A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Sylhet and several northeastern districts of Bangladesh early Monday, January 5, 2026, at 4:47 a.m. The tremor was also felt across border regions of India, Myanmar, Bhutan, and China. According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and other international monitoring agencies, the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The epicenter was located about 4 kilometers west of Dhing town in India’s Assam state and 76 kilometers northeast of Guwahati. Due to Sylhet’s proximity to the epicenter, the shaking was strongly felt in the city and surrounding areas, including Zindabazar, Ambarkhana, Tilaghar, Shah Paran, South Surma, Jaintapur, and Companiganj. Local residents reported the tremor but no immediate damage or casualties were confirmed.

Authorities and monitoring agencies have not reported any significant structural impact, and no emergency alerts were issued following the event.

The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has introduced a new mobile application to make the use of Metro Rail’s Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards more convenient. According to an announcement issued on Saturday, users can now recharge their cards directly through the Rapid Pass app. Initially, some features may face temporary issues as the app is newly launched, but DTCA’s technical team is working continuously to improve performance and ensure a smoother user experience.

Registered users of the rapidpass.com.bd website can log in to the app using their existing user ID and password. After logging in, they can recharge amounts ranging from 100 to 5,000 taka using bank cards, as well as mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad. The app is available for download on Android devices by searching “Rapid Pass” in the app store or through the provided Google Play link.

DTCA stated that the initiative aims to enhance passenger convenience and streamline the metro card recharge process through digital means.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed stated that consumers cannot be guaranteed to purchase liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at government-fixed prices. He made the remarks on Sunday during a press conference announcing new LPG prices. Ahmed said a meeting was being held at the Secretariat to discuss complaints of distributors charging higher prices, with members of the LPG Association in attendance. BERC will also hold discussions with the association on the issue.

The chairman explained that the commission sets prices based on importers’ total costs, but cannot ensure that consumers will always get LPG at that exact rate. The LPG Association claims it supplies gas at the fixed price. BERC has also spoken with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to conduct drives against overpricing, and action will be taken if any company is found guilty of charging extra.

Ahmed added that shipping shortages from the Middle East and difficulties in opening letters of credit (LCs) are affecting imports. He urged companies to increase imports from Singapore and said the government’s higher authorities would intervene if LC complications persist.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has launched a pilot program for its newly developed three-wheeled, low-speed, battery-powered eco-friendly electric rickshaw in Dhaka. The program was inaugurated on Sunday morning through separate events in Aftabnagar under Dhaka North City Corporation and Jigatola under Dhaka South City Corporation. The pilot allows controlled trial operations on designated roads in Aftabnagar, Dhanmondi, and Motijheel areas.

Government advisers and city administrators attended the inauguration, emphasizing scientific testing of design, braking systems, and battery safety. The initiative aims to regulate unapproved battery-fitted rickshaws and establish an orderly urban transport system. The new model features improved braking, speed control, and a 38-volt lithium battery capable of running 70–80 kilometers per charge. Geo-fencing technology will restrict movement outside designated zones, and only trained, licensed drivers will be allowed to operate the vehicles.

Officials said the pilot’s findings will guide future expansion across Dhaka and gradual conversion of existing pedal rickshaws into safer, modern electric versions.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink has announced that people in Venezuela will be able to use its internet service free of charge until February 3. The company made the announcement through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for Venezuelan citizens during the current situation.

According to the BBC, the decision follows a recent large-scale U.S. military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and taken to New York. In response to these developments, Starlink said it would provide free access to its high-speed satellite internet service to support communication across the country.

The free service is intended to remain active until early February, allowing Venezuelans to stay connected without cost during a period of political and military upheaval.

A Royal Bengal Tiger was found trapped in a deer-hunting snare set by poachers in the Sundarbans near Shorki Canal in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat. The Forest Department began a rescue operation on Sunday morning with the help of specialists to free the tiger. Officials said the animal was discovered about half a kilometer inside the forest from the canal bank, and the area has been cordoned off to prevent public access.

Dipon Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Chandpai Range under the Sundarbans East Forest Division, confirmed that a veterinary surgeon from Dhaka was brought in to assist in the rescue. The team may use a tranquilizer gun if necessary. If the tiger is found injured or unwell, it will be caged and sent to a rescue center in Khulna or Dhaka for treatment.

Local residents gathered near the site after hearing about the trapped tiger, but the Forest Department has restricted entry to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations.

The government has issued a gazette prohibiting the extraction of groundwater for irrigation in the Barind region, covering 4,911 mouzas across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Natore districts. The order allows groundwater use only for drinking purposes. Farmers in the area, who depend heavily on groundwater for crop cultivation, have expressed deep concern, warning that the sudden ban without alternative irrigation systems or subsidies could reduce crop production by about 2.7 million tons this season and leave 2.54 million hectares of land uncultivated.

Experts and local farmers argue that the decision disregards the agricultural realities of the drought-prone Barind area, where the government itself had promoted deep tube-well irrigation since the 1980s through the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority. They say the ban shifts responsibility for groundwater depletion onto farmers while ignoring the state’s institutional role in creating the system. Officials and researchers have urged phased implementation, farmer consultation, and interim support to prevent economic and social crises.

The Barind region’s future agricultural stability remains uncertain as stakeholders call for reconsideration of the gazette and development of sustainable water management alternatives.

Owners of lighter cargo vessels transporting goods through Bangladesh’s waterways have accused a syndicate linked to senior Awami League figures of monopolizing the sector and withholding large payments. Despite arrests of several members after August 5, 2024, others remain active. The owners claim they must pay the group to operate at Chittagong’s outer anchorage and across the country. They have issued a 10-point demand to the government, including enforcement of the 2024 transport policy, payment of overdue demurrage, and dissolution of the syndicate, warning of a nationwide vessel shutdown if ignored.

The dispute centers on control of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC). Owners allege that Awami-linked businessman Haji Shafiq Ahmed unlawfully declared himself convener to misappropriate about Tk 500 crore owed to them. They also accuse agents of using vessels as floating warehouses to create artificial market shortages. Government officials acknowledge unresolved corruption and policy violations but deny aiding the syndicate.

The standoff has left many vessel owners in debt, with hundreds forced to scrap ships. The government faces pressure to enforce maritime policy and resolve payment disputes to restore order in the inland shipping sector.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) announced that it registered 131,000 previously unregistered businesses for Value Added Tax (VAT) during a special campaign conducted across Bangladesh in December. According to an NBR press release issued on Saturday, the campaign was carried out by 12 VAT commissionerates, which worked daily, including holidays, to identify and register new entities. Before the interim government took office, the number of VAT-registered businesses stood at 516,000, which has now risen to 775,000.

NBR’s public relations officer Md. Al Amin Sheikh said the campaign coincided with VAT Day on December 10 and VAT Week from December 10 to 15, followed by a special registration drive from December 10 to 31. He noted that VAT contributes the largest share of total revenue, accounting for 38 percent last year. To expand the VAT base, the government has amended the VAT law, lowering the annual turnover threshold for mandatory registration from 30 million to 5 million taka.

NBR has also introduced measures to simplify VAT registration and payment, including online submission of VAT returns and automated refunds directly to bank accounts.

A mild cold wave has swept across Kurigram district, located near the Himalayas, severely disrupting daily life. The district recorded a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius with 99 percent humidity on January 3, according to the local agricultural meteorological office. Dense fog and cold winds have reduced visibility, halting agricultural work, slowing long-distance transport, and causing frequent accidents. Boat passengers in riverine areas have faced severe hardship as fog causes boats to lose direction.

Kurigram, home to about 2.5 million people, has a poverty rate of 71 percent. Many low-income residents are struggling to buy warm clothes, relying instead on cheap roadside garments. The Civil Surgeon’s Office reported that in December alone, 1,400 people were hospitalized with diarrhea and about 3,000 with fever, cold, and pneumonia, mostly children and the elderly. Authorities have advised special care for vulnerable groups.

District relief officials said 27,000 blankets have been distributed and each of the nine upazilas received six lakh taka in aid. The cold wave is expected to intensify in the coming days.

Bangladesh’s Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said on Sunday that rice prices are not expected to increase this year, citing the country’s highest-ever food grain reserves. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he explained that last year’s price hike was driven by government formation and natural disasters, but current stock levels are strong enough to stabilize the market.

According to Majumder, government warehouses currently hold 2,027,420 metric tons of food grains, with the capacity to increase reserves by another 2.4 million tons. He noted that this year’s stock is the highest in the past five years. The adviser emphasized that maintaining a smooth supply chain will be key to keeping rice prices steady.

Majumder also confirmed that rice imports from India remain normal and that no political issues are affecting the trade flow.

After the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), alarming data has emerged about the prevalence of cloned and counterfeit mobile phones in Bangladesh. According to Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, millions of fake and duplicate IMEI numbers are currently active on national mobile networks. In a verified Facebook post on Friday night, he cited examples such as “1111111111111”, “0000000000000”, and “9999999999999”, noting that these IMEIs are not being blocked at present.

Tayyeb stated that millions of people are using low-quality counterfeit phones that have never undergone radiation or safety testing, including Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) checks. These devices are active across all four mobile operators. Instead of immediate disconnection, they will be tagged as “grey” devices. He added that over the past decade, one IMEI number alone was linked to 39,122,534 different combinations of document IDs, MSISDNs, and IMEIs. Operators currently cannot distinguish between phones, SIM-connected devices, and IoT devices, though tagging of legally imported IoT devices has begun.

Grameenphone, the leading telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh, has launched Wi-Fi calling services using Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) technology. The announcement was made on January 3, 2026. This new feature allows Grameenphone’s VoLTE customers to make high-quality voice calls over designated Wi-Fi networks without requiring any additional applications. The company described the launch as a milestone in the country’s digital connectivity journey.

To ensure uninterrupted service, Grameenphone has initially partnered with several internet service providers, including BracNet, Carnival Internet, Chittagong Online Limited, and MIM Internet. The service is designed to enhance call quality and provide a seamless calling experience. Grameenphone’s Chief Product Officer, Solaiman Alam, stated that the company remains committed to continuous innovation and delivering the best digital experiences for its customers.

According to the company, the introduction of Wi-Fi calling strengthens Grameenphone’s transformation from a mobile operator to a telco-tech company. The initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to innovation and providing improved voice call services at no additional cost.

A man named Abdus Salam, aged 35 and a tube-well mechanic by profession, was killed in a wild elephant attack in Baishari Union of Naikhongchhari upazila, Bandarban. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Saturday at Titarpara Galasira area along the Alikhyong road. According to local accounts, Salam approached the elephant to take a photograph as it crossed the road near his house. The animal became agitated by barking dogs nearby and suddenly charged at him, trampling him to death on the spot.

Salam was the sole breadwinner of his family, supporting three young children and his physically disabled father, Abdus Sattar. Following the incident, the in-charge of Baishari Police Investigation Center, Inspector Md. Anwarul Islam, visited the scene and prepared an inquest report. The tragic death has cast a pall of grief over the entire area.

The report highlights the severe impact on Salam’s family, now facing deep uncertainty after losing their only source of income.

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.