U.S. President Donald Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada starting February 1. This follows his earlier warning related to undocumented immigration, trade fraud, and fentanyl trafficking. Trump also mentioned plans to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods but did not elaborate. Despite not signing the tariff order earlier, he confirmed the move after his swearing-in. The tariffs will remain in place until these countries take action against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Bangladesh’s primary school teachers earn the lowest salaries in South Asia, with an average of 170.02 USD per month, significantly lower than other countries. Teachers in Luxembourg, Germany, and Singapore receive far higher wages, making teaching a prestigious profession in those nations. In Bangladesh, teachers struggle with low pay and are often burdened with debt. Teachers are demanding higher pay and recognition, with recent protests calling for salary grade upgrades. Their fight highlights the disparity in teacher compensation compared to international standards.

In separate clashes in North Waziristan, Pakistan’s security forces engaged terrorists, resulting in 17 deaths, including four security personnel and 13 terrorists. During an operation in Mir Ali, Major Hamza Israr, 29, and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem, 26, were killed. Additional fighting in another area led to the deaths of two more security officers and seven terrorists. These attacks mark an increase in violence targeting security forces, with 2024 being the deadliest year in the last decade, according to reports.

A violent clash over sand extraction in the Meghna River near Munshiganj’s Kalirchar led to a gunfight between the Kibariya-Kana Jahir group and the river police, leaving two dead and 11 injured. The deceased, Rifat (26) and Rasel Fakir (28), were shot when locals resisted illegal dredging. Armed members of Kibariya’s group and police allegedly opened fire. The critically injured Ayub Ali (35) was sent to Dhaka for treatment. Authorities confirmed the deaths and ongoing investigation into the incident.

The first phase of the 58th World Ijtema is underway in Tongi, Gazipur, with hundreds of thousands of devotees gathering for prayers. To accommodate them, Bangladesh Railway has announced special ‘Jumu’ah Special’ trains on January 31. The first train will depart from Dhaka at 9:30 AM and reach Tongi at 10:15 AM. The return train will leave Tongi at 3:00 PM and arrive in Dhaka at 3:45 PM. The Ijtema will be held in two phases, with participants from different districts attending each.

The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema has started on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Gazipur. The event began after Maghrib prayers on January 30 with a sermon by Indian scholar Maulana Ibrahim Dewla. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers have gathered, with the grand Jummah prayer scheduled for January 31, led by Maulana Muhammad Zubair. The Ijtema will be held in two phases, with 41 districts participating in the first and 22 districts in the second. Strict security measures are in place.

In Quetta, Pakistan, Anwar-ul-Haq, a U.S. citizen, shot and killed his teenage daughter, Hira, for making TikTok videos. The family had lived in the U.S. for 25 years before moving to Pakistan. Anwar found Hira’s content “objectionable” and initially denied responsibility. Police are investigating it as a possible honor killing, a common crime in Pakistan. Hira’s phone has been seized, and Anwar’s brother-in-law has been arrested. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, emphasized that students are forming political parties not for personal ambitions but to safeguard the achievements of the nation. Speaking at a podcast hosted by Financial Times, Yunus warned that without student involvement, vested interests could take control, repeating past political patterns. He expressed confidence in the students’ readiness to organize nationwide campaigns. He also discussed the importance of maintaining national unity in the upcoming elections.

Sajjad Sharif, a jury member of the Bangla Academy Literary Award, resigned citing moral reasons after the institution’s integrity was compromised. Earlier, another jury member, Morshed Shafiul Hasan, stepped down. The controversy began when cultural adviser Mustafa Sarwar Faruqi criticized the absence of female writers in the award list, leading to the suspension of the awards. A new list of awardees was announced on January 29, and the awards will be presented on February 1 at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi condemned the Awami League’s call for a general strike, claiming that people are waiting for the party’s punishment instead. He highlighted ongoing injustice, mentioning incidents like the shooting of Ahnaf under Sheikh Hasina’s orders. Rizvi criticized law enforcement for failing to act against criminals and accused figures like Salman F. Rahman of corruption. He demanded swift justice for corrupt leaders and claimed that Sheikh Hasina and her children were part of a corrupt system.

A tragic collision between a sand-laden truck and a passenger CNG auto-rickshaw in Jamalpur on January 30 resulted in five fatalities. The accident occurred around 7 PM in Dipapai when the truck crushed the auto-rickshaw traveling from Madhupur, Tangail. Four people, including the driver, died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. The victims hailed from various areas of Jamalpur and Mymensingh, and their bodies were sent to Jamalpur Medical College Hospital.

The crescent moon of Shaban 1446 Hijri was not sighted in Bangladesh on January 30. As a result, the month of Shaban will begin on February 1, and Shab-e-Barat will be observed on the night of February 14. This decision was made during a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at Baitul Mukarram Mosque. The committee reviewed reports from various authorities, confirming the absence of moon sightings. Hence, Rajab will complete 30 days, and Shaban will start accordingly.

Interim government’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam dismissed reports about his resignation, stating he would announce such a decision himself. Addressing journalists on January 30, he clarified that no such decision has been made. A national daily had reported that he and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud might resign by February 15 to join a new student-led political party. Nahid refuted this, emphasizing that if they leave the government, it will be officially declared. Speculation about the new party has been ongoing, drawing reactions from BNP leadership.

WhatsApp is set to launch a multi-account feature allowing users to run two accounts on one phone. Available for both Android and iOS, this update will enable users to manage personal and professional accounts separately within the same app. Users can add a second account via QR code scanning or primary setup. Each account will have separate chats, notifications, and settings. Currently in development, the feature is expected to roll out soon, offering greater convenience and flexibility to users.

Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee who burned the Quran in Sweden in 2023, was shot and killed in a Stockholm apartment on January 29. Swedish police arrested five people but have not confirmed if the attacker is among them. Momika was live-streaming on TikTok during the attack. He was set to receive a court verdict for “crimes against an ethnic group” the next day. His Quran-burning acts, approved under Sweden’s free speech laws, sparked global Muslim outrage. His deportation was blocked due to human rights concerns.