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.

A report by Middle East Eye describes how Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are trading household goods for basic food items amid worsening economic conditions. A mother from Bethlehem wrote in a private Facebook group that she exchanged kitchen utensils for olive oil and za’atar so her children could take food to school. Since the Gaza war began and Israeli restrictions tightened, such exchanges have become common, reflecting widespread hardship.

Economist Dr. Haitham Weida said the West Bank is being pushed toward a hunger crisis, where families cannot secure enough nutritious food. The region’s economy has deteriorated sharply since October 2023, with poverty reaching 28 percent and unemployment at similar levels. Israel’s restrictions have halted most Palestinian labor access, tourism, and tax revenues, while international aid has fallen to about $710–770 million in 2025. Nearly 898 checkpoints now hinder trade and movement.

The worsening situation has forced many Palestinians to risk their lives crossing into Israel for work. Labor unions report at least 38 workers killed and over 1,500 injured between October 2023 and September 2025 while attempting to find employment.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has alleged that Bangladesh experienced extensive money laundering and looting through accounting manipulation and corruption over the past 15 years. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 17, at the ‘SAFA International Conference’ held at a hotel in Dhaka.

Hossain stated that a lack of transparency and weaknesses in financial accounting have hindered both foreign investment and the proper use of domestic resources. He said the burden of financial mismanagement ultimately falls on ordinary citizens, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure professional ethics and competence. He also urged South Asian countries to work together to address global instability.

The adviser added that the next generation of professionals—including accountants, auditors, and economic analysts—will play a vital role in restoring the economy through integrity, accountability, and innovation, helping to strengthen Bangladesh’s position amid global challenges.

Bangladesh’s leading industrial group RFL, through its subsidiary Rangpur Metal Industries Limited, has signed an agreement with Japanese tech-based startup Glafit Bangladesh Limited to jointly establish electric vehicle charging stations across the country. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at RFL Group’s headquarters in Badda, Dhaka, where RFL Managing Director RN Paul and Glafit Bangladesh Managing Director Tomoyaki Furuoka signed on behalf of their respective companies.

RN Paul stated that the use of eco-friendly vehicles such as scooters is growing among the country’s youth, and RFL recently launched its ‘Raido’ brand of electric scooters. However, the lack of fast-charging facilities remains a major obstacle for the sector. The company plans to set up charging and battery-swapping stations nationwide with Glafit providing technical support. Initial installations will focus on areas with higher electric vehicle usage, later expanding based on demand.

Furuoka added that Glafit’s mobile app will allow users to connect with the ecosystem, locate nearby charging points, monitor battery status, and track usage details.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, has called for an end to unnecessary honking to control noise pollution. She made the remarks while inaugurating a motor rally against honking, jointly organized by the Department of Environment and Dhaka Metropolitan Police under the ‘Integrated and Participatory Project for Noise Pollution Control’. The event took place in Dhaka, where the adviser emphasized that both legal measures and behavioral change are needed to address the issue.

Hasan noted that the ‘Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2025’ have been gazetted, assigning responsibilities to both the Department of Environment and the police to take immediate action against offenders. Several areas in Dhaka have already been declared silent zones, and monitoring will be strengthened there. She identified honking and fireworks as major sources of noise pollution and suggested designating specific areas for New Year fireworks. The adviser urged media professionals to promote awareness and called on youth to build a social movement against noise pollution.

The rally, themed “No more noise pollution, let healthy life prevail,” concluded a ten-day mobile court and campaign held at ten key points in Dhaka since January 5, supported by Green Voice volunteers.

The operations of the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (PICT) in Keraniganj, Dhaka, have officially begun under the management of Medlog Bangladesh Private Limited, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based logistics company Medlog. The inauguration took place on Saturday morning, led by Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, advisor to the Ministry of Shipping. He stated that upgrading the terminal to international standards would enhance domestic container movement and strengthen multimodal transport connectivity, opening a new chapter in the country’s port management and inland water transport.

Shipping Secretary Dr. Nurunnahar Chowdhury said the 22-year concession agreement would make cargo handling at the terminal more dynamic and positively impact the national economy. The partnership between the government and the private sector is expected to play a key role in achieving set goals. The terminal, built at a cost of about Tk 155 crore, had been incurring losses for a decade before the government decided to bring it under professional private management.

Under the concession signed last November, Medlog Bangladesh will operate, maintain, and modernize the terminal in partnership with the Chittagong Port Authority.

Severe flooding caused by continuous heavy rainfall has killed more than 100 people across southern Africa, according to a report by Al Jazeera on Saturday. The floods have affected South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, where rivers have overflowed and infrastructure has collapsed, cutting off communication in many areas. In South Africa’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, at least 30 people have died, prompting the deployment of army helicopters to rescue stranded residents. A border checkpoint near Zimbabwe was evacuated after being surrounded by floodwaters.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited affected areas in Limpopo, reporting nearly 400 millimeters of rain in less than a week and the destruction of 36 houses in one district. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said more than 1,000 homes were damaged. In Zimbabwe, the disaster management agency confirmed at least 70 deaths since the start of the year, with over 1,000 homes destroyed and multiple schools, roads, and bridges washed away.

The World Food Programme (WFP) stated that over 200,000 people have been affected, with 70,000 hectares of farmland submerged, raising fears of worsening food insecurity for small farmers in the region.

Saudi Arabia’s state-owned mining company Ma’aden has extracted a total of 7.8 million ounces, equivalent to 221,000 kilograms, of gold from four locations across the country. The extraction took place at Mansourah Massarah, Uruk 20/21, Umm al-Salam, and Wadi al-Jawaa. According to the company, Mansourah Massarah yielded 3 million ounces, Uruk 20/21 and Umm al-Salam produced 1.607 million ounces, and Wadi al-Jawaa contributed 3.08 million ounces.

Ma’aden’s Chief Executive Officer Bob Wilt stated that this achievement strengthens Saudi Arabia’s global position as a leading gold producer. He attributed the success to the company’s long-term strategic plan, emphasizing that the results demonstrate its effectiveness in practice.

The report, citing Gulf News, suggests that the large-scale extraction will enhance Saudi Arabia’s mineral reserves and accelerate Ma’aden’s operations as a world-class gold producer.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance, visited the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, on Friday, January 16, 2026. During the inspection, he reviewed the final preparations for nuclear fuel loading and assessed the overall progress of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project. He toured the training center, main control room, electrical and water systems, and cooling tower, and discussed safety and technical matters with engineers and officials.

The Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), Dr. Zahedul Hasan, briefed the adviser on the project’s safety systems, construction progress, and readiness for fuel loading. Senior government officials, including secretaries from the Cabinet Division, Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, and Science and Technology Ministry, were present during the visit.

Project authorities stated that construction is in its final phase, with testing activities ongoing. They expressed optimism that nuclear fuel loading will begin soon, marking a major step toward enhancing Bangladesh’s energy security and supporting sustainable development goals.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has allegedly collected around Tk 400 crore in bills from customers in Shibaloy and surrounding areas of Manikganj over the past 16 years without providing regular gas supply. Residents claim they were forced to pay monthly bills despite receiving little or no gas since 2010. Protests demanding uninterrupted supply reportedly faced police action in 2014, injuring journalists and locals.

Regional manager Md. Alamgir Hossain said daily demand in the area is 22.6 MMCFD, but supply stands at only 11.8 MMCFD, creating a shortfall of about 11 MMCFD. He added that bill payment is mandatory for active connections, though disconnection requests are being processed. Locals estimate that residential users alone paid Tk 285 crore, with industrial and CNG users bringing the total to about Tk 400 crore.

District officials acknowledged the issue as a consumer rights violation and said legal action is underway against companies overcharging for cylinder gas. Consumers have demanded either regular gas supply or installation of meters to ensure fair billing.

A joint operation by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Upazila Fisheries Department in Matlab North, Chandpur, recovered 850 kilograms (21 maunds 10 kilograms) of illegally transported jatka fish from a passenger vehicle on Friday, January 16, 2026. The operation took place between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. as part of the government’s enforcement of the jatka fishing ban. The seized fish were immediately distributed among local orphanages and underprivileged residents.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Bijoy Kumar Das, Mohanpur Outpost Contingent Commander M. Sanoar Haque, and Fisheries Field Assistant Mosharraf Hossain were present during the raid. Das stated that despite a complete ban on catching and transporting jatka, some groups continue illegal activities, posing a serious threat to the national hilsa fish population. He emphasized that protecting jatka ensures the future of hilsa production.

Authorities have intensified surveillance on both river and road routes to prevent jatka smuggling, according to the fisheries department.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported on Friday, January 16, 2026, that although temperatures in the capital Dhaka slightly decreased compared to the previous day, there is no possibility of severe cold in the country. The lowest temperature was recorded in Tetulia at 8.5 degrees Celsius, up from 7.5 degrees the previous day. The department noted that cold wave conditions were limited to only three northern districts—Dinajpur, Panchagarh, and Chuadanga.

According to meteorologist Kazi Zebun Nesa, the overall temperature across Bangladesh fell slightly, but the cold wave area has shrunk compared to previous days. The feeling of cold has increased somewhat due to the temperature drop, yet there are no signs of an intense cold spell. The department expects similar conditions to persist on Saturday, with daytime temperatures in the northern region possibly falling further, while Dhaka’s temperature is likely to remain stable.

The weather office also confirmed that the cold wave area is not expected to expand in the coming days, suggesting a stable winter pattern without severe cold conditions.

The Sylhet Power Development Board announced that electricity supply will be suspended for eight hours on Saturday, January 17, 2026, across multiple areas of Sylhet city. The outage will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow transformer repairs and transmission line improvements. The affected zones include Sheikhghat, Shubhechha Residential Area, Surjer Hashi Clinic, Jitu Mia Point, Talotola VIP Road, Park View Hospital, Hilltown Residential Hotel, Teli Haor, Kazirbazar, Court Point, Surma Market, Mirzajangal, Topkhana, Kotwali Thana, the Circuit House area, the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, and several other nearby locations.

Executive Engineer Mohammad Arafat of the Sales and Distribution Division-1 confirmed the planned interruption through an official notice issued on Friday, January 16. He expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and assured residents that power would be restored earlier if the maintenance work is completed ahead of schedule.

The maintenance aims to enhance the reliability of Sylhet’s electricity infrastructure and minimize future disruptions once the upgrades are completed.

An e-ticketing service has been officially launched at the Sixty Dome Mosque and its adjacent museum in Bagerhat to reduce tourist inconvenience and save time. The inauguration took place on Friday, January 16, 2026, with officials expressing hope that the new system will make visitor entry more efficient through modern management.

The event was attended by the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb, Director General of the Department of Archaeology Sabina Alam, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten, Khulna Divisional Director of Archaeology Lovely Yasmin, Bagerhat Museum Curator Md. Zahed, and Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Shamim Hossain, among others. Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb stated that the e-ticketing initiative would save visitors’ time and reduce hassle, marking an important step in tourism management.

He added that combining heritage preservation with modern technology would attract more tourists and enhance Bagerhat’s international recognition as a heritage destination.