Police in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari sent six online casino gamblers to jail on Monday afternoon following their arrest on Sunday evening. The arrests took place in Mushrut Paniyal Pukur Balapara village, where officers seized Android mobile phones containing casino gaming apps from each suspect. The detainees were identified as Rakib Mia, Nur Hossain, Riju Islam Ratul, Shahin Alam, Abdul Aziz, and Manik Mia, all residents of the local area.

Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman of Kishoreganj Police Station stated that the detainees were sent to jail through the court in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act for engaging in online casino gambling. The police action highlights enforcement efforts against illegal online gambling activities in the region.

The case marks a continuation of local authorities’ attempts to curb cyber-related offenses, with the seized devices expected to serve as evidence in the ongoing legal process.

The Singapore dollar has reached its highest level in nearly ten years against the US dollar, reflecting growing investor confidence in Asian markets. The currency strengthened by 0.3 percent to 1.2684 per US dollar, marking its strongest position since October 2014. The rise occurred amid expectations that Singapore’s central bank will maintain its current policy stance, while global pressure on the US dollar increased due to potential currency interventions by Japan and signals from the United States.

Analysts noted that the US dollar came under pressure following the New York Federal Reserve’s interest rate review on January 23, which also led to a 1.2 percent rise in the Japanese yen. Other Asian currencies benefited as well, with Malaysia’s ringgit reaching its highest level since 2018 and South Korea’s won hitting a three-week peak. Experts highlighted that Singapore’s monetary authority focuses more on exchange rate management than interest rates, supported by stable economic policies, a strong stock market, and a reliable government bond market.

Over the past year, the Singapore dollar has gained about 6 percent against the US dollar. Analysts believe that Singapore’s consistent and stable policies could help sustain the currency’s strength despite global uncertainties.

Police in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha arrested six Awami League leaders following an attack on officers during an operation to detain former union parishad chairman and local Awami League publicity secretary Zobayer Hasan Shafik Mahmud Golap. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday when police surrounded Golap’s residence to execute the arrest. Supporters of Golap, numbering about 50 to 60, allegedly launched a sudden assault on the police, injuring three officers who were later hospitalized at Gobindaganj Upazila Health Complex.

Following the attack, Sub-Inspector Akhtaruzzaman filed a case naming 18 individuals and including 50 to 60 unidentified persons. Police subsequently conducted a night raid and detained six named suspects from the area. Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque confirmed that the detainees were sent to district jail through the court on Monday. Authorities stated that the law and order situation in the area remains stable, with continued police surveillance to prevent further unrest.

The Bangladesh government has given policy approval to offer cash incentives to non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) who help attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. The decision was made at a meeting of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) governing board held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. According to BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, NRBs who facilitate equity investment in Bangladesh will receive a 1.25 percent cash incentive on the investment amount.

He explained that the initiative aims to use the global networks of expatriate Bangladeshis to promote the country as an investment destination. The proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Finance for final approval before implementation. BIDA also announced plans to open overseas offices, starting in China, followed by South Korea and a European Union country, to attract more investment.

Additionally, the government approved a roadmap to merge six investment-related agencies under a single structure called the “Single Umbrella” framework to improve coordination and decision-making. Legal and structural implementation will proceed under the next government.

Students of the Al-Quran and Islamic Studies Department at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia staged a human chain on Monday, January 26, demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the murder of student Sajid Abdullah. The protest took place at noon in front of the university’s administration building, marking six months and nine days since the killing. Leaders from the university’s student wings, including the Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir, joined the demonstration in solidarity.

During the event, students expressed frustration that the university administration had yet to identify the killers, accusing officials of negligence and delay. Speakers warned that if justice was not delivered, they would escalate their movement. Chhatra Dal’s convener Sahed Ahmed demanded the resignation of the university proctor by 4 p.m. Tuesday, threatening to besiege the vice-chancellor’s office on Wednesday if the demand was ignored.

The protest reflects growing anger among students over the lack of progress in the investigation and signals possible intensified demonstrations if authorities fail to act promptly.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed all commercial bank branches across the country to conduct awareness campaigns for the upcoming referendum on constitutional reform proposals recorded in the July National Charter 2025. The directive was issued through a circular released by the central bank on Monday, advising each branch and sub-branch to display two special vertical banners to promote public awareness about the referendum.

Earlier, on January 5, the Chief Adviser’s Office had sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank requesting campaign support in favor of the referendum. Following that, the central bank governor held meetings with banks and gave verbal instructions to promote a ‘yes’ vote, also directing them to use funds from their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets for the campaign. State-owned banks began implementing the campaign, but many private banks refrained, citing the absence of an official circular as the reason.

With the new circular now in place, all commercial banks are expected to participate in the awareness campaign as instructed by the central bank.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has summoned Summit Group chairman Mohammad Aziz Khan, his wife Anjuman Aziz Khan, daughter Ayesha Aziz, and 13 other family members for questioning over alleged money laundering. The summons, issued from the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, requires their appearance on January 29 and February 1–4. ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md. Akterul Islam confirmed the notice.

According to the ACC, the allegations involve the laundering of large sums, including Tk 226 crore against Aziz Khan, Tk 32 crore against Anjuman Aziz Khan, and Tk 219 crore against Ayesha Aziz. A seven-member team led by Deputy Director Md. Alomgir Hossain is conducting the investigation. Earlier, on December 14, the ACC had issued separate notices to the family to submit wealth statements for verifying about Tk 711 crore in allegedly illegal assets.

The ACC stated that the declared assets in income tax records appear inconsistent with actual holdings and income sources, prompting the inquiry under Section 26(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

The Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) has announced a five-year strategic roadmap to develop Maheshkhali as a key center for Bangladesh’s energy and logistics sectors. The decision was finalized on Monday at MIDA’s first governing board meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Following the meeting, MIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun said the board approved a short-term land allocation plan covering 2025 to 2030.

According to Mahmud, the roadmap sets three main goals for the next five years, focusing primarily on addressing the country’s ongoing energy crisis. Key priorities include operationalizing Maheshkhali’s deep-sea port and establishing LNG and LPG terminals to strengthen energy infrastructure. The master plan also emphasizes utilizing the island’s natural resources and diversifying local economic activities through a specialized fish processing hub.

MIDA, which began operations last August, is now consolidating its organizational structure. The governing board has approved a 137-person staffing plan to oversee the development of these major projects.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a special operation titled 'Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2' across ten police stations in the capital, arresting 20 individuals. The operation took place on Monday, according to DMP’s Media and Public Relations Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, who confirmed the arrests. The initiative aimed to enhance public safety in Dhaka through coordinated law enforcement actions.

According to DMP sources, the arrests were made in Sutrapur, Mohammadpur, Khilgaon, Hazaribagh, Adabor, Kalabagan, Jatrabari, Dakshinkhan, Shahbagh, and Banani police station areas. Each station carried out searches in crime-prone and sensitive zones within its jurisdiction. The detainees have been sent to court following legal procedures.

The DMP stated that such operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to ensure public security and maintain law and order in the capital.

Veteran actress and Ekushey Padak recipient Dilara Zaman, now over eighty, remains active in acting and public appearances. On January 9, 2025, she was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 'Dhallywood Film and Music Silver Jubilee Award 2025' ceremony in Dhaka. She expressed gratitude to the event’s organizer, Alamgir Khan Alam, praising his sincerity and humility.

Despite her age, Zaman continues to work regularly in television dramas and other media. She is currently performing in the ongoing drama series 'Rupnagar,' directed by Kaysar Ahmed and airing on Deepto TV, where her performance has received strong audience response. Additionally, her central role in the YouTube-released drama 'Somprokker Golpo,' directed by Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raz, has also been well received.

Her continued recognition and active participation in acting and cultural events highlight her enduring influence in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry.

A delegation from the Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF), led by its chairman Khaja Shahriar, met with the chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Monday, January 26, at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon. The meeting focused on the calculation of excise duty on trade facility loans and investment services, highlighting differences between conventional and Islamic banking practices.

NBR officials, including Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, listened attentively to the delegation’s concerns and assured that necessary steps would be taken within the existing legal framework to resolve the issue. Senior NBR members such as AKM Badiul Alam, Ahsan Habib, and Md. Mashiur Rahman were present at the meeting.

The IBCF delegation included senior representatives from several Islamic and commercial banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Standard Bank, and Prime Bank. The discussion aimed to ensure fair excise duty treatment for Islamic banking operations under current regulations.

A Dhaka court has granted a four-day remand for Salman F Rahman, former trade adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the embezzlement and laundering of Tk 136.98 crore from Janata Bank. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez, following a five-day remand request from the investigating officer. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

According to the case documents, Rahman allegedly abused his power to create fake loans and accommodation bills under the name of a company called Skynet Apparels, transferring large sums abroad. The ACC claimed that his son and nephew’s Dubai-based company was linked to the fraudulent transactions. Rahman is currently in jail in connection with another case.

The ACC’s public prosecutor, Tarikul Islam, said the remand was sought to interrogate Rahman about financial fraud and the creation of fake institutions to secure loans. The case was filed on November 3 last year by ACC Assistant Director Md Mahbub Morshed against Rahman and 21 others.

The prosecution has expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict in the Chankharpul six-murder case, where the court found the accused guilty but imposed what it described as limited sentences. Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tazul Islam, announced on Monday afternoon that the state will appeal the ruling, arguing that the punishment does not align with the gravity of the proven crimes.

Following the verdict, Tazul Islam stated that one of the convicts, constable Sujon, had shown enthusiasm during the shooting but was given a limited sentence because he acted under superior orders. The court also ordered the confiscation of the properties of those sentenced to death. The chief prosecutor emphasized that the judgment sends a message that government officials are not obliged to follow illegal orders and will not be exempt from accountability if they do.

The prosecution’s decision to appeal indicates ongoing legal proceedings and potential review of the sentencing by a higher court.

Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Majumdar announced that the government is considering lifting the existing limit on the purchase of savings certificates. He made the statement on Monday in Dhaka during a seminar titled 'Bond Market Development in Bangladesh: Challenges and Recommendations'. Majumdar said the government may take new decisions regarding the buying and selling of savings certificates, including the possible removal of the purchase ceiling.

At the same event, Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur emphasized the need for major reforms to develop the bond market. He stated that simplifying bond transactions could expand the domestic bond market by six trillion and reduce large commercial institutions’ dependence on banks. Mansur added that attracting foreign investment or integrating into the bond market would be necessary to meet financial needs, urging both the private sector and the government to take proactive roles.

He further noted that the future of the bond market depends on controlling inflation and stabilizing interest rates, suggesting that a unified interest rate structure would make the market more sustainable.

Heavy snowfall has paralyzed life in Manali, a hill town in India’s Himachal Pradesh, as continuous snow for 48 hours has covered the Kothi-Manali national highway, causing a 7–8 kilometer-long traffic jam. Tourists have been forced to spend the night inside vehicles without food or water. Local authorities reported that around 700 roads across the state have been closed due to the snow, making travel through alternative routes extremely difficult.

Tourists visiting Shimla, Kullu, and Manali to enjoy the snow have found themselves in danger, with some walking nearly 20 kilometers through hilly terrain to reach government shelters. The weather office warned that heavy snowfall and rain are expected to continue from January 26 to 28 under the influence of western winds, potentially worsening the situation. Power outages have further complicated conditions.

A taxi driver stranded on the Kothi-Manali road said his passengers remained in the vehicle for 24 hours without food or water and criticized the administration for failing to clear the roads. Authorities have been urged to act swiftly and provide emergency assistance to affected tourists.