A woman and her five-year-old child were killed in a road accident on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Chandina, Cumilla, on Saturday morning, January 31, 2026. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near the Iliotganj-Muradnagar road junction at the border of Daudkandi and Chandina upazilas. According to local and police sources, the unidentified woman had just stepped off a local bus named 'Papia Service' with her child when a speeding bus named 'Nilachal' ran them over. The Nilachal bus then collided with a parked mini covered van, severely damaging its rear section.

Police confirmed that the woman died at the scene, while the injured child was first taken to a local hospital and later transferred to Daudkandi’s Gauripur Health Complex, where doctors declared the child dead. Iliotganj Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin said the involved buses and the damaged van were seized and taken to the station. Efforts are underway to identify the victims, and legal procedures are in progress.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port began a work stoppage on Saturday, defying official warnings from the port authority. Although cargo unloading at the jetty continued, delivery and other internal operations came to a standstill. The strike was called by the Chattogram Port unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal to protest the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign company DP World. The program, announced earlier in the week, was supported by the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP).

The port authority had issued a notice on Friday warning of strict administrative and legal action against those involved in anti-institutional activities, stating that the process of engaging the foreign company was based on a court ruling. Despite this, workers continued their planned program. According to labor leader Humayun Kabir, workers reported to duty but refrained from work as a peaceful protest, keeping vessel unloading ongoing to avoid congestion.

Port officials said discussions were ongoing and that an official statement would be released later. The strike is scheduled to end at 4 p.m., with workers warning of tougher actions if the government does not reconsider the lease decision.

The 14th Zakat Fair 2026 began in Dhaka on Saturday under the theme “Establishing Justice through Zakat.” The event was inaugurated by Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, religious adviser to the interim government, at the Officers’ Club on Bailey Road. Organized by the Center for Zakat Management (CZM), the fair aims to promote a just, equitable, and poverty-free society through institutional zakat management.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Hossain emphasized that those who can afford but do not pay zakat lack true faith. He noted that zakat is not charity but the rightful due of the poor, and urged greater public awareness. Former caretaker government adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman highlighted the global philosophical crisis regarding moral and financial responsibilities, stressing that zakat must be given and monitored responsibly. CZM CEO Dr. Mohammad Aiyub Mia said institutional zakat collection can play a major role in reducing income inequality and poverty.

Speakers expressed hope that proper zakat management could significantly contribute to social justice and economic equity in Bangladesh.

A murder case has been filed following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Rezaul Karim during a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur. The case, lodged late Friday night by Karim’s wife Marzia Begum, names 234 accused and includes 400 to 500 unidentified individuals. Assistant Superintendent of Police Afsan Al Alam said the names of the accused are being withheld for investigative reasons, and police operations to arrest them are ongoing.

The incident occurred on Wednesday during a manifesto reading event organized by the upazila administration, where a dispute over seating escalated into violence between BNP and Jamaat activists. Rezaul Karim, secretary of Sherpur’s Sreebardi upazila Jamaat, was killed, and over a hundred people from both sides were injured. Several remain hospitalized, with two in critical condition.

In protest, Sherpur district Jamaat held a rally and demonstration on Friday, announcing a prayer event for the slain leader at Jhenaigati Upazila Stadium on Saturday.

The Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) has issued recruitment notices to hire 521 personnel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The positions span grades 6 to 19 and cover a wide range of roles including engineers, medical officers, psychologists, security staff, fire service members, technical and support staff. Applications for most positions open on January 22, 2026, while applications for positions numbered 12 to 27 begin on February 2, 2026.

The recruitment covers several departments such as on-site fire station, security and physical protection services, medical and psychology units, and technical divisions including electrical, electronics, chemistry, and cyber security. Salaries will range from BDT 17,400 to BDT 84,000 depending on grade, with additional benefits as per government regulations. Interested candidates can apply online through www.rooppurnpp.gov.bd or https://npcbl.gov.bd.

The announcement reflects NPCBL’s effort to strengthen operational and safety capacities at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant through diverse technical and administrative appointments.

Selim Mia, a farmer from Taghli village in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj, has achieved notable success cultivating squash, a vegetable popular in Thailand and Vietnam. Guided by local agricultural officers, he experimented with squash on 13 decimals of land during the winter season alongside other vegetables. His total cost was around 8,000 taka, and he expects to earn between 50,000 and 60,000 taka from the harvest. The crop began producing fruit about one and a half months after planting.

Assistant agriculture officer Shamimul Haque Shamim confirmed providing technical support and said Selim’s success has encouraged other farmers to try squash cultivation. Upazila agriculture officer Chinmoy Kar Opu described squash as a foreign vegetable still new to local farmers but noted that those who have tried it have been financially successful. He added that the department is also promoting other foreign vegetables such as broccoli, capsicum, and red cabbage.

According to Opu, squash is nutritionally rich, containing vitamins A, C, E, B6, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and iron. He said regular consumption can strengthen immunity and help protect against diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart ailments.

Rear Admiral S.M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority, has emphasized the adoption of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Government-to-Government (G2G) concession models to modernize Bangladesh’s port management sustainably. Writing on January 31, 2026, he argued that these models can attract foreign direct investment, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce the government’s debt burden while ensuring long-term financial stability. The approach aligns with the interim government’s economic transformation plan led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, which prioritizes maritime sector development as a foundation for national growth.

According to Moniruzzaman, over 92 percent of Bangladesh’s international trade passes through Chattogram Port, making its expansion and modernization crucial. He contends that PPP and G2G frameworks outperform traditional open tendering by ensuring compliance with international standards, structured risk-sharing, and transparent financial safeguards such as mandatory feasibility studies and net present value thresholds. The model also supports environmental protection, technology transfer, and skilled workforce development.

He concludes that implementing PPP and G2G concessions will strengthen Bangladesh’s global trade position, attract sustainable foreign investment, and transform Chattogram Port into a world-class logistics hub.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a man named Foysal Hasan, 26, with five gold bars worth Tk 7.75 million at the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah. The arrest took place on Friday afternoon at Khoshalpur Bazar, where BGB set up a checkpoint based on secret information. The gold was reportedly being smuggled to India.

According to Maheshpur 58 BGB Battalion Assistant Director Munshi Imdadur Rahman, the suspect was searched at the Khoshalpur Bridge checkpoint, where four gold bars and a small gold piece were found tied around his waist. The detainee, along with his mobile phone and bicycle, was handed over to Maheshpur Police Station.

Maheshpur Police Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that the arrested individual would be sent to court, and the seized gold bars have been deposited in the government treasury.

Russia, facing a shortage of workers across agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and shipbuilding, has turned to foreign labor to fill the gap. In December, a labor export agreement was signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under which 70,000 Indian workers are expected to go to Russia in 2026. Reports indicate that Indian workers will earn between 555 and 1,111 US dollars per month. Meanwhile, Bangladesh remains far behind, with only 6,266 workers currently in Russia and just 325 sent officially through government channels.

Migration experts attribute Bangladesh’s weak position to a lack of long-term planning and poor coordination between the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They argue that Bangladesh needs a permanent labor market research center and better collaboration with private sector experts to identify opportunities. Officials from the expatriates’ welfare ministry say a draft memorandum of understanding has been sent to Russia’s foreign ministry, though issues remain over repatriation agreements.

Experts warn that without strategic reforms and institutional coordination, Bangladesh risks missing out on emerging labor markets like Russia’s.

Car imports through Chattogram Port have sharply increased ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. Over the past six months, more than 7,000 vehicles arrived at the port, with 6,651 cleared by importers. The customs authority collected around Tk 1,153 crore in revenue during this period, marking a significant rise compared to the previous fiscal year. The port handled 841 brand-new and 6,225 reconditioned cars via 16 specialized Ro-Ro vessels, setting a new record for vehicle imports within such a short time.

Importers and showroom managers attributed the surge to election-related demand, particularly for microbuses and vans used in campaigns, as well as expectations of post-election stability. After years of sluggish sales due to dollar shortages and higher import taxes, the market is showing signs of recovery. Daily vehicle deliveries from the port have risen from about 10 to 40–50 units.

Officials noted that timely vehicle clearance has improved, with only 103 cars delayed beyond the 30-day limit. However, some traders suggested that the increase in imports may reflect logistical shifts from Mongla Port rather than a broad rise in consumer demand.

Hundreds of US military members, civilians, and their families have filed a civil lawsuit in a federal court in eastern Virginia against British American Tobacco (BAT) and one of its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs allege that BAT secretly supported North Korea for years, indirectly financing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah in developing weapons of mass destruction that caused harm to American citizens.

According to the complaint, BAT began producing cigarettes in North Korea in 2001 through a joint venture with a state-owned company. Although the firm announced its withdrawal in 2007 under international pressure, the US Department of Justice later said operations continued covertly through a subsidiary. A 2005 Guardian investigation first exposed the activity, and in 2023 a US Senate hearing revealed that about $418 million in transactions linked to BAT’s North Korea venture supported the country’s weapons program.

In 2023, BAT and its subsidiary reached a plea agreement with US authorities, admitting to sanctions violations and bank fraud, and agreed to pay $629 million in fines. The lawsuit claims funds from cigarette production and smuggling were used to aid attacks in Iraq and Kurdistan that killed and injured US personnel.

Bangladesh has appointed the London-based legal firm Three VB Chambers to represent the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) in an international arbitration process against India’s Adani Power Limited. The arbitration, to be conducted at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), concerns disputes over coal pricing and electricity tariffs. The decision came five days after a national review committee submitted its final report on power sector contracts signed during Sheikh Hasina’s government.

BPDB officials said the firm, led by King’s Counsel Farhaz Khan, has been advising the national committee reviewing the Adani contract for several months. The dispute intensified after Adani Power initiated arbitration in Singapore last year, claiming Bangladesh owed about USD 485 million in unpaid coal-related dues. Bangladesh has accused Adani of inflating coal prices, artificially raising power generation costs.

Following the fall of the Hasina government in August, the interim administration strengthened its review of the Adani deal. Officials said evidence of financial transactions between Adani and some Bangladeshi officials has been sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission. Legal experts have cautioned that contract termination could expose Bangladesh to compensation claims of up to USD 5 billion.

The Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a weeklong nationwide joint operation from January 23 to 29, arresting 504 individuals allegedly involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, robbery, juvenile gangs, and smuggling. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced on January 30 that the raids also led to the recovery of 48 illegal firearms, 75 rounds of ammunition, 95 crude bombs, and various local weapons and narcotics. The detainees were handed over to local police stations for interrogation and legal proceedings.

According to ISPR, the army continues to perform its duties with professionalism and discipline to maintain law and order across the country. Regular patrols and security operations are being carried out in different regions, including industrial areas where the army is also addressing labor unrest. The statement added that such operations will continue to ensure public safety and stability.

ISPR urged citizens to report any suspicious or unusual activities to the nearest army camp to support ongoing security efforts.

A three-year-old child abducted from in front of Mugda Government Medical College Hospital in Dhaka was rescued within 24 hours by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The main suspect, Md. Chan Mia, aged 41, was arrested during the same operation in Gaibandha district. The child, found unharmed, has been reunited with the family. Law enforcement agencies confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest others involved in the abduction.

The abduction occurred on January 28 when the child, visiting the hospital with family for medical care, briefly went out of sight. The abductor took advantage of the moment, carrying the child away from the hospital area. Following the incident, Mugda police and RAB launched a joint search, analyzing CCTV footage and using technology-based tracking to trace the suspect’s movements.

Officials indicated that the abduction was premeditated and possibly involved more individuals. Based on the suspect’s initial confession, investigators are verifying information to locate potential accomplices. Authorities urged parents to remain vigilant in crowded public areas and to report any suspicious activity immediately to nearby police stations.

A passenger bus caught fire on Friday morning in Dhaka’s Uttara House Building area due to a suspected mechanical fault. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when a Bhuiyan Paribahan bus, parked by the roadside, suddenly emitted smoke from its engine before bursting into flames. Fire service units from Uttara arrived promptly and brought the blaze under control by 10:12 a.m. No injuries were reported as the bus was empty at the time.

According to police, the bus engine had been left running while the driver and his assistant went to a nearby shop. Preliminary findings suggest the fire originated from a mechanical malfunction or short circuit caused by the prolonged running engine. The interior of the bus was severely damaged, but nearby shops and vehicles were spared thanks to the fire service’s quick response.

Traffic on the busy Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway slowed briefly during the incident. Authorities are investigating whether any other factors contributed to the fire. The situation in the area has since returned to normal.