The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is scheduled to hold a hearing today on the formation of charges against Obaidul Quader, the suspended general secretary of the Awami League and former minister, along with six other accused in a crimes against humanity case linked to killings during the July Revolution. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, will conduct the hearing in Dhaka.

Earlier, on December 18, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against the seven accused after the prosecution formally submitted charges. The accused include Awami League joint general secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain, and general secretary Wali Asif Enan. On January 8, as the accused failed to appear, the tribunal appointed state defense lawyers to represent them.

The prosecution presented separate charges for each accused, including three specific counts against Obaidul Quader involving instruction, incitement, and provocation. The tribunal accepted the charges and set today’s date for the formal hearing on charge formation.

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have sharply increased their overseas investments despite sluggish domestic conditions. According to a Bangladesh Bank report, during the first quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–September), Bangladeshis legally invested a total of 15.8 million US dollars abroad, marking an 829 percent rise from the same period of the previous year, when the figure was only 1.7 million dollars. The report covers only officially approved investments, excluding any unrecorded or illicit capital transfers.

The analysis shows that foreign investment by Bangladeshis began rising from the October–December quarter of the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, domestic private investment remains stagnant due to political instability and high bank interest rates. Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.58 percent in November 2025, down from double digits in July 2024. Sector insiders argue that entrepreneurs should focus on domestic investment to address rising unemployment and declining GDP growth.

As of September 2025, total Bangladeshi capital invested abroad stood at 362.1 million dollars, up from 348.3 million a year earlier. India, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong received the largest shares, with financial institutions attracting the most sectoral investment.

Three people, including a grandmother and her grandson, died after being electrocuted in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in Tentulia village under Rajpat Union. The deceased were identified as Rahela Begum, 50, her grandson Saifan Sikdar, 8, and their neighbor Iran Sikdar, 55.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Mir Sajedur Rahman of the Muksudpur-Kashiani Circle, an electric fence had been set up near Sajib Sikdar’s house to protect boro paddy seedlings from rats. A leakage in the wire caused Saifan to be electrocuted first. When his grandmother Rahela Begum rushed to save him, she was also electrocuted and died instantly. Neighbor Iran Sikdar was similarly electrocuted while trying to rescue them. Saifan was taken to the upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Police from Kashiani station visited the scene and prepared an inquest report on the bodies.

Two people were killed and two others injured in a motorcycle accident on Saturday evening in Basail upazila of Tangail. The crash occurred in front of Emdad Hamida Degree College on the Basail-Tangail road. The deceased were identified as retired police officer Arfan Khan, 75, of Chakpara area under Basail municipality, and motorcyclist Milon, 24, of Gosai Joair area in Tangail Sadar upazila.

According to police and eyewitnesses, three people were returning to Tangail from the Faila Paglar Mela in Daryiapur of Sakhipur upazila on a motorcycle when it lost control and hit a pedestrian. Both the motorcyclist and the pedestrian died on the spot, while two other riders were injured. The injured were taken to Tangail General Hospital for treatment.

Basail Police Station Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Kabir confirmed the incident, stating that the bodies were sent to Tangail General Hospital and would be handed over to relatives after legal procedures.

Four teenagers were detained after allegedly throwing stones at a moving train near Mobarakganj Railway Station in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, on Saturday around 5:30 p.m. Local residents and railway authorities caught them on the spot after the incident. The stones reportedly damaged the window glass of the Rupsha Express, which was traveling from Chilahati to Khulna.

According to railway officials, train staff immediately informed authorities after the attack, prompting the train to stop and the suspects to be apprehended. The detained teenagers were identified as Shakib Hossain, Foysal Ahmed, Nikunja, and Tanvir Hasan, all residents of Kaliganj town. Station Master Shahjahan Sheikh stated that the Government Railway Police (GRP) took the four into custody and transported them toward Khulna Railway Station.

Railway police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees. Although the incident caused brief panic among passengers, officials said the situation was quickly brought under control through prompt action.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has cancelled work orders for three bridge and culvert construction projects in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet after the contractor failed to start work within the stipulated time. The same contractor, Messrs Fahad Construction of Amberkhana, Sylhet, had been awarded a single tender covering five structures across Osmaninagar and Bishwanath upazilas, but only began work on two culverts in Bishwanath. The DDM also decided to forfeit the contractor’s security deposit and take necessary legal action.

According to a letter signed by Project Director and Joint Secretary Md Parvezul Islam, the project period runs until 30 June 2026, and all construction must be completed within that time to qualify for payment. Despite repeated requests, including a final notice to begin work by 31 December 2025, no progress was made in Osmaninagar. The DDM deemed this a clear violation of contract terms and issued cancellation notices to relevant authorities.

Local officials confirmed that recommendations have been sent to the ministry to formalize the cancellation process, while the contractor’s local representative cited internal management issues for the delay.

Senior officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump have criticized Canada’s decision to permit imports of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) under a new trade deal with Beijing. Speaking at a Ford factory event in Ohio, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Canada would regret the move, while Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the vehicles would not be allowed into the United States. The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.

The decision follows Canada’s earlier 2024 imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Chinese EVs, mirroring US duties. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new agreement reduces tariffs to 6.1 percent on most-favoured-nation terms. The deal also includes China lowering tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1. US officials expressed concern that the policy could give China a stronger foothold in North America despite Washington’s tougher stance on Canadian vehicles and parts.

Greer noted that new US cybersecurity rules for internet-connected vehicles, effective January 2025, would make it difficult for Chinese cars to enter the American market. Lawmakers from both parties, including Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, voiced strong opposition to Chinese vehicles being sold in the US.

Canada and China have reached an initial trade agreement to reduce tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced during his visit to Beijing on Friday. The deal marks the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017 and aims to rebuild ties after years of strained relations. Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a 6.1 percent tariff, compared with the 100 percent rate imposed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2024. China, in turn, will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1, down from 84 percent, and remove anti-discrimination tariffs on other Canadian agricultural and seafood products.

Carney said the agreement would unlock nearly $3 billion in export orders for Canadian farmers and fishers and attract Chinese investment into Canada’s auto and clean energy sectors. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the move, warning it could flood the market with cheap Chinese EVs without guaranteed domestic benefits. Both nations also pledged to restart high-level economic dialogue and strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy, and green technology.

Analysts noted the deal could reshape the context of Sino-US rivalry, though Ottawa is not expected to shift away from its strategic alignment with Washington.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has reported an unusual rise in daytime temperatures across the country, with readings two to three degrees Celsius higher than normal for January. The department noted that while daytime temperatures are increasing, nighttime temperatures remain nearly unchanged. Only Tetulia in Panchagarh recorded a temperature below 10°C, marking the end of the recent cold wave. The current weather pattern, described as the most abnormal in 30 years, may continue until January 25–26, with a brief dip around January 22–23 before rising again.

Meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruk explained that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal last week absorbed moisture from surrounding areas, leading to the sudden temperature increase in Bangladesh and neighboring countries. Another expert, Kazi Zebunnesa, said that the disappearance of dense fog and increased sunlight have contributed to the warming trend. The capital, Dhaka, has already experienced a noticeable decline in cold intensity.

According to the weather office, this pattern suggests that winter may end earlier than usual, possibly within January itself, as the country transitions toward warmer conditions.

A video showing a young man urinating on a graffiti of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inkilab Moncho, in Chatmohar, Pabna, has gone viral and triggered widespread anger. The footage, shared on a reel titled 'Matrivumi-71', shows a man in white pants and a maroon jacket committing the act while another records it. The video was accompanied by a song and quickly spread across social media, drawing condemnation from local residents.

CCTV footage from the area shows that around 1 a.m. on January 1, five young men were present near the boundary wall at the entrance of Chatmohar upazila. One left, while four remained; one urinated on the graffiti, another filmed, and two stood nearby. After the act, they left the scene. The incident has caused severe dissatisfaction among the public.

Member Md Hasanuzzaman Sabuj of the group '36 July Amlan' stated that discussions have been held regarding the incident and further action will be taken. Locals have demanded swift legal measures against those involved.

Police in Taraganj, Rangpur, have arrested AB Party leader Yunus Ali, 35, in connection with the widely discussed Rupolal and Pradip murder case. The arrest took place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, around 6 p.m. during a special operation at Burirhat Bazar in the Sayer Union area. Yunus Ali, son of Khairat Hossain from Damodarpur Mamunpara village, serves as the member secretary of the AB Party’s Taraganj upazila unit.

According to Taraganj Police Station’s investigation officer Khondaker Abdullah Al Mahmud, the case stems from an incident on August 9, 2025, when Rupolal Das, 40, and his nephew-in-law Pradip Lal, 35, both from the Dalit community, were beaten to death by a mob in Burirhat Bottola area on suspicion of theft. The next day, Rupolal’s wife, Bharati Rani, filed a murder case with Taraganj Police Station.

Police stated that video footage analysis confirmed Yunus Ali’s direct involvement in the killings. Following legal procedures, he will be sent to jail custody.

A fire that broke out at a shoe factory in Old Dhaka’s Nazirabazar area on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, has been brought under control. According to the Fire Service, four units worked for about half an hour to contain the blaze, which started on the third floor of a four-storey building. The fire was reported at 7:13 p.m., and firefighters reached the scene within ten minutes, bringing the situation under control by around 7:45 p.m.

Md. Enamul Haque, Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service (Zone-1), confirmed that the fire was successfully controlled after prompt action. However, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Officials stated that a detailed investigation will be conducted to identify how the fire originated.

No further details about casualties or property damage were provided in the initial report, and the Fire Service is expected to release more information after the investigation.

Four members of the Bangladesh Army were injured when their patrol vehicle collided with a truck and fell into a roadside ditch in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah on Saturday morning, January 17, 2026. The accident occurred around 10 a.m. near Beloghat Eidgah on the Maheshpur–Khalishpur road. Both vehicles lost control and plunged into the ditch following the collision. The information was confirmed by Major Navid Hasan, commander of the Maheshpur Army Camp.

According to the report, the injured soldiers were rescued by army personnel and taken to Maheshpur Upazila Health Complex for treatment. The truck driver fled the scene after the incident. The condition of the four injured soldiers was described as serious by their colleagues. No further details about the cause of the collision or the identity of the truck driver were provided.

Authorities have not yet released any statement regarding possible investigations or road safety measures following the accident.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that effective management of zakat could eliminate poverty in Bangladesh within ten years. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing the Zakat Conference 2026 as the chief guest at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The event was organized by the private voluntary organization Mastul Foundation.

Dr. Hossain emphasized that if wealthy citizens pay zakat properly and it is distributed efficiently, the country can overcome poverty and reduce dependence on foreign aid. He described poverty as a curse for any nation and stressed that a strong economy ensures national stability. Highlighting the historical precedent, he noted that in early Islamic periods, zakat was collected and distributed by the state, leading to near elimination of poverty during Caliph Omar’s rule.

He added that the absence of Sharia-based institutional mechanisms in Bangladesh has hindered organized zakat collection and distribution. He urged everyone to follow Islamic principles in paying zakat and thanked Mastul Foundation for its humanitarian activities.

The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) has accused the government of expanding the list of essential medicines and fixing their prices without consulting drug manufacturers. The allegation was raised on Saturday at a workshop titled “Bangladesh Pharma Industry: Present Challenges and Future Prospects,” jointly organized by BAPI and the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF) in Gazipur. BAPI leaders said the decision ignored production costs, international raw material prices, quality control, and market realities, posing long-term risks to medicine supply and industry stability.

BAPI Secretary General Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain criticized the policy process, saying no discussions were held with manufacturers or the association before the decision. He noted that the technical committee on pricing lacked members with real pharmaceutical experience. BAPI President Abdul Muktadir warned that about 60 percent of local drug companies are struggling, with nearly 40 percent already closed or near closure, threatening the country’s self-sufficiency in medicine. He urged government intervention to support small and medium firms and restore the industry’s health.

BAPI leaders also emphasized that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector operates under strict regulatory oversight and called on journalists to highlight the challenges faced by struggling companies.