A mobile court in Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, fined several cloth traders for deceiving customers by selling locally made products as foreign goods. The operation took place on Thursday from noon to evening and was conducted under Section 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act. The traders were collectively fined a total of 36,000 taka for the fraudulent practice.

The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md. Kamrul Islam. According to the report, the inspection targeted multiple clothing stores in the Eidgaon market area. The fines were imposed after evidence was found that the traders had mislabeled domestic garments as imported items to attract higher prices.

The mobile court’s action reflects ongoing enforcement of consumer protection laws in local markets, aiming to curb deceptive trade practices and ensure fair treatment for buyers.

Rabeya Islam Shampa, wife of slain Inkilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, has publicly demanded justice for her husband’s killing. On Friday afternoon, she posted on her Facebook account that her only request to the state, on behalf of herself and her child, is justice for Hadi’s murder. She emphasized that justice for his death stands above all worldly desires.

According to the report, Hadi, a frontline activist of the July Movement and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, was attacked by assailants on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was later taken to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died while under care. His funeral drew a large crowd, and he was buried beside the national poet’s grave.

Shampa had previously made a similar appeal for justice on Wednesday, reiterating her demand for accountability in her husband’s killing.

After more than a decade of fluctuating relations, the United States is struggling to maintain its economic position in Africa, according to Turkish academic Yunus Turhan of Haci Bayram Veli University in Ankara. Citing U.S. Census Bureau data, he noted that trade between the U.S. and Africa has seen major ups and downs from 2014 to 2025, with exports reaching 34 billion dollars and imports 37.8 billion dollars by November 2025. Despite this, Africa accounted for only 1.1 percent of America’s total trade volume of 7.37 trillion dollars in 2024.

Turhan highlighted that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), launched in 2000, has played a key role by allowing 32 African nations to export over 1,800 products duty-free to the U.S., contributing about 500 billion dollars in exports between 2002 and 2022. The U.S. House of Representatives recently extended AGOA for another three years. However, Turhan observed that U.S.-Africa trade remains largely oil-dependent.

He added that China and Russia have become Washington’s main competitors in Africa, with China’s trade reaching 314 billion dollars in 2025 and Russia’s 24.5 billion dollars in 2024. Turhan suggested that the U.S. should work closely with partners like Turkey to balance strategic rivalry and development goals in Africa.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has expressed deep concern and sorrow over the deadly fire that occurred in a residential building in Sector 11 of Uttara, Dhaka. In a condolence message sent to the media on Friday, the organization’s central president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah conveyed their condolences and prayed for the departed souls. The fire broke out in a seven-story building on Friday morning, killing six people, including women and children, and injuring several others.

In their statement, the Shibir leaders expressed deep concern over the tragic incident and extended sympathy to the bereaved families. They also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and called on the authorities to conduct a proper investigation and support the affected families. The leaders urged the government to adopt modern fire safety systems and necessary security measures in densely populated and important areas to prevent such accidents in the future.

The statement reflects the organization’s call for accountability and improved safety infrastructure following the fatal incident in the capital’s Uttara area.

Two people were killed and six others seriously injured in a clash between two rival groups in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla district on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. in Aliyara village under Boxganj Union, involving groups led by Abul Khayer Member and Saleh Ahmed Member. The deceased were identified as Delwar Hossain Nayon, a 36-year-old expatriate who returned home a month ago, and Saleh Ahmed, 60, a former member of Aliyara Union. The injured were taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for treatment. Police and army personnel have been deployed to control the tense situation.

According to local sources, a similar clash between the same factions on August 3, 2025, had left a former union member named Alauddin dead. Following that incident, houses were vandalized and set on fire, forcing several families to leave the area. Recently, after army intervention, those families had returned home, which reportedly reignited tensions leading to Friday’s deadly confrontation.

Law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the situation, and additional security measures have been implemented in the area, according to Nangalkot Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman.

A six-year-old girl named Niha Moni was found dead inside a septic tank in Mochagora area of Jatrapur Union, Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla on Friday around 12:30 p.m. Her mouth and hands were bound with tape. Locals discovered the body and detained a 20-year-old man named Rasel, who was later handed over to police after being beaten by the crowd.

According to family members, Niha Moni, daughter of expatriate Sharif Mia, was a first-grade student at a local kindergarten. Her grandmother said the child had been playing with other girls when Rasel was seen nearby, after which she went missing. Locals alleged that Rasel was a drug addict who had previously harassed children and demanded exemplary punishment.

Muradnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hasan Jamil Khan stated that the body was sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy and that legal action was underway.

Two young men were killed in a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a pickup van at Maijdee Bazar in Noakhali district town early Friday. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on the Dhaka–Sonapur highway near Kerani Mosque. The deceased were identified as Abhi Debnath, 23, and Hridoy Chandra Shil, 22, both residents of Binodpur Union in Sadar upazila. The pickup driver was injured in the incident.

According to eyewitnesses and police, Abhi and Hridoy were returning home from Chandraganj in Lakshmipur by motorcycle when a chicken-laden pickup van suddenly made a U-turn, leading to a head-on collision. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Noakhali General Hospital, where Abhi was declared dead. Hridoy was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead there on Friday morning.

Sudharam Police Station’s officer-in-charge Mohammad Touhidul Islam said both vehicles were seized from the scene, and legal action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

A protest march was held in Tongi, Gazipur, demanding justice for the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The demonstration, organized under the banner of 'Anti-Indian Hegemony Students and People,' began after Friday prayers from the Asia Petrol Pump area. Hundreds of students, locals, and worshippers joined the procession, which moved through the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway and ended with a brief rally at the starting point.

Speakers at the rally included July Movement activist Labib Muannad, former Shibir leader Afif Hasan Yaqoob, and Tamirul Millat Central Students’ Union AGS Moinul Islam and Murtuza Hasan Fuad. They stated that Hadi’s sacrifice had inspired renewed national awakening and vowed to continue the movement until justice is served. During the event, Inqilab Manch member RJ Riyad announced the establishment of the 'Inqilab Cultural Center' in Tongi’s Kha Para area, aimed at fostering ideological and cultural growth among youth.

Participants emphasized peaceful expression of their demands and urged authorities to take prompt judicial action regarding the killing.

Students of Islamic University (IU) organized a protest march and rally on Friday, January 16, demanding prompt justice for the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Iqilab Moncho. The demonstration began after Friday prayers at the central mosque premises and moved through various campus roads and nearby Sheikhpara market before concluding with a brief rally at the university’s main gate.

During the rally, participants chanted slogans calling for justice and accountability, expressing frustration that 35 days had passed since Hadi’s killing without any significant progress in the investigation. They alleged that a dark force was obstructing justice and vowed not to let Hadi’s memory fade. The students described Hadi as a symbol of anti-hegemony ideals and claimed he was targeted for his beliefs.

They urged the interim government to bring shooter Faisal, along with those who ordered and planned the killing, to justice swiftly and to contribute to building a new Bangladesh through fair legal action.

A special team of RAB-11’s CPC-2 unit recovered firearms looted from a highway police outpost in Muradnagar upazila of Comilla. The operation took place late on Thursday, January 15, near the Bhuiyabari Bridge area of Lajair village under Babutipara Union. Acting on secret intelligence, the team recovered a Chinese rifle and a locally made rifle abandoned at the site. Initial findings suggest that the criminals fled after sensing the presence of law enforcement.

Major Sadman Ibne Alam, company commander of RAB-11 CPC-2, stated that the operation was conducted based on intelligence to recover the stolen weapons. Legal procedures regarding the recovered arms are currently underway, and efforts to identify and arrest those involved are continuing.

Following the recovery of the long-lost weapons, local residents have expressed relief. The renewed activity of law enforcement in seizing illegal arms has reportedly restored a sense of security and optimism in the area.

RAB-13 conducted a late-night raid on Thursday in Mahishtuli village under Velabari Union of Aditmari upazila, Lalmonirhat, arresting a suspected drug dealer. Acting on a tip-off, the elite force detained Ayna Begum, wife of Samir Uddin, from her residence. During the operation, officers recovered 311 bottles of Eskaf, 98 bottles of Phensedyl, and 133 bottles of Fairdyl, totaling 542 bottles of illegal drugs hidden under a bed in her bedroom.

According to RAB’s Additional Superintendent of Police and Senior Assistant Director Biplob Kumar Goswami, the operation was based on secret intelligence. Following the arrest, a case was filed against Ayna Begum under the Narcotics Control Act on Friday morning. Authorities confirmed that anti-drug drives will continue as part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.

The operation highlights RAB’s ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking in northern Bangladesh, with continued enforcement actions expected in the coming days.

The Department of Shipping under the Ministry of Shipping has formed a six-member special taskforce to address the ongoing lighter vessel shortage ahead of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The government decided to operate mobile courts in key river routes including Narayanganj, Jashore, and Noapara to curb the illegal use of lighter vessels as floating warehouses by some importers. Legal action will be taken against those responsible for obstructing cargo unloading and disrupting normal supply chains.

According to the Department of Shipping, several importers have been keeping goods on lighter vessels for extended periods instead of unloading them, effectively turning them into floating storage facilities. The sudden increase in commercial ships at outer anchorage due to bulk imports before Ramadan has created a shortage of lighter vessels needed to unload goods from seaports. This has delayed cargo handling and raised concerns about potential artificial shortages of essential commodities.

Officials believe that implementing this initiative will help stop the misuse of lighter vessels, speed up cargo unloading, and ensure stable supply of essential goods in the market during Ramadan.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Sirajganj has projected a combined market value of around Tk 1,200 to 1,250 crore from mustard and honey production in the current season. Mustard cultivation has expanded to 90,550 hectares across Ullapara, Tarash, Raiganj, and Shahjadpur upazilas, exceeding the initial target of 90,000 hectares. The DAE expects about 146,000 metric tons of mustard to be produced if weather conditions remain favorable. Farmers are optimistic about good profits due to improved seed varieties and favorable weather.

Honey production has also become a significant economic activity alongside mustard farming. The district has set a target of producing 404,000 kilograms of honey this season, with 220 beekeepers already collecting about 100,000 kilograms. Ullapara upazila leads in both mustard and honey output, creating employment opportunities for many. The DAE is promoting the high-yielding BARI Sarisha-20 variety, which matures within 75–80 days and allows farmers to cultivate boro rice afterward.

Officials noted that expanding mustard cultivation could help reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported edible oil, as domestic production currently meets only a small portion of national demand.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-10 has arrested Md. Bapparaj, also known as Bappa, the prime suspect in the murder of CNG auto-rickshaw driver Pappu Sheikh in Jurain under Dhaka’s Kadamtali police station. Acting on a tip-off and using technological assistance, RAB-10’s CPC-1 Jatrabari Camp team detained Bapparaj from the Hasnabad area of South Keraniganj around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15.

According to RAB, the murder occurred on December 1 in Kana Jobbar’s Lane of Jurain’s Kabi Nazrul area, where Bapparaj and his associates allegedly carried out a planned armed attack on Pappu Sheikh, firing three rounds. One bullet hit a vital area, leaving Pappu critically injured; he later died at the hospital. Based on a complaint from the victim’s father, a murder case was filed at Kadamtali Police Station, and RAB-10 assisted in tracking down the fugitives.

RAB reported that Bapparaj faces eight cases involving weapons, drugs, robbery, and extortion at Kadamtali Police Station. He has been handed over to the concerned police station for legal proceedings. Earlier, two other suspects, Yusuf Sardar and Uzzal alias Kanchi, were also arrested in connection with the same case.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Jahangir Alam, the main accused in the attack on police during an anti-drug operation in Sreepur, Gazipur. According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Nafiz Bin Jamal, commander of RAB-1 Specialized Company, Porabari Camp, Jahangir was detained late Thursday night from the Ansar Road area of Sreepur upazila. The 26-year-old is a resident of Kewa Paschim Khanda village under Sreepur municipality.

RAB information states that on December 31, police from Sreepur station conducted an anti-drug operation behind Peer Ali Degree College in Maona Chourasta based on secret intelligence. Jahangir and another person were arrested during the raid. Following the arrests, Jahangir’s associates attacked the police with local weapons, assaulted officers, freed Jahangir, and vandalized two police vehicles, injuring five policemen. Sub-inspector Arun Kumar Biswas later filed a case over the incident.

Sreepur Police Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Nasir Ahmad confirmed that RAB handed Jahangir over to the police station and that he will be sent to court on Friday.