Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour Party minister and the niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned following corruption allegations in Bangladesh. Elon Musk, a close ally of Donald Trump, criticized her on social media, labeling her corrupt. Siddiq, who served as the Economic Secretary in the UK Treasury, was responsible for addressing financial sector corruption. Her name emerged in a corruption case in Bangladesh, where she, along with her family members, faces accusations. Siddiq has consistently denied the allegations.

A Bangladeshi youth, Sheikh Alimur Rahman, was detained by the Border Security Force (BSF) for 22 hours after crossing into India at Thakurgaon border. Following a flag meeting between the border forces of both countries, he was returned on January 15. The incident occurred on January 14 when Alimur entered India near Beurjhari. BSF handed him over to local police before the return, which was facilitated by BGB’s efforts and the flag meeting.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel mediated by Qatar and the U.S., Israeli attacks persist in Gaza, killing at least 30 Palestinians. Celebrations erupted in Gaza after the 15-month conflict appeared to end, with the ceasefire set to take effect on January 19. Hamas claims the deal includes Israeli withdrawal and the return of displaced people. However, Israeli assaults continue, causing significant destruction to infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and religious sites.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has decided to reduce the VAT rate for hotels and restaurants from 15% to 5%. This decision, confirmed by NBR Member Mohammad Belal Hossain Chowdhury, will be officially announced today. The NBR’s move follows a review of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association’s appeal. Earlier, the VAT on restaurants had been raised to 15% from 5% on January 9, alongside VAT hikes on over 100 goods and services.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced that starting February 1, 2025, all certificates, licenses, and permits for import-export goods must be submitted through the Bangladesh Single Window system, replacing traditional paper certificates. This change, impacting seven key government institutions, aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce costs, and prevent customs evasion. The system will be fully operational by March 2025, covering 19 government agencies. This initiative supports Bangladesh’s commitment to the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, ensuring a more efficient and faster import-export process for businesses.

A commission led by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar has recommended banning those convicted in crimes against humanity tribunals from participating in politics. The proposals also include reforms such as maintaining a party membership list, introducing rotating women’s representation in local governments, and implementing a “no” vote provision. Other suggestions include limiting the term of the Prime Minister, revising MPs’ benefits, and establishing an upper house for the election commission’s proposals. The commission also advocates for postal and online voting for expatriates.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah announced that the Election Commission (EC) is preparing for parliamentary elections targeting December this year. Efforts include updating the voter list and verifying it through house-to-house visits starting January 20. The EC aims to complete this process by June, addressing issues like deceased voters, non-citizens, and dual IDs. The final voter list will be published on March 2. The timeline may adjust based on political consensus and evolving circumstances.

The National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced the “March for Felani” in Kurigram to protest BSF border killings and demand justice for Felani. Led by Sarjis Alam, the movement begins on January 16 with street meetings and aims to escalate nationally. Leaders criticized the government’s failure to address border atrocities and plan to raise the issue internationally. They called for public support to pressure India into stopping such killings and ensuring justice for victims.

The Rajshahi Forest Department is seeking two vloggers, Al-Amin and Tuli, for posting viral videos of eating egrets and wild ducks, violating the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. A memorandum by Youth Action for Social Change urged swift legal action and conservation measures. The vloggers face penalties, including imprisonment and fines. Authorities are preparing a case, with law enforcement tasked to locate them. Conservationists demand protecting bird habitats and preventing hunting and pollution.

An all-party meeting will be held at the Chief Advisor’s residence to finalize the July Uprising Declaration. Political parties, professionals, and advisors, including Dr. Muhammad Yunus, are expected to attend. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and National Civic Committee demand the inclusion of seven key points, including justice for martyrs, recognition of student leadership, and a new democratic constitution. While most parties agree on the draft, some clauses remain contentious, requiring further discussion for consensus.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has requested the bank account details of 14 journalists, including Zulhas Alam of AP and Farid Hossain of UNB, along with their business account information. The BFIU has directed banks to provide these details within seven working days. This follows previous actions taken against journalists in recent months amid a broader investigation into corruption and misdeeds linked to the Awami League government.

A threatening message, “Coordinator, prepare for death. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,” was found on the wall of activist Fardin Rahman’s house in Charghat, Rajshahi. Fardin, a key organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, filed a police complaint. His family, already shaken by his previous arrest during a 2023 protest, is now living in fear. Police are investigating the incident, with Fardin expressing concerns for his parents’ safety, who often stay home alone.

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire deal with Israel, brokered by Qatari mediators, offering hope to Gaza’s war-weary residents. The agreement is expected to be formally announced on Thursday and implemented on Sunday, starting with prisoner exchanges. The truce comes amid ongoing clashes that have claimed 62 Palestinian lives in the past 24 hours, with over 47,000 fatalities reported in the past 15 months. Previous ceasefire proposals had been repeatedly rejected by Israel, delaying peace efforts.

The Indian rupee has reached its lowest level in two years, depreciating 0.7% in a single day to 86.7550 against the US dollar. Since December, the rupee’s value has dropped by 2%, driven by India’s slow economic growth and expectations of an interest rate cut by the central bank in February. Analysts predict further depreciation unless significant interventions are made. The decline has also strained the central bank’s reserves, highlighting broader economic challenges.

Mark Zuckerberg revealed that by 2025, AI at Meta could replace midlevel software engineers, automating coding tasks entirely. He discussed this on Joe Rogan’s podcast, emphasizing AI’s potential to manage code creation and even build other AI systems. While costly initially, this shift could save significant resources, as midlevel engineers earn mid-six figures. Additionally, Meta plans to replace third-party fact-checkers with community notes and scale back DEI efforts, sparking concerns from advocacy groups.