The Calcutta High Court has issued a strict directive to the West Bengal government to expedite the construction of barbed wire fencing along the unprotected portions of the India–Bangladesh border. Emphasizing national security, the court set March 31 as the deadline for the state to hand over the required land to the Border Security Force (BSF). The bench, led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen, delivered the order on January 27.

The court noted that the central government had already provided funds for land acquisition covering about 180 kilometers of the border but accused the state of unnecessary delay in transferring the land. It rejected the state’s justification of prolonged “social impact assessment” procedures and described such inaction as concerning given the sensitivity of the international boundary. The court also directed both the central and state governments to file affidavits on whether emergency land acquisition could proceed in areas still awaiting cabinet approval.

The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for April 2.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to stand by Cuba following reports that Mexico halted oil shipments to Havana. The commitment came after several media outlets, including Bloomberg and Reforma, reported that a planned January shipment had been canceled. Mexico, one of Cuba’s main oil suppliers, had continued deliveries through December. Sheinbaum declined to confirm or deny the reports but said at a press conference that providing or selling oil to Cuba for humanitarian reasons was Mexico’s sovereign decision.

Cuba, facing a severe energy crisis and U.S. trade sanctions, relies on allies for low-cost oil. Venezuela had been a major supplier of crude oil to Cuba, but U.S. President Donald Trump stated he would stop those shipments. Mexico’s government is reviewing the potential risk of conflict with the United States if it continues supplying oil to Cuba.

Asked whether Mexico would resume shipments, Sheinbaum avoided a direct answer, saying any decision would be announced in due course, while reaffirming that “Mexico will stand with Cuba.”

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque strongly condemned the attack on Nasiruddin Patwari, a candidate of the 11-party alliance, during a late-night rally in Bahubal, Habiganj. The event took place on Tuesday midnight following a day of assemblies in Sylhet. The rally was organized in support of Maulana Sirajul Islam Mirpuri, the alliance-backed candidate for the Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj-Bahubal) constituency, who is contesting under the ‘Rickshaw’ symbol.

In his speech, Mamunul Haque described the attack on Patwari as a disgraceful act, claiming it reflected the desperation of political opponents seeking to prevent their impending defeat through violence and intimidation. He emphasized that such tactics would no longer intimidate the people of Bangladesh, referencing the courage and resilience of the public in the current political climate.

Thousands of supporters reportedly attended the rally despite the late hour, expressing their backing for Mirpuri and calling for his victory in the upcoming election.

A Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal has sentenced five people to death in the murder case of Sayedur Rahman Basu in Gopalganj. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday at 11 a.m. by Judge Md. Rahibul Islam of Speedy Trial Tribunal-1. In addition to the death sentences, four individuals were given life imprisonment until death, and eleven others received life terms. Each convicted person was also fined 10,000 taka. The tribunal’s public prosecutor, Abdur Rashid Molla, confirmed the ruling and stated that the prosecution was satisfied with the verdict.

According to the case details, Sayedur Rahman Basu, former president of the Gopalganj District Motor Workers’ Union, was murdered in 2016. His younger brother, Jasu Sheikh, filed the case at Gopalganj Sadar Police Station on February 19 of that year. On July 12, 2016, investigating officer and sub-inspector Hazrat Ali submitted a charge sheet against 23 accused. The Gopalganj District Judge’s Court began the trial on August 29, 2017, and the case was later transferred to the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 on August 16, 2018 for final adjudication.

The Bangladesh Teachers’ Association’s Patharghata upazila branch has expelled its convener, former Jamaat leader Shamim Ahsan, following his objectionable remarks about the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). The decision was announced on Tuesday evening through a notice signed by senior joint convener Golam Kabir and member secretary Habibur Rahman. Golam Kabir, who is also the head teacher of Rupadhan Bandar Ameria Secondary School, confirmed the expulsion.

According to the notice, Shamim Ahsan made indecent and inappropriate comments about DUCSU during a Jamaat-e-Islami election rally on January 25 at Katakhali Bazar in Kakchira Union under Patharghata upazila, Barguna-2 constituency. The statement described his remarks as contrary to the ideals of teachers and the ethics of the teachers’ organization. Earlier, he had also been expelled from his positions as assistant secretary and member (rukun) of the Barguna district Jamaat.

The expulsion underscores the teachers’ association’s stance against conduct deemed inconsistent with professional and organizational values.

Five civilians were killed in a landmine explosion in northern Syria near the Tishrin and Kara Kozak dams, according to a statement released by Syrian authorities on Tuesday. The victims were reportedly returning to their village when the explosion occurred. Officials said the mines had been planted by the YPG group before withdrawing from the area.

The statement accused the YPG of preventing civilians from reaching government-controlled zones by laying landmines on roads, endangering thousands of lives. The Aleppo Media Directorate also reported that the group had blocked humanitarian aid deliveries and restricted access to several villages, including Al-Jada, Al-Qubba, and Tal Ahmar.

In response, the Aleppo Response Central Committee, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, has sent food, medical supplies, and essential relief to the Ain al-Arab area.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Wednesday that Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, could face the same fate as ousted former president Nicolas Maduro if she fails to comply with US conditions. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, Rubio said Rodriguez is well aware of Maduro’s downfall and that Washington believes her personal interests align with US objectives. He emphasized that the US is prepared to use force if other means fail, citing President Donald Trump’s earlier remarks.

Rubio strongly defended the January 3 US commando raid in Caracas that captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were later taken to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. He described the operation as a success that avoided American casualties or a prolonged military occupation. Venezuelan authorities, however, claimed that over a hundred Venezuelan and Cuban nationals were killed while trying to resist the raid.

President Trump is reportedly pressuring Rodriguez to ensure her government acts in favor of US oil company interests, according to the report.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said the upcoming national election will strengthen Bangladesh’s democratic process. Speaking at an election rally on Tuesday evening at North Kakara Government Primary School field in Chakaria, he urged voters to freely exercise their voting rights in the February 12 national election and support the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.

Ahmed claimed that under the previous Awami League government, citizens lacked freedom of speech and could not vote safely. He said that after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina through a student and public uprising, people regained their rights. He called on all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to vote for the BNP to uphold democracy and national independence.

Addressing Hindu community members, Ahmed assured that BNP would ensure their safety and religious freedom during the election. The rally was chaired by Kakara Union BNP president M. Mohiuddin and attended by several local BNP and allied leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration is moving to reduce tensions in Minnesota following a second fatal shooting by federal immigration officers that killed American citizen Alex Pretty. The incident, which occurred during an ICE arrest attempt, reignited protests across the state and drew bipartisan criticism. Trump described the shootings as “horrible” in a Fox News interview and called Pretty’s death “very unfortunate.” Homeland Security reassigned Minnesota mission chief Gregory Bovino and deployed border czar Tom Homan to meet local officials.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretty was shot after pointing a gun, though local authorities claimed the weapon was legally registered and had been removed before the shooting. Witnesses disputed the DHS account, saying Pretty held a phone, not a gun. Republican leaders, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Senator Pete Ricketts, called for a transparent investigation. A federal judge barred DHS from altering evidence related to the case.

White House adviser Stephen Miller said DHS was instructed to use additional personnel as a buffer between arrest teams and protesters, while Trump maintained his immigration crackdown remains effective.

A devastating snowstorm has paralyzed life across 14 U.S. states, with the death toll rising to 38. The storm has blanketed roads in the central and eastern regions under thick snow, severely disrupting transportation and leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights. The U.S. weather agency has warned that the extreme cold is expected to persist for several more days.

Temperatures have dropped below freezing in Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina, with forecasts indicating further decline by Wednesday night. The National Weather Service has cautioned that conditions could worsen in the eastern United States on Friday and Saturday, with another winter storm expected to hit parts of the East Coast and record low temperatures predicted as far south as Florida.

More than 550,000 homes and businesses have lost power, including over 135,000 in Nashville, Tennessee. Local authorities there reported that homeless shelters are full, and police and firefighters are working extended hours to manage the crisis.

Bangladesh’s Health Reform Commission has submitted a 322-page report to the government led by Professor Yunus following the July Revolution. The report, based on input from 12 commission members and over 400 participants—mostly doctors—marks the largest health reform document in the country’s history. It includes 32 key short- and medium-term recommendations, prioritizing primary healthcare and proposing that more than half of the national health budget be allocated to this sector.

However, the report has been criticized for lacking historical context and failing to address core systemic weaknesses. It omits references to major past initiatives such as the 1982 National Drug Policy and offers no clear roadmap for solving long-standing problems like bureaucratic inefficiency, unregulated private clinics, and weak preventive health measures. Despite mentioning health insurance, e-prescriptions, and AI use, the report provides no concrete implementation strategy.

The analysis concludes that without specific guidance on accountability, decentralization, and disease prevention, the proposed reforms are unlikely to bring meaningful improvement to Bangladesh’s fragile healthcare system.

Two people, including a madrasa student, were killed and at least three others seriously injured when a speeding truck lost control and rammed into a stationary CNG-run autorickshaw in Mirsarai, Chattogram. The accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday near the Zahedia Madrasa area of Baratakia Bazar along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway. Witnesses said the autorickshaw was stopped for passengers when the truck, heading toward Chattogram, struck it from behind, crushing the vehicle and killing two people on the spot. The truck then plunged into a roadside pond.

One of the deceased was identified as Khadija Mashmum, a tenth-grade student of Baratakia Zahedia Dakhil Madrasa, while the other victim was an unidentified pedestrian. The injured were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. Police and fire service teams quickly reached the scene to conduct rescue operations and restore traffic flow.

According to police, the crash caused temporary congestion on the Chattogram-bound lane, which was later cleared after rescue efforts.

The United States has announced plans to conduct a military exercise in the Middle East amid ongoing tensions with Iran. According to the US Central Command’s Air Forces Central, the drill aims to demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy, expand, and conduct air operations in the region. The announcement was reported on Tuesday, with the exercise described as part of efforts to strengthen coordination with regional partners and enhance readiness for potential crises.

US President Donald Trump referred to the operation as a powerful “armada,” led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. However, no details were released regarding the exact schedule, location, or specific military assets involved in the exercise. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the move signals an increase in US military pressure on Iran and serves as a show of strength.

The exercise underscores Washington’s intent to reinforce its strategic presence in the Middle East while maintaining readiness for any escalation involving Iran.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi on Thursday, marking the restoration of air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after 14 years. The inaugural 162-seat flight will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8 p.m. and is fully booked. Managing Director and CEO Dr. Shafiqul Rahman confirmed that the flight will take about three hours to reach Karachi.

According to airline officials, Biman had suspended operations on the Dhaka-Karachi route in 2012. The plan to reopen the route emerged after the formation of an interim government in 2024. Following official approval from the Bangladeshi government, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority granted Biman permission to operate flights until March 30, 2026, subject to review.

Under the new authorization, Biman must strictly follow designated routes and operational protocols. Karachi airport has allocated a separate slot for the airline, and detailed flight information must be shared before each departure. Officials from both sides expect the route to strengthen bilateral connectivity and cooperation.

A major portion of Mamar Ghat, an important river transport hub under Mongla municipality in Bagerhat, has collapsed into the Pashur River due to severe erosion. The incident has left around 10,000 daily commuters facing acute travel disruptions, while fear and uncertainty spread across the area. Residents along the riverbank are relocating homes and belongings to safer places as the erosion continues.

According to local accounts, the erosion has been ongoing for three years but intensified recently due to heavy upstream runoff that raised river levels and increased current pressure. Illegal sand extraction along the riverbank has worsened the situation, destabilizing the river’s natural flow and embankments. Locals allege that unregulated sand lifting over the past decade has triggered the current crisis, severely affecting transport to the nearby Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

Mongla municipal administrator and Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi said sand-filled geobags are being placed to curb the erosion. Residents, however, question why preventive measures and enforcement against illegal sand mining were not taken earlier.