Three accused in a murder case who were mistakenly released from Mymensingh Central Jail without bail documents have been re-arrested by RAB-14. The elite force confirmed that the release occurred without proper authorization and that neither the district administration nor the police were immediately informed. The incident came to light on Thursday, sparking widespread discussion across the country.

The detainees—Anis Mia, Rashedul Islam, and Jakirul Islam from Tarakanda in Mymensingh—were captured during overnight operations in Tangail by two RAB-14 teams. Jail authorities admitted the release was a procedural error, explaining that a production warrant had been misinterpreted as a bail order. Mymensingh Senior Jail Superintendent Aminul Islam described the event as an “unintended mistake.”

Following the revelation, Deputy Jailor Zakaria Imtiaz was suspended for negligence, and a three-member committee was formed to investigate. The regional prison DIG stated that further legal action would be taken if additional involvement or intent was found. Police officials noted that the lack of timely notification complicated the re-arrest process.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a major reduction in gold prices after five consecutive increases. According to a notice issued on Friday, January 30, 2026, the price of gold has been reduced by up to Tk14,600 per bhori, bringing the rate of 22-carat gold down to Tk271,363 per bhori. The new prices took effect from 10:45 a.m. the same day. Previously, the price had reached a record high of Tk286,000 per bhori, the highest in Bangladesh’s history.

BAJUS stated that the local price adjustment followed a decline in the rate of pure gold in the international market. On Friday morning, global gold prices fell to USD 5,200 per ounce, down from USD 5,550 the previous day, according to data from Goldprice.org. Alongside gold, silver prices also dropped, with 22-carat silver now priced at Tk7,757 per bhori.

The price revision reflects the impact of international market trends on Bangladesh’s domestic bullion market, signaling potential short-term relief for jewelry buyers.

A Bangladesh Navy officer named Nazmus Sakib, aged 38, was killed when a speeding bus hit his motorcycle at the Ghazibari Gate area of Patiya Bypass in Chattogram on Friday morning. Another navy sailor, Md. Ikram, aged 32, sustained serious injuries in the accident. Both were traveling from Patenga to Cox’s Bazar by motorcycle when the collision occurred. Sakib died on the spot, while locals rescued Ikram and sent him to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

According to highway police and local sources, the bus was moving recklessly when it struck the motorcycle, throwing both riders off the road. Officer-in-Charge Harunur Rashid of the highway police outpost confirmed the incident and said the bus responsible for the crash has not yet been identified. Efforts are underway to locate the vehicle. Both victims were stationed at the Bangladesh Navy base in Patenga.

Police investigations are ongoing to identify the bus and determine the cause of the accident.

The Government of Bangladesh has introduced a special initiative to make air travel more affordable for expatriate workers. Under this plan, one-way ticket prices on the Saudi Arabia–Bangladesh route have been set at only 20,000 taka, enabling workers to visit their families more easily. The scheme will be effective for inbound flights from April 18 to May 25, 2026, and for return flights from May 30 to June 30, 2026.

According to Sheikh Bashiruddin, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the program targets the sale of 80,000 tickets across both countries. The initiative is expected to benefit expatriate workers while generating significant revenue for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, potentially exceeding 1 billion taka in additional income. The lowest one-way fare on the Medina–Dhaka and Jeddah–Dhaka routes is set at 20,500 taka, with return fares starting at 42,000 taka.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus praised the measure as a milestone in expatriate-friendly policy implementation and urged that the initiative be maintained effectively to ensure lasting benefits for workers and the national economy.

Authorities and locals in Lalmonirhat have expressed concern that illegal goods, including possible weapons, may be entering Bangladesh from India and Bhutan through the Burimari land port under the cover of stone imports. The customs station currently lacks a scanner machine, making it impossible to verify the contents of Indian trucks carrying stones and powder materials. The issue has gained attention as the national election approaches, raising fears of potential misuse of unmonitored cargo routes.

Field observations show that between 320 and 400 trucks cross the Burimari port daily, with many Indian trucks unloading stones at local crushing sites outside the customs-controlled area without oversight. Some of these unloading activities reportedly continue late into the night, which is considered illegal. Locals fear that such unmonitored operations could be exploited by criminal groups to smuggle weapons or suspicious items.

Burimari Customs Assistant Commissioner Md. Delwar Hossain stated that the office has repeatedly requested the National Board of Revenue to install a scanner at the port, and the authority has assured that the issue will be resolved as soon as possible.

The Dhonagoda River in Kali Bazar area of Matlab North upazila, Chandpur, has become virtually unusable due to dense water hyacinth, illegal structures, and encroachment, halting all boat movement. The five-kilometer stretch from Srirayer Char Bridge to Kali Bazar is completely blocked, leaving eight launch terminals inactive. Locals and students now cross the river using makeshift bamboo bridges, risking their safety daily.

Residents report that illegal fishing traps along both banks have obstructed the river’s natural flow, causing water hyacinth to accumulate and turn the river into a green wasteland. The river once served as a vital trade route connecting Matlab North, Matlab South, Gazaria, and Daudkandi with Dhaka, Munshiganj, and Narayanganj, but now stands nearly dead due to pollution and unplanned occupation.

Local authorities have acknowledged the issue. Matlab North Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahamuda Kulsum Moni stated that the matter is under review and coordination is underway with relevant departments to remove water hyacinth, clear illegal structures, and restore navigability.

At least 40 areas in South Keraniganj, Dhaka, have been without gas for five days, affecting around 300,000 to 400,000 residents. The disruption began after a gas pipeline was damaged during excavation work at Shubhadda Canal, halting about 50,000 Titas Gas connections. Locals have repeatedly complained to the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution office in Jinjira but reported no progress in repairs. Frustration has grown as residents accuse officials of negligence and shifting responsibility.

According to residents and local contractors, the problem originated under the canal where the main supply line passes. The Jinjira office stated that the emergency team is responsible for repairs, while the emergency team said the exact leakage point has not yet been identified. Titas Gas officials, including the deputy general manager and emergency team manager, confirmed that inspection teams have visited the site and promised action once the fault is located.

Residents warned of protests if gas service is not restored soon, while officials urged patience as technical teams continue to locate the leak.

The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair, organized by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Ministry of Commerce, has largely turned into an entertainment venue rather than achieving its founding goal of promoting Bangladeshi products in global markets. Despite being labeled an international event, the fair now focuses more on local sales and leisure activities, with visitors describing it as resembling a street market. The fair, which began in 1995 to connect local entrepreneurs with foreign buyers, currently hosts 324 stalls but only 11 foreign pavilions, and the presence of international buyers is minimal.

Export-related stakeholders say the fair has failed to generate meaningful export orders, as most stalls sell locally produced or rejected goods instead of export-quality products. Business leaders and associations, including BGMEA and EAB, argue that specialized expos such as the Global Sourcing Expo are more effective for export promotion. EPB officials acknowledge challenges in attracting foreign participants due to visa, customs, and accommodation issues but maintain that the fair still serves as a branding and networking platform.

Experts suggest shortening the fair’s duration and introducing sector-based pavilions and business-to-business zones to restore its international relevance.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former Bhola Upazila Parishad chairman Mirajul Islam and his wife Shamima Akter for allegedly amassing wealth worth hundreds of crores of taka beyond known income sources and committing money laundering. The cases were lodged on Thursday by ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Monirul Islam at the Pirojpur Integrated District Anti-Corruption Office, with Deputy Director Aminul Islam assigned as the investigating officer.

According to the case statement, Mirajul Islam allegedly acquired immovable and movable assets worth over Tk 116 crore through his companies Ifti ITCL (Pvt.) Ltd, Ifti Enterprise, and South Bangla Trade International, while his legitimate income sources accounted for only Tk 17.71 crore. His wife Shamima Akter is accused of possessing Tk 24.45 crore in illegal assets through her firm Shimu Enterprise and transferring Tk 122.39 crore via bank accounts, violating money laundering laws.

The ACC noted that the couple’s firms obtained government contracts from the LGED but did not execute the projects, allegedly misappropriating around Tk 1,000 crore. Eight additional cases have already been filed over related offenses.

A man identified as Nurul Amin Munna, described by police as a top criminal in Cox’s Bazar, was killed by his maternal uncle on Thursday evening, January 29, in the Rumaliarchhara Bacha Mia’s Ghona area. According to family sources, the incident occurred after Munna demanded a share of his mother’s property. He was attacked with sharp weapons by his uncle Hamid Ullah and his sons, and later declared dead at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Munna’s girlfriend Kajol told reporters outside the hospital morgue that they were scheduled to marry on Friday, January 30, and that she was also injured while trying to save him. Police confirmed that Munna’s body was kept at the hospital morgue and said they were investigating those involved in the killing.

Law enforcement sources stated that Munna, from the Samiti Bazar area of Rumaliarchhara, was a known top criminal with multiple cases filed against him and had previously been detained several times with local weapons.

Speakers at a seminar in Dhaka on January 28 called for stricter policies and higher import duties on cosmetics and beauty products to curb the spread of counterfeit and low-quality items. The event, jointly organized by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and the Association of Skin Care and Beauty Products Manufacturers and Exporters of Bangladesh (ASBME), highlighted the growing threat of substandard cosmetics to public health and domestic industry.

DNCRP Director General Faruk Ahmed warned that failure to control fake products could endanger future generations, while economist Dr. Mohammad Ainul Islam emphasized that cosmetics are linked to public health and social well-being. Several industry representatives, including former FBCCI director Ishakul Hossain Sweet and importers’ association secretary Shahid Hossain, demanded a reduction in the 127.72% import duty on raw materials to make local production competitive, alongside higher tariffs on finished imported goods.

Participants also urged stronger market surveillance, consumer awareness, and a ban on informal imports through luggage parties to protect consumers and ensure sustainable growth of the domestic cosmetics sector.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has resumed direct flights on the Dhaka-Karachi-Dhaka route after a 14-year suspension. The inaugural flight BG-341 departed from Dhaka at 8 p.m. on Thursday for Karachi, marking the re-establishment of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan. A ceremony was held at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to commemorate the occasion.

According to a Biman press release, the route is expected to play a key role in expanding trade, education, and cultural exchange between the two countries. The return flight BG-342 will depart Karachi at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and arrive in Dhaka at 4:20 a.m. local time the same day. The first flight carried 150 passengers. Under the winter schedule, flights will operate every Thursday and Saturday following the same timing.

The launch event was attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, and Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Md. Shafiqul Rahman.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional $55 million from five commercial banks, bringing its total dollar purchases to $3.93 billion since the start of the current fiscal year. The central bank’s Executive Director and spokesperson, Arif Hossain Khan, confirmed the transaction, noting that the move aims to maintain market balance amid increased foreign currency supply.

According to the report, the dollar market in Bangladesh became unstable in 2022, when the exchange rate rose from 85 to 122 taka per dollar. Over the past three fiscal years, the central bank sold about $34 billion to support the market, while buying only around $1 billion during that period. Following the fall of the previous Awami League government, the current administration took strict measures to curb money laundering, resulting in higher export earnings and remittance inflows.

Khan stated that the current market has more dollar supply than demand, and the central bank is buying dollars to prevent an excessive fall in the exchange rate, which could harm remittance and export sectors. As of January 22, the country’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $32.66 billion, or $28 billion under BPM-6 standards.

An international tribunal has ruled in favor of Bangladesh in the Tengratila gas field explosion case, ordering Canadian company Niko to pay $42 million in compensation. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), based in Washington, delivered the verdict. Petrobangla Chairman Engineer Rezanur Rahman confirmed the ruling on Thursday. The compensation includes $40 million for the loss of approximately 8 billion cubic feet of gas and an additional $2 million for environmental and other damages.

The Tengratila gas field, located in Chhatak, Sunamganj, was discovered in 1959 and later handed over to Niko in 2003 for exploration. Two major explosions occurred on January 7 and June 24, 2005, causing extensive damage to gas reserves and surrounding properties. Bangladesh initially demanded Tk 746 crore in compensation, which Niko refused to pay, leading to a 2016 lawsuit in Washington seeking Tk 9,250 crore.

According to Petrobangla, the tribunal found that Niko’s failure to follow international petroleum industry standards and take necessary precautions directly caused the explosions, making the company liable for the damages.

Veteran actor and director Abul Hayat has returned to directing after nearly a year’s break with a new television drama titled 'Sokhina'. The production is based on a story by the late writer Rabeya Khatun, with the screenplay written by Hayat himself. Shooting began last Tuesday at a resort in Rajendrapur, Gazipur, and the drama is planned for broadcast during Eid-ul-Fitr.

Hayat said that Rabeya Khatun’s stories offer a wide range of possibilities for quality productions even on limited budgets. He explained that reading 'Sokhina' inspired him to return to directing. The rural-themed drama stars popular actress Moushumi Mou in the lead role opposite actor Shyamal Mawla, with Naresh Bhuiyan and Badrul Hasan Khan also in the cast.

Discussing his current work, Hayat noted that he is now selective about projects, focusing on stories and characters he personally values. He emphasized balancing work with family and rest, adding that staying away from acting or directing leaves him feeling a sense of emptiness.