Port workers at Benapole land port in Jashore staged a human chain protest on Tuesday morning demanding reinstatement of their discontinued allowance. The demonstration, held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in front of the cargo vehicle terminal under the banner of the Land Port Demand Implementation Council, led to a complete halt in import, export, and unloading operations for one hour, causing congestion inside the port.

Speakers at the protest said they had been receiving the allowance for 21 years as compensation for overtime work, but the government stopped the payment two months ago without prior notice. They described the decision as causing severe financial and mental hardship for employees. Around 150 workers participated in the event, chanting slogans for reinstatement of the benefit.

Warehouse inspectors Shahadat Hossain, Hafizur Rahman, and Nahid Parvez addressed the gathering, warning that if their demands were not met soon, they would announce tougher protest programs in the future.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has challenged the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), claiming that every bus operated by the state-run company emits black smoke. She made the remarks on Tuesday at the BRTC Training Institute in Tejgaon during the inauguration of a training program aimed at improving driver and worker skills and raising awareness about noise pollution.

Hasan expressed frustration over the delay in finalizing the government’s scrap policy, which was supposed to be completed on October 28 of the previous year. She said she had repeatedly contacted officials over the past ten months about the issue. The adviser emphasized that without strict action against polluting vehicles, no real progress could be achieved. She also urged BRTC and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to take coordinated steps to ensure proper maintenance of old buses.

She added that while replacing old buses may take time, operators should at least maintain their vehicles properly, noting that after 54 years of operation, there is no reason for further delay in addressing pollution from public transport.

According to data from international air quality monitoring firm IQAir, released on Tuesday morning, Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) score of 299, placing it at the top of the world’s most polluted cities list. Dhaka ranked fifth with a score of 220, while Kolkata stood seventh. Both Delhi and Dhaka’s air quality levels were categorized as 'very unhealthy'. The data was collected around 8:30 a.m., when dry winter weather typically worsens air pollution in the region.

The IQAir ranking also placed Dakar, Senegal, second with a score of 243; Cairo, Egypt, third with 229; Hanoi, Vietnam, fourth with 221; and Krasnoyarsk, Russia, sixth with 201. The report noted that AQI scores between 201 and 300 are considered 'very unhealthy', prompting health advisories for children, the elderly, and those with illnesses to stay indoors and for others to limit outdoor activities.

The report highlighted that during the dry winter season, Dhaka often experiences persistently high pollution levels, contributing to its position among the world’s most polluted cities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an increase in tariffs on imports from South Korea, raising the rate from 15 percent to 25 percent. He stated that South Korea failed to properly implement the terms of a bilateral trade agreement, prompting this decision. The announcement was made Monday through a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he said the measure targets cars, wood, pharmaceuticals, and other goods.

It remains unclear whether the new tariff has taken immediate effect, as no confirmation was available. CNN reportedly contacted the White House for comment but received no response. South Korea is one of the largest exporters to the United States, with exports worth about 132 billion dollars in 2024, including cars, auto parts, semiconductors, and electronics. Analysts fear the new tariffs could raise prices of these products in the U.S. market.

Trump’s authority to impose broad tariffs on multiple countries is currently under legal scrutiny in the U.S. Supreme Court. A ruling against the administration could limit his ability to unilaterally alter import tariffs in the future.

France’s National Assembly has passed a bill aiming to ban social media use for children under 15, seeking to protect them from excessive screen time and its negative effects. The bill, strongly supported by President Emmanuel Macron, was approved after a lengthy session from Monday to Tuesday night and will now move to the Senate for further approval. Macron described the measure as a major step forward in safeguarding French youth.

The proposed law also includes restrictions on mobile phone use in high schools. If enacted, France would become the second country after Australia to impose such strict limits on minors’ social media access. The law would take effect at the start of the 2026 school year, with social media companies required to deactivate non-compliant accounts by December 31, 2025. Renaissance Party leader and former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed hope that the Senate would approve the bill by mid-February.

A recent report by France’s public health agency ANSES warned that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram negatively affect teenagers’ mental health, especially among girls. The law will exclude educational and encyclopedic platforms and introduce a European-level age verification system.

A powerful snowstorm has caused widespread disruption across the United States, leaving at least 30 people dead and millions without electricity. The storm has led to the cancellation of thousands of flights and prompted weather-related emergency declarations in at least 25 states, according to the Associated Press. The extreme cold and heavy snowfall have affected areas from New York and Massachusetts in the northeast to Texas and North Carolina in the south.

Snowfall reached up to 18 inches in some regions, with temperatures dropping to minus 18 degrees Celsius. The storm directly impacted about 118 million people, while more than 150 million were advised to remain cautious. New York reported the highest number of fatalities, with five deaths. Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard in New York City, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to assist those in need. Deaths were also reported in Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Massachusetts, and Kansas.

The U.S. National Weather Service said the storm’s main system was moving toward the Atlantic Ocean but warned that new Arctic air could bring more snow and rain to the northeast in the coming days.

Saudi Arabia is significantly reducing the scope and size of its ambitious Neom megaproject following a year-long internal review. According to a Financial Times report cited on Sunday, the project’s cost has been cut and its design reworked. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now pursuing a smaller development plan due to delays, rising expenses, and technical challenges. The Neom project, launched in 2017 as part of the kingdom’s economic transformation plan, spans the Red Sea coast and includes the futuristic city concept known as “The Line,” which is now being redesigned and downsized.

Sources told the Financial Times that “The Line” may be converted into a conventional project using existing infrastructure, while Neom could evolve into a data center hub as Saudi Arabia seeks a stronger role in the global artificial intelligence sector. The review comes amid lower oil prices and a government cost-cutting drive, as the country prepares for major events such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Several subprojects, including the Trojena ski resort and the Oxagon industrial zone, are being scaled back or redesigned to align with Saudi Arabia’s current economic realities.

A five-member delegation led by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen visited Chattogram Port on Monday, January 26, and met with the port authority’s chairman, Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman. During the courtesy meeting, the chairman briefed the delegation on the port’s major achievements under the interim government following the July 2024 mass uprising.

He highlighted reforms implemented to overcome irregularities, labor unrest, pressure group influence, fire incidents, and digitalization barriers. These efforts led to record handling performance, reduced turnaround and dwell times, expanded port limits, higher profits, and progress in major projects such as the Bay Terminal and Matarbari Port. The chairman also welcomed US interest in establishing a cold chain industry for reefer container storage and noted the positive role of labor unions in ensuring smooth operations.

Ambassador Christensen expressed satisfaction with the port’s progress and future plans, assuring full US cooperation to make it more efficient and world-class. He also emphasized enhancing port-related foreign investment, workforce training, and requested support in handling US exports through Chattogram Port.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has raised gold prices again within 24 hours, setting a new record in the country’s market. In a notice issued late Monday, January 26, 2026, BAJUS announced that the price of 22-carat gold has been increased by Tk 5,249 per bhori, bringing it to Tk 262,440. The new rate will take effect from Tuesday, January 27. The association said the adjustment was made considering the rise in the price of pure gold in the local market.

According to the revised rates, 21-carat gold will cost Tk 250,484 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 214,734, and traditional gold Tk 176,593. The previous adjustment was made on January 25, when the price of 22-carat gold was set at Tk 257,191 per bhori after a Tk 1,574 increase. Silver prices have also reached a record high, with 22-carat silver now priced at Tk 7,757 per bhori after a Tk 525 rise.

BAJUS noted that international gold prices have also surged, surpassing USD 5,000 per ounce, following a more than 60 percent increase in 2025.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has given policy approval to establish the country’s first Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Anwara upazila of Chattogram. The decision was taken at a BEZA governing board meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka’s Tejgaon. BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun said the proposed FTZ will cover about 600 to 650 acres and operate as an offshore territory exempt from customs duties, allowing storage, re-export, and production of goods.

Mahmud explained that the FTZ aims to significantly reduce the time required to supply raw materials to export-oriented industries. Materials such as cotton could be stored within the zone and used instantly by local factories or re-exported to other countries like Vietnam. He cited Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone as a global example, noting its major contribution to Dubai’s GDP. The proposal will now go to the Cabinet for final approval, and legal amendments will be required for implementation.

The BEZA board also approved plans for a Defense Industrial Park in Mirsarai and to convert the Kushtia sugar mill area into a full industrial park under BEZA’s supervision.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. C. R. Abrar has called for giving top priority to science and research to ensure sustainable development, build a knowledge-based economy, and address future challenges. He made the remarks on Monday while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Strengthening Research and Development to Meet National and Global Needs: Use of Affordable and High-Tech Solutions,” organized by the Ministry of Education at the Secretariat.

Dr. Abrar expressed concern over the declining enrollment in science education and the slow pace of research in Bangladesh. He highlighted that private universities face serious delays of six to eight months in obtaining government clearance for research grants, which hampers effective fund utilization. He urged the removal of unnecessary disparities between public and private universities and proposed a fast-track system for responsible institutions. He also noted that Bangladesh invests only about 0.3 percent of its GDP in research—far below regional and global standards.

The adviser emphasized the need to connect expatriate Bangladeshi researchers, promote knowledge exchange, and build a strong research ecosystem integrating basic and applied sciences through coordinated efforts among government, academia, and the private sector.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has signed a lease agreement with South Korean company Park Handbag BD Limited to establish a factory for producing bags, luggage, and high-end garments in the BEPZA Economic Zone at Mirsarai, Chattogram. The agreement, signed on January 26, 2026, at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka, involves a proposed investment of 80 million US dollars. The signing was attended by BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain and senior officials from both sides.

According to the agreement, Park Handbag BD Limited will build the factory on 57,600 square meters of land, producing handbags, backpacks, luggage, and knit and woven garments such as polo shirts, T-shirts, jackets, trousers, sportswear, and undergarments. Once fully operational, the project is expected to create about 10,960 jobs for Bangladeshi workers, with products exported to the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, South America, and Asia.

BEPZA reaffirmed its commitment to providing round-the-clock services to investors and emphasized ongoing modernization, automation, and digitalization to enhance investment facilitation.

Bangladeshi actor and producer Ananta Jalil has announced his departure from the film industry due to a severe downturn in his garment business. Once operating a factory in Savar with around 12,000 workers, Jalil now manages only about 4,000 employees. He said the business situation has become so difficult that he cannot focus on acting or complete his pending film projects. Jalil emphasized that he has always prioritized business over cinema and will not return to acting until his business recovers.

Jalil also confirmed that his wife and co-star, actress Barsha, will no longer appear in films. This decision has cast uncertainty over their ongoing productions, including “Netri: The Leader,” “Operation Jackpot,” and “Chita,” which have yet to finish shooting. Jalil, who entered the film industry in 2008, stated that he and Barsha have always worked together and will only return to cinema jointly if conditions improve.

He added that his focus now is on overcoming the current business crisis, suggesting that any future film work will depend on better times ahead.

The government has approved a policy decision to provide a 20 percent rebate on electricity bills for marginal fish farms, hatcheries, and livestock and poultry farms. The initiative aims to reduce production costs in these sectors. To implement the rebate, the Finance Division has decided to allocate a subsidy of Tk 100 crore. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision in a press release issued on Monday.

According to the release, the rebate is part of the government’s existing electricity rebate policy, which currently covers 16 sectors to promote agricultural production, export of agricultural goods, and the growth of agro-based industries. In continuation of this policy, four additional sectors have now been included under the rebate scheme: animal and poultry feed manufacturing, fish feed production, poultry industry, and dairy processing industry.

The dairy processing category includes pasteurized milk, powdered milk, ice cream, condensed milk, sweets, cheese, ghee, butter, chocolate, and yogurt. The ministry expects the rebate to significantly ease electricity expenses for farmers and entrepreneurs in these sectors.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to establish the country’s first Free Trade Zone and Defense Industrial Zone, according to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun. The announcement was made on Monday at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The Free Trade Zone will be set up on 600 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram, while the Defense Industrial Zone will occupy 850 acres in Mirsarai.

The decision was approved at the fourth meeting of the governing board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Harun stated that the Mirsarai site was previously designated for an Indian Economic Zone under a government-to-government framework, which has now been dropped. He added that countries maintaining good relations with Bangladesh have shown interest in the new project, and details will be disclosed once agreements progress further.

The Defense Industrial Zone will be located within the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai, marking a significant policy shift in Bangladesh’s industrial development strategy.