Two men were killed late Friday night in Barishal city when a speeding truck ran over their motorcycle on the Barishal-Jhalakathi inter-district highway near Rupatali Ukilbari. The victims were identified as Jewel, 28, of Rupatali, and Russell, 25, of Ruiyar Pol. Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mamun-ul Islam confirmed the incident.

According to police, the two victims worked as helpers at the ACI Animal Health store. After finishing work around midnight, they were heading to the Rupatali bus terminal for a meal when a goods-laden truck (registration number Kushtia-T 11-2545) coming from the opposite direction hit them. Russell died on the spot, while Jewel succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.

The report did not mention whether the truck driver was detained or if any legal action had been initiated following the accident.

A permanent fish sanctuary has been established in the Chithlia canal area of Parshuram, Feni, under a government initiative aimed at conserving aquatic biodiversity and promoting the breeding of native fish species. The sanctuary, located on both sides of the Shreebhanga Bridge along the Feni-Parshuram road, covers 1.4 hectares and was developed at a cost of about 40,000 taka for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Measures include bamboo fencing, red flags marking restricted zones, and tree branches placed underwater to create a safe habitat for mother fish during breeding seasons.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Department, the initiative seeks to protect endangered native fish species, ensure safe breeding environments, and restore ecological balance disrupted by overfishing, pesticide use, and natural disasters. A 12-member beneficiary group from nearby villages is maintaining the sanctuary. Local fishermen expressed optimism that proper management will help revive native fish populations.

The fisheries office also plans to establish another sanctuary on the northern side of the Bailey Bridge over the Muhuri River, pending government funding approval.

The Sheikh Hasina Weavers Village project, launched on November 1, 2018, across 120 acres in Shibchar of Madaripur and Zajira of Shariatpur, has reportedly collapsed amid allegations of large-scale corruption and mismanagement. Construction, which included land acquisition, soil filling, and boundary wall development, has been halted for about one and a half years following a change in government. The site, once intended for weaving factories, housing, and training centers, now lies abandoned and partially occupied by watermelon cultivation.

Local residents said the project stopped after August 5, 2024, leaving the area deserted. Farmers who had given up their farmland for the project expressed frustration over the uncertainty of its future, though they acknowledged receiving compensation. The project is now being renamed Haji Shariatullah Weavers Village, according to local officials, but no new work has started yet.

Officials stated they are still gathering details about the project’s current status, while locals urged the government to resume construction to bring promised development and employment to the region.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that Dhaka and surrounding areas will experience moderate to dense fog until noon on Saturday, reducing visibility across the capital. The forecast, issued for the six hours from 7 a.m., also noted that the sky may remain partly cloudy and the weather is expected to stay dry during this period.

According to the department, light winds from the west and northwest at speeds of 6 to 12 kilometers per hour may prevail. The temperature is likely to remain nearly unchanged, with 13.0 degrees Celsius recorded at 6 a.m. and humidity at 99 percent. On Friday, Dhaka’s highest temperature was 20.4 degrees Celsius, and the lowest recorded today was 12.7 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours.

The forecast further mentioned that sunset in Dhaka will occur at 5:24 p.m. on Saturday, while sunrise on Sunday is expected at 6:42 a.m.

A 20-year-old man named Kajol, son of Bashir Bhuiya from South Mohammadpur village in Daudkandi, Cumilla, died on December 31 after being seriously injured in a mob attack linked to a playground dispute. The incident occurred on November 27 in Mohammadpur Chowmuhani area, where a group allegedly attacked him with sharp and blunt weapons during a conflict over preparing a badminton court. Kajol was first taken to Daudkandi Upazila Health Complex and later referred to a hospital in Dhaka, where he succumbed to his injuries after prolonged treatment.

According to the case statement, ten named individuals and 10–12 unidentified others were accused in connection with the assault. Following Kajol’s death, police confirmed that the case had been reclassified as a murder investigation. The victim was buried on January 2 after a post-mortem examination. Local residents expressed grief and demanded justice for the killing.

Police stated that evidence collection and efforts to arrest the accused are ongoing as part of the investigation.

Police in Naldanga upazila of Natore recovered five cocktails and five petrol bombs abandoned beside a banner featuring former Member of Parliament Shimul near the Mahishmari Bridge on the Natore–Naogaon regional highway. The explosives were found around 9 p.m. on Friday following information from local residents, prompting immediate police action at the scene.

Officer-in-Charge Samiul Azam of Naldanga Police Station told the daily Amar Desh that the explosives were discovered next to the roadside banner and were later defused. He added that an investigation is underway to identify those involved, and legal proceedings are in progress.

Authorities have not yet disclosed any suspects or motives behind the incident, and the investigation continues to determine the source and intent of the explosives.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned of multiple cold waves sweeping across the country throughout January 2026. According to its long-term forecast, two to three mild to moderate cold waves and one to two moderate to severe cold waves may occur, with temperatures in some areas expected to fall as low as 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. Northern regions and river basin areas are likely to experience the most intense cold.

The forecast, issued after a meeting of the department’s expert committee, also predicts moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, sometimes lasting until noon. This fog is expected to reduce the difference between day and night temperatures, intensifying the overall cold sensation. Despite normal rainfall being expected for the month, no cyclones or low-pressure systems are anticipated over the Bay of Bengal.

In December, rainfall across the country was 99.3 percent below normal, and the lowest temperature recorded was 7.5 degrees Celsius in Gopalganj on December 31. The department cautioned that cold wave days could disrupt normal life even if average temperatures remain typical for the season.

Retired Commodore Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan has cautioned that leasing Chattogram Port to foreign operators such as Maersk Group, RSJGT, or DP World could endanger Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Writing in the newspaper ‘Amar Desh’ on January 3, 2026, he argued that strategic ports are not mere infrastructures but vital instruments of national power. Drawing parallels with Ukraine’s Sevastopol Port, he warned that foreign control through long-term leases can lead to economic and political dependency.

The article highlights that over 92 percent of Bangladesh’s trade passes through Chattogram Port, making it the country’s economic lifeline. Bhuiyan criticized the move toward foreign concession models, calling it a potential 30-year trap that could turn the port into a foreign-managed gateway. He proposed an alternative “operator model” combining local and global operators to maintain national control while improving efficiency.

He urged transparency in all port agreements, rejection of non-disclosure clauses, and cancellation of any deals that compromise revenue or authority. The piece concludes that sovereignty cannot be leased and warns policymakers to learn from global maritime history before finalizing such arrangements.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico’s southern Guerrero state on Friday morning, killing two people and triggering widespread tremors. According to the National Seismological Service, the quake’s epicenter was located 35 kilometers beneath San Marcos, about 92 kilometers from the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco. More than 500 aftershocks were recorded following the initial quake, and landslides were reported in several parts of the state.

Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado confirmed that a 50-year-old woman died when her house collapsed near the epicenter, while another person in Mexico City died after falling during a building evacuation. A hospital in the state capital, Chilpancingo, sustained structural damage, prompting the evacuation of patients. Residents and tourists in Mexico City and Acapulco rushed into the streets as the ground shook.

During a morning briefing at the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum and journalists were forced to evacuate when the earthquake alarm sounded. Civil defense teams continued to assess damage and monitor aftershocks across the affected areas.

Ferry operations on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route returned to normal on Saturday morning after being suspended overnight because of dense fog. According to the BIWTC terminal authorities, services resumed at around 10:45 a.m. when visibility improved. The suspension had begun at 1 a.m. on Friday night to prevent possible accidents amid heavy fog, causing congestion of passengers and vehicles on both sides of the river.

Md. Iqbal Hossain, deputy manager of the BIWTC Narsinghpur ferry terminal, said the decision to halt operations was taken for safety reasons as fog density increased late at night. Once conditions improved, ferry movement was restored. Currently, six ferries of various sizes are operating on the route.

With the resumption of ferry services, both passenger and cargo transport have returned to normal, easing pressure on the terminals and restoring regular movement across the Shariatpur–Chandpur route.

A government investigation has found evidence supporting 16 out of 22 allegations against Aminul Haque, principal of Mohammadpur Women’s College in Dhaka and proposer of banned Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak’s election nomination. The Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) under the Ministry of Education conducted the inquiry from March 16 to 20 last year and finalized its report on December 2. The report cites proof of financial irregularities, misuse of college funds, threats to election officials, and forced dismissal of employees.

The investigation found that Haque took unauthorized commissions from exam funds, inflated vehicle purchase costs, and used political influence in recruitment. It also confirmed that he threatened presiding officers during a dummy election and misused college resources. However, some allegations, such as using college funds for private events, were not proven. Complainant lecturer Humayun Kabir accused Haque of delaying the inquiry by seeking changes in investigating officers.

Affected employees have demanded Haque’s removal, punishment, and reinstatement of dismissed staff. Haque denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated, and said he sought officer changes due to lack of confidence, not to delay the process.

Ferry services on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route were temporarily suspended early Friday, January 3, 2026, due to dense fog. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) halted operations from 1 a.m. to prevent potential accidents as visibility on the river sharply decreased. The decision was taken as a safety precaution amid worsening fog conditions overnight.

According to BIWTC’s Narsinghpur ferry terminal deputy manager Md. Iqbal Hossain, visibility on the river route dropped significantly, prompting the suspension to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles. He confirmed that no ferry was stranded on the river and that services would resume once the fog clears.

The suspension has caused congestion at both ferry terminals, where passengers and drivers are waiting for improved weather conditions to continue their journeys.

Bangladesh is experiencing an unusually prolonged and intense cold wave, with dense fog covering much of the country and temperatures dropping sharply. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the cold conditions are expected to worsen from January 5, with mild to moderate cold waves likely in northwestern districts. On Friday, nine flights were diverted from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to poor visibility caused by fog, though operations later resumed as conditions improved.

Meteorologists said the persistent fog and lack of sunlight have intensified the cold, with Dhaka recording a minimum temperature of 13.3°C and Jessore 8°C. Northern regions such as Rangpur and Rajair are facing severe cold, halting work and increasing hardship for low-income workers. Health authorities confirmed at least 32 deaths in Rangpur Division from cold-related illnesses over the past week, mostly among children, women, and the elderly.

Experts attributed repeated flight diversions to the absence of a Category-2 Instrument Landing System at Dhaka airport. The cold wave has severely affected daily life, particularly for the homeless and day laborers lacking warm clothing, while fog continues to disrupt road and air transport nationwide.

A young man named Abdullah, aged 20, died following a motorcycle accident on the Dhaka–Bogura highway in Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila. The incident occurred on Thursday in the Panchlia area when Abdullah lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a road divider. He was returning home to Langolmora Uttarpara village under Salanga police station after traveling from Sirajganj town.

According to police and family sources, Abdullah sustained severe head injuries in the crash. Locals rescued him and took him to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, where he died on Friday morning while undergoing treatment. Hatikumrul Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ismail Hossain said that excessive speed was initially believed to be the cause of the accident.

Police stated that legal procedures related to the incident are currently underway.

Police in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari district have arrested Jubo League leader Tarapada Roy in connection with an anti-terrorism case. The arrest took place on Thursday night at the Putimari Shoshan Bazar area based on a confidential tip-off. Police confirmed that the 40-year-old leader was sent to the district jail on Friday following his detention.

According to police sources, Tarapada Roy, who had been in hiding for a long time, is the joint convener of the Putimari Union Jubo League and the son of Jitendra Roy of Sadhupara village in the same union. Kishoreganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman confirmed the arrest and subsequent transfer to jail.

The report did not provide further details about the specific allegations or the progress of the case beyond the arrest and detention process.