The Ministry of Commerce has recommended withdrawing the bonded warehouse facility for importing 10 to 30 count yarn used in export-oriented garment manufacturing. A letter signed on January 12, 2026, from the ministry’s WTO Cell-2 instructed the National Board of Revenue to take necessary action. The move follows recommendations from the Bangladesh Tariff Commission and the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association to safeguard domestic spinning mills, promote employment, and strengthen local value addition ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.

According to the ministry, bonded imports under HS headings 52.05, 52.06, and 52.07 have surged in recent years, particularly from India, rising from 351,000 tons in 2022–23 to 697,000 tons in 2024–25. The ministry noted that duty-free or low-duty yarn imports are being sold at lower prices, undermining local mills that are operating at only 60% capacity. Around 50 spinning mills have already closed, and many others face losses.

The ministry believes ending the facility will restore balance in the spinning sector, boost domestic production, and help Bangladesh meet local value addition requirements in global trade after LDC graduation.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered two USA-made pistols, four magazines, and eight rounds of ammunition during a special operation in Rajshahi’s border area. The operation took place on the night of January 17, 2026, at Katakhali border, based on secret intelligence. The recovery was announced at a press briefing held at the BGB Rajshahi headquarters on January 18 by Lieutenant Colonel Riaz Shahriar, director of Rajshahi BGB. The seized weapons were found buried in the ground at Padma Char area and will be handed over to Katakhali Police Station. No arrests were made in connection with the incident.

Lieutenant Colonel Shahriar stated that the operation was part of intensified surveillance and patrol measures to prevent illegal arms, ammunition, and explosives from entering the country ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He also detailed a comprehensive security plan for Rajshahi, including deployment of mobile and striking forces, K-9 units, and river patrol crafts.

BGB plans to complete deployment across all electoral areas between January 29 and February 1, establishing temporary base camps to ensure smooth election-time security operations.

Five people were killed and several others injured when a passenger bus hit an easybike on the Dhaka-Barishal highway in Madaripur’s Ghatokchar area on Sunday, January 18, 2026, around 5:30 p.m. The accident occurred near the Mill Gate area when a Sarbik Paribahan bus traveling from Madaripur to Dhaka collided with the easybike, causing the vehicle to crumple and the bus to fall into a roadside ditch. Fire service personnel, highway police, and local residents are conducting rescue operations at the scene.

Among the deceased were Pannu Munshi, a helper of Sarbik Paribahan, and Ruman, son of Shah Alam from Ghatokchar village in Kendua Union of Madaripur Sadar. Three people died on the spot, and another succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The injured were taken to Madaripur 250-bed District Hospital for treatment. Police and fire service teams continue their operations to recover victims and clear the site.

Mastafapur Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mamun Al Rashid said he was heading to the scene and would provide further details later.

Professor Dr. M. Shahidul Islam emphasized that Bangladesh must adopt and implement a strategic plan for green technology and renewable energy to ensure long-term sustainable economic development. Currently, about 95 percent of the country’s energy system depends on high carbon-emitting fossil fuels, producing roughly 0.7 kilograms of carbon per kilowatt-hour of electricity. This dependency poses structural challenges to sustainability and directly contributes to climate change, threatening public health, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

The article highlights that energy security is a fundamental right linked to food security, water management, industrialization, and employment. Bangladesh holds about 3 billion tons of high-quality coal and has renewable energy potential of around 75,000 megawatts from solar, wind, hydro, and biomass sources. The proposed in-situ underground coal gasification (UCG) method could convert deep coal into syngas without mining, reducing environmental damage and carbon emissions.

Economic analysis shows UCG could achieve up to 85 percent thermal efficiency and cut emissions to below 0.1 kilograms per kilowatt-hour. The author calls for pilot projects, research, and skilled workforce development to overcome geological and technical challenges, ensuring a balanced, low-risk energy transition for Bangladesh.

A written complaint has been filed in Madan upazila of Netrakona alleging that students of Maghan High School were charged excessive fees during the 2026 SSC examination form fill-up. Guardian Jhuman Mia submitted the complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Sunday, claiming he was verbally abused and forced out of the school premises after protesting the demand for Tk 9,000, far above the government-fixed fee of Tk 2,315.

According to the complaint and statements from guardians, the school allegedly compelled students to pay additional coaching fees along with the form fill-up charges, warning that those unable to pay would be barred from completing the process or sitting for the exam. Teacher Abdul Gani denied the allegations, saying no extra money was taken, while Head Teacher Shahidul Islam Khokon stated that Tk 2,500 was collected per student and referred further questions to Gani.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bedbati Mistri said she was currently in the district and would take action after reviewing the matter.

The Cumilla Battalion-10 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized illegal Indian sarees, three-pieces, and fireworks worth Tk 13.48 million during two separate operations in Cumilla Sadar upazila on Sunday morning. The seizures were made from Murapara and Paharpur areas, located 250 and 100 yards inside Bangladesh’s border respectively. The items were found abandoned along with a mini pickup truck. Battalion Commander Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz confirmed the recovery of the smuggled goods.

According to BGB sources, the Cumilla Battalion regularly conducts anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics operations across its assigned border areas to curb cross-border crimes. The January 18 operations were part of these ongoing efforts under the jurisdiction of the Jashpur Border Outpost (BOP) patrol team.

Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz stated that necessary legal measures would be taken regarding the seized contraband and that such operations would continue to prevent smuggling along the border.

A Kuki woman who survived a gang rape during the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur, India, has died on January 10, 2026. The assault occurred in May 2023, shortly after clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities. According to her family, she never recovered from the physical and psychological trauma of the attack. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) announced a candlelight vigil in her memory, stating that she had been abducted from Imphal, raped in Langol, and left in Bishnupur to die.

The woman, then 20, had filed a police complaint on July 21, 2023, describing how four armed men in black shirts abducted her and three of them raped her. Kuki groups alleged that some members of Meira Paibi handed her over to Meitei men. Her mother told NewsLaundry that the injuries caused severe breathing problems and that her daughter had lost her cheerful nature after the incident. She had been receiving treatment in Guwahati before her death.

The 2023 ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities over land rights and political representation left more than 260 people dead and displaced about 50,000 others.

Police recovered two burnt bodies from an abandoned community center in Savar on Sunday afternoon. The discovery was made after local youths and a college student noticed the bodies inside the deserted Savar municipal community center, located about 500 yards from the local police compound. Officers suspect the remains may belong to a woman and a young boy, but their identities have not yet been confirmed.

According to police, the bodies were severely burnt, making identification difficult. The Savar Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Arman Ali, said the incident is under investigation. This marks the fifth body recovered from the same abandoned building in the past two months. Earlier, unidentified male and female bodies were found there on several occasions, but none have been identified so far.

Local residents expressed concern that various criminal activities continue inside the abandoned center, located near the police station, and alleged that authorities have failed to take effective action.

A large student gathering titled 'Stand for Hadi' was held at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur, demanding justice for the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shaheed Osman Hadi. The event, organized by the Tamirul Millat Central Students’ Union (TAKSU), took place on Sunday afternoon in the madrasa’s academic courtyard, drawing participation from around 14,000 students. The campus echoed with chants calling for justice and accountability for Hadi’s death.

Principal Dr. Hefzur Rahman attended as the chief guest, emphasizing that ensuring justice is a fundamental duty of a civilized state. He urged authorities to identify the perpetrators swiftly and bring them under the law through a fair and impartial investigation, warning that delayed justice undermines fairness. TAKSU leaders including Vice President Iqbal Kabir, General Secretary Saeedul Islam, and Assistant General Secretary Moinul Islam also addressed the event.

Speakers stated that students would continue their united movement until justice is achieved and called for effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. They described the peaceful protest as a strong stance in favor of justice.

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.

The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc have signed a major trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, on Saturday. The deal, reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News, brings together the EU’s 27 member states and Mercosur members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, forming one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The signing follows nearly 25 years of complex negotiations.

The agreement is viewed as a significant message against the tariff threats and trade uncertainty associated with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries over the Greenland issue. During the signing ceremony, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the parties chose fair trade over tariffs and long-term partnership over isolation. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña described the deal as a clear message in favor of international trade amid global tensions, while European Council head Antonio Costa said it rejects the use of trade as a geopolitical weapon.

Leaders expressed hope that the agreement will generate employment, prosperity, and new opportunities across both regions.

A man named Mizanur Rahman, also known as Roni, who was accused in six criminal cases, was beaten to death in public at Kabirhat upazila of Noakhali on Saturday night. The attack occurred around 10:30 p.m. near Kazi Bari in Kalirhat market area under Narottampur Union. After the killing, a group of youths reportedly distributed sweets in the market, calling the deceased a robber, which sparked widespread discussion in the area.

According to police and local sources, Mizan had earlier attended a BNP ward-level election meeting at Kalirhat market, where he claimed to be a dedicated party worker and got into an argument with others. After leaving the meeting, several individuals caught him near Kazi Bari and beat him with sticks and iron pipes, causing his death on the spot. Police later recovered his body, a blood-stained stick, an iron pipe, and a toy pistol from the scene.

Kabirhat police said Mizan had been involved in various criminal activities in recent months. His body was sent to Noakhali General Hospital morgue for autopsy, and legal action will follow upon filing of a case by his family.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday issued arrest warrants against former Dhaka South City mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 22 others in connection with the killing of nine people, including Farhan Faiyaz and Mahmudul Hasan Soikat, during the July uprising in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after taking formal charges into cognizance.

According to the prosecution, the accused include former senior police officials and leaders of the now-banned local units of Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League. Four accused are already in custody, identified as local Chhatra League leaders. The chief prosecutor, Tazul Islam, presented three charges alleging that Awami League, Chhatra League, and law enforcement personnel carried out brutal attacks on student protesters on July 18–19, 2024, resulting in nine deaths and numerous injuries.

The tribunal accepted the charges and ordered the fugitives to appear before it on January 29. The prosecution stated that 50 witnesses are expected to testify against the accused.

Formal charges have been filed against former Dhaka South City mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 26 others in connection with the Mohammadpur massacre case linked to the July uprising. The charges were officially submitted on Sunday morning. Separately, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 has scheduled a hearing today to form charges against seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, in a crimes against humanity case related to killings during the July revolution.

The tribunal’s three-member panel, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, will conduct the hearing, with judges Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members. Earlier, on December 30, the court ordered public notices for the accused to appear, and after their absence on January 8, appointed state defense lawyers to represent them. The same order set today’s date for the formal charge hearing.

Other accused include Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League leaders Saddam Hossain and Wali Asif Inan.

A police officer in Vedarganj upazila of Shariatpur was injured on Saturday afternoon while attempting to detain the president of the banned Sakhipur Thana Chhatra League. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nazim Uddin was pushed to the ground by the suspect, Atiqur Rahman Somel Sardar, during an operation at Sakhipur Bazar. The incident occurred after police received a tip-off that the banned student leader was present in the area.

According to police, when the suspect was identified and questioned about his identity and organizational role, he suddenly pushed the OC and fled. Nazim Uddin fell and sustained an injury to his left little finger. He stated that he had gone to the market to warn traders about selling loose oil ahead of the upcoming election and attempted to detain the suspect upon receiving information of his presence.

Medical officer Dr. Shafiquzzaman Apu confirmed that the OC’s nail was damaged and he received primary treatment. Additional Superintendent of Police Soumya Shekhar Pal said the injured officer has been treated and police operations to arrest the accused are ongoing.