The International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, has concluded final arguments in the case concerning the burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising. The tribunal has now kept the verdict pending. Defense arguments were presented over the past two days, following prosecution arguments on January 14 and 15. A total of 24 witnesses testified in the case.

Sixteen individuals were charged, including eight currently in custody such as former Dhaka Additional Superintendent of Police Abdullahil Kafi and several former police officers from Savar and Ashulia. The remaining eight, including former Member of Parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam, remain absconding. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on August 5, 2024, when five people were shot dead and one critically injured in front of Ashulia Police Station. The injured man and the bodies were later placed in a police vehicle that was set on fire, killing all six.

The tribunal had earlier framed charges on August 21, 2025, and began witness hearings after the prosecution’s opening statement on September 14, 2025. The verdict will be delivered after judicial deliberation.

The Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), AKM Shahidur Rahman, announced that a large-scale joint forces operation will soon be launched to destroy the militant hideout in Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram. He said preparations are underway to involve the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Armed Police Battalion (APBn), police, and the district administration. The operation aims to arrest armed militants, recover government land, and ensure justice for slain RAB member Abdul Motaleb.

Rahman made the announcement on Tuesday during a media briefing at the RAB office in Patenga after Motaleb’s funeral. The RAB chief said Motaleb was killed in a sudden attack by militants on Monday afternoon. He pledged to continue surveillance in Jungle Salimpur until justice is served and to correct any operational mistakes. A RAB investigation committee has been formed, and the armed suspects have been identified.

Police officials said a case is being processed, but no arrests have been made yet. The area remains under the control of a top local criminal, according to police sources.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority announced that toll collection from the Padma Bridge has reached a milestone of 30 billion taka. The information was shared in a press release issued on Tuesday by Masud Rana Shikder, Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer of the authority. Since the bridge’s inauguration on June 25, 2022, both vehicle crossings and revenue have steadily increased.

According to the release, the Padma Bridge has significantly reduced travel time, created employment opportunities, and contributed positively to national GDP growth. It has also brought major improvements in the transportation of agricultural, fisheries, livestock, and industrial goods. The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system installed at the Mawa and Jajira ends has accelerated toll operations, minimizing waiting times at toll plazas.

The statement added that automatic toll collection through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards has made travel faster and easier. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority credited public cooperation and modernization of the digital toll system for achieving this milestone and extended thanks to all stakeholders involved in the bridge’s operation and maintenance.

The Pay Commission of Bangladesh is set to submit its report on the Ninth National Pay Scale to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The commission, led by Zakir Ahmed Khan, will hold its final meeting earlier in the day at the Cabinet Division’s old building. According to commission sources, the new pay structure will be partially implemented from January 1, 2026, and fully effective from July 1, 2026–27 fiscal year.

Under the proposed structure, house rent will not increase for all grades of government employees. Instead, it will rise proportionally for grades 20 to 9 but decrease for grades 8 to 1, as higher-grade officers are already receiving significant salary hikes. The lowest salary, currently Tk 8,250, is expected to more than double, while the highest salary will rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000, maintaining a 1:8 ratio between the lowest and highest scales.

The government has already raised operating expenditure by Tk 22,000 crore in the revised 2025–26 budget to support partial implementation. Full implementation is estimated to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore.

Three bodies of fishermen who went missing ten days ago after a motorized boat sank in the Meghna River have been recovered in Barishal. According to river police, the bodies were found on Tuesday morning and afternoon in the Hizla and Mehendiganj areas. The deceased were identified as Shahin Mir, 20, Nayon Bepari, 19, and Arif Sikder, 19. Their bodies were handed over to their families without autopsy as no complaints were filed.

Police said the incident occurred on January 10 when five young fishermen from Hizla went fishing near the Lal Buoy area of the Meghna River. After casting their nets, they fell asleep in the boat, which later sank as water entered through the engine propeller. Two of them managed to swim ashore and were rescued, but the others went missing in dense fog. One fisherman, Shahin Sikder, 18, remains missing, and his relatives continue to search the river.

Authorities have not reported any further developments regarding the missing fisherman’s search.

The Finance Division of Bangladesh has issued a new order requiring its prior approval for 26 categories of government financial decisions. Signed by Finance Secretary Dr. Mohammad Khairuzzaman Mozumder, the directive took effect immediately and will remain valid until further notice. The order aims to strengthen fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability across ministries and departments by centralizing oversight of major financial and administrative actions.

According to the order, proposals related to creation or abolition of posts, pay structure changes, vehicle procurement, outsourcing of services, and temporary labor hiring must be submitted to the Finance Division. Approval is also mandatory for expenditures exceeding budget allocations, re-appropriation between revenue and capital budgets, and honoraria above specified limits. Additionally, foreign travel expenses beyond set dollar thresholds, tax and fee proposals, and policy matters involving financial commitments or international agreements require prior clearance.

The directive further covers loan guarantees, remission of government revenue claims, and approval of pay and allowances for private or foreign experts. The Finance Division emphasized that these measures are intended to ensure consistent financial governance across all government entities.

Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has experienced its heaviest snowfall in 130 years, leaving towns and cities buried under massive snowdrifts. Local authorities reported snow accumulation ranging from 10 to 40 feet, with some multi-story buildings covered up to the fourth floor. The severe blizzard has caused fatalities due to snow pressure and avalanches. On January 15, Mayor Yevgeny Belyayev declared a state of emergency in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the region’s administrative center.

The extreme weather has paralyzed transportation, forcing road closures and flight cancellations. Power outages have been reported across several areas, and schools, offices, and businesses remain shut, confining residents indoors. Shortages of essential goods such as bread, milk, and eggs have emerged as snow-blocked roads disrupt supply chains.

Meteorologists attributed the continuous heavy snowfall and strong winds to multiple low-pressure systems over the Sea of Okhotsk. They warned that the harsh conditions could persist for several more days, prolonging the region’s crisis.

Police in Natore’s Naldanga upazila arrested a Youth Dal activist on Monday for allegedly stealing cash during a Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) goods distribution at Madhnagar Union Parishad. The suspect, identified as Rumman Sardar, 35, was detained from Purba Madhnagar village with 181,050 taka in cash, which police said was part of the stolen amount of nearly 200,000 taka. The theft occurred when dealer Mizanur Rahman left the distribution site briefly for prayers.

According to police, Rumman Sardar is a resident of Purba Madhnagar and known locally as a Youth Dal activist. He is the son of Md. Lokman Hossain Bhulu, president of the BNP’s Ward No. 5 unit in Madhnagar Union. Bhulu told reporters that his son was addicted to drugs and expressed shock over the incident, adding that anyone committing a crime must face legal consequences.

Naldanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nure Alam said the suspect is in custody and legal proceedings are underway. Authorities added that further action will be taken if others are found involved after investigation.

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.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced major labor market reforms requiring at least 60 percent Saudi nationals in 18 marketing and sales-related professions. The directive, reported by Gulf News, aims to expand local participation and reduce unemployment. Companies with three or more employees must comply within three months, and Saudi workers in these roles will receive a minimum monthly salary of 5,500 riyals.

The affected professions include marketing and advertising managers, public relations officers, graphic designers, photographers, sales managers, retail and wholesale representatives, and IT and telecommunications sales specialists. Firms failing to meet the localization target after the grace period will face fines and administrative penalties.

The initiative aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond oil and create more jobs for young Saudis. However, the policy is expected to significantly impact expatriate workers, particularly from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, who have long dominated Saudi Arabia’s private marketing and sales sectors.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jibon, on charges of acquiring illegal wealth worth about Tk 3.25 crore. The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by ACC’s public relations officer Md. Akterul Islam.

Siam, also known as a former relief and disaster management secretary of the banned Dhaka North unit of Chhatra League, had previously been expelled from the organization after his name surfaced in a question paper leak scandal. On January 5, 2025, the ACC filed three separate cases against Jibon, his wife Shahreen Akter Shilpi, and their son Siam, accusing them of possessing Tk 5.37 crore in illegal assets and conducting suspicious transactions totaling around Tk 45 crore.

Siam’s arrest marks the latest development in the ongoing investigation into the family’s alleged corruption and financial irregularities, as authorities continue to pursue the cases filed last year.

Police in Khulna arrested three young men on Monday afternoon from the residence of S M Shafiqul Islam, president of Koyra Upazila Jubo League and former upazila chairman, following allegations of extortion. The suspects, identified as Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Al Nahian, and Miraz Gazi, allegedly introduced themselves as student coordinators and leaders of the NCP. The arrest took place at Shafiqul Islam’s house on Nesar Uddin Road under Sonadanga Police Station. His daughter, Shahnaz Parvin, filed a case accusing the men of demanding 2.5 million taka and threatening to hand her father over to police if the demand was not met.

Sonadanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rafiqul Islam confirmed the arrests and said the accused were sent to jail through the court. He also noted that Shafiqul Islam faces multiple cases but is currently out on bail. NCP district coordinator Maulana Mahmudul Hasan Faizullah stated that the detained individuals are not affiliated with any NCP or anti-discrimination student movement committees and called for lawful action if the allegations prove true.

The incident has raised questions about why police have not acted against Shafiqul Islam despite his pending cases, as noted by the NCP coordinator.

Toyota Bangladesh Limited (TBL), a fully owned investment of Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific and Toyota Tsusho Japan, recently held a meeting with the Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ashik Chowdhury, to discuss the future of the automotive industry in Bangladesh. The meeting focused on long-term growth, a sustainable automotive future, and improving the overall business environment in the country.

During the discussion, TBL emphasized its commitment to contributing to Bangladesh’s evolving industrial landscape through innovation, efficiency, and responsible business practices. BIDA welcomed Toyota Bangladesh’s participation and reaffirmed its growing support for sustainable investments that strengthen industrial capacity and promote environmentally responsible growth.

The meeting highlighted mutual interest in advancing Bangladesh’s automotive sector through collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to foster a more sustainable and competitive industry.

Police in Debidwar, Cumilla recovered the hanging body of a college student from a beauty parlor on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Nadia Akter, was employed as a beautician at the Women’s Persona Parlor located near the Upazila Gate area. She was the daughter of Shafiqul Islam from Dholahas village and a first-year student at Jafarganj Mir Abdul Gafur College.

According to police, they arrived at the scene after receiving information and found Nadia’s body hanging inside the parlor. While initial observations suggest suicide, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman stated that an unnatural death case has been filed in connection with the incident.

The body has been sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Pay Commission led by Zakir Ahmed Khan will submit its report on new salary and allowance recommendations for government employees to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed the submission to the media. According to the report, the commission has proposed partial implementation of the new pay structure from January 1, 2026, with full implementation from July 1, 2026, marking the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Sources indicate that the current minimum salary of Tk 8,250 may more than double, while the maximum salary could rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000. The commission has recommended setting the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries at 1:8. The revised 2025–26 budget has already increased operating expenses by Tk 22,000 crore to accommodate partial implementation. Full implementation of the proposed structure is expected to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore.

The commission, formed on July 27 last year with 21 members, was tasked with submitting its report within six months and has suggested higher increases for lower-grade employees.