A total of 125 metric tons of explosives were imported from India through the Benapole land port in Jashore on Saturday evening. The shipment, classified as highly dangerous, arrived in eight Indian trucks and was placed in the port’s 31st transshipment yard. Authorities have issued special security alerts across the port area due to the hazardous nature of the materials.

According to port sources, the explosives were imported for use in the Madhyapara Granite Mining Project in Dinajpur. The importer is Madhyapara Granite Mining Company Limited, while the exporter is India’s Super Shiv Shakti Chemical Private Limited. Local residents, workers, and traders have expressed concern about storing such a large quantity of explosives in a populated area, though port officials assured that maximum safety measures are in place.

Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain said customs, port security, police, BGB, and fire service units have been placed on alert. He added that steps are being taken to transport the explosives quickly to their destination following international safety standards, with law enforcement maintaining oversight at every stage.

Iran’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Company chief Behzad Akbari announced that internet services across the country will be restored “today or tomorrow.” The Fars news agency reported the statement on Saturday, citing domestic media. According to AFP, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approved the reconnection late Friday and informed the Ministry of Communications. Akbari said the issue would be resolved soon, though technical complications may delay full restoration.

Fars noted that international internet access briefly returned for about 30 minutes before being cut off again, a development also recorded by monitoring group NetBlocks. Officials from the communications ministry said technical issues were hindering complete reconnection. Iran had severed its digital links with the world on January 8 following widespread protests, during which authorities launched a harsh crackdown. Human rights groups reported thousands of deaths, while the government claimed 3,117 fatalities, including 2,427 labeled as “martyrs.”

Yusuf Pezeshkian, presidential adviser and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, urged the government to restore internet access, warning that prolonged shutdowns would deepen public dissatisfaction and widen the gap between citizens and the state.

Venezuela has announced a plan to increase its oil production by 18 percent in 2026. The state oil company PDVSA’s Chief Executive Officer Hector Obregon said the country has launched a reform program to fully open the energy sector to private investors in order to achieve this target. He noted that the previous law was not aligned with current industry needs, and Venezuela’s current oil output stands at around one million barrels per day.

Analysts said the new legislation is part of President Delcy Rodríguez’s commitment and that pressure from the United States played a key role in its initial approval. The pressure reportedly intensified after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was detained during a U.S. special forces operation. U.S. President Donald Trump has also expressed interest in Venezuela’s oil sector.

If the law is finally passed, it will ease decades of state control over Venezuela’s oil industry, a system that was further tightened in the mid-2000s under the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez.

Saudi Arabia has implemented a new law from January 2026 allowing foreigners to purchase houses and other properties in designated areas. Both foreign residents living in the kingdom and those residing abroad can now buy property, though ownership remains prohibited in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The government stated that foreigners outside Saudi Arabia will be limited to buying in Riyadh and Jeddah, with a detailed map of approved zones to be published by March.

Foreign residents can apply through an online portal using their residence permit (Iqama) number, while non-residents must first obtain a digital ID from a Saudi embassy in their home country before applying online. Property transactions will incur up to a 5% real estate tax. The law also imposes strict penalties for false information or anonymous purchases, including fines up to 10 million Saudi riyals and property confiscation.

Analysts cited in the report believe the reform could boost foreign investment in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector and accelerate development in selected areas of Riyadh and Jeddah.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has intensified efforts to expand and update its network of Double Taxation Avoidance (DTA) agreements. The agency has initiated new negotiations with Austria, Hungary, and Azerbaijan, completing two rounds of talks with the first two countries and one with Azerbaijan. Discussions with Uzbekistan and Nigeria are under consideration. Meanwhile, a DTA agreement with Kenya is at the final stage but its signing has been delayed due to scheduling issues before the national election.

In parallel, the NBR has begun reviewing older agreements signed decades ago to align them with modern business practices such as digitalization and e-commerce. The first rounds of review meetings with Singapore and Pakistan were held in December, and talks with Sri Lanka are expected around June. Bangladesh currently has DTA agreements with 43 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India.

NBR officials stated that such agreements help prevent investors from being taxed twice on the same income, thereby encouraging cross-border investment and trade between partner countries.

Bangladesh’s gold market remains volatile as prices surged again within just 12 hours of a previous reduction. The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced a new record high, setting the price of 22-carat gold at Tk 255,617 per bhori, effective nationwide from Saturday. The decision reversed Thursday night’s brief price cut, which had lowered the rate to Tk 249,318 per bhori before being superseded by Friday noon’s increase.

BAJUS said the adjustment was made due to a rise in the local price of acid gold and changing global conditions. The association noted that international prices had unexpectedly climbed after a previous downward trend, prompting an emergency meeting to revise domestic rates. Traders attributed the global volatility to heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, which have boosted demand for gold as a safe investment.

Market analysts reported that gold prices in Bangladesh have been adjusted 12 times so far this year, with nine increases and three reductions. They warned that without stability in global conditions, sustained relief in domestic gold prices remains unlikely.

Dhaka has ranked first among 126 cities worldwide for having the most polluted air, according to the Air Quality Index (IQAir) report released on Sunday morning, January 25, 2026. The city recorded an air quality score of 283, placing it in the 'very unhealthy' category. Kolkata, Hangzhou, Cairo, and Lahore followed Dhaka in the top five positions with scores of 210, 186, 178, and 176 respectively.

The IQAir index classifies air quality scores between 0 and 50 as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous. Dhaka’s current score of 283 indicates a severe level of air pollution that poses significant health risks to residents.

The report highlights the persistent air quality challenges faced by Dhaka, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with pollution levels that frequently exceed safe limits.

A massive snowstorm has severely disrupted the United States, affecting nearly 180 million people from New Mexico to New England under winter storm warnings. Around 13,000 flights have been canceled due to widespread snow and ice, and more than 100,000 customers have lost power. The National Weather Service forecast heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from Saturday through Monday across the southern Rocky Mountains to New England.

At least a dozen states have declared emergencies as millions face power outages and travel disruptions. National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Santorelli warned that snow and ice will melt slowly, hindering rescue and recovery operations. President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations for twelve states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and others, with more declarations expected.

U.S. Interior Secretary Kristi Noem said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pre-deployed relief supplies, personnel, and rescue teams across affected states, urging residents to stay indoors and make prudent decisions as the severe cold is expected to persist for several days.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that all goods entering the United States from Canada will face a 100% tariff if Canada completes a trade agreement with China. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said Canada must not act as a “drop-off port” for Chinese products entering the U.S., warning of severe consequences if it does.

Relations between Washington and Ottawa have become increasingly strained since Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, with disputes emerging over trade and other issues. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently described a “fracture” in the U.S.-led global system. During a visit to Beijing last week, Carney announced a “new strategic partnership” with China and an initial trade understanding aimed at reducing tariffs. Trump responded by calling the move dangerous and labeling Carney “governor,” echoing earlier remarks about Canada as a potential U.S. state.

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc countered that the China deal only addresses tariff issues and is not a free trade pact. Analysts cited in the report warned that continued tensions could create major uncertainty for both economies.

Bangladesh has repeatedly sent letters to India through diplomatic channels urging fair distribution of waters from shared rivers, but has received no effective response from New Delhi. Officials from the Water Resources Ministry, Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), and Water Development Board confirmed that India continues to withdraw water unilaterally during the dry season and release it suddenly during monsoons, causing floods in Bangladesh. The last JRC technical meeting was held in Delhi on 9 September, after which India reportedly avoided further communication.

Experts and policymakers in Bangladesh allege that India, as the upstream country, is using water as a strategic tool against Bangladesh. Concerns are rising as the Ganges water-sharing treaty nears expiration in December, with Bangladesh already receiving less than its due share. Environmental experts warn that reduced water flow is damaging agriculture and biodiversity, while the Teesta and Kushiyara rivers face severe depletion and operational barriers despite agreements.

Government advisers stated that ensuring equitable water rights remains a top priority, with instructions issued to prepare for extending the Ganges treaty and to pursue stronger diplomatic and political measures to secure Bangladesh’s fair share.

A mild earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale struck 33 kilometers east of Thakurgaon in Rangpur on Sunday morning at 8:34 a.m. Residents across the district reported feeling the tremor, which was described as noticeable but brief.

Many locals shared their experiences on social media, particularly on Facebook, saying they felt the shaking clearly. People in Pirganj and Ranishankoil areas reported the strongest sensations of the quake. No reports of damage or casualties were mentioned in the source.

The event drew attention among residents as it was felt across several parts of Thakurgaon, though it was categorized as a mild earthquake.

The government pay commission of Bangladesh has proposed a new pay scale that would more than double the salaries of primary school teachers. According to the recommendation, teachers in the 13th grade would see their basic pay rise from 11,000 taka to 24,000 taka. The proposed scale sets the minimum salary for government employees at 20,000 taka and the maximum at 160,000 taka, with higher increases suggested for employees in grades 11 to 20. The commission also advised raising allowances, including tiffin benefits.

Commission chief Zakir Ahmed Khan told the media that implementing the proposal would require 1.06 trillion taka. The 23-member commission, formed on July 27 of the previous year, completed its work ahead of schedule, spending only 18 percent of its allocated budget. The report is due on February 14, and a special committee will be formed to oversee implementation.

Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said the next step is to execute the recommendations, with an implementation committee to be established to manage the process.

In Saghata upazila of Gaibandha, several illegal brick kilns have been established in violation of national regulations, severely affecting the lives of residents in five nearby villages. Two unlicensed kilns, MSB Bricks and TAB Bricks, operate side by side in the Kathaltali area, producing thick black smoke that damages farmland, roads, and the local environment. Residents report that around 30 tractors and power trolleys transport topsoil from fertile fields to the kilns, causing road collapse and soil degradation.

Farmers and villagers from Satitola, Kathaltali, Baraikandi, Nashirarpra, and Gargaria complain of declining crop yields, damaged roads, and worsening air quality. The kilns operate within densely populated and agricultural zones, despite the 1989 Brick Burning Control Act (amended 2013) prohibiting such activity within one kilometer of farmland or residential areas. None of the kilns have environmental clearance.

Local agricultural officials confirm that crop yields, including Boro rice, are decreasing due to the kilns’ pollution. The Saghata Upazila Executive Officer stated that legal action will be taken once formal requisition is received from the Department of Environment.

Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) reported that recent heavy snowfall and rain have killed 61 people across multiple provinces. According to a report by Tolo News, 110 others were injured and 458 houses were damaged or destroyed. The affected provinces include Kabul, Parwan, Panjshir, Bamiyan, Daikundi, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Faryab, Sar-e Pol, Balkh, Samangan, and Nuristan.

Residents in several areas said that blocked roads and severe weather have made it difficult to reach hospitals and emergency services. They appealed to the government for urgent assistance. Locals described worsening conditions due to extreme cold and unemployment, with many lacking warm clothing and basic supplies.

Experts warned that Afghanistan needs long-term planning, stronger infrastructure resilience, and improved early warning systems to better handle such disasters, which threaten thousands of lives each winter.

Indian actor and social media personality Kamal R Khan, known as KRK, was arrested by Mumbai Police on the night of January 23. The arrest followed his January 22 post on X (formerly Twitter) where he commented on Bangladesh’s reported refusal to play in the T20 World Cup in India. Police stated that the arrest was linked to a shooting allegation, but many social media users claimed he was targeted for criticizing India’s attitude toward Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The controversy arose after reports that Bangladesh’s government expressed reluctance to send its team to India for the tournament due to security and political concerns. The International Cricket Council has not yet announced any change in venue. KRK’s detention has reignited debate over the intersection of cricket and politics in India and the limits of free expression.

KRK, born in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, began his career in the early 2000s as a screenwriter before acting in films such as “Deshdrohi” and appearing in the reality show “Bigg Boss.” He currently runs a YouTube channel and works as a film critic.