Police in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj arrested a man for operating a secret yaba manufacturing factory inside a rented house. The raid took place around 10 p.m. on Sunday in Dakshin Betka village under the leadership of Officer-in-Charge Monirul Haque Dablur. The arrested man, identified as Md. Firoz, aged between 35 and 37, is the son of Abu Taher from Dhaka’s Basabo area. Police recovered 800 yaba tablets, 25 grams of crystal meth, modern production machines, and a large quantity of chemicals from the site. Investigations revealed that Firoz had been involved in drug trafficking in Dhaka for nearly a decade and had several drug-related cases filed against him. About five years ago, he moved to Tongibari to hide and secretly set up the factory inside a concrete building. Police said Firoz brought modern yaba-making equipment from Hong Kong six to seven months ago and imported hazardous chemicals via courier to start production. According to police, Firoz admitted during interrogation that he had recently begun producing and attempting to distribute yaba. Authorities are now working to identify and arrest other members of the network based on his information.

Two unidentified bodies were recovered from the Atrai River at the border of Dinajpur Sadar and Chirirbandar upazilas on Monday morning. Local residents discovered the floating bodies around 7 a.m. while heading to work and informed the Chirirbandar police after pulling them ashore. Police officials, including the officer-in-charge (investigation) Ahsan Habib, arrived at the scene and began preparations to send the bodies for autopsy. According to police, the cause of death and the identities of the deceased remain unknown. No family members have yet come forward to claim the bodies. Local residents suspect that the victims may have been killed elsewhere and dumped in the river, as the waterway has little current, making it unlikely for bodies to drift naturally. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the victims’ identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes reported that personal data of about 17.5 million Instagram users has been leaked and shared on the dark web. The leaked dataset includes usernames, full names, email addresses, phone numbers, partial physical addresses, and other contact details. The breach has raised serious concerns about user privacy and platform security. According to Malwarebytes, although no passwords were exposed, the leaked information could still be exploited for identity theft or financial fraud. A hacker using the alias 'Solonik' reportedly released the data for free on a dark web forum last week. Following the leak, users from various regions have complained about receiving numerous password reset emails, which analysts believe may be linked to unauthorized login attempts using the exposed email addresses. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, denied any direct hacking or intrusion into its systems. The company attributed the surge in password reset emails to a technical issue and assured that user accounts remain secure.

A special tribunal has formally initiated the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The Tribunal-1 panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, issued the order at noon on Monday. The court also set February 10 for opening statements and the testimony of the first witness. The decision followed hearings from both prosecution and defense, after which the tribunal rejected a plea for discharge filed on January 6 by defense lawyer Munsurul Haque Chowdhury. The prosecution had earlier, on December 22, presented five charges against the two accused. The first charge alleges that under their instigation and support, law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres used lethal weapons in Rangpur, killing over 1,400 people and injuring more than 25,000. Other charges include killings and assaults in Mirpur and surrounding areas on July 20 and July 28, 2024. The tribunal’s order marks the formal start of proceedings in one of the most significant post-revolution human rights cases in Bangladesh.

Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has fallen by 40 percent due to ongoing tensions and border clashes, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The closure of key border crossings has disrupted the movement of goods, severely affecting bilateral trade. Official Afghan data show that total trade between the two countries declined from 2.461 billion dollars in 2024 to 1.766 billion dollars in 2025, a decrease of 695 million dollars. During the same period, Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan dropped from 817 million dollars to 505 million dollars, while imports fell from 1.644 billion dollars to 1.261 billion dollars. Economic analysts have emphasized that Afghanistan should not rely on a single trade partner or transit route. They suggest developing alternative corridors through Iran, Central Asia, and air routes to reduce dependence on Pakistan and achieve long-term economic stability. Major trade crossings such as Torkham and Spin Boldak have remained completely closed for about three months, halting cargo transport and causing financial losses for traders on both sides.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute has reiterated that once the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked under any circumstances. The clarification came following recent comments by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who said she wished to give her Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump as a gesture of gratitude for a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela. According to the Institute’s statement, the decision to award a Nobel Prize is final and irreversible, as explicitly stated in the Nobel regulations. Machado received the Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts to defend democratic rights and promote a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela. Her remarks sparked international discussion after the U.S. military detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3. Responding to Machado’s comments, Trump said he would consider receiving the prize a “great honor.” The Nobel Committee emphasized that the prize cannot be altered or transferred based on political decisions or personal wishes, reaffirming that this principle is central to the award’s credibility and prestige.

The Habiganj Battalion (55 BGB) seized Indian goods worth Tk 15.5 million during an operation in Jagdishpur, Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj, along the Dhaka-Sylhet highway. The operation took place on Sunday evening following a tip-off, according to a BGB press release issued at night. The seized items included various cosmetics, sarees, and cumin seeds hidden inside a truck loaded with old paper cartons. The BGB patrol team conducted the raid around 5 p.m. at the Jagdishpur Muktijoddha Chattar area, uncovering the smuggled goods concealed in an unusual manner. The seized products are currently being processed for handover to the customs authorities for further action. The operation highlights ongoing efforts by border security forces to curb illegal cross-border trade and smuggling activities along key transport routes in the region.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun a landmark trial against Myanmar over allegations of genocide against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority. The hearing, which started on Monday at 10 a.m. local time, will continue for three weeks. Myanmar has denied the genocide accusations. This is the first full genocide trial to be held at the ICJ, and due to sensitivity and confidentiality, the proceedings will remain closed to the public and media. The case was filed in 2019 by the West African nation of The Gambia, accusing Myanmar of committing genocide in Rakhine State. The complaint was based on a 2017 UN fact-finding mission report that described Myanmar’s military operations as “genocidal acts.” The UN’s independent investigative mechanism chief, Nicholas Koumjian, said the case could set an important precedent for defining and proving genocide and determining remedies for violations. The outcome of this trial may have implications beyond Myanmar, potentially influencing other genocide-related cases, including South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ over the Gaza conflict.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the government of failing to recover illegal weapons ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. Speaking in Thakurgaon on Monday morning, he said the law and order situation has not improved yet, though the BNP hopes it will soon. He reiterated that the party had earlier proposed a 31-point reform plan aimed at building a modern and well-governed state. Fakhrul stated that all major achievements of the country were made under BNP’s leadership and that the party has always worked for public welfare. He added that if BNP comes to power, it will continue to work tirelessly to meet people’s expectations. Regarding national cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, he said insulting a cricketer means insulting Bangladesh, and the BNP agrees with the government’s decision on the matter. He also commented that the current electoral environment is satisfactory but will become clearer after January 22. Fakhrul further pledged that a future BNP government would secure Bangladesh’s fair share of water from rivers including the Teesta from India.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today on whether formal charges will be framed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq. The case concerns alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. The three-member judicial panel, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will issue the order following hearings from both prosecution and defense sides. According to the prosecution, five charges were presented against the two accused, including allegations of incitement, conspiracy, and aiding security forces and armed cadres in multiple killings and injuries across Rangpur and Dhaka between July and August 2024. The charges also include joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility. The defense had earlier filed a petition seeking discharge on January 6, 2026. The tribunal’s decision will determine whether the case proceeds to trial, marking a significant step in the ongoing investigation into alleged atrocities linked to the July uprising.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed special forces commanders to prepare a plan for a possible attack on Greenland, according to a report by the UK-based Daily Mail published on Sunday. The report states that Trump issued the order to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) as part of an effort to secure the island before China or Russia could take control of it. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have reportedly opposed the move, arguing that such an action would be illegal and unlikely to gain congressional approval. Meanwhile, leaders of Greenland’s political parties said on Friday that they do not wish to become part of either the United States or Denmark, emphasizing their desire to remain Greenlandic. At a White House event on Friday, Trump said the United States would act in Greenland regardless of local approval, asserting that inaction could allow Russia or China to seize the island. He added that the U.S. would not accept either country as a neighbor.

Cuba has issued a strong response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning that the country must immediately come under a deal or face unspecified consequences. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said no one has the right to speak on behalf of Cuba. In a post on social media platform X, he asserted that Cuba is an independent and sovereign nation and that no one can dictate its actions. He added that the Caribbean island is ready to defend its homeland to the last drop of blood. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated that Cuba has the right to import fuel from any country willing to export to it, noting that most of its energy imports come from Venezuela and Mexico. Rodríguez accused the United States of engaging in “criminal” acts that threaten global peace. The report also mentioned that Trump has recently issued threats to Colombia, Mexico, Iran, and Greenland. The exchange underscores renewed tensions between Washington and Havana, with Cuba emphasizing its sovereignty and trade independence in the face of U.S. pressure.

Two unexploded hand grenades were recovered on Sunday, January 11, from the yard of a house under construction in Bara Gariyala village of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. Construction workers discovered the grenades while digging soil and immediately informed the local police camp. A joint security team later arrived at the scene and safely recovered the grenades, which are now kept at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station. House owner Babu Mia said the workers found two round metallic objects while digging and reported them to the police. Officer-in-Charge Md. Samsul Arefin of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station stated that the grenades are believed to have remained buried since the 1971 Liberation War. He added that the grenades will be neutralized later by the bomb disposal unit of the joint forces. Authorities have secured the area and are preparing for the safe disposal of the explosives to prevent any potential danger to local residents.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Monday morning at the party chief’s office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. The meeting began at 9 a.m. and was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. Liu Yuyin, Political Director Zhang Jing, Ru Qi (Raki), and Ms. Nafisa (Liang Shuin). From Jamaat, Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, academic Dr. Zubair Ahmed, development team lead Dewan Alamgir, and foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan were present. According to Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The Chinese ambassador and the Jamaat leader discussed various issues of mutual interest between China and Bangladesh. They emphasized the historical friendship between the two nations, noting its importance in promoting public welfare, development cooperation, trade, and cultural exchange. Both sides expressed optimism that bilateral relations would continue to strengthen in the future.

At least eight people were injured in a violent clash between residents of Palgaon and Naljuri villages in Mohanganj upazila of Netrokona on Sunday morning. The conflict erupted over a dispute regarding tractor plowing of farmland. Several houses were reportedly attacked and vandalized during the incident. Police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, according to Mohanganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hafizul Islam Harun. Local sources said the dispute began three to four days earlier when farmers from the two villages argued over the use of a tractor for cultivation. Attempts at local arbitration failed to resolve the tension. On Sunday morning, more than a hundred villagers from both sides engaged in a confrontation using local weapons, leaving eight people injured. The injured were taken to the upazila health complex for treatment. Police confirmed that the situation is now under control and normal. No formal complaint has yet been filed, but authorities stated that an investigation and necessary action will follow if a complaint is received.