Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for legal action against individuals or groups allegedly creating an artificial crisis in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market despite sufficient reserves. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday, he said a vested quarter is deliberately causing public suffering by manipulating supply, which he described as inhumane and against public interest.

Porwar warned that such actions are destabilizing the market, raising prices, and harming the national economy, particularly affecting lower- and middle-income groups. He urged the government to restore order in the LPG market, identify those involved in hoarding and unethical business practices, and take strict legal measures against them.

He further emphasized that the government must act responsibly to protect citizens’ rights by strengthening market monitoring and ensuring exemplary punishment for offenders, warning that failure to do so could lead to recurring crises. Porwar also called on the public to remain vigilant and united against any anti-public activities.

Three members of a Bangladeshi family from Fatikchhari, Chattogram, were killed in a road accident in Oman on Friday night. The crash occurred around 8 p.m. local time in the Tambeet area of Salalah when a camel suddenly entered the road, causing their car to lose control and crash. Three other family members were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Salalah.

The deceased were identified as Bilkis Akter, wife of expatriate Md Shafiur Alam; their only son Muhammad Sakibul Hasan (Sabuj); and Bilkis’s son-in-law Muhammad Didar from Harualchhari Union. The injured include Sakib’s sister, his wife, and their young daughter. Relatives said the family had traveled from Muscat to Salalah a few days earlier to visit the shrine of Hazrat Ayub (A.) and were returning home when the accident occurred.

Local representatives in Fatikchhari reported that news of the deaths cast a deep shadow of grief over the family’s village, where residents are mourning the loss of three members from one household.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur announced that at least two large and strong Islamic banks are expected to emerge in the country in the future. Speaking on Saturday at the second day of the International Islamic Finance and Banking Conference at the University of Dhaka, he said these banks would ensure healthy competition and better returns for depositors. The conference was jointly organized by the Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh and the university’s finance department.

Mansur noted that although a significant portion of the banking sector operates under Shariah principles, investment opportunities for Islamic banks remain limited, creating liquidity management challenges. He emphasized the need to develop a Shariah-compliant bond or sukuk market to ease liquidity pressure and strengthen the sector. Currently, about one-fourth of the country’s total banking assets are under Islamic management, but the corresponding investment avenues have not developed proportionately.

The governor added that the government’s initiative to establish a sukuk market would reduce financing costs and help Islamic banks manage liquidity more effectively, leading to greater stability in the overall financial system.

Bangladesh’s Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that it is not possible to reduce bank interest rates at this time. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 10, at an event organized by Banking Almanac at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, where he attended as the chief guest. Ahmed emphasized that given the current realities, lowering loan interest rates is not feasible.

He noted that the banking sector has become relatively stable but cautioned that reducing interest rates remains difficult. The adviser also mentioned that controlling inflation cannot be achieved by the government alone without the cooperation of the business community and the broader society. He expressed hope that he would not fail in his role as economic adviser and that moving Bangladesh forward remains a major challenge.

The comments highlight the government’s cautious stance on monetary policy adjustments amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the financial sector and manage inflationary pressures.

RFL Group has introduced its electric scooter brand 'Raido' at the Dhaka International Trade Fair 2026, marking its first appearance with affordable and eco-friendly models. The company is showcasing nine scooter models at Pavilion 23 of the main exhibition building. The highlight of the stall is the Raido Leaf model, priced at Tk 49,000 after a Tk 6,000 discount from its regular price of Tk 55,000, which has drawn strong interest from young visitors.

According to Raido’s Head of Marketing, Shariful Islam, the brand’s 'Raido DITF Fest' campaign features scooters ranging from Tk 55,000 to Tk 145,000, catering to different budgets and needs. The company is offering discounts up to Tk 14,000, exclusive gifts, and surprise coupons, alongside pre-booking opportunities. The BRTA-approved scooters feature modern designs, powerful motors, long-lasting batteries, and can operate at a cost of 11 paisa per kilometer.

RFL’s Marketing Director Kamruzzaman Kamal said electric scooters have gained global popularity as affordable, eco-friendly vehicles, and the Raido series aims to make urban and rural commuting in Bangladesh more convenient and sustainable.

The contractor responsible for building the Government Technical School and College in Saghatta, Gaibandha, has abandoned the project midway, leaving the construction incomplete after seven years. The project began on February 20, 2018, under the Gaibandha District Education Engineering Department, with a budget of Tk 15.47 crore. Dhaka-based firm Messrs Dhali Construction was tasked to complete the work by June 30, 2021, but only 67 percent has been finished. Locals reported that the contractor’s workers left the site three months ago, taking equipment with them.

Despite the institution starting academic activities two years ago, students and staff continue to face difficulties due to the lack of classrooms and administrative buildings. Principal Tarikul Islam said the incomplete construction is disrupting educational activities, and repeated appeals to the ministry have not resolved the issue.

Executive Engineer Ashish Kumar Roy of the Education Engineering Department confirmed that a new tender process has begun to appoint another contractor, and work will resume once the new work order is issued.

The United States has approved the 'Russian Sanctions Bill', which proposes tariffs of up to 500% on countries importing oil from Russia. Although the bill has not yet been voted on, it signals potential pressure on nations such as India and China to halt purchases of discounted Russian crude. The move comes amid an unfinished US-India trade agreement, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting delays were linked to a lack of direct communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

India, a major buyer of Russian oil, has already reduced imports following earlier US tariff threats. Experts warn that if the bill passes, India could face severe export losses, with $87.4 billion in trade with the US at risk. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said the bill’s passage is unlikely but urged India to clarify its oil policy. Former trade secretary Ajay Dua described the measure as weaponizing trade.

Analysts note the bill could primarily target India while sparing China, potentially straining India-US relations further. The US has also withdrawn from the India-led International Solar Alliance, adding to diplomatic friction.

Bangladesh’s lowest temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius was recorded on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Chuadanga and Panchagarh’s Tetulia. According to local weather observations, Chuadanga registered 9.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. with 95 percent humidity, which dropped to 8.3 degrees Celsius by 9 a.m. when humidity stood at 93 percent. The data was confirmed by the acting officer of the first-class weather observatory, Jaminur Rahman Jaman.

A continuous cold wave, sometimes moderate and sometimes mild, has been sweeping over Chuadanga, severely disrupting daily life. Dense fog and cold winds from the north have caused transportation delays and reduced visibility from night until morning. The district’s normal activities have slowed significantly as residents struggle with the biting cold.

In recent days, temperatures in Chuadanga have fluctuated between 6.9 and 8.5 degrees Celsius, indicating persistent cold conditions across the region.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamison Greer in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday. Dr. Rahman also held a separate meeting with US Deputy Trade Representative Brendan Lynch. During the talks, he highlighted progress in reducing the trade deficit between Bangladesh and the United States and proposed lowering the existing 20 percent reciprocal tariff.

Ambassador Greer assured that the proposal would be considered positively and agreed to review Dr. Rahman’s suggestion to reduce or remove tariffs on garments made with US raw materials. Both sides agreed to resolve outstanding issues quickly to finalize and implement the reciprocal tariff agreement. Dr. Rahman noted that increased trade would strengthen business connections between the two countries.

He also urged the US side to ease business travel for Bangladeshis following the country’s inclusion in the US visa bond program and requested access to Development Finance Corporation (DFC) funds for Bangladesh’s private sector. Ambassador Greer expressed willingness to cooperate on these matters.

Large portions of Dhaka’s roads, from main arteries to narrow lanes, have become nearly impassable due to potholes, open manholes, and prolonged excavation works. A report published on January 10, 2026, describes that about two-thirds of the city’s roads under Dhaka North and South City Corporations are in poor condition, with many areas turning into waterlogged pits during rains. Residents in newly added 18 wards face extreme hardship despite paying taxes, as basic urban services remain inadequate.

Field visits revealed that major routes such as Basabo–Madartek, Khilgaon, and Nikunja–2 are riddled with large potholes, causing constant traffic jams. Urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan stated that the city corporations have failed to meet citizens’ expectations due to uncoordinated digging, waste mismanagement, and encroachment. Officials from both corporations acknowledged limited budgets and pending project approvals worth nearly 1,900 crore taka.

The prolonged road and flyover construction has slowed city traffic to an average of four kilometers per hour, disrupting emergency services and daily commutes. Authorities have promised repairs, but visible progress remains minimal.

A prolonged 17-day cold wave and dense fog have severely affected Boro rice seedbeds in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha, causing cold injury and damaging seedlings across several unions. Farmers reported that seedlings have turned yellow, growth has slowed, and in some areas, seedbeds have completely rotted. The situation has created uncertainty about timely transplantation of seedlings for the current season.

Farmers said the lack of sunlight and low nighttime temperatures have hindered normal growth, while stagnant water in fields has worsened the cold’s impact. Many expressed concern that rebuilding seedbeds would require extra time and cost. Local farmers, including Abdul Mannan of Bonarpara and Mostafizur Rahman of Kochua, said their seedlings are dying despite protective measures like covering with straw and polythene.

According to the Saghata Agriculture Office, about 1,850 hectares were targeted for Boro cultivation this season, with 927 hectares already prepared. Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Asaduzzaman said cold injury has appeared but the overall risk of major loss is low. Farmers have been advised to apply light irrigation in the evening, drain water in the morning, and cover seedbeds when necessary.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that the government is prepared to be accountable on any issue and suggested forming a citizen-led commission to determine actions for environmental protection. She made the remarks on Friday at the opening of the two-day BAPA-BEN National Environment Conference held at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka.

Hasan explained that due to the government’s short tenure, it prioritized election-related reforms based on proposals from six commissions that led to the July National Charter. She emphasized that environmental issues were not neglected but that the government had only about one year to work amid various challenges. She also noted that the Public Administration Reform Commission recommended a separate environmental cadre, while the Constitutional Reform Commission proposed including the environment as a fundamental right, though these could not be implemented within the current government’s limited timeframe.

The conference was chaired by BAPA President Professor Nur Mohammad Talukder, with concept paper presented by BAPA Vice-President and BEN founder Dr. Nazrul Islam.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department announced on Friday morning that a mild to moderate cold wave sweeping across 20 districts will continue for at least two more days. The lowest temperature recorded on Thursday was 6.9 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, Panchagarh. Meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik stated that all districts in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, along with Narsingdi, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia, are currently experiencing the cold wave.

According to the department, the cold conditions are expected to persist until at least mid-January, with possible variations in intensity and spread. On Wednesday, the season’s lowest temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in Badalgachhi, Naogaon. The number of affected districts decreased from 24 on Thursday to 20 on Friday.

The synoptic report noted that a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving northwestward and may cross the northern Sri Lanka coast around January 10. Its extension reaches the northern Bay of Bengal, while a subcontinental high-pressure ridge lies over West Bengal and adjoining western Bangladesh.

The Pay Commission is set to hold its final meeting on January 21 to finalize recommendations for Bangladesh’s ninth national pay scale. The decision to hold the conclusive session was made during a full commission meeting on Thursday. A commission member, speaking anonymously, confirmed that all aspects of the pay scale will be finalized at that meeting, though another full session may occur beforehand due to limited time.

According to a reliable commission source, the new pay ratio between the lowest and highest grades has been fixed at 1:8. This means if the lowest grade salary is 1 taka, the highest will be 8 taka. Three proposals have been submitted for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—with one expected to be finalized. The highest salary scale remains undecided as allowances such as housing and medical benefits are still under review.

Once finalized, the ninth pay scale is expected to bring significant changes to the salary structure of government employees, according to the report.

The Credit and Development Forum (CDF), a national network of microcredit organizations, has issued a statement defending the proposed Microcredit Bank Ordinance 2025 amid recent media debates. CDF described the ordinance as a positive and exemplary step, rejecting claims that it promotes profit-oriented banking or undermines microcredit principles. The organization said the proposed bank would operate as a social business, with investors barred from taking dividends beyond their initial capital.

According to CDF, the ordinance aims to strengthen the microfinance structure by focusing on poverty reduction, employment generation, and support for small enterprises and cottage industries. The bank’s operations would include loans, insurance, remittance services, and access to domestic and foreign grants and credit. CDF clarified that NGOs would not be forced to convert into banks, and dual regulation would not occur because the Bangladesh Bank and Microcredit Regulatory Authority would oversee separate parts of operations.

CDF also highlighted that 60 percent of the bank’s shares would be owned by poor members, ensuring empowerment and equitable benefit distribution. The group argued that the model represents a unique, socially driven approach compared to profit-based microcredit banks in Asia and Africa.