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.

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.

Bangladesh’s government has confirmed that no illegal or cloned mobile phones will be deactivated within the next 90 days following the official launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on January 1. The clarification came from Faez Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, who addressed public confusion over multiple phone registrations under single national IDs.

Tayyeb explained that the NEIR system, which links all mobile devices’ IMEI numbers to a national database, received over three billion data sets from operators, including historical records. This caused some users’ national IDs to show an unusually high number of active devices. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and mobile operators are jointly working to archive old data and display only currently active handsets. He also noted that the system had been initially developed in 2021 and recently upgraded with additional features.

According to the government, the NEIR will help identify stolen and illegal phones, raise public awareness, and allow citizens to monitor SIM and device usage linked to their national IDs, enhancing transparency and security in mobile communications.

South Korean automaker Hyundai has unveiled its new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Supernal S-A2, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the United States. The aircraft is designed for short-distance passenger transport within cities, capable of vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter and forward flight like an airplane. It can fly up to 1,500 feet high at a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour and cover 25 to 40 miles on a single charge. Being fully electric, it produces minimal noise and no fuel-based pollution, making it suitable for urban environments.

In the context of Dhaka, the idea of air taxis is both exciting and challenging. Experts note that managing air routes, ensuring safety, and building vertiports would require significant investment and planning. Initially, such services might cater to corporate passengers or emergency needs, but as technology becomes cheaper and infrastructure develops, air taxis could evolve into a broader public transport option.

The report suggests that while air taxis may not fully solve Dhaka’s traffic crisis, they could help reduce congestion and transform urban mobility in the long term.

The interim government of Bangladesh is facing widespread protests and multiple challenges over the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR). Around 20,000 mobile phone traders across the country, including in Dhaka, have taken to the streets opposing the initiative. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) announced that from tomorrow, unregistered or illegally imported mobile phones will no longer function in the country. The government argues that NEIR will curb illegal handset trade, reduce crime, and restore order in the mobile market.

Opposing traders claim that the system will strengthen a syndicate of 18 importers and put small businesses at risk, potentially rendering about five million phones illegal. The mobile industry currently employs about 160,000 people and contributes over Tk 2,000 crore in annual tax revenue. In response to concerns, a joint meeting of NBR, the Commerce Ministry, the Telecom Division, and BTRC decided to lower import duties and begin registering unlisted traders.

Industry leaders and experts believe NEIR could ensure sustainable growth, protect consumers, and enhance national security, though they stress the need for policies to safeguard small traders’ interests.

The newly built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has no mobile network coverage due to a design flaw, delaying its inauguration. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) discovered the issue after construction was nearly complete and has begun urgent work to install network infrastructure inside the terminal. The correction process, including opening parts of the aesthetic ceiling to lay cables, is expected to take six to seven months.

According to CAAB sources, the original design did not include an in-building mobile network solution, forcing a redesign and additional costs estimated in the millions. An emergency board meeting decided to sign a five-year agreement with state-owned Teletalk to implement the network, as other operators only offered space rental without revenue sharing. The contract will be reviewed every two years, with rent increasing by 2.5 percent annually upon renewal.

CAAB officials acknowledged that the absence of mobile coverage is a major operational flaw in an otherwise world-class facility. They expect the new agreement with Teletalk to resolve the issue and enable the terminal’s opening once the network installation is complete.

China has appointed its first female captain for the domestically produced C919 passenger aircraft, according to the South China Morning Post. The historic appointment went to Yu Yue, a former Boeing 737 pilot with China Southern Airlines. Since joining the airline in 2015, Yu has maintained a zero-error record. Earlier this year, she joined the C919 program and completed extensive training at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China and COMAC’s Shanghai training center, which included simulator sessions for emergency scenarios.

The C919, developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is a narrow-body jet designed for short- and medium-haul routes and is seen as China’s alternative to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The aircraft began commercial service on domestic routes in May 2023. Major state-owned carriers—China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern—are incorporating the C919 into their fleets and retraining pilots accordingly.

Yu highlighted the challenges faced by women pilots in balancing professional duties with family responsibilities. In 2024, China had 941 female pilots, less than two percent of the total, though participation has been gradually increasing.

A poem by Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, previously shared on Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s verified Facebook page, was suddenly removed along with the page’s profile photo. The disappearance, noticed on Friday morning, quickly drew widespread discussion and speculation across social media platforms.

The poem had earlier sparked nationwide attention after being posted on the Chief Adviser’s page. When users found the post and profile photo missing, questions arose about the cause. Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmad stated that neither the government nor the press office deleted any content. He attributed the incident to a technical error on Facebook’s side and confirmed that communication with the platform’s authorities was underway to resolve the issue.

According to the press wing, the changes were temporary and the page was expected to return to normal soon. However, the unexplained timing of the “technical error” continued to fuel public curiosity during a sensitive period.

Amazon has revealed that it blocked more than 1,800 job applications linked to North Korean workers attempting to secure IT positions within the company. Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt stated on LinkedIn that these applicants often operate remotely through U.S.-based 'laptop farms'—computers controlled from abroad to bypass sanctions and conceal their true identities. He warned that the issue extends beyond Amazon and is likely widespread across the technology industry.

According to Schmidt, the number of North Korean job seekers has increased by nearly one-third over the past year. Indicators of such applicants include irregular phone number formats and falsified academic credentials. The revelation follows a U.S. case in July where an Arizona woman was sentenced to eight years in prison for helping North Koreans secure jobs at about 300 American firms, generating $17 million in illegal revenue.

Security experts note that North Korea’s cyber operations increasingly target Western companies to funnel foreign currency into state programs. Analysts expect tighter corporate screening and government coordination to counter these covert employment schemes.

A capacity-building workshop on preventing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) was held in Kushtia, Bangladesh, organized by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). The event, held on Monday, brought together 32 representatives from local civil society organizations and NGOs to discuss strategies for combating digital and gender-based violence.

Speakers included Kushtia Department of Social Services Assistant Director Md. Murad Hossain and BNNRC Chief Executive Officer A.H.M. Bazlur Rahman. They emphasized that both women and men can be victims of TFGBV and highlighted the importance of collective community action. Participants stressed that awareness among families, teachers, and students is essential to build safer digital and physical environments.

The workshop underscored the need for coordinated efforts involving government agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders. Organizers called for sustained awareness campaigns in schools and families to ensure long-term prevention and support mechanisms against gender-based violence in the digital era.

Dhaka’s Metro Rail authority has launched an online recharge system for Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards, allowing passengers to top up their travel cards without visiting station counters. The new service, accessible through the website rapidpass.com.bd, supports payments via major digital platforms including bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and credit cards. This move aims to reduce long queues at metro stations and enhance commuter convenience in the traffic-congested capital.

According to the announcement, users can register online, log in, and recharge between Tk 100 and Tk 5,000. bKash users can receive up to Tk 100 cashback on transactions. Each card can have only one pending recharge at a time, and refunds are subject to a 5% service charge. The refund process is currently suspended.

Officials expect the online system to streamline fare management and encourage digital payment adoption among commuters. The initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s broader push toward smart urban transport and cashless mobility solutions.

The digital content landscape is witnessing a growing debate between short-form and long-form video formats. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have popularized quick, algorithm-driven clips that cater to shrinking attention spans and fast-paced lifestyles. Meanwhile, long-form videos—ranging from podcasts to documentaries—continue to attract audiences seeking depth, storytelling, and emotional connection.

Analysts note that short videos excel in virality and brand visibility, while long videos build trust and loyalty. However, both formats face challenges: short clips risk superficiality, and long videos demand sustained viewer engagement. Increasingly, creators are blending the two—using short clips to attract viewers and long videos to retain them. This hybrid model is emerging as the most effective strategy.

Experts predict that the future of digital content will depend less on format dominance and more on creators’ adaptability. Success will hinge on understanding audience behavior and choosing the right format for the right moment.

Bangladesh’s interim government has formally requested Meta to remove content that allegedly incites violence and disrupts the upcoming national election and referendum. The National Cyber Security Agency sent a letter to Meta last Friday, urging the company to enforce stricter monitoring of Bangladesh-related content until February 2026. The government expressed concern that social media platforms are being used to provoke real-world violence and attacks on media institutions.

According to the letter, several Facebook posts have supported the death of Osman Hadi and called for violence against journalists, leading to attacks on two newspaper offices. The government accused Meta of failing to deactivate accounts that spread such content despite repeated appeals from authorities and civil society. Officials warned that online incitement threatens citizens’ safety, minority rights, and the country’s democratic transition.

The letter called on Meta to apply community standards more rigorously, strengthen Bangla-language moderation, enhance sentiment analysis, and ensure immediate removal of content promoting intimidation or organized harm. Meta has not yet issued a public response.