Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, stated that teachers engaging in politics will face action as per regulations. Speaking at NAPE, Mymensingh, he highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance education quality through curriculum and exam reforms. He stressed the importance of holistic child development, including sports and cultural activities. Dr. Poddar also addressed delays in book distribution and efforts to register private educational institutions to reduce costs.

A German study involving 461,818 women found that incorporating AI into breast cancer screening increased detection rates by 17.6% compared to standard methods, identifying one additional cancer case per 1,000 women without raising false positives. The AI tool flagged suspicious scans and served as a “safety net,” reducing radiologists’ workload while maintaining accuracy. It also improved speed in reviewing normal scans and supported higher detection of cancers, including in situ cases. Experts praise the findings as promising but stress the need for long-term research to address potential overdiagnosis risks and ensure clinically meaningful outcomes. AI offers significant potential in healthcare efficiency.

Southern California authorities have imposed a nightly curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in fire evacuation zones to prevent looting amid ongoing wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Thousands remain under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County, where six wildfires have claimed six lives and destroyed numerous structures. After 20 looters were arrested, the County has enlisted 400 National Guard members to assist local police with traffic control and infrastructure protection. Officials vow to safeguard residents affected by the devastation and displacement caused by the fires.

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser, confirmed that all students will receive their new textbooks by February. He compared the current administration’s effort with the previous government’s practice of a one-day textbook festival, which did not result in timely distribution. Alam added that textbooks in past years were sometimes distributed as late as July, and the interim government is working swiftly with stakeholders, including paper manufacturers, to ensure prompt delivery.

Interim government advisor Mahfuz Alam stated that discussions with political parties and organizations would begin next week to draft the July Uprising Declaration based on consensus. The government will not draft the declaration but support the process. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and National Citizen Committee have demanded its release by January 15, though Alam indicated additional time might be required to ensure agreement among all stakeholders.

Fast-moving wildfires in Los Angeles, fueled by hurricane-force winds, have destroyed over 10,000 structures, displaced 180,000 people, and killed seven, with the toll likely to rise. The Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires caused widespread destruction, including celebrity homes. Crews face extreme conditions with erratic winds and water shortages. Officials call the disaster historic, likening devastated areas to bomb sites. Though evacuation orders eased in some regions, the fires continue to pose significant threats.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam stated that issuing a declaration by January 15 is not feasible but assured minimal delay. Discussions with political and mass uprising groups will finalize the declaration within a week based on consensus. He emphasized unity for constitutional reforms and stated that reforms would begin after receiving commission reports. Local elections, he noted, could improve citizen services, while the national election date would be decided after completing election-related reforms in consultation with political parties.

The trial for the BDR rebellion case begins today at the Alia Madrasa grounds in Dhaka. A temporary court was previously set up at the Government Alia Madrasa and in front of Dhaka Central Jail, but student protests in July-August caused damage to the court building and obstructed proceedings. Due to security and transportation issues, the accused are now held at Keraniganj Central Jail, where a temporary court will be established to ensure smooth trial operations.

After 7.5 years, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her elder son, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, emotionally reunited in London. Khaleda Zia, in need of advanced medical care, arrived at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday morning via a special air ambulance. She was welcomed by Tarique, daughter-in-law Zubaida Rahman, and BNP leaders. Khaleda, suffering from severe health issues, will undergo treatment at London Clinic and later Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA. Her health has deteriorated since her 2018 imprisonment. Her return home may include performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has taken responsibility for the family of Felani Khatun, killed by BSF gunfire at the Fulbari border in Kurigram. He will support her siblings' education and employment. Felani was shot dead in 2011 by BSF member Amiya Ghosh, who was later acquitted in trials. Despite appeals, the case has not seen further progress since a postponed hearing in 2018.

The interim government has approved a 3% hike in supplementary duty on mobile services, raising it from 20% to 23%. This increase will further reduce the value of mobile recharges, leaving users with only 43.7 BDT worth of service per 100 BDT recharge. The move has sparked criticism from consumer rights groups, citing rising costs as a barrier to internet accessibility and technological progress. Mobile and internet subscriber numbers have already declined significantly due to escalating costs.

The interim government cited disruptions in textbook printing due to interference by dishonest groups active during the previous government. This year, all textbooks are being printed locally, shifting from earlier reliance on Indian facilities. As of January 6, over 11 crore textbooks have been printed and distributed out of a target of 40 crore. While delays caused inconvenience, the government highlighted the economic benefit to 10-12 lakh local workers and expressed optimism about overcoming challenges soon.

Starting January 8, expatriate Bangladeshis will receive SMS notifications for e-passport delivery, a service previously available only within the country. This initiative aims to minimize inconvenience by notifying applicants when their passports are ready. Efforts are underway to clear a backlog of 197,000 Machine Readable Passports (MRPs), with 182,745 passports already dispatched to embassies within three weeks. To combat fraud and harassment, authorized agents will be appointed to assist applicants, reducing reliance on brokers. Additionally, steps are being taken to streamline passport services and improve the application process at various offices nationwide.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been in Bangladesh for decades despite recent outbreaks in Asia. Identified in 2001, it resembles the flu with symptoms like fever and cough, but no fatalities have been linked. Preventive measures, including masks and hand washing, are advised, especially for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. While there's no vaccine, HMPV isn't alarming but should be monitored for its respiratory implications.

India has reduced the export price of onions by $100 per ton, lowering it from $405 to $305, effective January 6, to boost exports. Previously, the high price of Indian onions significantly reduced demand in Bangladesh, causing substantial losses for importers. At $405 per ton, Indian onions were less competitive, especially as local supplies increased. The price cut aims to make Indian onions more affordable in the Bangladeshi market, reducing the cost of opening a letter of credit (LC) by about 4 lakh taka per truck. This adjustment seeks to revitalize demand, balance market dynamics, and ensure both consumer affordability and farmer profitability in light of the changing trade conditions.