is no atmosphere to play the T20 World Cup (WC) in India afterreceiving the letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) securityteam. The ICC security team recently sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket boardregarding the security risks Bangladesh could face if it goes to India toplay the T20 World Cup. Speaking to the pressmen at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhabantoday (Monday), Asif Nazrul said the ICC security team has mentioned threeissues regarding the security risks of Bangladesh playing in India. Asif Nazrul said this observation by the ICC's security team has provenbeyond a doubt that there is no situation for Bangladesh to play the T20World Cup in India.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 13:48 UTC
Ex Cox’s Bazar municipality chairman jailed 5-years for embezzling public funds
CHATTOGRAM, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - A special court here today sentenced five years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to former chairman of Cox’s Bazar municipality and Awami League leader Nurul Abser for misappropriating public funds, allocated for development work. Court sources said Nurul Abser has been absconding for long after getting bail from a court. Abser had gobbled up the public fund while he was chairman of Cox’s bazar municipality during 1984-1989. The then Anti-Corruption Bureau filed the a case in 1991 accusing former municipality chairman and Awami League leader Nurul Abser for misappropriating the development fund . The same court earlier sentenced Nurul Abser three years imprisonment in three corruption cases for pocketing TK 57 lakhs on January 7 , this year .
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 13:09 UTC
Two cases filed against ex-Addi.DIG Hamidul, his wife and three sisters
Two cases filed against ex-Addi.DIG Hamidul, his wife and three sistersFile PhotoDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - The ACC today filed two cases against former Additional Deputy Inspector General (Addi.DIG) Md. Hamidul Alam, his wife Shahazadi Alam Lipi and three others for amassing illegal wealth, providing false information in asset declarations and money laundering. Hamidul Alam, along with his three sisters Mosammat Aziza Sultana, Mosammat Arefa Salma and Mosammat Shirin Shabnam have been named as accused. In the second case, his wife Shahazadi Alam Lipi has been made an accused with Hamidul Alam as an abettor. On charges of abetment, her husband Hamidul Alam has also been accused under section 109 of the Penal Code.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 13:09 UTC
Musabbir killing: Three placed on remand, one give confessional statement
A Dhaka court on Monday placed three people on a seven-day remand in connection with the murder of Swechhasebak Dal leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir in Tejturi Bazar, Karwan Bazar, the capital. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam ordered the remand for Billal, Riaz (32) and Abdul Qadir (28) following a request by the investigation officer. During proceedings, accused Riaz claimed he was not present at the scene, saying, “I was at work that day. I have been arrested without any reason.”The shooting occurred around 8:30pm last Thursday in an alley beside Hotel Super Star in West Tejturi Bazar. Musabbir and Masud were shot, and Musabbir was declared dead at a local hospital.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 13:01 UTC
CA Yunus urges Japanese investment, worker recruitment
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday urged Japanese investors to expand their investments in Bangladesh and recruit more Bangladeshi workers for employment in Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy. He made the call when former Japanese First Lady Akie Abe and a delegation of Japanese entrepreneurs paid a courtesy visit to him at the State Guest House Jamuna in central Dhaka. Abe praised Professor Yunus’s leadership in restoring peace and stability in Bangladesh and guiding the country’s economic recovery. During the meeting, the two sides discussed potential cooperation in investment, marine research, and the recruitment of caregivers and nurses for Japan, which is facing rapid population aging. He noted that Bangladesh has already signed agreements with Japanese investors to send at least 100,000 workers to Japan over the next five years and sought the support of Ms Abe and the Japanese delegation to further increase recruitment.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:56 UTC
BB buys $81m through dollar auction
DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) today purchased US$81 million from 10 commercial banks through multiple auction methods as part of its ongoing strategy to curb the depreciation of the US dollar against the taka and revitalise the remittance and export sectors. According to central bank data, it bought dollars today at the rate of Tk 122.30. Accordingly, total purchases stood at $698 million in January 2026 and $3,833.50 million in FY 2025–26 to date.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 12:49 UTC
Venezuela govt says 116 political prisoners released
CARACAS, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela said on Monday 116 political prisoners had been released since the government announced last week it would begin freeing those jailed under president Nicolas Maduro, who was seized by US forces in a raid on Caracas. "These measures have benefited individuals deprived of liberty for acts related to disrupting the constitutional order and undermining the Nation's stability," the Ministry of the Penitentiary Service said in a statement. The statement put the number of those released at 116, although opposition and rights groups have reported lower figures.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 12:42 UTC
Salman, Anisul trial begins over incitement to genocide, crimes against humanity
The trial of former adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Salman F Rahman, and former law minister Anisul Huq formally began on Monday after the International Crimes Tribunal framed charges against them over allegations of inciting genocide and organising crimes against humanity during the July–August crackdown on the anti-discrimination student movement. A three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order. At the outset of the hearing, lawyers representing Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq pleaded not guilty and sought their discharge from the case. Tribunal member Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud then read out the charges. The prosecution submitted the formal charges on December 4, which the tribunal took cognisance of on the same day.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC
Advocate Alena Khan for supporting cold-stricken people
Human rights leader and chairperson of Bangladesh Human Rights Foundation (BHRF), Advocate Alena Khan called on human rights activists and concerned citizens to come forward to support people suffering from severe cold across the country. Speaking at the meeting, Advocate Khan said compassion is one of the greatest human values and stressed that people should rise above all differences to help those in need during difficult times. The meeting was chaired by Advocate Alena Khan and conducted by BHRF secretary general Advocate Zia Habib Ahsan. During the meeting, trustee board member Lion Salma Adil MJF, also the Founder of the Salma Adil Foundation, donated Tk50,000 to support winter relief initiatives. In addition, awards were announced for branches that observed World Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC
Youth injured in mine blast on Teknaf border, locals block road
The incident occurred around 11am in the Shahjahan Island area along the Hoaikyong border in Teknaf upazila. The blast came a day after a child was injured by gunfire from Myanmar in the same border area. Locals also formed a human chain demanding proper treatment for Huzaifa Afnan, the child injured by cross-border firing on Sunday, and stronger security measures along the border. Mohammad Amin, a resident of Lambabil, said locals had earlier taken part in a human chain demanding security and treatment for the injured child. Border residents are spending their days in extreme insecurity,” he said.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC
Chinese envoy meets Jamaat Ameer
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday and discussed ways to strengthen party-to-party exchanges. The two sides had in-depth discussions on China-Bangladesh relations, party-to-party exchanges and other issues of common interest in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. Both sides agreed to further strengthen party-to-party exchanges, deepen friendly cooperation in various fields, promote the development of the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, so as to bring more benefit to the people of both countries.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC
Fakhrul: Referendum campaign not BNP’s responsibility
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said campaigning for the referendum is not the responsibility of the BNP, stressing that participation and choice rest with the people. “It is the people’s responsibility to vote. Responding to questions about the exclusion of cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, Mirza Fakhrul said: “I used to play cricket and was also involved with the cricket board. Cricket involves international issues, and the honour of our country is linked with it. Commenting on the electoral environment, Fakhrul said a fair atmosphere currently exists, adding that the real situation would become clear once election campaigning begins.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC
Planning Adviser: Development project execution to remain slow this fiscal
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.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC
One dengue patient dies, 33 fresh cases detected overnight
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.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 12:41 UTC