Amazon, the U.S.-based e-commerce giant, is preparing for another major round of layoffs, with around 14,000 employees expected to lose their jobs next week. This move is part of a broader plan to cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions. According to the report, the company had already dismissed about 14,000 workers in October as part of the same restructuring effort. The new phase of layoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, though Amazon’s spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Sources indicated that employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources—collectively known as the People Experience and Technology division—may be among the most affected. The full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, and insiders cautioned that the company’s plans could still change.

Media reports suggested that the widespread job cuts may be linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence within Amazon’s operations, and that similar reductions could also occur in India.

Bangladeshi singer Balam is set to release his fifth solo album titled 'Maula' after a gap of more than a decade. The album, containing six songs, will be released on the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Balam has composed and arranged all the tracks himself, while the lyricists’ names remain undisclosed. He mentioned that all songs will be released in audio format, with one track accompanied by a music video.

Discussing the project, Balam said he has resumed music seriously after years of releasing only singles, which he found insufficient to meet fans’ expectations. He emphasized that a full album allows for greater musical variety and helps attract listeners of different tastes and ages. The album aims to connect with both long-time fans and younger audiences, including Generation Z.

The title track 'Maula' is a Sufi-inspired song created during the COVID period, reflecting on global unrest. Balam believes its message remains relevant today. His previous albums include 'Balam' (2007), 'Balam 2' (2008), 'Balam 3' (2010), and 'Bhubon' (2013).

Veteran Bangladeshi film actor and choreographer Ilias Javed passed away on Wednesday morning, January 21, 2026, at a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka. He was 82. Born in Pakistan, Javed spent most of his life in Bangladesh, where he became a celebrated figure in the golden era of Bengali cinema. His real name was Raja Mohammad Ilias, and before becoming a leading actor, he was one of the country’s most acclaimed dance directors.

Javed began his artistic journey in Mumbai, training under legendary dance masters Sadhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj, and learning alongside Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan. He debuted as a hero in the Urdu film “Nayi Zindegi” in 1964, but his breakthrough came with the 1970 film “Payel,” directed by Mustafiz, where he starred with Razzak and Shabana. He went on to act in over a hundred films, including “Nishan,” “Malka Banu,” and “Kajal Rekha,” pairing with leading actresses such as Shabana, Bobita, and Kabori.

Beyond acting, Javed revolutionized dance in Bengali cinema, mentoring top actors and actresses. His wife Dolly Javed described him as a superstar in both acting and choreography, remembered with respect by peers and fans alike.

Popular Bangladeshi film actor and 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' founder Ilias Kanchan is undergoing cancer treatment in London. According to Liton Ershad, vice chairman of the organization, Kanchan is currently in his second round of chemotherapy, which will continue until May. Afterward, he is expected to receive a vaccine in Germany. If his condition improves, he may return to Bangladesh.

Several of his co-artists have expressed their hopes for his recovery. Actor Misha Sawdagor said they are eagerly waiting for Kanchan to return healthy, praising his kind nature and contributions to Bangladeshi cinema. Actress Champa prayed for his quick recovery and return to his family. Shabnaz described him as a pride of the film industry and a lifelong advocate for road safety. Actress Popy recalled his guidance and kindness, wishing for his battle with illness to end soon.

Ilias Kanchan debuted in the 1977 film 'Boshundhora' and has received multiple National Film Awards and the Ekushey Padak for his social contributions.

Veteran Bangladeshi actor and dancer Ilias Javed, a popular figure from the golden era of cinema, passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. in a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka. The news was confirmed by Soni Rahman, an executive member of the Artists’ Association. His body will be taken to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) for a final tribute, where his funeral prayer will be held after Asr. He will then be buried beside the mosque in Uttara Sector 12.

Javed had been battling cancer for a long time and also suffered from heart problems, having survived two previous heart attacks. His death has cast a shadow of grief over the film and cultural community. Born in 1944 in Peshawar, British India, he began his career as a dance director before becoming a leading actor in over 200 films. He debuted as a hero in the Urdu film “Nayi Zindegi” in 1964 and gained fame with “Payel” in 1966. He was best known for his role in the film “Nishan.”

In his personal life, Javed married actress Dolly Chowdhury in 1984.

Renowned musician Kabir Suman has joined Dhaka cinema for the first time, contributing as a lyricist and composer for the upcoming film 'Jhamela'. Although he will not sing, his songs will be performed by popular Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar. The film, directed by Yamin Ilan, features six songs, three of which are written and composed by Suman. Music direction is handled by Ujjal Sinha and Azmir Babu.

'Jhamela' is a family drama produced under the banner of Diya Productions, with Diya Rois as producer. The cast includes Dolly Zahur, Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Hurayra Tanvir, Abdullah Rana, and Saberi Alam, among others. Director Yamin Ilan emphasized that the film is entirely Bangladeshi, not modeled after Tamil or Indian cinema, and that shooting has taken place in Dhaka and Gazipur.

According to the director, the team plans to release the film during one of the upcoming Eid festivals this year.

Popular Islamic scholar Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari has issued a public warning after discovering that a group is using artificial intelligence to clone his voice and misuse his photos and videos for fraudulent activities on social media. In a verified Facebook post on January 19, he said these fake contents and advertisements are deceiving people and damaging his personal reputation. He urged the public not to be misled by such materials and confirmed that legal action will be taken against those responsible.

Azhari explained that the fraudulent campaigns include false product promotions and misleading medical advertisements, particularly for unscientific herbal products. He noted that Hasanah Foundation’s official phone number has been receiving frequent calls about these fake products, disrupting its official work. He clarified that neither he nor his foundation has any connection to these promotions.

He stated that a list of the fraudulent media pages has already been prepared and will soon be submitted to the police cybercrime unit. Azhari warned that if the fake content is not removed immediately, strict legal measures will follow.

Emerging women leaders in Bangladesh are facing escalating cyber harassment and AI-driven defamation as the national election approaches. Reports from multiple political parties indicate that female candidates are being targeted through online abuse, fake videos, and manipulated content aimed at silencing their voices. Leaders from the National Change Party (NCP), BNP, and other groups described organized campaigns of cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and threats, often involving AI-generated obscene materials. Victims claim that despite filing complaints, law enforcement responses remain inadequate.

According to data cited in the report, over 60,000 women sought help from the Police Cyber Support for Women by September 2024, with many cases involving doxing, hacking, and blackmail. UN Women’s 2025 report found that 66 percent of Bangladeshi women received abusive or threatening messages online. Academics and rights advocates warn that the misuse of AI and social media is eroding women’s participation in politics, as female candidacy rates have dropped from 4.86 percent in 2024 to 3.7 percent in 2026.

Experts and activists urge stronger enforcement of cybercrime laws, institutional reforms within political parties, and collaboration with digital platforms to curb AI-based harassment and protect women’s political engagement.

Sharmin S. Murshid, advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, emphasized the urgent need for an AI policy for these ministries. She made the remarks on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the Responsible AI Summit 2026, held at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Mirpur, Dhaka. Murshid noted that these ministries serve Bangladesh’s most marginalized and vulnerable communities, making a tailored AI policy essential.

She highlighted that while global technology is advancing rapidly, AI systems often fail to understand Bangladesh’s language and lifestyle, creating barriers to adoption. Murshid urged students to research and develop AI technologies aligned with local culture and language to help the nation progress technologically. She also stated that MIST would remain active in promoting responsible AI through education and research.

The summit featured keynote speaker Dr. Upol Ehsan from Northeastern University and Harvard University, who underscored the importance of developing locally made AI solutions suited to Bangladesh’s needs. Two panel discussions explored academia’s role in fostering responsible AI practices.

Popular family game show 'Family Feud Bangladesh' is set to return to television with its second season starting January 19. The show will air every Monday at 9:30 p.m. on NTV, with reruns on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Viewers will also be able to watch it anytime for free on the Bongo app and website. The new season will again be hosted by Tahsan Khan and directed by Wahidul Islam Shuvro.

According to the producers, the second season aims to build on the success of the first, which recorded over one billion total views across platforms and awarded more than three million taka in prizes. The upcoming season promises more excitement, larger prizes, and a wider scope of participation. Tahsan Khan expressed enthusiasm about the show’s return, noting that survey questions were collected from all 64 districts of Bangladesh, making the content more engaging and representative.

The producers expect the expanded format and fresh survey-based questions to enhance the show’s appeal and strengthen its position as a leading source of family entertainment in Bangladesh.

National Film Award-winning actress Dolly Zahur is returning to the big screen after a 13-year hiatus. Having stepped away from films in 2011 while continuing to act in television dramas, she is now working on two new projects. Shooting has been completed in Dhaka and Gazipur for Yamin Ilan’s family drama ‘Jhamela’, produced under the Diya Productions banner. The director stated that the story is entirely original and not adapted from any foreign film. Initially hesitant, Zahur agreed to join after hearing the story.

The director expressed hope that audiences would connect with the film’s storyline. The cast includes Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Huraira Tanvir, Saberi Alam, and several others. The final phase of shooting began on Thursday, with plans to release the film during an upcoming Eid. Zahur also appears in Redoan Rony’s ‘Dom’, playing Afran Nisho’s mother in a survival story inspired by true events, featuring Chanchal Chowdhury and Pooja Cherry. Filming took place partly in Pabna and Kazakhstan, with a release planned for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Zahur said she had not intended to return to films but was drawn by the stories and creative process of these two projects, which also feature many of her regular television co-actors.

A robot traffic police unit has started operating on the busy streets of Wuhu city in China’s Anhui province. Beginning last Saturday, the smart robot joined human traffic officers to help manage road control and maintain order at key intersections, according to CCTV. The robot, dressed in a police uniform with a traffic police logo and identification number, was seen directing vehicles from a small mobile platform that allows it to move to designated positions and rotate to oversee traffic in all directions.

The robot has been trained in four main areas: raising public awareness about traffic laws, coordinating vehicle movement at intersections, detecting and warning irregular behavior, and automatically collecting evidence of traffic violations. It is connected to the city’s traffic light and management systems, enabling it to assist human officers with repetitive tasks during peak hours.

Authorities expect the robot’s integration to improve traffic efficiency and reduce workload for human officers in high-traffic zones.

Star Cineplex is set to launch three new multiplex cinemas across Bangladesh during the upcoming Eid season. Two of these, located in Narayanganj’s Jalkuri area and Bogura’s Police Plaza, are being developed by Star Cineplex. The Narayanganj branch at Simanto Tower is planned for inauguration on Eid-ul-Fitr, featuring three halls, while the Bogura branch with two halls is also expected to open later this year. The company’s senior marketing manager, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, confirmed the plans and noted that the projects had been delayed but are nearing completion.

In addition, the Padma Cineplex in Jazira, Shariatpur, near the Padma Bridge South Police Station, is almost complete. Its owner, film producer Mohammad Iqbal, said about 90 percent of the construction work has been finished, with an opening targeted for Eid-ul-Azha. Star Cineplex previously announced plans to expand to 100 screens nationwide and aims to extend operations beyond major cities to district and sub-district levels.

These developments come amid widespread closures of traditional cinema halls, offering renewed optimism for Bangladesh’s film exhibition industry.

Researchers have identified a large and organized digital propaganda network operating behind Iran’s ongoing protests. The joint investigation by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab and Israeli media outlets The Marker and Haaretz revealed that the operation allegedly uses artificial intelligence technology and is indirectly funded by the Israeli government. The campaign’s stated goal is to promote monarchist sentiment among Iranians and destabilize the current regime.

According to the findings, the network has been spreading provocative content aimed at reinstating exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. It was most active during the attack on Tehran’s Evin Prison, when thousands of fake social media accounts circulated explosion reports and AI-generated deepfake videos before Iranian media coverage. The network also encouraged acts like bank robberies and prison breaks. Citizen Lab noted that the timing of these campaigns coincided with Israeli military operations.

Researchers warned that such unethical digital operations by democratic states could further threaten long-term stability in the Middle East, even as they appear to strengthen Iran’s ruling government domestically.

Mufti Mushahid Munawar, a lyricist, preacher, and Islamic scholar, has released six Islamic nasheeds dedicated to martyr Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Revolution and anti-imperialist movement. The songs, including 'Dilme Hadi', 'Ay Hadi Fire Ay', and 'Janau Interim', have gained wide popularity on YouTube and social media. Munawar confirmed that four more nasheeds on Osman Hadi are in progress. The compositions reflect themes of sacrifice, justice, and remembrance through restrained yet firm language.

'Dilme Hadi', voiced by Saynan Sayem, seeks to evoke the martyr’s memory with emotional restraint, while 'Ay Hadi Fire Ay', composed by Abu Ubaida and sung by Kazi Mashkure Elahi, expresses the pain of absence and longing. 'Janau Interim' stands out for its protest tone, calling for swift justice in Osman Hadi’s murder case and spreading rapidly among young audiences. Listeners have described the works as courageous and timely.

Munawar stated that his nasheeds are part of a broader cultural mission to preserve martyr memories beyond commemorative days. Cultural observers regard these works as significant additions to contemporary Islamic music and as cultural documents reflecting faith, social awareness, and historical responsibility.