Bangladesh Navy has foiled a major human trafficking attempt in the Bay of Bengal, arresting 273 people who were attempting to travel illegally to Malaysia by sea. The operation was carried out late Saturday night based on intelligence information by naval ship BNS Swadhinata, which was patrolling waters near Saint Martin’s Island. According to the Navy, the vessel detected suspicious movement of a wooden boat about 30 nautical miles southwest of Saint Martin’s Island. During the operation, the Navy detained 273 individuals, including 10 members of a suspected trafficking syndicate. “The timely and effective action of the Bangladesh Navy has successfully thwarted a large-scale human trafficking operation,” a Navy statement said on Sunday.

In addition, the nomination of independent candidate Jahangir Alam Molla, former vice-president of the district BNP, has also been cancelled. The decisions were taken during the scrutiny of nomination papers held on Sunday from 10am to 1pm at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Over the past two days, nomination papers of 25 candidates across the district’s six constituencies have been cancelled. In the same constituency, the nomination of Democratic Party candidate Dilwar Hossain Bhuiyan was cancelled due to complications with the signature of the party chief. In Kishoreganj-1 (Sadar–Hossainpur) constituency, the nomination papers of six candidates—including three top district BNP leaders contesting as independents—were cancelled.

The scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum, scheduled to be held on February 12, has been completed. Of the 238 nomination papers submitted for 20 parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka district, returning officers have declared 161 as valid. The nomination papers of 81 candidates were cancelled due to a lack of required documents and information. As a result, 161 nominations were declared valid, 81 were rejected, and the candidacy of one applicant was suspended. Candidates whose nominations have been cancelled may appeal the returning officer’s decision between Monday and Friday.

Of the registered voters, 11,22,287 are men and 184,806 are women. District-wise, Comilla topped the list with 99,915 registered voters, followed by Dhaka with 93,465 and Chittagong with 83,759. Meanwhile, for the 13th national election and the referendum, postal ballots have been sent to 581,689 expatriate voters across 75 countries worldwide over the last 14 days. Among them, the highest numbers of 187,443 ballots were sent to expatriate voters in Saudi Arabia. For registration, expatriate voters must use a mobile number of the respective country.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has stepped up efforts to arrest the two prime suspects directly linked to the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The suspects, identified as shooter Faisal and his motorcycle rider Alamgir, remain at large. “We have deployed our full strength to arrest the key suspects, Faisal and Alamgir. “In addition to other security forces, RAB will be deployed during the election. The police and Ansar will secure polling centres, while the BGB, army, and RAB will operate as mobile striking forces.

Traffic in the capital’s Karwan Bazar returned to normal on Sunday afternoon after mobile phone traders withdrew their blockade following hours of clashes with law enforcement agencies. Police later launched operations to clear the road, with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the army joining the effort. However, a section of traders returned to the road at noon, prompting the use of water cannons. By around 2pm, the traders finally left the road, and traffic gradually resumed, becoming normal by about 2:30pm. The prolonged blockade caused severe disruption, leaving commuters stranded and triggering traffic congestion in several parts of the city, including Rampura, Mohakhali and Uttara.

The delegation was led by Professor Takatoshi Nakamura, an award-winning information security scientist, MIT-based researcher and inventor of Complete Cipher Technology, which is considered a next-generation, quantum-proof security innovation. The meeting focused on enhancing quantum-proof national information security, safeguarding government communications and digital platforms, and exploring the development of community-level digital cash systems. Professor Yunus, along with Md Daud Ali and Professor Ashir Ahmed, underscored the importance of deepening cooperation in technology, research and trade. Also present at the meeting were Apple Mahmud, strategic diplomate and chairman of Cipher Core Ltd, and engineer Mahi Islam, managing director. The delegation has since held follow-up talks with the governor of Bangladesh Bank on issues related to digital financing and financial information security.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has announced the suspension of its regular flights on the Dhaka–Manchester–Dhaka route from February 1, 2026. Biman said passengers booked on the Dhaka–Manchester–Dhaka route will be provided necessary assistance in line with the airline’s existing policies including flight date changes, alternative travel via the Dhaka–London–Dhaka route, ticket refunds and other related services. Affected passengers have been requested to contact Biman’s Dhaka or London sales offices, the Biman call centre at 13636 or +88-096109-13636, or authorised Biman travel agents for support. The national flag carrier expressed sincere regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to passengers and all concerned. Biman added that passengers would be informed in due course once flights on the Dhaka–Manchester–Dhaka route resume, the press release added.

DHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched a Security Operations Center (SOC) to strengthen cybersecurity and reduce risks to its digital infrastructure, particularly the ASYCUDA system and other sensitive information assets. The SOC has been established as part of the implementation of the cybersecurity policy and compliance framework issued by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), according to a NBR press release issued today. NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan formally inaugurated the organization’s own Security Operations Center today. The SOC is being operated by a specialized NBR team using advanced technologies and in line with international cybersecurity standards. The initiative aims to enhance the overall security posture of NBR’s digital systems and ensure the protection of critical revenue-related data amid growing cyber threats.

decides to impose restrictions on pesticide use in haor region during Boro seasonDHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – The government will take necessary steps to impose restrictions in selling pesticides at seven haor dominated districts during the upcoming boro season with an aim to protect fisheries and livestocks. Side by side, training and motivational programme on safe and appropriate use of the pesticides will be implemented for the farmers at the haor region. So, it is necessary to take emergency steps for protecting the fisheries and livestock by impose control on the pesticide use, she said. He encouraged on using of bio-pesticides and alternative pest management system instead of harmful pesticides. Even a decision was taken to complete an implementation of a coordinated action plan in controlling pesticides in the haor region by January 31.

LONDON, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain and France on Sunday said they had carried out joint strikes on the Islamic State group in Syria to prevent the Islamist extremists resurging. France said it was part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a US-led international offensive against IS in Iraq, Syria and also Libya. The British Ministry of Defence said it cooperated with France on Saturday night to strike an underground facility in Syria that had likely been used by the Islamic State group to store weapons. "Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France," the ministry said in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for IS. IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019 but still maintains a presence, particularly in the country's vast desert.

Since then, the former prime minister has been remembered with love and reverence by thousands of ordinary people, along with party leaders and activists. Even today, on the fifth day since the burial, a large crowd of people is seen to pay their respects at Khaleda Zia's grave. When asked about the BNP's future leadership, he said, "Begum Khaleda Zia harbored no malice or hatred. Shahbuddin said, "I have prayed for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in my own way." Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday (December 30) at 6:00 AM while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 26 people drowned and 14 others are missing after a boat carrying farmers and fishermen capsized in northeastern Nigeria, the emergency services said Sunday. The incident happened late Saturday, when a rudimentary passenger boat going from Jigawa State to Yobe State capsized, Mohammed Goje, executive director of the State Emergency Management Agency in Yobe state, told AFP. "So far, emergency volunteers and rescue teams have recovered 26 bodies," he said. His agency said in a statement that 14 others were missing.

Bashir Uddin today spoke at a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association at his office in the Ministry of Commerce at Bangladesh Secretariat. The Adviser made the remarks while speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association at his office in the Ministry of Commerce at Bangladesh Secretariat today. They alleged that such practices are creating disorder in the jute market and warned that unless illegal hoarding is stopped genuine jute farmers and all stakeholders involved in the jute business would suffer, ultimately harming the country’s economy. In response, the adviser said the government would adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against illegal jute hoarding. Textile and Jute Ministry Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi, Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association President Tapas Pramanik, Vice Chairman Faruk Hossain, Board Directors Mohammad Shahjahan, and Helal Ahmed, among others were present at the meeting.

DHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Competition in public procurement has increased after the enactment of the new Public Procurement Rules, 2025 (PPR, 2025). Highlighting the procurement sector reforms, he termed the Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and the Public Procurement Rules, 2025 as landmark developments in strengthening the country’s public procurement framework. At the end of the meeting, the Planning Adviser inaugurated the redesigned public procurement mobile application, titled “Public Procurement Mirror (SorkariKroyDorpon)”. Inaugurating the app, the Planning Adviser said that the initiative reflects the interim government’s firm commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement. The mobile application has been rebranded and comprehensively redesigned in line with the amended Public Procurement Act, 2006 and the newly enacted Public Procurement Rules, 2025 (PPR, 2025).