Local residents in Ramgarh, Khagrachhari, have accused contractors of indiscriminately cutting hills to fill land for a land port project built primarily to serve India’s interests. Despite visible environmental destruction, they claim the administration has taken no effective action. Soil from at least three nearby hills was reportedly used to fill about 10 acres of land, violating tender conditions that required sand. The project, initiated under the former Awami League government, resumed full-scale construction after a brief slowdown following the 2024 uprising and government change.

Officials and experts have acknowledged the issue, with the local administration confirming limited fines and ongoing investigations. Engineers warn that using hill soil instead of river sand could compromise the project’s durability, risking subsidence and structural damage. The Tk 161 crore project includes customs, passenger, and warehouse facilities, with contractors blaming subcontractors for the violations.

Security analysts have also raised concerns that the port’s location near the Indian border could pose strategic risks for Bangladesh. The interim government has announced a review of the project’s costs and benefits, while construction nears completion.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election results from six of 39 centers were announced on Wednesday morning. According to the JAKSU Election Commission, Shibir-backed vice president candidate Riazul Islam is leading in five centers with a total of 585 votes, while Chhatra Dal-backed candidate A.K.M. Rakib leads in one center with 547 votes. The vote difference between the two VP candidates across the six centers stands at 38.

The results were declared at around 8:30 a.m. after a temporary suspension of vote counting the previous night due to a technical fault in the counting machine. The issue was resolved, and counting resumed after a long break. Detailed results from departments including Computer Science, Genetic Engineering, Geography, Anthropology, Public Administration, and Pharmacy show close competition between the two panels for VP, GS, and AGS posts.

The election process continues as results from the remaining 33 centers are yet to be published, leaving the final outcome still open.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election results for four of 39 centers were announced on Wednesday morning. According to the Election Commission, Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed vice president candidate Riazul Islam is leading in three centers, while Chhatra Dal’s candidate A.K.M. Rakib is ahead in one. The results were declared around 7:45 a.m. after counting resumed following a technical interruption.

In the Geography and Environment, Anthropology, and Pharmacy departments, Riazul Islam secured more votes than his Chhatra Dal rival. In the Public Administration department, however, Rakib gained a narrow lead. Shibir candidates also performed strongly in the General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary positions across several departments. The vote counts varied by department, reflecting a competitive race between the two student organizations.

Vote counting had been temporarily halted the previous night at 9:20 p.m. due to a technical fault in the counting machines. After resolving the issue, the Election Commission resumed the process following a long break, allowing partial results to be released.

An editorial commentary expressed outrage over recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, calling the incidents reckless acts that dishonor the legacy of slain activist Osman Hadi. The author said the violence, carried out by a small group of offenders, endangered the state and undermined Hadi’s struggle. The government was criticized for failing to prevent the attacks, though several suspects have since been arrested.

The piece argued that claims of such attacks being unprecedented were false, listing twelve previous incidents of media suppression or assault since 1972 under various governments. It noted that both local and foreign actors, including diplomats and political parties across the spectrum, condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the targeted newspapers. The writer also alleged that elite media and civil society figures enjoy special privileges and foreign support, while smaller outlets face isolation.

The commentary concluded by warning of renewed political polarization and alleged conspiracies against the author’s newspaper, asserting readiness to resist what it described as anti-Islamic and foreign-influenced forces.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly told the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that the team must play its T20 World Cup matches in India or risk losing points. The issue arose after Bangladesh expressed unwillingness to travel to India citing security concerns. The matter was discussed in a virtual meeting between ICC and BCB on Tuesday, where ICC clarified that relocating Bangladesh’s matches outside India would not be possible due to security logistics.

According to the report, BCB had earlier written to ICC requesting that Bangladesh’s matches be moved from India. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, placed in Group C, is set to play its first three matches in Kolkata and the last one in Mumbai. However, BCB stated that it has not yet received any official or final decision from ICC or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The dispute follows a recent directive from the Indian board barring Mustafizur Rahman from playing for Kolkata Knight Riders over security issues, which prompted BCB’s initial letter to ICC.

BNP-nominated candidate Rashed Khan has said that voting for him in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency means voting for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. He made the statement in a video message on Tuesday afternoon, emphasizing that the party’s high command, including Tarique Rahman, nominated him for the seat. Following his nomination, he began his election campaign in the area.

Rashed Khan described Jhenaidah-4 as a BNP-leaning constituency where candidates with the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, have previously won multiple times. He said local voters have strong trust in the symbol. He added that although several BNP leaders were interested in contesting from the seat, the party ultimately chose him. Addressing those disappointed by the nomination decision, he called for unity and urged everyone to strengthen the party instead of running as independents.

He further stated that a vote for the paddy sheaf would bring BNP to power, ensuring national progress and fulfilling the dreams of the youth.

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has registered to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after being left out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Despite not being retained by Kolkata Knight Riders, his inclusion in the PSL was confirmed through official posts on the league’s Facebook and X pages, which announced his participation in the upcoming HBL PSL 11 season.

According to the report, Mustafizur’s team in the PSL has not yet been finalized, but it is expected that he will be picked through the players’ draft. The left-arm pacer previously played for Lahore Qalandars in the 2018 edition of the tournament. His move to the PSL follows reports that his IPL exclusion was linked to political reasons.

The confirmation from PSL organizers highlights Mustafizur’s continued demand in global franchise cricket, even after his omission from the IPL lineup.

The Pay Commission has finalized a new date for its previously postponed full meeting on the ninth pay scale. According to the latest decision, the meeting will take place on Thursday at the Secretariat, beginning at noon. The session is expected to finalize decisions on the number of pay grades and other related matters.

Commission sources indicate that discussions are ongoing regarding whether to retain the existing 20-grade structure or reduce it to 16. Many members support keeping the current number of grades while recommending a rational increase in salaries and allowances, while others strongly favor reducing the number of grades. The commission stated that it has thoroughly analyzed opinions received from various organizations and agencies and that the report writing process is nearly complete.

The final meeting aims to reach consensus on remaining issues before setting a submission date for the recommendations. Due to the upcoming national election, the report is likely to be submitted by February, allowing the new pay scale to be implemented before the 13th National Parliament election.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) chief Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam stated that Faisal Karim Masud, accused in the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, is currently in India. He made the remark on Tuesday during a briefing at the DMP Media Centre regarding the submission of the charge sheet in the Hadi murder case.

Two recently viral videos showed Faisal claiming he was in Dubai and denying involvement in the killing. However, law enforcement earlier reported that Faisal and his associate Alomgir Sheikh fled to India’s Meghalaya through the Haluaghat border after shooting Hadi. Questions arose over the authenticity of Faisal’s videos and his actual location. The DB chief clarified that while the video message was genuine, Faisal’s location was not Dubai but India.

According to the DB, charges have been filed against 17 individuals, with 12 already arrested. The remaining five include Faisal, Alomgir Sheikh, human trafficker Philip Snal, alleged mastermind and former Pallabi ward councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, and Faisal’s sister Jesmin. Investigators said Bappi planned and ordered the killing, and supplementary charges may follow if further involvement is found.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department announced that a mild to moderate cold wave will continue over ten districts on Wednesday. The affected districts include Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. The forecast, issued Tuesday night, also noted that the country will experience dry weather with partly cloudy skies over the next 24 hours.

According to the weather bulletin, a low-pressure area has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean region, which may move northwestward and intensify. Its extension reaches the northern Bay of Bengal, while a subcontinental high-pressure ridge lies over West Bengal and adjoining western Bangladesh. Moderate to dense fog is expected from midnight to morning, possibly lasting until noon in some areas, potentially disrupting air, river, and road transport.

Rajshahi recorded the season’s lowest temperature at 7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while Dhaka’s minimum temperature was 11 degrees Celsius. Although temperatures may rise slightly, the cold sensation is likely to persist due to foggy conditions.

Nearly 300 leaders and activists from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Sherpur district branch joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday afternoon at the Sherpur district BNP office. The group, led by chief coordinator Farhan Fuad Tuhin, was welcomed with flowers by Dr. Sansila Zebrin Priyanka, BNP’s nominated candidate for Sherpur-1 constituency and joint convener of the district BNP, along with Sherpur Sadar Upazila BNP convener Md. Hazrat Ali.

Prominent new members include coordinators Al Mamun Sarkar and Arafat Rahman Talukder, organizer Nahim Ahmed Niloy, and several committee secretaries. Tuhin said their 2024 movement aimed to secure rights and build a new Bangladesh, a vision they now believe BNP chairman Tarique Rahman can realize. Priyanka stated that the BNP’s 31-point plan outlines the framework for rebuilding the country and expressed confidence that the new members’ inclusion would strengthen BNP’s local organizations.

Several district and upazila BNP, volunteer, and student leaders were present at the event, which party representatives said would enhance BNP’s organizational strength in Sherpur.

Vote counting for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election remained incomplete late Wednesday night after technical issues forced a manual recount. Despite resuming the process around 12:45 a.m., election officials could not finish counting 278 ballots from the Department of Anthropology within three hours. Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam said the commission decided to manually count votes from one center with about 300 ballots before using two OMR machines. The machine whose results match the manual count will be used for the remaining centers.

Voting took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. across 39 centers and 178 booths, with a total of 16,645 registered voters. The election had been postponed from December 30 following the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and was rescheduled for January 6 after student protests.

Major panels contesting include those backed by Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Shakti, and left-leaning groups, alongside independent candidates.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks in the country to construct women-friendly washrooms to ease difficulties faced by female employees and customers. The central bank issued a circular on Tuesday, sending it to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all banks. The directive emphasizes that many banks lack adequate, hygienic facilities for women, causing inconvenience for both staff and clients.

According to the circular, every bank must ensure women-friendly and sanitary washrooms at their head offices, regional offices, branches, and sub-branches. The central bank further instructed that existing washrooms requiring renovation or lacking sanitary supplies must be promptly upgraded. Regular monitoring has also been stressed to maintain a safe and hygienic environment for women employees and customers.

The move aims to improve workplace and service conditions for women in the banking sector, ensuring better hygiene and inclusivity across all banking facilities.

A total of 164 candidates have appealed to the Election Commission (EC) in the past two days against the returning officers’ decisions regarding acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election. According to the EC’s central appeal booth, 42 appeals were filed on Monday and 122 on Tuesday.

As per the election schedule, December 29 was the last date for submitting nomination papers. The returning officers scrutinized the submissions from December 30 to January 4. Appeals are being accepted from January 5 to 9, and the EC will resolve them between January 10 and 18. The final date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20, while the final list of candidates and symbol allocation will be announced on January 21.

Election campaigning is scheduled to begin on January 22 and continue until the morning of February 10. Voting for the 13th parliamentary election will take place on February 12.

A student of Jagannath University was caught red-handed while attempting to bring outsiders into the campus through Gate No. 2 near Banglabazar after the voting for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election had ended. The accused, Sohan, from the History Department’s 19th batch, allegedly exchanged his pass card to allow non-students to enter, defying administrative instructions. When confronted, he identified himself as a Chhatra Dal activist and reportedly misbehaved with on-duty BNCC members and journalists. However, university Chhatra Dal leaders denied any organizational link with him.

Sohan claimed he gave his card to a friend who needed to enter the campus urgently. Earlier, all students were asked to leave the campus before 4 p.m. to maintain security and order. Later in the evening, BNP and Jamaat activists were reportedly seen gathering near the same gate, with witnesses alleging they tried to enter to create unrest.

BNCC members stated that law enforcement agencies were primarily responsible for gate security, while Assistant Proctor Ferdous Hossain confirmed that some students were exchanging pass cards to re-enter the campus despite monitoring.