Human rights organization Odhikar has demanded justice for the killing of Felani by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and called for an end to border killings. The demand was made on Wednesday at a rally held at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark Felani Day and protest her death.

Odhikar’s director Nasir Uddin Elan stated that the manner in which Felani was killed at the border is known, yet justice has not been served. He described the killing of a woman at the border as a grave human rights violation and urged everyone to raise their voices against such incidents. Families of several victims of border killings were present at the event, along with Odhikar researcher Taskin Fahmin and other senior leaders of the organization.

The rally highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights violations along the Bangladesh-India border and renewed calls for accountability and justice for victims of cross-border violence.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will launch direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi starting January 29, marking the resumption of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after more than ten years. According to airline officials, two weekly flights will operate on this route for an initial three-month period, continuing until March 30 of the current year. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has already granted approval for the route and designated airspace usage.

Currently, travelers between Bangladesh and Pakistan rely on transit hubs in the Middle East such as Dubai or Doha. The new direct service is expected to simplify travel, strengthen people-to-people connections, and enhance bilateral trade. Officials noted that the decision followed several months of discussions with Pakistani authorities.

Aviation experts described the Dhaka-Karachi route as both commercially and strategically significant. They believe that restoring direct air links will reinforce economic relations and mutual engagement between the two countries.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s three-time former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In a condolence message sent on January 2 to Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Guterres conveyed his sympathy on behalf of the United Nations. The message was released by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Wednesday.

In his message, Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the former Prime Minister. He extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and to Khaleda Zia’s family, noting that as the country’s first female Prime Minister, she held a distinct and dignified place in Bangladesh’s political history. He added that through her long years of public service and leadership, she left a significant mark on the nation’s political life.

Khaleda Zia, known for her uncompromising stance on democracy, passed away on December 30 of the previous year while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She was buried with state honors on December 31 beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at the capital’s Zia Udyan.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced that submission of Value Added Tax (VAT) returns will be made mandatory online from the next fiscal year. He made the announcement at an event held at the Revenue Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the launch of an online VAT refund system that transfers refunds directly to taxpayers’ bank accounts.

According to the NBR chairman, while online submission of income tax returns is already mandatory, the VAT law has not yet required it. The upcoming budget will include a provision to make online VAT return submission compulsory. During the event, the chairman inaugurated the online VAT refund process by transferring Tk 45.35 lakh to the bank accounts of three taxpayers from three VAT commissionerates in Dhaka.

The NBR has instructed taxpayers who previously filed paper-based VAT returns to enter those records into the e-VAT system by March. After that, they will also be able to register online. The new system aims to ensure transparency and faster processing of refund applications without requiring taxpayers to visit VAT offices.

A student died after falling from the roof of a madrasa while trying to escape in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at Safiatul Ummah Hifz Model Madrasa in the Safipur area. According to local sources, the student, Alif Hasan, fell from the roof and was seriously injured. Madrasa authorities and locals rescued him and took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Police said Alif, son of Shahid Shah of Kouchakuri village in Kaliakoir, had previously attempted to flee the madrasa several times. On Wednesday morning, he reportedly tried to climb down a pipe from the roof when he accidentally fell. His body was being sent to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Following the incident, the victim’s family and other guardians accused the madrasa authorities of negligence and lack of safety measures, expressing anger over the death.

Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning following a US military strike on Saturday that killed at least 57 people. In a televised address on Tuesday, Rodríguez said the mourning honors those who gave their lives defending the country and President Nicolás Maduro.

According to BBC, the dead include 23 members of Venezuela’s security forces, 32 Cuban fighters, and two civilian women. Cuba’s state newspaper Granma published details of the fallen soldiers under the headline “Honor and Glory.” The Cuban government expressed condolences to the families of the 32 Cuban fighters, while President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced two days of national mourning in Cuba to honor their bravery and dignity.

Cuba has long been a close ally of Venezuela, providing military and police support in key operations. Mourning ceremonies were held across both countries over the weekend to commemorate the victims.

A high-level European Union delegation met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his Bashundhara office on Wednesday. The delegation, led by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Chief of the European External Action Service’s Asia and Pacific Division, included the EU ambassador to Dhaka and another official. Following the meeting, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters that the main discussion focused on the upcoming national election and the Rohingya issue. He said the EU delegation informed them that the Union would send the highest number of observers to monitor the election.

Dr. Taher emphasized that fair and impartial elections are essential for Bangladesh, noting that the lack of credible polls has been a major cause of national crises over the past 55 years. He expressed concern that recent government and law enforcement activities suggest bias toward one party, raising fears of a rigged election. Jamaat urged the government, Election Commission, and authorities to act neutrally to protect the country.

The EU delegation also discussed the Rohingya issue, and Jamaat leaders said they would work with the international community to ensure Rohingya safety and rights if they come to power.

A businessman named Shahabuddin, aged 40, was killed in an attack by miscreants in Dhaka’s Kadamtali area on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in the Kudar Bazar area, where Shahabuddin, who ran a gas cylinder business, was assaulted with sharp weapons. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and declared dead by doctors at 11 p.m.

According to his elder brother, Mahiyuddin, Shahabuddin previously ran a scrap business in the Kadamtali-Jurain area and had started the gas cylinder business two months ago. He said the family was unaware of who attacked his brother or why. Police confirmed the death and said the body was kept at the hospital morgue.

Kadamtali Police Inspector (Investigation) Shafayet Hossain stated that initial findings suggest the killing resulted from previous enmity. Police are working to identify those involved in the attack.

A devastating fire in Ramganj municipality’s Ward 7 of Narimpur village in Lakshmipur killed a four-month-old child named Ayat Hossain on Tuesday around 5 p.m. The blaze began in the home of Dulal Mikar, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, and quickly spread to nearby houses. Before fire service units could arrive, three residential houses were completely burned down. The deceased child was the son of Dulal Mikar and Poran Begum.

According to local sources, Dulal’s wife had gone outside to collect clothes drying in the sun when the fire broke out. A gas cylinder explosion inside the house intensified the flames, spreading them to the homes of Md. Shahid Ullah, Siraj Mia, and Sabuj, which were all destroyed. Ramganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farashid Bin Enam visited the site and provided Tk 10,000 in immediate assistance. Officials from the local police and several political parties also inspected the scene.

Fire Station Leader Md. Rezaul Karim stated that the fire likely originated from an electrical short circuit, and the extent of the damage is being assessed.

Thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas to show support for President Nicolás Maduro following his reported abduction along with his wife by the United States. Protesters waved national flags, sang patriotic songs, and chanted anti-American slogans. The demonstration was joined by Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, according to TRT World.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez asserted that no foreign power governs Venezuela, rejecting earlier remarks by US President Donald Trump claiming the United States would run the country until a change occurs. Rodríguez emphasized that the Venezuelan government remains in control and declared seven days of mourning for 24 Venezuelan soldiers killed in a US military operation. Cuba also reported the deaths of 32 of its military members.

The Trump administration has not yet clarified its plans for Venezuela since Maduro’s detention, leaving uncertainty about Washington’s next steps in the crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he may use direct military force to take control of autonomous Greenland, according to an AFP report from Washington on Tuesday. The White House described the move as a national security priority, saying military measures could be taken if necessary. The statement is expected to heighten tensions between the United States and Denmark, a NATO ally.

Following military intervention in Venezuela, Trump has turned his attention to the Arctic territory, citing its rare minerals and strategic importance as melting ice opens new sea routes. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said controlling Greenland is vital to counter rivals such as Russia and China, and that the president keeps all military options open.

Greenland and Denmark have called for urgent talks to ease tensions, while European nations including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain have voiced support for Denmark’s sovereignty. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reaffirmed that the island is not for sale and that only its people can decide their future.

The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition carried out what it described as limited preemptive strikes in Yemen to prevent further escalation of conflict involving UAE-backed separatists. The coalition announced the operation in a statement on Wednesday, saying it acted after recent territorial advances by separatist forces in Hadhramaut province near the Saudi border. Those forces had previously expelled Saudi-backed government troops but were forced to retreat following coalition air and ground operations last week.

According to the coalition, the new strikes were launched as fighting under separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi risked spreading into Al-Dhale governorate. The statement said the coalition was coordinating with the Yemeni government and local authorities to strengthen security and maintain order. Al-Zubaidi was expected to attend talks in Riyadh on Tuesday but reportedly missed his flight, and the coalition claimed he has since fled to an unknown location, creating uncertainty within the separatist ranks.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have long supported rival factions within Yemen’s southern-based government while jointly fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who seized much of northern Yemen in 2014.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to embark on a four-day visit to northern Bangladesh, beginning on January 11, 2026. According to the party, the trip is primarily focused on religious and social events. The BNP stated that the tour will fully comply with the code of conduct issued by the Bangladesh Election Commission. The party has submitted applications to the Election Commission, as well as to the relevant district commissioners and election officers, to ensure adherence to the regulations.

The tentative itinerary shows that Rahman will travel from Dhaka through Tangail and Sirajganj to Bogura on the first day, then proceed to Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon over the following days, before returning to Dhaka on January 14. During the trip, he will visit the graves of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and Tayeba Mojumdar, among others, and attend prayer gatherings. He is also scheduled to meet injured freedom fighters and families of martyrs from the democratic movements.

The BNP emphasized that the visit is non-political in nature and intended to honor historical and social figures while maintaining compliance with electoral guidelines.

At least 22 migrants were killed and 65 others injured when a truck overturned in Ethiopia’s northern Afar region, local authorities said on Tuesday. The accident occurred near Semera, several hundred kilometers west of neighboring Djibouti. According to officials, the victims had fallen prey to traffickers and were unaware of the dangers of the route. The injured were taken to Dubti Referral Hospital for full medical treatment, and the regional government expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

Ethiopia is one of the main transit routes for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking work in Gulf countries. Thousands of migrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti travel this route, often moving from Djibouti to Yemen and then to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. However, the route used by traffickers to move Ethiopian migrants toward Djibouti is considered extremely dangerous.

According to the International Organization for Migration, 890 people died on this route between January and February 2025, making it one of the world’s most perilous migration paths.

Suspected Colombian guerrilla commanders are fleeing Venezuela following a U.S. military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power, according to a Colombian security source cited by AFP on Tuesday. The report said the situation emerged after Washington’s weekend assault in Caracas, which led to Maduro’s ouster. Colombia has long suspected that leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and remnants of the disbanded FARC group had taken refuge in Venezuela, controlling cocaine trafficking routes along the border.

Security analysts noted that several ELN bases operated inside Venezuela under conditions tolerated by the Maduro government, though Caracas consistently denied such allegations. A Colombian military officer told AFP that guerrilla leaders are now attempting to cross back into Colombia. In response, Bogotá’s defense ministry warned that their presence near the border could pose a serious national security threat. Thousands of troops have been deployed along the more than 2,200-kilometer frontier to prevent potential attacks.

AFP journalists reported visible Colombian army patrols in the border city of Cúcuta on Tuesday.