The UK NRB Society, comprising Non-Resident Bangladeshis, has voiced concerns over the potential suspension of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ Sylhet-Manchester flights, warning that any disruptions would be unacceptable to UK expatriates.The Society's leaders emphasised the importance of uninterrupted services on the Sylhet-Manchester route. US-Bangla Airlines to start flights to JeddahThey said that they would not tolerate further delays or issues with the flights, and, if necessary, Sylheti expatriates in the UK would unite to stop remittances as a form of protest, at a press conference in Sylhet.M Ahmed Junaid, director of the UK NRB Society, outlined the significance of the flight, which resumed in 2020 after a hiatus. The route serves approximately 300,000 Sylheti expatriates in cities like Manchester, Luton, and Birmingham, as well as Wales and Scotland. It provides essential connectivity, allowing passengers to reach Sylhet Osmani International Airport within 10 hours, offering vital benefits for elderly and child travellers. Biman receives another threat from unknown Whatsapp number: AuthoritiesHowever, Junaid raised concerns over the sudden suspension of the online ticketing system two months ago. Biman Bangladesh Airlines cited the route's unprofitability as the reason.This decision sparked protests from Sylheti expatriates in the north of England, leading to a memorandum submission to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission and Biman officials. They also visited Bangladesh earlier this year to meet with the airline's management to demand the flight's continuation.In a recent development, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, former mayor of Sylhet City Corporation, spoke with Biman’s Chairman, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, who assured that the flights would continue. However, the failure to resume the online ticketing system has led to doubts among expatriates.Currently, there are two weekly flights on the route, but concerns have arisen that Biman may suspend these during the Hajj season. The UK NRB Society has called for at least one flight to continue for Hajj pilgrims, with the other remaining operational for the Manchester route. The Society warned that canceling both flights would cause significant hardship for expatriates returning to Sylhet during Eid-ul-Azha.The Society also pointed out that the route is not unprofitable, but due to middlemen, passengers often face inflated ticket prices. They urged Biman to investigate and resolve this issue. If delays persist, they warned of a potential remittance boycott as a form of protest. Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal on track for completion this Oct, flights expected from early 2025The UK NRB Society urged the interim government to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of the Sylhet-Manchester flight service.

A 15-year-old boy died after a Ramzan Paribahan bus ran him over in Dhaka’s Rampura on Saturday evening. The deceased was identified Sajid, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost. Truck driver dies in Demra road accident The accident happened when Sajid was crossing the street in front of Islami Bank. He was run over by the bus while trying to cross the road. Sajid worked at “Tin Kannya Auto Centre” on East Rampura DIT Road, Mojibur Gazi, the shop owner,said, Sajid had just left the shop when the accident happened. 2 motorcyclists die as train hits them in Gazipur He was rushed to the emergency department at DMCH where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The body has been sent to the hospital morgue for an autopsy, said the police official.

The government has cancelled the list of recipients for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2024, which was announced two days ago to honour ten individuals for their contributions to Bangla literature. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki announced the cancellation in a post on his verified Facebook account on Saturday. "The odd policies that lead to such ridiculous and petty award opportunities need to be reviewed urgently, and that is our first priority. We also need to reassess how the Bangla Academy will be managed and the policies it will follow—all of these aspects," he said in the post. Farooki added, "We are pushing for a complete reform of the academy now. If the country is to undergo reform, why not the Bangla Academy?" The academy later confirmed the matter through a notice on its official Facebook page, signed by the Director-General of Bangla Academy, Professor Mohammad Azam. The notice stated that a meeting of the Bangla Academy Literary Award Committee 2024 was held at 6 p.m. today at the Bangla Academy to reconsider the previously announced list of recipients. The cancellation was prompted by some allegations regarding certain individuals on the award list, in light of the current socio-political situation. A decision has been made to investigate these allegations before the list is republished. On Thursday, the academy had announced the names of the winners, which included Salimullah Khan for Essay, Masud Khan for Poetry, Selim Morshed for Fiction, Subhasish Sinha in Drama, Faruk Newaz in Children's Literature, GH Habib for Translation, Muhammad Shahjahan Mia for Research, Rezaur Rahman in Science, Mohammad Hannan in Liberation War, and Syed Jamil Ahmed, the current Director-General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), in the Folklore category. However, some netizens questioned the inclusion of certain names due to their literary activities during the ousted Awami League regime.

On Saturday, thousands of Shiite pilgrims, dressed in black, began walking towards the golden shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim in the al-Kadhimiyah district of northwestern Baghdad, reports AP. The shrine holds immense religious significance for Shiite Muslims, as it is the final resting place of Imam al-Kadhim, the seventh of the Twelve Imams, who passed away in the late eighth century. Gunmen kill 42 Shiites in northwest Pakistan This year's pilgrimage comes amid significant regional changes, leaving many Shiites feeling vulnerable. The fall of Bashar Assad's government in Syria, which had Iran’s backing, marked a pivotal shift. Iran’s support helped Assad maintain power throughout a brutal civil war, but the regime was recently toppled during a swift offensive led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Other Iran-backed groups, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have also been severely impacted by over a year of conflict with Israel. Ceasefires are now in place in both Gaza and Lebanon. 25 people killed in days of clashes between Shiites and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan Mohammed al-Waswasi, a 28-year-old pilgrim from Wasit province, reached Baghdad after walking for two days while carrying a black banner of mourning. "We are deeply disheartened by the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where we lost irreplaceable leaders," he said. "We come to Imam al-Kadhim today to mourn." Iraqi authorities closed major streets in Baghdad to accommodate the large number of pilgrims, mostly from southern and central regions. Tents were set up along the way to offer services and a place to rest. Iraqi security forces were deployed in large numbers to ensure the safety of the event, which usually attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from within Iraq and beyond. In al-Kadhimiyah, traffic was halted, and security checkpoints were established at all city entrances to control the flow of visitors.

Six-time champions, Dhaka Abahani Limited dropped points with Brothers Union Club as the ninth round match of the Bashundhara Kings Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football ended in a goalless draw at the Bir Shreshtho Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Saturday. Despite the day’s draw in a keenly contested match, the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd, without any foreign players, maintained their second slot in the league table, securing 20 points from all nine first-phase matches, while the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union remained at the 5th slot with 15 points from nine encounters. Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed backs spin pitches for home test matches Meanwhile, Dhaka Mohammedan SC comfortably dominated the 10-team league, securing 24 points from nine outings despite conceding the first defeat against lowly Youngsmen’s Club Fakirerpool by a 0-1 goal in their ninth match on Friday. Last season’s treble winners, Bashundhara Kings, completed the nine-match first phase league in the third slot, collecting 17 points, while the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS is in the fourth place by virtue of better goal differences, securing equal 15 points like the Brothers Union. Abahani’s national-coloured custodian, Mitul Marma, who did not concede any goals in the last six matches, also displayed his brilliance in the day’s match, saving some good opponent’s attempts and being adjudged player of the match. Ashraful Islam Rana of Brothers Union also played entertaining football in the match. In the day’s other match, Fortis FC advanced to the 6th slot in the league table, beating bottom-ranked Chittagong Abahani Limited by a 1-0 goal at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday afternoon. 10th Shah Cement AKS Cup Golf Tournament begins Gambian defender Essa Jallow scored the match-winning goal for Fortis FC in the 34th minute. Fortis FC bagged 11 points from nine outings to move up to 6th place while Chittagong Abahani Limited remained at the bottom with three points from nine encounters.

Paul McCartney has urged the British government to avoid altering copyright laws in a way that he believes could allow artificial intelligence companies to exploit artists, reports AP. The government is seeking feedback on whether tech firms should be allowed to use copyrighted material to train AI models unless the creators explicitly opt out. AI has enabled a 'final' Beatles song, Paul McCartney says McCartney expressed his concern in an interview with the BBC, warning that such a change could make it more difficult for artists to maintain control over their creations and harm the UK’s creative industries. “Young people come up with beautiful songs, but they don’t own them, and they have no say in how they’re used. Anyone can take them and use them,” the 82-year-old former Beatle said, in an interview set to air on Sunday. An excerpt was shared by the BBC on Saturday. Paul McCartney: John Lennon responsible for Beatle breakup “The reality is, the money is going somewhere. When music hits streaming platforms, someone is profiting, and that someone should be the person who created it, not a tech corporation,” he added. The UK’s Labour Party government aims to position the country as a global leader in AI. In December, it launched a consultation on how copyright laws could balance giving creators control over their works and ensuring AI developers can access diverse, high-quality content. A coalition of publishers, artists’ groups, and media companies, including The Associated Press, have joined forces to oppose any dilution of copyright protections. Paul McCartney writing 'It's a Wonderful Life' stage musical “We’re the people, and you’re the government. Protect us, that’s your role,” McCartney said. “If you’re passing a bill, make sure it shields the creative artists, or you risk losing them.”

Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican’s outstanding all-round contributions earned the West Indies a narrow nine-run first-innings lead against Pakistan, as 20 wickets tumbled on the opening day of the second test on Saturday, reports AP. Motie’s crucial 55, his first test half-century, rescued the visitors from a dire 54-8 to a total of 163. The left-arm spinner then claimed 3-49 to dismiss the hosts for 154 on another challenging spinning track at Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed backs spin pitches for home test matches Motie’s stellar performance overshadowed Noman Ali’s hat trick and his impressive figures of 6-41, as Pakistan’s batters faltered on their own spin-friendly surface. Warrican, who earlier scored an unbeaten 36 at No. 11, also made an impact with the ball, taking 4-43. Mohammad Rizwan (49) and Saud Shakeel (32) briefly revived Pakistan with a 68-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, both fell to Warrican while attempting risky shots in the final session, and the tail collapsed quickly before stumps. Bangladesh miss out direct qualification for Women's ODI World Cup' 2025 losing to West Indies Motie had earlier dismissed Babar Azam (1), bowled while attempting a back-foot cut, and Kamran Ghulam (16), leaving Pakistan struggling at 51-4. Kemar Roach made early inroads with the new ball, trapping Muhammad Hurraira lbw and clean-bowling captain Shan Masood. Earlier in the day, No. 9 Motie added 109 runs with the last two batters before the West Indies were dismissed in an extended three-hour first session. This followed Noman Ali’s demolition of the top order with his left-arm spin. Ali, who had been pivotal in Pakistan’s 127-run victory in the first test alongside Sajid Khan, achieved a hat trick by dismissing Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair in the 12th over, becoming the first Pakistani spinner to claim a hat trick in test cricket. The West Indies’ top-order batters once again struggled against spin on a crumbling pitch, as they had in the first test, where they were bowled out for 137 and 123, losing within three days. Motie, playing his 11th test, fought back with resilience. He shared a 41-run partnership with Roach (25) and followed it up with a 68-run stand alongside Warrican. BPL 2025 T20 Cricket Tournament: Top Performers Leading the Charge So Far Debutant pacer Kashif Ali removed Mikyle Louis, finding the outside edge after Kraigg Brathwaite elected to bat first. Off-spinner Sajid Khan trapped Amir Jangoo lbw for a four-ball duck, while Ali dismissed Brathwaite in similar fashion. Noman Ali’s hat trick was a memorable triple-wicket maiden over. Greaves was caught close to the wicket by Babar Azam, Imlach failed to review an lbw decision off a full-pitched delivery, and Sinclair edged to the gully, where Babar completed a stunning low catch. Four Pakistan pacers — Wasim Akram, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami, and Naseem Shah — have previously achieved test hat tricks, with Akram doing so twice against Sri Lanka in 1999. Naseem was the last to achieve the feat, against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in 2020. The West Indies made two changes for this match, bringing in Roach for the injured Jayden Seals, and debuting Amir Jangoo at No. 3 in place of the out-of-form Keacy Carty. This is the final series for both teams in the World Test Championship, with Pakistan ranked eighth and West Indies ninth. Australia and South Africa have already secured their places in the WTC final at Lord’s in June.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has welcomed the move by the students who led last year's uprising to form a political party, but warned that it would disappoint the people if it is seen to enjoy the state and current administration's support. Speaking virtually at a discussion on Saturday, he also said indulging controversies over the national elections will only strengthen the position of the defeated fascist forces. Jatiya Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Jote arranged the programme titled “Jatiya Shikkhak Dibos and Shikkhak Samabesh” at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman (January 19).  “The country's students and youth have become interested in the state and political system, which is certainly a positive aspect,” Tarique said. He said the young people have not been able to vote in a single election in the last one and a half decades. “If any of these young people, deprived of democratic and political rights, form a new political party to establish the rights of the people, BNP certainly welcomes the initiative. But if anyone seeks help from the state and administrative support to form a political party, it will disappoint the people,” the BNP leader said. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy He also said that if the behaviour, comments, or statements of those intending to form a new party are antagonistic and vindictive towards other political parties, that would also be undesirable to the people. “Of course, today’s youth are the future of Bangladesh. The youth will create a new path by coming out of the past, but not in a questionable way. The path should be transparent and normal,” Tarique opined. He also considered any misunderstanding or unnecessary argument between the interim government and the pro-democracy forces of Bangladesh as a waste of time. “But at the same time, I want to draw the attention of the government and say that if the people can patiently accept its failures in various areas, it is important for those in the government to have much more patience and tolerance,” the BNP leader said. As BNP pursues politics for the welfare of the people, he said their party aims to ensure the people’s political and economic power. "Election is one of the main effective tools to ensure the political power of the people. Creating controversy over the election arrangement means unwittingly strengthening the position of fugitive and defeated fascist forces," Tarique warned. BNP leader Altaf calls for institutional restructuring to ensure fair elections He also instructed party leaders and activists at all levels to remain alert to ensure that no one creates confusion or provokes controversy over their activities. “The people are the source of BNP's political power, and as long as the people are with us, no conspiracy will be able to defeat us, Inshallah,” Tarique said. The BNP Acting Chairman's statement comes amid a political debate triggered by his party's secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, expressing doubts over the the interim government’s neutrality with students being part of it, that Information Adviser Nahid Islam, one of the student leaders of the uprising, countered by suggesting Fakhrul's statement indicated BNP would prefer a '1/11'-type government. Tarique appealed to all sections of society, including teachers, intellectuals, and journalists, to understand that democracy develops through daily actions, attitudes, and practices, not through procedures written in books. "We’ll certainly have different opinions and paths, and that is the beauty of democracy. But our goal is one and the same... Our goal is to establish a liberal, democratic, equitable, and humane Bangladesh," he said. The BNP leader said that after the 'mafia chief' Sheikh Hasina fled the country following the people's uprising, a great opportunity had arisen to establish a democratic, equitable, and humane Bangladesh. He, however, warned that any conspiracy by the 'fugitive autocrat' and her associates, or unnecessary misunderstandings between pro-democracy forces, could jeopardise the opportunity. "Everyone needs to remain aware of it." Tarique said the BNP is in favour of both reform and election. "Both are very important. Some people try to provoke unnecessary arguments with a purposeful question: which comes first, reform or elections? If we look at the current situation in the country, it is different." BNP, Khelafat Majlis agree on holding elections by 2025 At this moment, he said it is more important for crores of families across the country to manage their households than to focus on elections and reforms. "On one hand, there is the soaring cost of living, and on the other, the burden of VAT imposed on the people. As a result, farmers, workers, day labourers, low-income people, and even lower-middle-class families are finding it difficult to maintain their families. Many families are silently suffering," the BNP leader observed. He asked how the daily suffering and hardships of the people can be alleviated, how market syndicates can be broken to keep commodity prices within the reach of the people, how people can be freed from false cases filed during the fascist regime, and how law enforcement can be made more active to ensure the safety of people's lives and property. "These issues must be at the top of the interim government's priority list." Despite the various limitations of the interim government, the BNP leader said he believes it should not be allowed to fail, he said. On the occasion, Tarique also pledged that the BNP would play a positive role in ensuring the rightful demands of teachers if it is voted into power.

The International Farakka Committee (IFC) Bangladesh formed a new executive committee on Friday, appointing IFC coordinator Mostafa Kamal Majumder as president and Sayed Mahmud Hasan Mukut as general secretary. The extended meeting of IFC took place at Kusumpur under Sirajdikhan Upazila of Bikrampur, where outgoing President Prof. Jasim Uddin Ahmed unanimously formed the committee. IFC New York Chairman Sayed Tipu Sultan attended the meeting as the chief guest. Bangladesh’s first climate-smart steel plant to be built with IFC fund The committee appointed Prof. Jasim Uddin Ahmad as chief adviser, along with four advisers: Bulbul Khan Mahbub, Syed Irfanul Bari, Bahni Shikha Jamali, Elahi Newaz Khan, and Rafiqul Islam Bablu. Dr. Nazma Ahmad assumed the role of Senior Vice-President, while Khandakar Nazimuddin Ahmed and Salem Suleri became Vice-Presidents. Ataur Rahman Ata took on the position of Organising Secretary, Jamaluddin Jamal became Publicity Secretary, and Rafiqul Islam Azad was named Joint General Secretary. IFC to partner with MGI to set up country's first climate-smart steel plant The committee also included eleven members: Abdul Hye Sikdar, Abu Sayeed Shaheen, Mahmudul Huq Sanu, Sadrul Hasan, Nafisa Daulah, Syed Murshed, Kazi Mostafa Kamal, Prof. Azad Khan, Prof. Ananya Laboni, Nabil Jasim Ahmad, and Shahidul Islam. Additionally, the meeting selected four district conveners: Abu Bakar Siddique from Kurigram, Bari Sarkar from Chilmari, Advocate Mujibur Rahman from Munshiganj, and Aziz Ahmed from Rangunia, Chattogram.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have unilataraly released 153 war detainees, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reports AP. This action, announced on Saturday, is part of several recent efforts to ease tensions following the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Yemen's Houthi rebels release crew of commercial vessel seized in Red Sea in November 2023 Earlier prisoner releases were seen as a step towards negotiations aimed at ending Yemen’s decade-long war, which started when the Houthis took over the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. However, this release coincides with the Houthis’ detention of seven Yemeni U.N. workers, prompting condemnation from the U.N. The detainees, who had previously been visited and assisted by Red Cross staff in Sanaa, underwent medical checks before their release. The ICRC welcomed the move, calling it a positive step towards reviving talks. Christine Cipolla, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen, noted that the release brought relief to families awaiting their loved ones and expressed hope for similar initiatives in the future. Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the Houthis' Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, stated that those released included individuals who were sick, wounded, or elderly, describing the move as a trust-building measure to establish serious and honest relations. Gas explosion kills 15 in central Yemen The Red Cross has previously overseen major prisoner exchanges, including a 1,000-prisoner swap in 2020, an 800-prisoner exchange in 2023, and another release in 2024. Earlier this week, the Houthis had pledged to reduce attacks on Red Sea shipping and released the crew of a ship seized in November 2023. The Yemeni conflict has caused over 150,000 deaths and created one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. While the Houthis have drawn attention to regional issues with shipping attacks during the Israel-Hamas war, they have also faced pressure from U.S.-led and Israeli strikes. Simultaneously, Yemen’s faltering economy has increased pressure for a negotiated peace. Despite a largely holding ceasefire, the Houthis have detained U.N. workers and others associated with international organisations. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has demanded the immediate release of detained U.N. staff, warning that such actions hinder aid efforts in Yemen. The U.N.’s work in Yemen, which delivers vital aid, has been suspended. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to reinstate a terrorism designation for the Houthis, which had been revoked by President Joe Biden, adds further complexity. Analysts suggest the recent detentions may be linked to this decision, though the Houthis have not officially commented. The group has been airing televised claims about individuals they accuse of collaborating with Western intelligence or Israel.

The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has said that all murders in independent Bangladesh must be tried in courts.  If not, the cycle of murders would never end, he said.  Similarly, he said the culture of looting will not end if incidents of looting aren't properly tried. "We want to build an exploitation-free, corruption-free, non-communal Bangladesh," he said.  Jamaat Ameer warns fascists will return if unity destroyed He made these comments as the chief guest at the Jamaat-e-Islami workers’ conference held at Gor-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in Dinajpur on Saturday noon. The conference was presided over by District Committee Amir, Principal Anisur Rahman. Other speakers included Central Committee Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Central Working Council member Principal Maulana Mamataj Uddin, and others. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy The workers' conference, organised after 20 years, was attended by grassroots leaders and workers from 14 district organisational committees, including female members, along with nearly a hundred thousand leaders and workers from surrounding areas. Earlier, they joined the conference in processions. The event was secured with strict security measures, including volunteers, and was conducted peacefully.

Police in a drive arrested eleven members of a gang while they were preparing to commit robbery in the guise of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) members from Khulshi in Chattogram district on Friday night. The arrestees were identified as Md Wazed, 36, Md Hossain, 42, Rubel hossain, 25, Mohi uddin, 45, Abdus Sabur, 37, Md Yeakub, 35, Mozaher Alam, 55, Md Romel, 41, Osman, 24, Abdul Mannan, 35 and Shawkat Akbar, 28. Six arrested for trying to snatch suspect from police custody at Dhaka’s New Market Mujibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Khulshi Police Station, said thirteen robbers in a microbus entered a multistoried building in Khulshi area around 12am. They introduced themselves as DGFI members to the security guards and entered the house of Gias Uddin Ansari, former managing director of Jamuna Oil Company, breaking open the door, after tying the legs and hand of the security guards with rope. Sensing the presence of the robbers, the other inhabitants of the building informed the matter to police. 26 muggers arrested in Dhaka, RAB says Later, police arrested eleven members of the gang while the others managed to flee the scene. They also recovered one Chinese axe, one toy pistol and fake identification papers from their possession.

Journalists, officials and employees of Bangla newspaper ‘Bhorer Kagoj’ staged protests in front of its office at Malibagh in the capital on Saturday, demanding an explanation from its management for its sudden closure and the settlement of their dues.  Carrying handwritten placards and raising slogans, the protesters expressed their frustration over the decision to shut down the newspaper. Hasina, her cohorts using laundered money to spread propaganda: Sarjis During the demonstration, the journalists spoke out against the management’s action and alleged financial irregularities.  Chief Reporter of the daily Khandaker Kawsar Hossain said, “After the editor was arrested, Arun Kumar Sarkar, the resident director of Saber Hossain Chowdhury’s business establishment, assumed the role of executive editor. He and the owners assured us that we would receive everything we are entitled to, but now they have stopped communicating with us.”  Describing the closure as unacceptable, he added, “The organisation has been shut down due to the corruption of the head of the financial department and administration.”  Chhatra Dal leader among 306 sued over attack on Regent Park Resort in Sylhet The protesters called for the immediate reopening of the newspaper or clearing their dues as per the Eighth Wage Board. A notice regarding the closure of the daily, launched on February 15, 1992, was hung on its Malibagh office main gate on January 20.  

In a bid to mitigate the severe liquidity crisis and prevent bankruptcies stemming from non-performing loans (NPLs), Bangladesh’s central bank has introduced a new provisioning model in compliance with international financial standards. The move aims to ensure banks are better equipped to handle loan defaults and maintain financial stability. The initiative comes as several banks, including those associated with prominent business groups, have struggled with significant NPLs, causing acute liquidity issues. In September last, the provisioning shortfall for 10 major banks exceeded Tk 50,000 crore, with two state-owned banks, Janata Bank and National Bank, accounting for 65% of this deficit. To address this crisis, the Bangladesh Bank has opted to implement the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS-9) Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model, which will gradually replace the previous provisioning system. Dutch-Bangla Bank to issue Tk 1,200 crore bonds This model, initially adopted in 2014, ensures that provisions are made early, based on a loan’s credit history, performance and future outlook, rather than waiting for the loan to default. The goal is to prevent sudden liquidity shocks in the banking sector when loans become non-performing. According to the Bangladesh Bank’s roadmap, the new system will be fully implemented by December 2027. Within this timeline, banks are required to establish dedicated working teams, including risk officers and financial officers, to transition to the new model. These teams will report their progress to the central bank in stages, starting with an update in April 2025. By July 2026, the full framework will be in place, with final reports submitted to the Bangladesh Bank. Bangladesh Bank extends import bill payment period to 360 days The transition process will be carried out in phases, with 25% of loan portfolios automated under the ECL model starting in September 2026. The full implementation, covering 75% of loan portfolios, is expected by June 2027, with the entire banking sector’s provisioning system fully aligned with IFRS-9 standards by December 2027. Experts believe the new system will improve transparency in the banking sector, preventing the concealment of poor loan portfolios and ensuring that banks’ financial health is accurately reflected. Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Chairman of First Security Islami Bank, said that a similar model was introduced in the 1990s, revealing the true financial state of many banks that had previously hidden their weak positions. He, however, stressed that while the ECL model would improve provisioning, it would not eliminate the root cause of high NPLs, which often stem from governance issues. A senior official at the Bangladesh Bank highlighted that the ECL model would allow for automated reporting, eliminating the possibility of data manipulation. This shift will provide the central bank with real-time insights into the financial condition of each bank, enabling timely interventions when necessary. The official also noted that banks would need to strengthen their IT infrastructure to meet the demands of this transition, and that the central bank would monitor the capabilities of each bank’s implementation team closely. BIDA launches FDI Heatmap to attract targeted investment in key sectors As Bangladesh continues to navigate the challenges posed by non-performing loans, the adoption of the IFRS-9 model marks a significant step towards restoring stability and transparency in the country’s banking sector. Experts said that robust corporate governance and enhanced oversight will be crucial for the system to be effective in the long term.

Bangladesh women's team narrowly missed the direct qualification for the ICC Women's 0DI World Cup 2025 losing to hosts West Indies by eight wickets in a series deciding day-night 3rd and last ODI match at the Warner Park, Basseterre in St Kitts Friday night  After the Friday' s  match, Bangladesh women' s team not only failed to qualify for World Cup directly, but also lost the three- match ODI series 1-2 against the Caribbeans. Bangladesh women's needed just an outright victory or no result in Friday's 3rd and last match for their direct qualification in ODI World Cup, but suffered a frustrating eight wicket defeat destroying their long charished dream. New Zealand qualified to play in the World Cup directly toppling Bangladesh by virtue of better run rate despite of securing 21 points in the Women's Championship  like Bangladesh. Women's ODI Series: Bangladesh taste maiden victory against West Indies in any format Earlier, Bangladesh Women's came close to fulfill their dream to play in the World Cup as they tasted the maiden win against West Indies in any format of cricket beating them by 60 runs in the 2nd ODI to level the three-match 1-1 last Tuesday after conceding a nine-wicket defeat in the first ODI. However, Bangladesh has an outside chance to qualify for  the eight-nation final round of the Women's ODI World Cup after playing in the six- team qualifying round with Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland, Scotland and Thailand. Top two teams of the qualifying round will earn the rights to play in the eight- team final round with Australia England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and hosts India. In the 3rd and last ODI on Friday night  Bangladesh women's team batted first after winning toss and were bundled out cheaply for just 118 runs in 43.5 overs with Sharmin Akter (37l  Sobhana Mostary (25) and Fargana Hoque  (22) were the main contributors  In reply, West Indian women's easily reached their target scoring 122 runs the loss of eight wickets in 27.3 overs.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said those who want to discover ‘Ziaism’ (Ziabad in Bangla) do not have good intentions. Speaking at a discussion on Saturday, he warned that if the interim government has any plans beyond democratic means to achieve its objectives, the consequences will not be good, and BNP’s support for it may not be sustained. Zia Parishad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, titled “Shaheed Zia's Contributions to the Great Liberation War and the Building of Modern Bangladesh”, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder and martyr President Ziaur Rahman. “We have never heard of the coinage ‘Ziaism’…those who oppose the BNP have discovered the term. I would like to clearly say that those who want to discover Ziaism do not have good intentions,” the BNP leader said. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy He said BNP neither glorified Ziaur Rahman as a great human being, nor placed his statues on the streets, nor hung his posters in prominent places, despite being in power thrice. The BNP leader said they kept Ziaur Rahman within the framework of party politics, discussing his activities and ideals. Khosru also claimed that even when BNP was in power three times at the state level, they never exploited Ziaur Rahman’s name and reputation for political gains. He said there are few leaders in the world who can be compared to Ziaur Rahman in terms of contributions to the Liberation War, nation-building, and state reform. “BNP was born for reforms. BNP has been reforming the state since its inception. BNP has implemented 90 percent of the reforms that have taken place in Bangladesh,” Khosru said. Six years ago, he said, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presented Vision-2030, outlining various reforms, including limiting the tenure of any individual as Prime Minister to two terms, introducing a bicameral parliament, and ensuring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. BNP leader Altaf calls for institutional restructuring to ensure fair elections “We developed these reform proposals with the post-Hasina era in mind. Yet, those who are now talking about reforms are essentially lecturing us with our own words,” the BNP leader observed. He said the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, was established with the support of the entire nation and all political parties. The BNP leader said they would continue to support the current government as it will ensure the peaceful transition of power to the next elected government. “This is the only purpose we’re all supporting and cooperating with this interim government. There is no other agenda beyond this.” He said those who run the government should keep this in mind before making any decisions or statements, as it would help prevent any problems from arising. The BNP leader, however, said, “If there is any plan to achieve anything beyond democracy regarding the restoration of the people’s ownership of Bangladesh and the transfer of power through elections, that probably will not be good. We’ll continue our support for bringing back democracy. But, if you want to do anything beyond that, the support is not going to last long.” The BNP Standing Committee member said a strong national unity is needed if Bangladesh is to emerge from the crisis it is currently facing. “We have to pull the nation out of the ditch it has fallen into with united efforts, upholding our unity.”

A 23-year-old garment worker was stabbed to death allegedly by some youths  at a slum at Diabari in Mirpur area of the capital on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Mizanur Rahman Milon, 23, son of Anarul of Rangpur district. Quoting Anarul’s father, inspector Faruk, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said Milon,  father of a child, used to live at the slum at Choto Diabari-1 in Mirpur area. Two motorcyclists killed being hit by train in Gazipur On Friday night, some youths snatched the mobile phone of one Biplab, 12, at the slum. When protested, a group of youths of the slum including Russel, Surya and Manik beat Milon up with sticks and stabbed him indiscriminately around 11 am, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared him dead around 12 am.

Interim government adviser Mahfuj Alam has said ‘anti-Bangladesh Awami League fascists’ will no longer be allowed to participate in elections. “If Awami League returns to power, fascism will also return,” he said while addressing a street rally in Hajiganj Bazar area of Chandpur town on Saturday. Mahfuj said only pro-Bangladesh political parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami will take part in the elections. Dr Yunus hailed as "beacon, hero, amazing image of stability" at Davos: Shafiqul Alam Through a fair election and positive competition among all political parties, governance in Bangladesh will be reestablished, he said. “We no longer want the fascist regimes of Sheikh Mujib or Sheikh Hasina. We want pro-Bangladesh forces will rule the country,” the adviser added. Dr Yunus calls for a system allowing people to vote "freely, fairly without any threat" Student representatives from Chandpur and Hajiganj Upazila were present during the event.

Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) has appreciated the government for providing accurate data of the country's economic trends and stressed the need for improvement in law and order situation to attract local and foreign investment. “The government should pay extra focus on improving the law and order situation,” said Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Pervez), president of the BCI, while addressing a press conference at its office in the city on Saturday. Presenting different data on the country’s economic trends, he said some of the sectors of the economy have progressed while the situation in some of the sectors has deteriorated. He said the deterioration in different sectors took place over the last two years, resulting in different challenges in the economy. BCI workshop on patent, design, trademark held He, however, differed with some decisions of the interim government including a 9 percent salary increment in the country’s readymade garment sector. Other leaders of the BCI were present during the press conference. Anwar-ul-Alam said the production at the industries has dropped by 30-40 percent because of the high inflation, high bank interest, contraction-based economic policy, increased cost in transport and freight charge. These have led to a decline in the private sector credit growth, he said  adding the credit growth came down to 7.66 percent in November from 10.13 percent in July this year. The BCI president criticised the government for its move to raise the gas price when it has increased over 200 percent in the last two years. “The foreign exchange reserve position has come to a stable position while the balance of payment situation has also improved,” he said. Business revenues drop due to high inflation: BCI  “We appreciate the government for releasing accurate data on the economy. Earlier all the data had been manipulated during the Awami League regime,” he added. He said that the BCI will again come out with some recommendations as to how the manufacturing sector can overcome the crises it has been facing.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday arrived in Dhaka from Switzerland after attending the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos where he was hailed as a "beacon, hero and an amazing image of stability." A commercial flight of the Emirates Airlines carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:06pm. Dr Yunus departed the Zurich International Airport at 9:50 pm (Swiss time) on Friday night (January 24). Saudi firm interested to transform Matarbari into regional mega port Top private companies are "convinced" about the country's "potentials and its stability" in the post revolution months, said Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, adding that they are impressed with the latest economic numbers. "One thing was quite clear that the biggest decision the students made just after the fall of Hasina was to persuade Prof Yunus to head the interim government. And that has made all the difference," Alam said. Bangladesh's Davos mission concluded on a high note, said the Press Secretary, adding that the Chief Adviser and his small Davos team is back home "with their heads held high". Prof Yunus held 47 meetings with heads of states, CEOs and dignitaries. Top European leaders are firmly backing the interim government and its reform agenda to restore democracy, Alam said. AsiaNet Forum 2025: Shaping the Future of Asia’s Media and PR Industry Top journalists from some of the world's best news outlets have queued to take Prof Yunus' interviews. "Nobody seems to be bothered by the propaganda campaign by the Indian outlets. They are very much aware of the dirty jobs that Indian media does for their political masters," said the Press Secretary. "The Tulip Siddiq saga in the UK added some extra layers to Hasina's "Highway Robbery" story. The Western press now know the kind of plunder and looting that took place during the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship," Alam said. Prof Yunus also spoke about the data manipulation, blaming the world for being blind during the "dictatorship". The Chief Adviser is scheduled to land in Dhaka on Saturday evening by an Emirates flight. Dr Yunus, who reached Davos on January 21, had four meetings with Heads of Government/State, four meetings with Minister-level dignitaries and ten meetings with heads/top executives of UN or similar organisations, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. The Chief Adviser had 10 meetings with CEOs/high-level business persons, attended nine WEF-hosted programs and four formal dinner and lunch events. WTO to support Bangladesh's LDC graduation, its DG tells Dr Yunus  Dr Yunus also had eight media engagements on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting in addition to joining two other events. Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah, among others, accompanied Dr Yunus. The World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting in Davos brought together world leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These included responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. This year's meeting convened under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: Some 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions attended the event.

A three-day school-level science competition in Bangladesh titled 'Inter-School STEM Fest 2025' ended on Saturday at the International Hope School Bangladesh in the capital. Students from more than 50 schools in the capital participated in the competition. Apart from the competition, various innovative science projects were also exhibited.  Qatar Charity provides medical equipment across Bangladesh The competition was organised by Hopean Math Programming and Robotics Club of International Hope School Bangladesh while 140 science projects were exhibited in the STEM Fest with the participation of 1,600 students. Various competitions were held on day one and project exhibitions, cultural programmes and prize distribution were held on the last day.  The formalities of the competition started with the Physics Olympiad at 10 am on Friday while 262 students from different schools participated in it.  On the same day, there was a Programming Olympiad with the participation of 50 students and a Biochemistry Olympiad with the participation of 221 students. Students from classes 3 to 12 participated in these Olympiads in different categories.  Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 launched in Bangladesh The closing day was organised with the Mathematics Olympiad on Saturday in which students from classes 6 to 12 as well as classes 3 to 5 participated while the closing day included project exhibitions, prize distribution and a fascinating cultural program.  This year, the judges were Professor Dr. Abu Raihan, a teacher from Islamic University of Technology, Mir Abdul Baki Prince, Business Head of Japan Scholartech, Ahsan Habib, Head of ICT Department of BIT School, Hans Ankur, Head of Physics Department of Glenreach International School,  Jamurat Parvin, a teacher from Manarat Dhaka International College, Dr. Ishrat Jabin of NorthSouth University, and others. The school students performed group dances and songs. There was also a stand-up comedy show by Navid Mahbub and a magic show by Magic Rajik.

Sarjis Alam, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, has alleged that ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her cohorts are using launderd money to fund propaganda cells spreading misinformation to confuse and divide people.  "The people of Bangladesh are conscious enough to see through these lies which only serve as a source of amusement for them," he told reporters after attending the Skill Development Youth Summit of the month-long Youth Festival at Mokbular Rahman Government College ground in Panchagarh on Saturday.  Sarjis steps down from Shaheed Sriti Foundation He said they are working to uphold the dreams and spirit of  people focusing on building a better future. “Giving importance to such propaganda is nothing but a waste of time."  "We don’t need a separate government for neutral elections. Under the guidance of Dr Muhammad Yunus, we can witness transparent elections in Bangladesh," he added.  He also highlighted the pivotal role of women in shaping a new Bangladesh saying that women were at the forefront of the mass uprising for a new Bangladesh and they will lead future endeavours as well. March for Felani: Sarjis Alam vows justice for border killing victims He also said building a prosperous future needs engagement of the youth.  Earlier in the day, Sarjis Alam along with Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani inaugurated the beautification project at Panchagarh Railway Station. 

Hamas has released four female Israeli soldiers it had held for 15 months, as part of a deal for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. This swap is the second exchange following a ceasefire agreement that started last weekend, aiming to pause the conflict for at least six weeks. The previous exchange occurred a few days ago, with the release of three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners. Israel, Hamas to swap hostages, prisoners amid ceasefire test The list of 200 Palestinian prisoners includes individuals convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis, with 120 militants serving life sentences. Some prisoners will be required to live in exile, and there are concerns over where they will be sent. The exchange process is part of a broader ceasefire that also allows more aid to reach Gaza. Despite these developments, tensions remain high, and the conflict continues to take a devastating toll on both sides.  

The admission test for the undergraduate programme of the Arts, Law and Social Science unit (B unit) of Dhaka University for the 2024-2025 academic session was held on Saturday. The admission test was held on Dhaka University campus and in 7 other divisional cities of the country. Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan visited the Arts Building exam center. Students demand MBBS admission test results be republished Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Dr. Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, and Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmad were present. VC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan expressed satisfaction over the smooth and peaceful conduct of the admission test. SUST students protest against discriminatory quotas and high fees He sincerely thanked all concerned for their cooperation in organising the test in a transparent and orderly manner. A total of 125,500 applicants applied for 2,934 seats this year.

A private U.S. spacecraft headed to the moon has captured breathtaking images of Earth during its journey. Firefly Aerospace's lunar lander, named Blue Ghost, is currently orbiting Earth and recently fired its thrusters to set course for the moon. The spacecraft, launched on January 15 from Florida by SpaceX, aims to land on the moon by March 2. It is carrying NASA experiments as part of the agency's mission to return astronauts to the moon in the coming years. Bezos' New Glenn rocket successfully orbits on debut flight Blue Ghost is one of two landers launched on the same day; the other, sponsored by the Japanese company ispace, will take a longer route and land in late May or early June. This marks Firefly's first moon mission, while ispace is on its second attempt after its first lander crashed in 2023. The ispace lander, Resilience, is currently orbiting Earth, preparing for its own lunar approach.

A woman was beaten to death with a hammer allegedly by her husband in the capital’s Bangshal area on Friday evening.  The victim was identified as Maksuda Khanam, 30, of Gopalpur village in Enayetpur upazila of Sirajganj district. Sub-Inspector Md Ferdous Alam of Bangshal Police Station said vicitm’s husband Ibrahim Khan, 37 informed police after the killing and police detained him. Lineman dies falling from ladder in Shahbagh Maksuda’s body was recovered and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for an autopsy.  According to victim’s uncle Abdul Latif Maksuda married Ibrahim two years ago in a family-arranged ceremony and the couple has a one-year-old daughter. Hanging body found near Central Shaheed Minar Family members alleged that Ibrahim used to quarrel with Maksuda over minor issues. Maksuda’s younger brother Mostafizur Rahman  filed a murder case at Bangshal Police Station.

With inflation already near record levels and traders raising the prices of essential commodities ahead of Ramadan, low- and middle-income families fear greater struggles as the fasting month approaches. The interim government has assured that it has taken measures to ensure a steady supply of essential commodities and prevent syndicate-created market instability during the holy month. Prices are usually increased during Ramadan almost every year using various excuses and the past experiences raise no hope among general people despite the government's assurance. Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin told UNB that various initiatives have been taken to keep the prices stable and ensure adequate stock of essentials ahead of Ramadan and Eid. "The government is making every effort to control prices during Ramadan. Strict monitoring will be ensured to keep the market free of syndicates," the adviser said. No change in duties until Ramadan ends: Finance Adviser The government is ready to maintain the supply of essential items such as dates, chickpeas, lentils and other staples during Ramadan. “The food market will remain stable and prices are expected to decrease." Adviser Bashir Uddin said he warned traders against unethical practices and urged them to act responsibly and help keep the market stable during Ramadan. The government’s main aim is to protect the sanctity of Ramadan and create a market environment that brings relief to consumers, he added. Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has instructed field-level officials to prioritise the smooth supply of goods and keep the prices of essentials within people’s purchasing capacity during the fasting month, he said. The government has taken some steps, including market monitoring, syndicate control and ensuring uninterrupted supply of essentials, he said. Controlling Syndicates The adviser said monitoring has been intensified to prevent artificial crises and price hikes caused by syndicates of traders. Keep prices under control during Ramadan: CA to officials The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and other law enforcement agencies will work to check unethical practices. Uninterrupted Supply Adequate stocks of essential items such as rice, lentils, sugar, cooking oil, onions and garlic have been ensured and measures have been taken to prevent any disruptions in import and supply chains. Daily Market Monitoring Daily surveillance will be enhanced to detect and penalise unscrupulous traders and instant action will be taken against those attempting to create artificial crises. The adviser said consumers have been urged to avoid panic buying and purchase goods at fair prices. Expansion of TCB Activities The distribution of essentials through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) at subsidised  rates have been scaled up to ensure availability of goods throughout Ramadan. Govt trying to keep prices of essentials tolerable till Ramadan: Finance Adviser Special Task Force A special task force under the Ministry of Commerce has been formed to monitor market trends and prevent artificial crises. According to Commerce Ministry officials, the imports of essential commodities such as chickpeas, lentils, dates, sugar and soybean oil have been expedited to ensure steady supply until Ramadan. The government has also planned to establish storages to control potato prices. Inflation Bangladesh’s economy in 2024 faced major challenges as rampant inflation not only eroded purchasing power but also overshadowed the country’s progress in other areas. Commodity prices to stay below normal during Ramadan: Commerce Adviser The inflation rate in Bangladesh reached an alarming average of 11.38% in November 2024, marking the highest level in over a decade. It hit 11.66 percent in July, the highest at least since the 2010-11 fiscal year, driven mainly by food prices reflecting the worsening of the purchasing capacity of people. This sharp increase was fuelled primarily by escalating food prices, which constitute a significant portion of household expenditure and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation, in particular, hovered around 12%-14% for most of the year, as prices of essentials like rice, cooking oil, and vegetables surged. Non-food inflation also rose steadily, driven by increased transportation costs, higher utility bills, and imported goods becoming more expensive due to currency depreciation.

The Traffic Department  of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 2,728 cases in two days till Friday during a special drive against traffic rules violation in the capital. The operations were conducted on Thursday and Friday when 125 vehicles were dumped and 51 were towed for serious rules violations, according to a DMP release issued on Saturday.  Biman bomb threat came from Pakistani number: DMP The DMP's Traffic Department  reiterated that similar drives will continue to ensure discipline on the city’s roads and to promote adherence to traffic regulations.

A technical issue temporarily disrupted Dhaka Metro Rail services on the Pallabi-Motijheel route, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for nearly an hour on Saturday. The incident caused significant delays and overcrowding at stations before partial service resumed. According to sources at the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the problem began after 1 PM when the last train departing from Uttara Centre station towards Motijheel encountered difficulties. Metro Rail’s Friday schedule revised Passengers said that the train halted mid-track just before reaching Uttara South station and remained stationary for approximately 15 minutes. It was eventually brought back to Uttara Centre station, where passengers were asked to disembark. The metro authorities then worked to resolve the issue, operating the train without passengers. Partial service between Motijheel and Pallabi resumed after an hour. But trains travelling from Uttara to Motijheel are yet to return to their regular schedule. The Dhaka Metro Rail system, inaugurated to great fanfare, has quickly become a vital part of the city’s transportation network. From tomorrow, Metro Rail will also operate on Fridays Offering a faster, more reliable alternative to the heavily congested roadways, it has earned widespread popularity among commuters. DMTCL assured passengers that measures are being taken to prevent similar issues in the future and to ensure the reliability of metro services.

A total of 1,200 birds, trapped by poachers, have been rescued and freed at Rajpath village in Mollahat Upazila of  Bagerhat. Many traps and bird-hunting equipment were seized during the drive led by Mollahat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Harekrishna Adhikari.  Tipped off, the drive was conducted in a temporary shelter built by the poachers in the beel and the captured birds were rescued before they could be sold. The birds, identified as Jhut Shalik, were released back into their natural habitat in a beel (lake-like wetland). The poachers managed to flee. Chilly weather batters Lalmonirhat However, suspects were identified and the local police were directed to file a case against them, said the UNO.  The seized traps and nets were subsequently burned to prevent future use.  “The poachers had planned to sell the birds in bulk but the prompt drive stopped it,” said the UNO, adding that the administration’s efforts to curb bird poaching would continue.  Bagerhats’s wetlands, canals and fisheries see a rise of both domestic and migratory birds during the winter, making them a target for poachers. These harmless and innocent creatures are often sold openly or through clandestine means with many being transported to other districts, he said.

A 30-year-old Bangladeshi man has been injured in firing by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Telkupi border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district. The injured man, identified as Habil, 30, son of Belal from Mollatola village in Shahbazpur Union, is currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. BGB 59 Battalion Commander Lt Col Golam Kibria said  BSF personnel opened fire around 3:30am on Friday when a group of six to seven smugglers tried to cross the border, leaving Habil injured. Habil’s companions managed to rescue him and bring him back to Bangladesh. Locals apprehend Indian farmer in Dinajpur after BSF takes Bangladeshi farmer He was taken to Chapainawabganj district hospital for primary treatment and then shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. Dr Kausar Hasan, an emergency department physician at Chapainawabganj district hospital, said Habil was admitted to the hospital around 7am on Saturday where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the chest.

Bangladesh has signed a non-binding agreement with a US firm, Argent LNG, to purchase up to 5 million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually. Argent LNG is developing a 25 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) LNG facility in Louisiana. This is the first major US LNG supply deal since President Donald Trump took office on Monday, according to a statement issued by Argent LNG. LNG supply period extended for 7 companies Since coming to power, Trump has taken executive action to end the Department of Energy's pause on licenses to export the super-chilled gas to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States, as he tries to increase US exports of LNG.  If the Argent LNG project in Port Fourchon is completed, its cargoes could be sold to Petrobangla, according to the agreement. "This agreement not only ensures a reliable energy supply for Bangladesh’s expanding industrial base but also strengthens our strategic partnership with the United States," said Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. Acute gas crisis looms as one LNG terminal set to be shut Friday Bangladesh has been striving to address its long-term energy needs by expanding its reliance on LNG. However, the country remains highly price-sensitive. In 2022, as LNG prices surged following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Bangladesh shifted back to using more affordable coal. Source: With input from agencies    

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in separate drives have arrested 10 suspected muggers along with sharp weapons from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Adabor areas. The arrestees were Mehedi alias Mehedi, 28, Md Mainuddin 22, Md Sharif alias Mohon, 30, Md Moin Ali, 20, Ahmed Amit, 22, Md Masum, 34, Md Chanu Mia, 28, Md Shahin, 27, Md Ibrahim Khalil, 22 and Akash, 19. Tipped off,  they conducted separate drives in Mohammadpur and Adabor areas of the capital on Friday night and arrested the muggers along with some sharp weapons, said Khan Asif Tapu, assistant superintendent of police (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Six arrested for trying to snatch suspect from police custody at Dhaka’s New Market Mehedi was the prime accused in a robber case and had long been involved in different criminal activities including that of mugging, drug trade and extortion.  

Israel and Hamas were expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend and another test for the deal. The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group. The fragile deal has so far held, quieting airstrikes and rockets and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory. When the ceasefire started Sunday, three hostages held by the militants were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. On Saturday, four hostages are expected to be freed for 200 prisoners, including 120 who are serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis. They will likely be released into Gaza or sent abroad. The four Israeli soldiers, Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19, were captured in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war. Syria's economic struggles persist despite Assad's ousting They were taken from Nahal Oz base near the border with Gaza when Palestinian militants overran it, killing more than 60 soldiers there. The female abductees had all served in a unit of lookouts charged with monitoring threats along the border. A fifth female soldier in their unit, Agam Berger, 20, was abducted with them but not included in the list. After the swap, Israel is expected to begin pulling back from the Netzarim corridor — an east-west road dividing Gaza in two — and allowing displaced Palestinians in the south to return to their former homes in the north for the first time since the beginning of the war. Palestinians will only be allowed to move north on foot, with vehicular traffic restricted until later in the ceasefire. What happens after the deal’s initial six-week phase is uncertain, but many hope it will lead to the end of a war that has leveled wide swaths of Gaza, displaced the vast majority of its population, and left hundreds of thousands of people at risk of famine. The conflict began with a cross-border attack led by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 others hostage. Bittersweet feeling for Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons More than 100 hostages were freed in a weeklong truce the following month. But dozens have remained in captivity for over a year with no contact with the outside world. Israel believes at least a third of the more than 90 captives still inside Gaza were killed in the initial attack or died in captivity. Israel's air and ground war, one of the deadliest and most destructive in decades, has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants. They say women and children make up more than half the fatalities.

Severe cold coupled with dense fog has disrupted daily life in Lalmonirhat district for the past several days as temperatures continue to fall. A thick blanket of fog has engulfed the northern district, reducing visibility and hampering traffic movement. The mist, which resembles drizzle, combined with icy winds, has worsened the situation. Mustafizur Rahman, in-charge at the Rangpur Weather Office, said the temperature in the district was recorded at 11.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. Mild cold wave sweeping over parts of country: BMD He warned of a further drop in temperatures in the coming days. Low-income people are lighting fires with straw and twigs to combat the chill while vehicles are moving cautiously on roads and highways with headlights on throughout the day. Hospitals are witnessing a rise in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses particularly children and the elderly. Daily-wage earners, especially those living near the Teesta River, are the worst sufferers. “The cold feels more intense due to the fog. Although daytime temperatures rise slightly, it becomes severe cold after sunset,” said Anwar Hossain, a teacher of Duhuli School in Kaliganj Upazila. Severe cold grips Kurigram; low-income people hit hard Farmers are also struggling as the severe cold hampers their work. “For days, the cold has been more severe after sunset. Fog covers the area from night till dawn, and we haven’t seen the sun in days. This weather is seriously affecting our farming activities,” said Shakil Mia, a farmer of Kakina area. Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sifat Anwar Tumfa said authorities are distributing blankets and warm clothing among the affected population focusing on the most vulnerable communities. “We are prioritising the distribution of warm clothing in the Teesta River basin to mitigate the impact of the cold,” he said.

Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed says there’s no harm in preparing wickets for spinners at home to get favorable results as Pakistan eyes a clean sweep against the West Indies in their two-match test series. Spin trio Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed claimed all 20 wickets in Pakistan’s 127-run victory in the first test at Multan, which also hosts the second test starting Saturday. “If we had taken these decisions earlier, then we would have been in the race for the World Test Championship final,” Javed told reporters Friday. “The rule of test cricket is to win at home. If you win at home and you win 2-3 tests away, you become a strong candidate for the final.” Javed said “of course” they were right "to prepare a spin pitch against West Indies. Their batters are not as proficient against spin when compared to fast bowling.” Pakistan is No. 8 just ahead of last-place West Indies in the WTC standings with Australia and South Africa already into this June’s final at Lord’s. Pakistan lost 2-0 to Bangladesh at home and then trailed 1-0 against England before Javed took over the pitch preparations, drying out the 22-yard pitches in Multan and Rawalpindi with the help of industrial-sized fans and patio heaters. Australia's women win Ashes series with another T20 victory over England The engineered pitches favoured the home spinners as Pakistan recorded a 2-1 series win against England and followed it with another convincing win against the West Indies. “We think we can prepare these pitches in every center of Pakistan, and it should be as difficult to beat Pakistan here as it is to beat Australia or South Africa away,” Javed said. “People should know if they’re going to Pakistan, they will have to do something extraordinary to beat Pakistan.” The spin domination has seen Pakistan going with just one fast bowler, Khurram Shahzad, in the first test. Without naming any present day Pakistan fast bowler, Javed said Pakistan pacers have got a dip in their art of reverse swing with the old red-ball once used efficiently by the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the past. “We used to be strong on reverse swing, but now that skill level has gone down,” Javed said. “We have told our fast bowlers if you want to take wickets here, their reverse swing skill will have to go up.” The spin pitches in Pakistan have seen the home team batters struggle against quality spinners such as West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who took a match haul of 10 wickets in the first test. “If foreign players are struggling on these pitches, so are our players because they have never played on these pitches,” Javed said. "We have told them their training and practice routines will be geared towards this, and we will change domestic pitches, too.” Pakistan starts the next WTC cycle in October when it hosts South Africa for two test matches.

South Koreans are using flower wreaths and K-pop light sticks as symbols of political protest during the country’s most significant political crisis in decades, triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law in December. Thousands of flower wreaths, many criticizing Yoon and other officials involved in the martial law controversy, have been sent to his residence and government buildings linked to the impeachment process, AP reports. Local media estimate the number of wreaths delivered to government offices at several thousand. Messages range from moderate to extreme, reflecting the deepening political divide. Funeral wreaths with black ribbons and white chrysanthemums, as well as celebratory arrangements of roses and orchids, cost up to $75 and carry messages of both support and condemnation. South Korea's impeached president arrested over martial law declaration This protest tactic has seen growing media attention. Analysis from Big Kinds, a database of over 100 local news outlets, shows that media coverage of wreath protests in 2024 was four times higher than in 2023. Though the exact origin of this method is unclear, it first appeared in the early 2010s. While many flower shops deny receiving orders for protest wreaths, some have become central to the movement. Yoon Miyoung, owner of Dongsung Flower in Seoul, said her shop has delivered over 1,000 wreaths since December, primarily for pro-Yoon supporters. “Seoul is running out of flowers,” she remarked, noting that about a third of her customers are in their 20s and 30s, with orders also coming from Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands. Experts view wreath protests as a unique but polarizing form of demonstration. Sociology professor Choi Hang-sub from Kookmin University compared the messages on wreaths to offline hate speech, akin to malicious online comments. Jungwon University’s Kim Hern Sik described the method as confined to certain political groups, limiting its broader appeal. Environmental concerns have also been raised, as most wreaths use non-eco-friendly materials. However, Kim highlighted younger generations’ innovative protest methods, such as using K-pop light sticks at rallies. During pro-impeachment protests last December, demonstrators wielded light sticks from bands like BIGBANG and NCT, valued at around $50, to express their views. The crisis began on December 3 when Yoon imposed martial law and deployed troops to the National Assembly, leading to his impeachment on December 13. Arrested on January 19, Yoon now faces rebellion charges as the Constitutional Court deliberates his fate within the next 180 days.

The Brutalist tells the story of Hungarian immigrant and holocaust survivor László Tóth, who is trying to rebuild his life in post-war America through his work as an architect. Oscar winner Adrien Brody delved deep into his own family history for his portrayal of the character, reflecting on his mother and grandparents' experiences in fleeing their native Hungary, which after World War Two was becoming a satellite state of the Soviet Union, BBC reports. "The wonderful thing is, it's an opportunity for me to honour my ancestral struggles - my mother and my grandparents' hardships and loss in fleeing Hungary in the '50s and emigrating to the United States. Most Awaited Films of 2025: Sneak Peek at Hollywood's Biggest Releases "[It's] very moving to be reminded of the details and hardships that they experienced that very much parallel the lived experience of my character," Brody says. The actor says his character's drive to create also reflects his own path as an actor. "Any artistic person, I think, can relate to the struggle and yearnings to leave, create a body of work and leave behind something of great meaning," he says. Epic length The relationships in the film might be intimate and personal, but they're set against a backdrop that is in so many ways epic - not least its running time. It clocks in at over three-and-a-half hours - something that might put off some moviegoers. But director Brady Corbet believes The Brutalist's length really shouldn't deter audiences. "For me, I think that the length of a movie is similar to the length of a book, a double album, a painting with a big canvas. "I love small portraits and I love Anselm Kiefer (a German artist known for his large-scale installations). There's a space for both of them, you know. And at the end of the day, especially because the film has an intermission, it's only 100 minutes on each side, so it's not so bad." Felicity Jones, who plays Tóth's wife, Erzsébet, says she spends a huge amount of time looking for realistic female characters who are more than just weak offshoots of their husbands. "I spend most of my life foraging through scripts, trying to find decent characters to play. That's a huge part of it," she explains. "I have to find someone who has some kind of spunk, or has some fight in them. Some sense of defiance is so key, so when I read the script it was an absolute no-brainer. "I thought this woman is tremendous. But... they are few and far between, for sure. When you get something like this, you just grab it with both hands." In the film, Tóth is hired by rich industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren to design and build a vast project as a tribute to his late mother. Van Buren, played by Guy Pearce, is a man who is in awe of the architect's talent. A useful parallel, then, for the actor. Two Hollywood films, “Wicked” and “Red One”, set to premiere in Bangladesh "I suppose so," admits the Australian. "I really admire Adrien and his work. I think he's an extraordinary actor. "It was really interesting the way Adrien played his role. He plays a man who has almost more sense of self than Van Buren does, which was a great thing for me to work off because I think Van Buren, even though he admires László, he probably is patronising of him. "He probably expects him to be more subservient than he is, so it was a great dynamic between the two of us." On Thursday, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars, including a best-actor nomination for Brody. Even before the Academy Awards shortlists were announced, Brody said how thankful he was for the reception the film had received from awards bodies. "I'm just really grateful and I'm very appreciative of having had a chance to flourish in a work that I've dedicated a life towards. And when that is received with respect and appreciation. It's very rewarding." The Brutalist is released in cinemas on January 24.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who had been receiving treatment at a London clinic for various health conditions, was discharged on Friday night. She received her discharge papers at 9:30 pm local time (3:30 am Bangladesh time), according to her personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. Later, he said the BNP chief went to the home of her elder son Tarique Rahman. "Alhamdulillah, Madam (Khaleda) has been discharged from the clinic and is now at the residence of our party's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman," he said. Khaleda likely to be discharged from London Clinic this evening Khaleda will continue her medical treatment at Tarique's residence under the supervision of Professor John Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross, both of whom had been overseeing her care at the clinic. Dr Zahid said the Bangladeshi doctors who accompanied Khaleda to London will continue to monitor her condition. The medical board at the London Clinic, headed by Professor Kennedy, reviewed all of Khaleda Zia’s medical reports before granting her discharge. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister, who suffers from liver cirrhosis, kidney and heart issues, diabetes, and arthritis, will adhere to strict medical protocols at home, as per UK regulations. Following her discharge, Tarique Rahman personally drove his mother home, with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, sitting in the front seat alongside him. Upon her arrival at home, Khaleda was warmly greeted by Tarique's daughter, Zaima Rahman, along with the daughters of the late Arafat Rahman Koko Zafia Rahman and Zahiya Rahman and their mother, Syeda Shamila Rahman. Khaleda Zia was admitted to the London Clinic on January 8, shortly after arriving in the UK aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar. Since then, she had been under the care of a medical board led by liver specialist Professor John Patrick Kennedy.

There's no question about whether sleep is important for heart and brain health. Study after study has shown that it is. Questions about the importance of how you sleep – on your back, on your side, on your stomach – haven't been asked nearly as often. But experts say sleep position can indeed matter, at least in some situations. In general, sleep position is a matter of personal preference, said Dr. Rachel Salas, a sleep neurologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness in Baltimore. Initially, she said, it's like Goldilocks: People gravitate toward whatever feels just right. But that can evolve over time. Your bedroom, your mattress, where your windows are and who you sleep with can all affect your choices, said Dr. Susan Redline, the Peter C. Farrell Professor of Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. So can injuries or chronic pain, said Redline, who also is a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. But while you can make a conscious choice about which position you start out in each night, Salas said, "not a lot" of research has been done on the effects of that choice. Key questions that can help to maintain balance as you age Researchers have looked at sleep position in people with heart failure, a condition where the heart does not pump effectively. People with heart failure often experience shortness of breath that worsens when they sleep on their left side, Salas said, leading many to prefer their right. But she said sleeping on the left side might be better for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, the symptoms of which can sometimes be confused with heart issues. Sleeping on the left side also is known to help blood flow in pregnant women. Some research has looked into how sleep position might affect how the brain removes waste. "But I don't think there's anything ready for prime time," said Dr. Devin L. Brown, a professor of neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. One of the best-understood connections between sleep position and heart and brain health involves sleep apnea, where breathing stops and restarts during slumber, Redline said. "Most people with sleep apnea have much, much worse sleep apnea when they sleep on their back versus on their sides." Sleep apnea affects cardiovascular health in several ways, she said. As the body works harder to pull in air, it triggers a stress response. Apnea can also raise carbon dioxide levels in the blood and interfere with deep sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, a type that stems from anatomical issues, has been associated with irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure and other problems. It also is a risk factor for stroke, said Brown, who, along with Redline, helped write a 2024 American Heart Association scientific statement on the role optimal sleep may have on brain health. A 2011 clinical trial published in the journal Sleep Medicine, co-written by Brown, found avoiding the supine (face-up) position modestly reduced the severity of apnea in people who'd had a stroke. "We don't know, however, if treatment to avoid supine positioning, or any other treatment for sleep apnea, helps reduce the risk of stroke," she said. Setting boundaries at workplace improves health and well-being According to a 2021 AHA scientific statement that both Redline and Brown contributed to, sleep apnea affects approximately 34% of middle-aged men and 17% of middle-aged women, and many cases are undiagnosed. "There are people who have what we call positional obstructive sleep apnea, meaning that they only have apnea in a certain position," Salas said. Most of the time that's when they are back-sleepers. To combat that problem, Salas and Redline noted the availability of a range of products, from electronic devices that wake people when they roll onto their backs to shirts with pockets in the back for a tennis ball, which can encourage sleepers to shift into another position if they roll over. "I think the bottom line for most people is if they have sleep apnea, sleeping on your side, in most cases, may be very helpful," Redline said. And if you don't have sleep apnea or snore, sleeping in a position you feel most comfortable in and where you wake least frequently "is probably the simplest common-sense advice." She emphasized the importance of sleep. Most adults should average seven to nine hours of sleep each night, according to the AHA. "We know now that sleep really touches every body system, including the heart and the brain, and it does so through influencing the health of our blood vessels, the health of our immune system," and much more, Redline said. Salas said people "should definitely be aware of and reflect on what position they're sleeping in." People get into habits and can be reluctant to experiment with position in pursuit of better sleep, but Salas encourages them to do so. A change as simple as replacing a decades-old pillow or putting a rolled towel between their knees to help with back pain, can make a difference, she said. Morning coffee may lower risk of early death, study finds If you can't find a comfortable position, don't ignore that, Salas said. If a patient tells her they can't breathe when they sleep flat, or they have to sleep in a recliner, it's a sign that "there definitely could be something more serious going on." If you feel like you're getting enough sleep at night but still fall asleep during meetings or movies, talk to a health care professional, Salas suggested. No matter the position, sleep needs to be a priority, she said, and "only you can make sleep a priority. Nobody else can do that for you." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved.

A mild cold wave is sweeping over parts of country and it may spread, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Saturday. According to the regular bulletin of the Met office, “A mild cold wave is sweeping over the districts of Dinajpur and Panchagarh and it may spread over some places.” Besides, moderate to thick fog may occur at places over the country during midnight to morning and it may continue till noon at places, it said. Biting cold batters Panchagarh, stikes poor most Air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may disrupt temporarily due to thick fog. Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Night temperature may fall by 1-2°C and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The lowest temperature in the country today was recorded at9.2 degrees Celsius in Dinajpur while the highest temperature was recorded at 31.2 degrees Celsius in Teknaf on Friday.          

Released on December 11, 2024, the realme Neo7 has quickly gained attention for its impressive features tailored to gamers and multitaskers alike. With a sleek design, powerful performance, and standout camera capabilities, it aims to dominate the mid-range market. In this review, we’ll break down the realme Neo7’s key specs, pros, cons, and pricing in Bangladesh to see if it lives up to the hype. Key Features of realme Neo7 . Design and Build Quality The realme Neo7 boasts a robust design with dimensions of 162.6 mm by 76.4 mm by 8.6 mm and a weight of 213g. It is slightly heavier (191g) and thicker (8.7mm) than the realme GT Neo6. The inclusion of IP68/IP69 certification sets Neo7 one step ahead of the realme GT Neo6 and other competitors like the OnePlus Ace 5 and Honor GT, as these devices only offer IP65 resistance.  Its sleek design and sturdy Crystal Armor glass on the front make it more premium and durable. However, its heft may not appeal to users preferring lightweight devices. Read more: Honor Magic7 Pro Review: A Flagship Killer or Just Another Premium Phone? Display Quality The realme Neo7 features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1264 by 2780 pixels (~450 PPI). The screen delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts, supported by a peak brightness of 6000 nits, which is superior to the Honor GT’s 4000 nits and OnePlus Ace 5’s 4500 nits but comparable to the realme GT Neo6.  Its 120 Hz refresh rate ensures fluid scrolling and gaming, matching the industry standard for premium mid-range devices. However, while the HDR support is excellent for media consumption, the Honor GT’s slightly smaller screen (6.7-inch) offers a more compact alternative for one-handed use. Camera Performance The realme Neo7 houses a dual rear camera setup featuring a 50 MP (f/1.9) primary sensor with OIS and an 8 MP (f/2.2) ultrawide lens. The main sensor excels in low-light photography and delivers well-balanced colors, outperforming the realme GT Neo6 in dynamic range but falling short of the triple-camera system on the OnePlus Ace 5, which includes a dedicated macro lens. Meanwhile, the Honor GT’s camera performance is comparable but lacks the advanced image processing algorithms of the Neo7.  Read more: OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Is It Worth Buying? For selfies, the 16 MP (f/2.4) front camera provides decent quality but lags behind the 32 MP selfie camera of the GT Neo6, which captures more details.  The Neo7’s rear sensor supports a maximum of 4K video recording with stabilization, ensuring smooth footage, similar to its competitors. However, the realme GT Neo6’s front camera can capture up to 4K footage which outwins Neo7, OnePlus Ace 5, and Honor GT featuring 1080p of utmost video recording capacity each. Processor Performance Under the hood, the Neo7 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, paired with an octa-core CPU and Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU. This 4 nm architecture ensures blazing-fast performance, placing it on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the OnePlus Ace 5 and Honor GT.  Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Review: Is It a Value-for-money Midranger? Compared to the realme GT Neo6’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the Neo7 delivers marginally better thermal efficiency, making it a better choice for extended heavy usage. Benchmark tests show the Neo7 excelling in multitasking and intensive applications, with its chipset providing a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the GT Neo6. Gaming Performance Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the realme Neo7’s HyperBoost gaming engine, which optimizes frame rates and reduces latency for a smoother experience. Popular games like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile run at high settings without noticeable frame drops. Thermal management is efficient, keeping the device cool during extended sessions, which is a slight improvement over the GT Neo6. While the OnePlus Ace 5 and Honor GT offer comparable gaming experiences, the Neo7’s larger battery gives it an edge in terms of playtime. Its immersive display and stereo speakers further enhance the gaming experience. Read more: Best Air Purifiers in Bangladesh: Price Guide, Top Models, and Buying Tips Battery Life The realme Neo7 features a massive 7000 mAh battery, a standout among its peers. This capacity allows for more than a day of heavy usage, even with demanding applications.  In contrast, the GT Neo6 has a 5500 mAh battery, and the Honor GT offers 5300 mAh. While the OnePlus Ace 5 comes close with a 6415 mAh battery, it still falls short of the Neo7’s endurance. Charging of Neo7 is handled by an 80W wired solution, which can fully charge the device in just over an hour. Although the GT Neo6 offers faster 120W charging, the Neo7’s larger battery capacity compensates by requiring less frequent charging. The absence of wireless and reverse wired charging in this price range can be a deal breaker for the realme Neo7. Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in January 2025: What to Expect Software and User Interface Out of the box, the Neo7 runs Android 15 with realme UI 6.0, offering a smooth and user-friendly experience. The updated interface includes enhanced customization options, improved widgets, and better multitasking features. Compared to the realme GT Neo6’s Android 14-based UI 5.0, the Neo7 provides a more polished software experience. The OnePlus Ace 5 and Honor GT run Android 15 with ColorOS 15 and MagicOS 9, respectively. While these UIs offer similar features, realme UI 6.0 stands out with its efficient resource management and minimal bloatware. However, the lack of long-term software updates compared to OnePlus devices may concern some users. Storage Options The Neo7 offers extensive storage configurations, including 256GB and 512GB options with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, as well as a premium 1TB variant. The use of UFS 4.0 technology ensures faster read and write speeds, ideal for data-intensive tasks.  However, none of these models support expandable storage, which might be a downside for users who need additional space.  Read more: Best Projectors to Create Home Theaters in Bangladesh in 2025 The GT Neo6, OnePlus Ace 5, and Honor GT offer similar storage configurations.  Pros and Cons of realme Neo7 . Pros  - IP68/IP69 dust and water-resistant.- LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 6000 nits brightness.- Powered by the Dimensity 9300+ chipset, great for gaming and multitasking.- 12/16GB RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage.- Massive 7000 mAh battery with 80W fast charging.- Crystal Armor glass for enhanced durability.- 5G, NFC, and infrared port support.- Dual rear camera (50MP) and 16MP selfie camera.- Supports 4K video recording.- Runs Android 15 with realme UI 6.0.- Stereo speakers and under-display fingerprint scanner. Read more: Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo Plus Review: A Game-Changer Among Mid-Range Gaming Smartphones Cons  - No 3.5mm audio jack.- Lacks expandable memory (no MicroSD card slot).- No reverse charging support.- No wireless charging support.- Selfie camera limited to 1080p video recording.- Missing optical zoom or advanced camera features.- FM radio is not supported.- Gyro-EIS for video stabilization is unavailable. Price of realme Neo7 in Bangladesh The realme Neo7 is priced at BDT 45,000 in Bangladesh, and its competitive pricing makes it an appealing option in the mid-range segment. Takeaways The Neo7 is perfect for gamers, multitaskers, and users seeking a durable, high-performance device with excellent battery life. However, it may disappoint those needing expandable storage, advanced camera features, a 3.5mm audio jack, and reverse or wireless charging supports. However, if these are no issues, the realme Neo7 is a competent gaming smartphone in the mid-range segment. Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Review: Is It a Value-for-money Gaming Smartphone?

Drug dealers try and attract the attention of delinquents by asking if they need ‘Tamak-baba’, street names for hem and yaba, at the Karwan Bazar Railway area, a hotspot of illegal drugs in the capital. The unabated sale of illegal drugs continues openly there amid the relaxed attitudes of law enforcement agencies and the Department of Narcotics (DNC). Visiting Karwan Bazar Railway area recently, dealers were seen waiting for buyers and approaching them openly to purchase drugs. A drug dealer who identified herself as Jharna, aged around 50, approached our correspondent and asked him if he needs “tamak-baba.” When the UNB correspondent replied that he did not understand what she meant, Jharna explained that Tamak means ganja, also known as marijuana or hem, and baba means contraband Yaba pills. DB arrests 2 drug peddlers with cannabis from Farmgate When the UNB correspondent asked for the price, she said a small packet (puria) of ganja sells for Tk 100 and a yaba pill costs Tk 300. In the meantime, a man aged around 60 came to the spot and asked our correspondent if he needed heroin, which would cost Tk 300 per puria. To get some information regarding illegal drug trading in the area from them, the UNB Correspondent bought one puria of ganja from the woman. Talking to UNB, Jharna said several women and youths in the area are engaged in illegal drug dealing, and there are also several linemen who control them. When asked whether police, Rab or DNC people are regularly raiding there, she replied that they are not so active. But when they do, most of the time they somehow get prior warnings. Local residents alleged that despite numerous drives by the law enforcement agencies, including Department of Narcotics over the years, the Karwan Bazar railway area in Dhaka city remains a major hotspot for illegal drug selling. They are increasingly frustrated as drug dealers appear to operate with impunity. Drug peddler arrested with marijuana in Kurigram Visiting the area, it is learnt that drug dealers, including women with infants, discreetly sell illegal drugs along the railway tracks, particularly near the busy wholesale fish market area. Besides, multiple criminal groups reportedly control different segments of the railway line, with operations extending up to the Tejgaon rail crossing. There are also allegations that some of these groups enjoy the protection or tacit approval of certain law enforcement officials, including local DNC officials, complicating efforts to combat the trade. Despite several attempts to curb the problem, including large-scale raids, the drug trade in the area continues. According to media report, a major operation was conducted by police comprising around 1000 members in May 2018, to dismantle the drug trade in the area. However, the operation was widely criticized for its lack of secrecy, as the authorities had publicly announced the raid in advance, giving drug dealers ample time to flee. Sylhet’s Bishwanath sees alarming rise in drug abuse   Although 47 people were detained, many were reportedly day laborers or street vendors with no apparent connections to the illicit drug trade, raising concerns about the disproportionate targeting of innocent individuals. Later, another crackdown was launched by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in early 2024, but it also yielded limited results. Law enforcement officials seized significant quantities of yaba and cannabis, but critics argue that the operations have lacked follow-up actions or long-term strategies to dismantle the entrenched networks of drug dealers. The drug trade continues to flourish in the area, despite the occasional high-profile arrests and seizures. Residents and business owners of the locality have expressed growing alarm at the social and economic impact of the ongoing drug trade. The open-air drug sales have contributed to rising insecurity in the area, leading some businesses to close early or relocate. Parents in the vicinity are also concerned about the impact on children and young people, who are frequently exposed to the trade. Salamat Ullah, a trader of Karwan Bazar area, said despite law enforcement agencies' efforts to control the illegal trade, it continued due to lack of coordination among the law enforcement agencies. He said that comprehensive reforms, including better coordination between various law enforcement agencies, intelligence gathering, and community engagement, are must in order to disrupt the illicit drug trade and restore order to the Karwan Bazar railway area. Despite repeated attempts, the commanding officer of Rab-2 battalion Additional DIG Md Khalidul Hoque Hawlader refused to give any comment in this regard. When his attention was drawn about publicly selling of illegal drugs in the Karwan Bazar rail line area, Director General of DNC Khandker Mostafizur Rahman said the DNC operational teams have been continuously conducting raids in the area to contain illegal drug trading. He also said that it is not possible to control illegal drug trade by only conducting drives, rather it is needed to reduce demand. If demand increases, then supply will increase. To reduce the demand, they have been conducting various motivational campaign in educational institutions, including School, Colleges and universities across the country. The guardians have to be conscious about their children in family level so that they (children) are not involved in drug addiction, the DG DNC said. When attention was drawn about the Karwan Bazar illegal drug hotspot, Officer in Charge of Tejgaon Police station Md Mubarak Hossain told UNB that they have already arrested at least 50 drug dealers in last 3-4 months. Besides, Detective Branch (DB) of the DMP also conducts drives from time to time. Despite all this, the illegal drug trade continues to thrive. The OC said they have plans to carry out a big operation, and also keep mobile teams ready round the clock to contain the illegal drug trade.  

Phones preloaded with TikTok are being sold on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace for thousands of dollars, with some listings reaching as high as $50,000. However, it's unclear if buyers are willing to pay such steep prices. The surge in listings follows a brief period during which TikTok was unavailable for new downloads in the U.S. As of Sunday, users who had already installed the app could continue using it, but the app remains inaccessible for new downloads from Apple and Google app stores. This has created a market for devices preloaded with TikTok and other ByteDance apps like Lemon8 and CapCut. While some listings are exorbitantly priced, phones selling for a few hundred dollars have garnered the most interest. For example, Nicholas Matthews, a New York resident, listed an iPhone 14 Plus with TikTok for $10,000. As of Friday, the highest bid he received was $4,550. Matthews expressed modest expectations, saying, “I’m just expecting to sell this one phone.” With approximately 170 million TikTok users in the U.S., the app remains popular despite ongoing regulatory challenges. The ban does not target individual users, meaning those with the app already downloaded can still use it freely. Trump pauses US TikTok ban with executive order eBay has yet to comment on the influx of TikTok-loaded phone listings. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has directed the Justice Department to delay enforcing the ban until early April. However, significant uncertainties remain, including the legality of Trump’s order and the potential sale of TikTok by its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

A 22-year-old student of Khulna University was shot dead by miscreants at Tetultala in Khulna city on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Arnab Kumar Sarkar, an MBA student of Business Administration faculty of the university and son of Nitish Kumar Sarkar of Basupara area in the city. Quoting witnesses, Mohammad Ahsan Habib, additional deputy commissioner (media), said a group of armed miscreants, riding 10-15 motorbikes, opened fire on Arnab when he was sipping  tea at Tetultala intersection around 10:15 pm, leaving him injured. Later, they stabbed him indiscriminately and fled the scene. Arnab was taken to Khulna City Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Khulna AL leader shot dead at Cox’s Bazar beach Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sonadanga Police Station, said the reason behind the murder could not be known yet and police were investigating the incident.  

The U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary in a narrow, late-night vote on Friday, despite ongoing controversy over his qualifications and conduct. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, faced scrutiny over allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive behavior toward women. The confirmation required Vice President JD Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote, an uncommon occurrence in Cabinet confirmations. President Donald Trump celebrated Hegseth’s confirmation, dismissing dissent from notable Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins, who opposed the nomination. Trump praised Hegseth as a “great secretary of defense” and emphasized the importance of securing the appointment. Trump criticises California water policy before touring LA Senate Majority Leader John Thune supported Hegseth, emphasizing his military background and promise to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon while dismantling diversity initiatives. However, Democrats, alongside some Republicans, voiced serious concerns. Senator Jack Reed criticized Hegseth as unqualified, while Senator Murkowski expressed unease about the message his appointment sends to women in the military. Hegseth’s confirmation process was fraught with allegations, including claims of sexual assault, which he denied, and accusations of domestic abuse from his former sister-in-law. Despite these controversies, Hegseth pledged to abstain from alcohol while in office and dismissed the allegations as part of a smear campaign. Hegseth’s controversial remarks on women in combat roles also drew criticism, though he softened his stance during the confirmation process. His nomination signals Trump’s prioritization of loyalty and ideological alignment over bipartisan approval. This marks the second time a vice president has broken a Senate tie for a Cabinet nominee, underscoring the political divisions surrounding Hegseth’s confirmation. The outcome highlights the president’s influence over the Republican-led Senate and his ability to advance contentious nominees. Hegseth’s appointment concludes a turbulent process, with more high-stakes nominations awaiting Senate consideration, including Kash Patel for FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.        

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has topped the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 257 at 09:31am on Saturday. The air was classified as 'very unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. Pakistan’s Lahore, China’s Beijing and Uganda’s Kampala occupied the second, third and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 228, 196 and 187, respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka’s air quality ranks world's 2nd worst on Thursday The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst in the world this morning As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.  

Ferry services on Aricha-Kazirhat and Paturia-Daulatdia river routes in Manikganj resumed on Saturday after several hours of suspension due to dense fog. Deputy General Manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), Aricha regional office, Nasir Chowdhury, said the ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route remained suspended till 10:30 pm on Friday due to poor visibility caused by the dense fog. Five ferries got stuck in the middle of the river due to the suspension of the ferry movement. Fog-hit ferry services resume on Aricha-Kazirhat, Paturia-Daulatpur routes after 9hrs Besides, the ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route were suspended due to thick fog around 3:30 am early Saturday, forcing the authorities to halt movements of 14 ferries on both sides of the river. Some 500 vehicles, including 400 goods-laden trucks, remained stranded on both sides of the two ferry routes, causing immense sufferings to passengers. As the fog disappeared, the ferry services on the two routes restored around 7 am and 6 am, respectively. Dense fog halts ferry services in Padma, Jamuna rivers  

A case has been filed against 306 people, including a local leader of Chhatra Dal, in connection with the attack on Regent Park Resort in Sylhet. Helal Uddin, Managing Director of the resort, filed the case against six identified and 300 unidentified people with Moglabazar Police Station on Thursday night, said Mohamamd Saiful Islam, deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police. Abu Saleh, senior joint general secretary of Dakhin Surma upazila unit BNP, has bee made the prime accused while Chhatra Dal activists Alauddin Farabi, Sanwar Bakht Rahin, Husain Ahmed, Kabir Ahmed, Sumon Ahmed as accused in the case. ACC files 2 cases against ex-Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan, wife On January 19, some local people attacked and vandalised the Regent Park Resort for alleged ‘unsocial activities’ at the resort. They also caught 16 students of different colleges and schools from the resort and eight of them were married off in presence of the local people. Students for Sovereignty demands withdrawal of ‘false cases’, release of arresteesBesides, the eight others were handed over to their guardians.      

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who left here for Dhaka on Friday night, has been hailed as a "beacon, hero and an amazing image of stability" at Davos, says his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. "One thing was quite clear the biggest decision the students made just after the fall of Hasina was to persuade Prof Yunus to head the interim government. And that has made all the difference," Alam said. Davos became quieter on Friday afternoon as most of the world leaders -- both from governments and private sectors -- have headed back home. Bangladesh's Davos mission concluded on a high note, said the Press Secretary, adding that the Chief Adviser and his small Davos team is heading back home "with their heads held high". Prof Yunus held 47 meetings with heads of states, CEOs and dignitaries. Top European leaders are firmly backing the interim government and its reform agenda to restore democracy, Alam said. Media access to Secretariat restricted for security of fire-hit KPI: CA Press Wing Top private companies are convinced about the country's potentials and its stability in the post revolution months, said the Press Secretary, adding that they are impressed with the latest economic numbers. Arrests were of AL activists, nothing to do with Trump: CA Press Wing Top journalists from some of the world's best news outlets have queued to take Prof Yunus' interviews. "Nobody seems to be bothered by the propaganda campaign by the Indian outlets. They are very much aware of the dirty jobs that Indian media does for their political masters," said the Press Secretary. "The Tulip Siddiq saga in the UK added some extra layers to Hasina's "Highway Robbery" story. Western press now know the kind of plunder and looting that took place during the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship," Alam said. Prof Yunus also spoke about the data manipulation, blaming the world for being blind during the "dictatorship". The Chief Adviser is scheduled to land in Dhaka on Saturday evening by an Emirates flight. Dr Yunus, who arrived at Davos on January 21, had four meetings with Heads of Government/State, four meetings with Minister-level dignitaries and ten meetings with heads/top executives of UN or similar organizations, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB on Friday evening. The Chief Adviser had 10 meetings with CEOs/high-level business persons, attended nine WEF-hosted programs and four formal dinner and lunch events. Dr Yunus also had eight media engagements on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting in addition to joining two other events. Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam saw him off at the Zurich International Airport on Friday night (Switzerland time). Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah, among others, accompanied Dr Yunus. The World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting in Davos brought together world leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These included responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. This year's meeting convened under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: Some 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions attended the event.  

Six individuals were arrested early Friday after attempting to snatch a suspect from police custody at the New Market Police Station gate.  The arrested individuals were identified as Md. Bashir Islam (21), Md. Hasan (21), Md. Imon (25), Md. Masum Mahmud (32), Md. Alamin (30), and Md. Akbar Ali (21).  According to police, the incident stemmed from the arrest of Mithun (35), who is accused in a case involving the attempted murder of businessman Ehteshamul Haque on Elephant Road. Mithun was arrested Thursday night from the 300 Feet area.  Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Talebur Rahman, said that around 4:10 am Friday, as officers brought Mithun to the New Market Police Station gate, a group of armed individuals—including the six arrestees, 13 named suspects, and 30-35 unidentified accomplices—attempted to forcibly free him from custody.  Woman arrested for arson in Dhaka's Bangshal When police, led by Assistant Commissioner (New Market Zone) Tariq Latif, ordered the group to leave, they reportedly launched a violent attack on the officers, injuring five personnel. Police detained six attackers on the spot, while the remaining men managed to flee.  A case has since been filed against the six arrested individuals, the 13 named suspects, and the unidentified attackers. Authorities say efforts are underway to apprehend those who escaped.  Later on Friday, the six arrestees were presented before a Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court. The court rejected their bail petitions and sent them to jail. 

Red Sea Gateway Terminal, a Saudi-owned company, on Friday expressed its interest to help transform the deep-sea port of Matarbari in Bangladesh into one of the largest ports in the region. The world-class terminal provider expressed its interest in managing the deep-sea port of Matarbari. Aamer A. Alireza, the executive chairman of the company, called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss mountain city of Davos and discussed the issues. The Chief Adviser asked the company to invest more in Bangladesh and help attract more foreign direct investment to the country, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. He said Bangladesh would develop more ports along the Bay of Bengal to turn the Chittagong region into an export and shipping hub for countries in the region. The Red Sea Gateway, which manages Patenga Terminal, has planned to invest nearly 200 million dollars to boost the efficiency and capacity of the terminal, Alireza said. WTO to support Bangladesh's LDC graduation, its DG tells Dr Yunus  He said the company has ordered an import of 25 million dollars of container handling cranes and other equipment from China recently and would order another 25 million dollars’ worth of equipment in the next few weeks. "These are hybrid equipment, meaning they can be run by both electricity and fuels. They will cut emissions," he said. Describing Matarbari as one of the most important deep-sea ports in the region, Alireza said his company is interested in investing in the port and turning it into one of the major shipping hubs in the region. He said port efficiency in Chattogram will woo huge foreign direct investment in the country as many top manufacturers will be keen to relocate their factories in the country. Lamiya Morshed, the SDG coordinator of the Bangladesh government, and Tareq Ariful Islam, Dhaka's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, also attended the meeting.

Industry leaders from the media and PR sectors gathered at a high-profile conference in Singapore to advocate for greater collaboration between PR firms and news agencies, urging them to combine their strengths in delivering accurate information timely. The AsiaNet Board Meeting & Forum, held on January 22-23, brought together key stakeholders to discuss ways to empower Asia’s media and PR sectors. With a focus on innovation, digital transformation and cross-industry collaboration, the event underscored AsiaNet’s commitment to fostering growth and adapting to evolving technological landscapes. A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Amrita Sidhu of Medianet, centred on strategies to optimise media operations in the digital age. Its panelists included: * Nahar Khan, Executive Editor of UNB * Pannee Yongpiyakul, Managing Director of Dataxet * Anubha Verma, Chief Marketing Officer of Press Trust of India (PTI) * Michiko Fujimoto, Director of Kyodo JBN The panel explored how each agency is embracing AI within their operations. All participants agreed that, while AI presents significant opportunities, a cautious approach is necessary to preserve the credibility and trust built over decades. AsiaNet Board Meeting & Forum urges embracing innovation This year’s forum was themed "Embracing Innovation," highlighting the critical need for media and PR organisations to leverage technology to improve efficiency, audience engagement and competitiveness. Key discussion points included: * Digital transformation to modernise operations and enhance effectiveness * Cross-industry collaboration to pool expertise and create synergies * Innovation as a driver for sustainable growth and regional progress Prominent representatives from AsiaNet partners, including Xinhua, VNA, Yonhap, Bernama, Medianet, United News of Bangladesh (UNB), and Kyodo News, were in attendance. Nahar Khan, discussing as a panelist at the session, shared that UNB embraces the transformative potential of AI to enhance workflows and storytelling, but firmly believes that people must remain at the centre - shaping its application with human judgment, ethics and creativity. She added that AI-driven tools have made way for a more creative, collaborative, data-driven and a responsive newsroom environment. Pannee Yongpiyakul shared that at Dataxet Thailand, their innovation process blends business-driven strategic planning with customer-driven insights, enabling informed decisions on pursuing and implementing innovations effectively. He also said that their technical team continuously monitors technological developments to assess their potential impact on the company and its operations. Anubha Verma emphasised that while AI presents immense opportunities for PTI and the whole media industry, it is crucial to adopt a cautious approach to preserve the credibility and trust that have been built over decades. Michiko Fujimoto discussed how Kyodo News, Japan's leading news agency, approaches AI within their organization. The AsiaNet Board Meeting & Forum 2025 reaffirmed the organisation’s mission to empower its members with tools and strategies essential for thriving in the digital era. By uniting key players from Asia’s media and PR sectors, the forum set the foundation for a more innovative, collaborative and resilient regional media ecosystem.

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Friday said the global trade body would help Bangladesh graduate smoothly from Least Developed Country (LDC) and persuade top businesses to shift their supply chains to the South Asian nation. The WTO Director General made the comments when she met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss mountain city of Davos. Referring to Bangladesh's impending graduation from the LDC category, Dr Ngozi said that the WTO would make sure that the process is smooth. "We have established principles. We will be working with you," Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary quoted her as saying. Al Gore meets Dr Yunus, backs Bangladesh reforms The WTO DG also said she was talking with top global businesses and trying to persuade them to relocate their supply chains to Bangladesh as part of global logistic decentralisation. "I told them, why not Bangladesh? We are doing more pushes to have more supply chains in Bangladesh," she added. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus praised the leadership of Dr Ngozi, saying she has brought dynamism to the global trade talks. Dr Yunus also said Bangladesh is now open for business, after the misrule and oligarchs-linked business deals ruined the country's economy. He said Bangladesh can easily be one of the largest manufacturing hubs with millions of young and tech-savvy skilled workers. The Chief Adviser said the interim government was carrying out vital reforms in the economy and eased congestion in Chittagong Port in an effort to attract more foreign investment. "We've also launched a fight against corruption," he said, adding people linked with the ruling family were involved in corrupt international deals. Dr Yunus calls for a system allowing people to vote "freely, fairly without any threat" Dr Ngozi said she was impressed by the spirits of the young protesters during the July mass uprising.  "They have set an unprecedented example sending the most impactful messages." She also praised the leadership of Professor Yunus in bringing stability to the country and putting Bangladesh back on the global map. "You are an image of stability. And stability and calm have returned to Bangladesh." During the talks at a Davos hotel, Dr Ngozi urged Bangladesh to ratify the fisheries subsidy agreement. Bangladesh will look into it, the Chief Adviser said. On Dr Ngozi's request on the Fish-2 agreement, Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, said Bangladesh is constructively engaging in its negotiation. Count on us for whatever support you want, WB MD tells Dr Yunus Dr Ngozi also requested Bangladesh to facilitate other instruments under negotiation at the WTO, including the investment facilitation for development agreement. Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator, also attended the meeting.

The number of suspects detained in connection with the deadly hotel fire at a ski resort rose to 14 on Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday. Erdogan also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that anyone who may have caused the blaze by prioritizing profit over safety is brought to justice. The fire, which tore through the 12-story Grand Kartal hotel, in Kartalkaya, in northwestern Bolu province early Tuesday, trapped many of the registered 238 guests inside, leaving 78 people dead and dozens of others injured. It struck at the start of a two-week winter break for schools, and 36 of the victims were children, local media reports said. The tragedy, which saw guests and staff jump out of windows to escape smoke and flame-filled rooms or dangle sheets out of windows to lower themselves out, sent shockwaves across Turkey and sparked widespread calls for accountability into negligence and safety violations. At least 66 dead, 51 injured in Turkey hotel fire “Those who caused our nation this great pain due to mistakes, negligence, irregularities and greed will definitely be held accountable to the courts,” Erdogan said in an address to his governing party’s local congress in the southern city of Malatya. A total of 14 people have been taken into custody as part of the investigation into the fire, including the hotel’s owner, staff members and three people from the Bolu mayor’s office, Erdogan said. His government has traded accusations of blame with the Bolu municipality, which is controlled by Turkey’s main opposition party. Eight of the suspects were scheduled to appear before prosecutors to face possible charges, HaberTurk television said. They include the hotel’s owner and managers, the acting Bolu fire chief, a retired architect and kitchen staff, the station reported. The blaze appeared to have started at the restaurant section on the fourth floor of the wooden-clad hotel and spread quickly to the upper floors, reports said. Witness accounts have pointed to a lack of proper safety systems at the establishment, including fire alarms, sprinklers and adequate emergency exits. Turkey continued to hold funerals for the victims on Friday, including for 6-year-old Dila Inal and her 8-year-old sister, Ela, who were buried in Istanbul along with their 44-year-old mother, Defne Arkadas Inal. Their Georgian nanny, Laura Kurtanidze, who also perished in the fire, would be buried in a ceremony in Georgia.

League leaders Mohammedan SC tasted their first defeat in their 9th match of the 10- team  Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), losing to lowly Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool by 0-1 goal at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla Friday afternoon. Despite the day's maiden and shocking defeat, the traditional black and whites Mohammedan SC comfortably dominated the league in the first phase securing 24 points from nine matches With the day's well-merited and 3rd victory, Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool advanced to the 7th slot in the league table collecting nine points from as many matches. After a barren first half, Uzbek midfielder Sardor Jakmonov scored the match winning goal for Youngmen's Club in the 66th minute of the match (1-0). In the day's another match, defending champions Bashundhara Kings outplayed Dhaka Wanderers Club by 5-0 goals at the Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur on Friday. BPL Football: 9th round begins Friday with leaders Mohammedan taking on Youngmen’s Club Brazilian midfielder Jonathon Fernandes put the Kings ahead in the 11th minute (1-0), medio Mohammad Sohel  Rana doubled the Kings margin in the 29th minute (2-0) while defender Topu Barman scored the 3rd goal for the winners in the 38th minute to dominate the first half by 3-0 goals. Local forward Rakib Hossain and Brazilian forward Miguel Figueira added two more goals for the Kings in the 66th and 75th minutes respectively to earned a comfortable (5-0) victory. In the day's other match, coming from behind, Bangladesh Police FC beat Rahmatganj MFS by 2-1 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Friday. Ghana midfielder Mamoud Oshie put Rahmatganj MFS ahead in the 25th minute while local forward  Al Amin scored twice for Police FC in the 35th and 68th minutes respectively. Federation Cup Football: Rahmatganj, Dhaka Abahani Ltd maintain all-win record beating their rivals After the day's matches, the six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited followed the leader Mohammedan  distantly collecting 19 points from eight matches, holders .Bashundhara Kings advanced to the 3rd place with 17 points,  Rahmatganj MFS went down to the 4th with their previous credit of 15 points playing nine matches each while Brothers Union Club are struggling at the 5th slot collecting 14 points from eight outings.

Slamming the government for delaying the national election, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said the advisers’ "reforms first, elections later" remark echoed Sheikh Hasina's "development first, democracy later." Talking to reporters on Friday after paying homage to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, Rizvi also expressed doubt whether the government has any master plan, as a political party is set to launch with its backing. “The people expect this government to perform its duties impartially and take steps to strengthen democracy. But when we hear 'reform first, then elections,' it sounds like an echo of Sheikh Hasina's words, 'development first, then democracy.' Such statements should not come from any adviser’s mouth,” Rizvi said. He said the country’s people have waited for 16 years, fought on the streets, shed their blood, and sacrificed their lives for the restoration of democracy and ensuring free and fair elections. “Why is there so much hesitation and delay regarding that free and fair election? This is now the question of the people.” No scope for reforms without democratic process: Khosru The BNP leader said it is common for political parties to criticise the government for its inaction in controlling the rising prices of essentials or if its administration fails to operate neutrally. “So, why are you trying to instill fear of a repeat of 1/11?” We have overcome all obstacles, staying on the streets bravely year after year. Now, will the advisers teach the country's wise politicians what we should support, what we should not support, and what we should talk about and what we should not?” he questioned Rizvi said their party has placed its full trust in the interim government since its formation. "But our point is, why is there so much delay, no deadline? Why are Hasina's words being repeated—that development comes first, democracy later? We do not want to hear this. He said some advisers of the interim government have been making negative remarks against BNP, both publicly and covertly. “We are also hearing that some people within the government are trying to form a political party. If that’s the case, the people can question the neutrality of the government. Other political parties, who have fought for democracy, may think the government is involved in some sort of master plan,” Rizvi said. He said the government recently conducted a survey through the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), which revealed that the majority of people in the country want local government elections before the national elections. Interim govt fails to maintain neutrality in some cases: Fakhrul “The BBS is a government agency, and they have conducted the survey under government supervision. If you conduct a survey through a government agency, they will obviously speak in favour of the government. If your actions are not neutral, the people will naturally question the government's impartiality." Earlier, Rizvi, along with party leaders and workers, placed a wreath at the Banani grave of Koko in the morning, marking his 10th death anniversary. BNP leaders and workers marked the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko with various programmes. The party arranged a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office in the morning. Another doa mahfil was also held at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in the evening.

Since December 30, 2024, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 T20 Cricket Tournament has been spellbinding cricket fans with exciting performances. As the competition progresses towards Phase 4, standout players and teams have begun to shape the narrative. Let’s dive into the brilliance of the standout bowlers, batsmen, and teams leading the race. Bangladesh Premier League 2025 Tournaments Top 5 Batsmen To Date . Table: Top Run-scorers in the 11th Edition of BPL So Far No Batsman Team Most Run Match Highest Score Century Half Century 1 Tanzid Hasan Tamim Dhaka Capitals 420 10 108 1 3 2 Mohammad Anamul Haque Bijoy Durbar Rajshahi 379 10 100 1 2 3 Litton Das Dhaka Capitals 348 9 125 1 2 4 Zakir Hasan Sylhet Strikers 342 9 75 - 3 5 Graham Clark Chittagong Kings 335 8 101 1 1 The T20 cricket action has been a stage for outstanding batting displays, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim from Dhaka Capitals taking the lead. His collection is 420 runs in 10 matches, including a highest score of 108. He has one century and three half-centuries to his name. Mohammad Anamul Haque Bijoy from Durbar Rajshahi follows closely with 379 runs in 10 matches. His highest score of 100 and ability to deliver one century and two half-centuries underline his value. Litton Das, also from Dhaka Capitals, has 348 runs in 9 matches, with a remarkable performance of 125 runs. Apart from the century inning, he has 2 half-centuries in the remaining matches. Zakir Hasan from Sylhet Strikers has scored 342 runs in 9 matches, though without a century. He maintains a steady performance with 3 half-centuries including a top score of 75 runs. Finally, Graham Clark, an English player who played for Chittagong Kings, completes the list with 335 runs in 8 matches. His achievement also includes a half-century and the best batting delivery with a Centurion inning of 101 runs. Read more: BPL Football: 9th round begins Friday with leaders Mohammedan taking on Youngmen’s Club Top 5 Bowlers in the Ongoing BPL 2025 Tournament . Table: Leading Wicket-takers in the 11th edition of BPL Before Phase 4 No Bowler Team Wickets Match Overs Best Bowling in Innings 1 Taskin Ahmed Durbar Rajshahi 22 10 38.2 7/19 2 Akif Javed Rangpur Riders 15 7 26.5 4/32 3 Abu Hider Rony Khulna Tigers 15 8 30.5 4/44 4 Khushdil Shah Rangpur Riders 14 9 24 3/18 5 Aliss Al Islam Chittagong Kings 12 8 31 3/17 The bowlers have been equally influential in the tournament, with Taskin Ahmed of Durbar Rajshahi dominating the charts. He bowled 38 overs and 2 balls in 10 matches, securing 22 wickets with a personal best of 7 wickets against 19 runs. Akif Javed, Pakistani cricketer on behalf of Rangpur Riders is second with 15 wickets in 7 matches from 26 overs and 5 balls. He boasts a best figure of 4 wickets in 32 runs. Abu Hider Rony from Khulna Tigers also claimed 15 wickets in 30 overs 5 balls of 8 matches. His top spell was 44 runs off 4 wickets. Rangpur Riders' Khushdil Shah, a Pakistani player by origin, takes the fourth spot with 14 wickets in 24 overs across 9 matches. In an innings, he reached a maximum of 18 runs from 3 wickets. Aliss Al Islam of Chittagong Kings rounds off the top five with 12 wickets in 8 matches, bowling 31 overs. His personal best for an innings was 17 runs for 3 wickets. Read more: BPL Football: League leaders Mohammedan SC taste first defeat losing to Youngmen's Club Top 4 Teams in the 11th Edition of Bangladesh Premier League So Far . Table: Points Table Standings - Top 4 Teams Before Phase 4 of BPL 2025 No Team Match Won Lost Points Net Run Rate (NRR) 1 Rangpur Riders 9 8 1 16 1.223 2 Fortune Barishal 8 6 2 12 0.993 3 Chittagong Kings 9 5 4 10 1.045 4 Khulna Tigers 9 4 5 8 -0.148 The tournament is led by Rangpur Riders, who have won all but one of 9 matches, earning 16 points and the season's highest NRR of 1.223. Fortune Barishal holds second place with 6 wins from 8 matches, accumulating 12 points and an NRR of 0.993. Chittagong Kings sit third, with 5 wins and 4 losses from 9 matches, earning 10 points and maintaining an NRR of 1.045. Khulna Tigers round out the top 4, securing 4 wins and 8 points from 9 matches. However, their 5 losses have left them with a negative NRR of -0.148. Read more: 10th Shah Cement AKS Cup Golf Tournament begins Summary The BPL 2025’s best performers to date include batsmen Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Anamul Haque Bijoy, Litton Das, Zakir Hasan, and Graham Clark. Sitting atop the bowling charts with the highest wickets are Taskin Ahmed, Akif Javed, Abu Hider Rony, Khushdil Shah, and Aliss Al Islam. The teams dominating the competition are the Rangpur Riders, Fortune Barishal, Chittagong Kings, and Khulna Tigers. The 2025 Bangladesh Premier League will end on February 7. It is expected that the T20 Tournament will keep the cricket fans entertained with magical performances and exciting records. Read more: BPL Cricket: Durbar Rajshahi inflict first defeat of the season on leaders Rangpur Riders

BNP Vice Chairman and former home minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury has emphasised the need for restructuring all institutions, including the police, to ensure fair and impartial elections in the country. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at Titas Mor in Patuakhali on Friday morning, Altaf alleged that over the past 15-17 years, the country’s institutions have been pushed to the brink of collapse. “All institutions must be restructured to organise a fair election. We are ready to cooperate with this government to complete the work within a reasonable time,” he said. Expressing optimism about upcoming elections, the senior BNP leader said, “We will soon have a fair election. BNP will secure an absolute majority and Tarique Rahman will become the new prime minister of the country.” Mirza Abbas warns of dire consequences over 1/11 accusations against BNP Regarding the timeline for elections, he added, “We are prepared to hold elections in the middle of this year. We are also willing to allow as much reasonable time as necessary for the preparations.” During his organisational tour, Altaf exchanged views with party leaders and activists. The meeting was attended by Patuakhali district BNP member and former general secretary Maqsud Bayzid Panna Mia, along with leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliate organisations.

On the occasion of international education day, the Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT) held a press conference demanding the immediate formation of an education reform commission, along with comprehensive reforms in the education system. BIIT proposed a roadmap for addressing the crisis in the country’s education system and its future development at a press conference held on Friday at the Dhaka University Journalists' Association, Dr. M. Abdul Aziz, director general of BIIT, said that since the country’s independence, many policies and plans have been formulated for the education system of Bangladesh. However, in most cases, these attempts were efforts to impose the ruling elites' thoughts and ideas on the public. These policies failed to give adequate attention to the country's culture, values, and philosophy. As a result, the curriculum has been filled with elements driven by individual and corporate interests, arbitrary changes, and short-sighted decisions, leading the education system to the brink of collapse. It was also mentioned at the press conference that after the fall of authoritarian powers through the mass uprising, a new chapter in the country’s history has begun. In this new perspective, reforming the education system has become a necessity. BIIT suggests that the national education policy, vision, mission, objectives, and goals should be reconsidered and based on the nation's identity and values. To eliminate the disparity between rural and urban education systems, balanced initiatives should be undertaken, and priority policies should be introduced for marginalized communities. Furthermore, more attention must be paid to the quality of education, with a focus on quality rather than quantity in the expansion of higher education. Proposed steps for improving education quality include transforming selected universities, such as Dhaka University, into research-based institutions and expanding the activities of agricultural universities in a country that is dependent on agriculture. Additionally, it is proposed to establish a separate salary scale for teachers and administrators and to create an 'Education Service Commission' for teachers. It is also mentioned that the curriculum should ensure the integration of life skills and social values, with the inclusion of religious topics at the university level. Emphasis should be placed on students' moral values and responsibility, and every university should include subjects related to the country’s industrial and economic framework in its curriculum. The curriculum should also make the study of Bengali, English, and Arabic languages mandatory. It has been proposed to establish a separate national institute for teacher training, and a system of evaluation based on research and moral values should be established for university teachers. These steps are expected to play an important role in upgrading the country's education system to international standards, they hope.

The Indian Express report titled “Minorities targeted, bid to rewrite history, take revenge for 1971 events" on Friday is misleading and is part of a well-organised propaganda campaign run by Indian media, said Chief Adviser's press wing. The newspaper projected the arrest of three Awami League MPs as attacks on minorities using the crime suspects’ religious identity, CA's press wing said through its fact-checking Facebook page. Referring to Awami League leaders, Indian Express reported that there were around 2,000 incidents of arson, looting, and burning involving the minorities (Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians) between August 5 and August 20, 2024, and "scattered attacks" were still taking place every day. CA's Press Wing quashes rumours of ISI chief visiting Dhaka A police report on January 11 has revealed that most attacks on minorities since August 4, 2024, were politically motivated. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has claimed that there has been a total of 1,769 incidents of communal attacks and vandalism against minorities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Police has collected a list of complaints prepared by the council. The police have contacted the relevant individuals and authorities from minority communities who are alleged to have been targeted in this violence. The police investigated every place, institution, and individual according to the Council's list. Police investigations revealed that 1,234 incidents were politically motivated and 20 were communal. At least 161 allegations were found to be false. Appropriate legal action was taken where the reported communal attacks took place. Quoting a Hasina follower, Indian Express reported that there is an attempt to rewrite history and take revenge for the historic events of 1971, undermining the Interim Government’s endeavour to correct historical facts distorted by the fallen dictator during her 16 years of misrule.

In protest of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) taking a Bangladeshi farmer from the Enayetpur border in Dinajpur, locals from the Bangladesh side apprehended an Indian farmer and handed him over to the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB). Later, in a flag meeting, both were returned to their respective countries’ border forces. This incident occurred on Friday. Tensions had risen along the border, but the issue was resolved peacefully by the concerned authorities. According to locals, six BSF personnel abducted a Bangladeshi citizen named Alamgir from near the 323 main pillar area, adjacent to the Enayetpur BOP camp, at around 10 am on Friday. Alamgir is the son of Aijuddin from the village of Dipnagar. BGB thwarts BSF’s another reported bid to install fence along Joypurhat border After the news spread, locals detained an Indian farmer, Narayan Chandra Roy (45), and handed him over to the BGB. Narayan Chandra Roy is from the Purba Mollapara village in South Dinajpur, West Bengal. Lieutenant Colonel Ahsan Ul Islam, the commander of BGB's 42 Battalion, said, “Five people had crossed into Bangladesh from the Indian side of the border. The BSF mistakenly took Alamgir, thinking he was one of the fugitives they were chasing.” The BSF returned Alamgir to BGB, while Narayan Chandra Roy was handed over to them through a flag meeting at around 3:30pm today, he added.

Severe weather events disrupted education for children around the world, including 33 million in Bangladesh in 2024, according to an analysis released by UNICEF today. The report, "Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024," is the first of its kind, and reveals that heatwaves, cyclones, floods, and other extreme weather events led to multiple rounds of school closures around the world. Globally, at least 247 million students in 77 countries had their schooling disrupted by heatwaves, tropical storms, floods and droughts in 2024. South Asia was the most affected region. In Bangladesh, nationwide heatwaves in April and May 2024 left children at risk of dehydration and heatstroke, forcing schools to close across the whole country for up to two weeks, and several districts went on to suffer subsequent school disruption due to cyclone Remal, followed by intense flooding in June. UNICEF appeals for US$9.9 bln funding to support children hit by conflict, crisis   Up to 18.4 million people were impacted by the floods countrywide, including 7 million children. Sylhet district was the worst hit, with severe flooding causing widespread infrastructure damage and leaving more than 600,000 learners without access to education. According to estimates from UNICEF in Bangladesh, children in Sylhet lost up to 8 weeks of school days cumulatively and areas in Khulna, Chattogram and Rangpur districts each suffered 6 weeks of climate-induced school closures over 12 months. “The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, exacerbated by the climate crisis, is having a knock-on effect on children’s education in Bangladesh and depriving children of their right to learn”, said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh. “Extreme temperatures and other climate hazards don’t only damage schools, they can affect students’ concentration, memory and mental and physical health. Prolonged school closures increase the chance of children – especially adolescent girls – dropping out of school and being married off by families to cope with economic stress”. According to the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index, children in Bangladesh are already among the most exposed and vulnerable in the world to climate and environmental hazards. These disasters often put further strains on the ‘learning poverty’ in the country, where one in two children cannot read at their grade level and two-thirds are unable to do basic counting after completing primary education. In addition, the country loses some of the brightest from their classrooms, as girls and Bangladesh pay the price of ranking among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest percentage of child marriage. The report notes that schools and education systems are largely ill-equipped to protect students from these impacts, and climate-centred finance investments in education remain strikingly low. UNICEF is calling on international climate financing institutions and donors, the private sector and the interim Government of Bangladesh to prioritize the needs of children in policies and plans, including by: Accelerating financing to improve climate resilience in the education sector, including investing in proven and promising solutions to build climate-smart learning facilities that are safe and inclusive for all children. Number of children recruited by gangs in Haiti soars by 70%: UNICEF Ensuring national climate plans – including Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 and the National Adaptation Plan – strengthen child-critical social services, such as education, to be more climate- smart and disaster- resilient, and contain adequate emission reduction pledges to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Ensuring children and young people are part of the climate decision-making process at all levels. “Children in Bangladesh are at the forefront of two interconnected crises - climate change and deepening learning poverty, threatening both their survival and future. As children continue to speak up and call for urgent action on the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, decision-makers must heed their calls and place their needs at the centre of climate policies and financing plans,” said Flowers.

The Nepal Embassy in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society, organized a painting competition for school-level students at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka this morning. The Competition was held under the theme “Nepal Through My Eyes”, with an objective of providing a platform for students to creatively express their unique perspectives on Nepal through their artworks while celebrating the bond of friendship between Nepal and Bangladesh. Nepalese ambassador appreciates travel agencies’ role in tourism Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari appreciated the students for participation and encouraged them to bring their ideas of Nepal to life on canvas through their unique artistic expressions. Underscoring that art serves as a powerful medium to foster cross-cultural understanding and bring societies together, he urged the young artists to continue unleashing their potential. President of Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society Moshiur Ahmed welcomed the participants of the Competition. Around 350 students from 91 schools in Dhaka took part in the Competition. The participants were categorized into two age categories: 6-10 years and 11-16 years. Four winners as well as 10 best artworks from each category will be selected by a panel of judges. A separate prize distribution ceremony will be organized later to felicitate the winners and selected participants.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for rising above narrow-mindedness to build a democratic, non-discriminatory and inclusive Bangladesh. She emphasised that the sacrifices made during the July Uprising by students set a powerful example for reshaping the nation. Speaking at the inauguration of a special exhibition, organised by Prothom Alo, on the July Uprising at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday, Rizwana said, "This movement proves that the fall of violent dictatorships is inevitable. The courage demonstrated by the student community during the July-August uprising is unparalleled. As a nation, we must honour their sacrifice by building a Bangladesh where democracy, rights and equality thrive." She expressed heartfelt solidarity with the students who bore the brunt of the struggle. “Many students who dreamed of becoming cricketers or footballers have suffered life-altering injuries, including blindness. Despite our efforts, we cannot restore their lost eyesight, but we can ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten," she said. Survival depends on clean air and water, not on material possessions: Rizwana Highlighting the importance of unity, Rizwana urged all to work collectively, leaving behind organisational and individual biases, to achieve the dreams of future generations. “Building a safe and equitable Bangladesh will be the true tribute to those who paved the way with their lives,” she added. Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin S Murshid also addressed the event, acknowledging past failures to fulfil the aspirations of the student community. "Now is the time to build Bangladesh in line with their dreams. It is a collective responsibility," she said. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook and Prothom Alo Executive Editor Sajjad Sharif also spoke at the event. Following the inauguration, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman joined other guests to see the exhibition. The exhibition, showcasing artifacts and accounts from the July Uprising, will remain open to the public until January 31, from 12pm to 8pm daily and from 3pm to 8pm on Fridays.

A meeting was held today at the office of the Constitution Reform Commission to review and coordinate the recommendations from commissions that have already submitted their reports to the interim government. The meeting was convened to discuss both the short- and long-term recommendations made by the commissions in their reports. Key participants in the meeting included the heads of several reform commissions, who shared their insights and suggestions regarding the proposed reforms. Making Expat Voters: What does Reform Commission say? Professor Ali Riaz, Head of the Constitution Reform Commission, led the discussions, joined by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Head of the Electoral System Reform Commission; Safar Raj Hossain, Head of the Police Administration Reform Commission; Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission; and Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, representing the Head of the Judiciary Reform Commission.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas has issued a stern warning about the potential repercussions of attempts to sow division by alleging that the BNP is laying the groundwork for another 1/11-style government. Speaking at a doa and milad mahfil on Friday, he also said democracy will not be restored in Bangladesh if certain quarters continue their efforts to create a conflicting situation with their unguarded statements. BNP arranged the programme on the ground floor of its Nayapaltan central office, praying for salvation of the departed soul of party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, marking his 10th death anniversary. “I would like to clearly say that the consequences won’t be good for those who are trying to push the BNP into a different political camp for their own gains,” Abbas said. He slammed Information Adviser Nahid Islam for accusing BNP of trying to establish another 1/11-like government and reminded him that BNP was the worst victim of the Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin-led regime formed in 2007. Interim govt fails to maintain neutrality in some cases: Fakhrul “Not 1/11, if you continue to make statements that can lead to division and conflict after August 5, then democracy will never be restored in the country. I would like to say, try to keep the country united without creating division and confusion,” the BNP leader said. On Thursday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam raised questions about the neutrality of the interim government, saying that if such a government fails to maintain neutrality, the need for a truly neutral government would arise during the election. Later that night, Adviser Nahid Islam, in a Facebook post, said the BNP secretary general's comment essentially hinted at the formation of another 1/11-like government in 2007. Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said many people are now making various remarks against the BNP through different media and different ways. “Some of our leaders might have said a few things as their personal opinions... Recently, I’ve seen many people speaking in many ways. Some are saying that BNP is trying to bring about a 1/11 scenario. I want to say to them, no one has suffered more from the horrific consequences of 1/11 in 2007 than BNP,” he said. Abbas said every leader and worker of BNP—from ordinary members to their topmost leader Begum Khaleda Zia—was not spared from the conspiracy of 1/11. Without mentioning names, he said there is a party that has started counting their chickens before they are hatched as they have gone crazy in their pursuit of power. Abbas said various political parties have suddenly started speaking in a way that reminded him of children speaking nonsense. He lamented that some people and parties were behaving as if BNP were a cohort of the Awami League and were attempting to push BNP toward the Awami League’s camp. Abbas also said those who are trying to push BNP toward the Awami League should look at themselves in the mirror, reflect on their inner selves, and refrain from deceiving the people. He recalled how BNP leaders and workers across the country had struggled on the streets to restore democracy, enduring premature deaths, killings, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, and various forms of persecution. “They (the quarter) now want to push us into another camp. What is the purpose? Do you want to align us with the Awami League? Never think about this, as our party leaders and workers are the vigilant guards of the country’s independence and sovereignty,” Abbas said. Movement leaders shouldn’t join govt, BNP leader Alal says He said many people claim that the BNP is only focused on elections. “But we’re not just focused on elections. Some bloggers, from abroad, try to run the country. They speak as if what they say must become reality in Bangladesh... Please don’t use your intelligence to create division among the nation. Try to bring peace to the country.” The BNP leader also called upon the bloggers to use their wisdom and intellect to help build the country, not to blame the BNP. Abbas said many are claiming that BNP has become jealous because a new party is being launched by the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. “Those who say this are enemies of the nation. Whether a new party is formed or not depends on those trying to create it. Once a new party is formed, you will see the BNP's role. If a new party is formed, we welcome it,” he said. The BNP leader said those who form a party will lead the country through a democratic process, but urged them not to confuse the public with their baseless remarks. BNP leaders and workers marked the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko with various programmes. The party leaders and workers, led by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, placed a wreath at Koko’s grave in Banani in the morning on the occasion.

A trader was shot dead and several others were injured in an attack by miscreants in Noapara, Raojan upazila of Chattogram on Friday. The deceased, identified as Jahangir Alam, was a dried fish trader based in Asadganj, Chattogram city. He was the son of former union parishad member Abu Syed. According to Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKM Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury of Raojan Police Station, Jahangir was ambushed while heading to the mosque to offer the Jummah prayer. Beximco workers' protest foiled amid tight surveillance in Gazipur Eyewitnesses said the assailants first attacked Jahangir with sticks, knocking him to the ground, before opening fire on him. When worshippers at the mosque tried to intervene, some were injured by the attackers. The motive behind the murder is yet to be determined, the OC added.

Seven people who were injured in the July Uprising have been sent to Singapore for advanced treatment under the initiative of the interim government. They departed Dhaka on Friday via a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight to receive treatment in Singapore National Eye Centre. Primary school teachers protest at Shaheed Minar, demand implementation of 10th grade salary scale Earlier, the injured were receiving treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital. The injured are Abdullah Al Baki, Akhtar Hossain, Md. Yamin, Faiz Ahmed, Minhajul Islam Shuvo, Mohammad Ramzan and Salman bin Shoaib, said a PID handout.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to depart Davos for Dhaka on Friday night (Switzerland time) via Zurich International Airport, concluding his busy four-day schedule at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, which included 47 formal engagements. Dr Yunus had four meetings with Heads of Government/State, four meetings with Minister-level dignitaries and ten meetings with heads/top executives of UN or similar organizations, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB on Friday evening. The Chief Adviser had ten meetings with CEOs/high-level business persons, attended nine WEF-hosted programs and four formal dinner and lunch events. Dr Yunus also had eight media engagements on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting in addition to joining two other events. Saudi firm interested to transform Matarbari into regional mega port Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam will see him off at the Zurich International Airport on Friday night (Switzerland time). Dr Yunus will reach Dhaka Saturday evening (January 25 Dhaka time). Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah, among others, accompanied Dr Yunus. Dr Yunus arrived in Zurich, Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The annual meeting brought together world leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These included responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. WTO to support Bangladesh's LDC graduation, its DG tells Dr Yunus  This year's meeting convened under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: Some 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions attended the event.

Teachers from government primary schools across the country staged a protest on Friday at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, demanding the implementation of the 10th grade salary scale for assistant teachers. The demonstration began at 10 am, with teachers arriving in large numbers. They contend that their current classification as third-class employees is unjust and demeaning to the teaching profession. As the day progressed, the protesting teachers issued an ultimatum to the government, warning that they would escalate their movement if their demands were not addressed by 2 pm. The teachers marched towards Shahbagh around 3:30pm, where they encountered a police barricade near the Shahbagh Police Station. Undeterred, they continued their protest at the barricade. Over 100 garment workers fall sick after taking tiffin “We are paid as third-class employees, which we cannot accept as teachers. The 10th grade is our life’s demand,” one of the protestors declared during the demonstration. Farhad Hossain, a teacher from Baruihati Government Primary School in Sunamganj, echoed these sentiments, saying, “We are part of the teaching community; why should we be in the third class? It is not possible to build a country by keeping teachers in the third class.” As of the time of reporting, no official response has been made by government representatives regarding the teachers' demands. The situation at Shahbagh remains tense, with teachers vowing to continue their movement until their voices are heard.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday said he wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute his country has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc's upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia. Speaking on state radio, Orbán said that Ukraine's decision to cease transiting Russian gas into Central Europe through the Brotherhood pipeline had forced Hungary to turn to alternative routes, which raised energy prices. Meanwhile, he claimed EU sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine had cost Hungary 19 billion euros ($20 billion) since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. He did not cite how that sum was calculated. “It’s no good that we pay for the economic consequences of sanctions to help Ukraine while they turn around and mess with us,” he said of Kyiv's decision to allow a prewar transit deal with Russia to expire at the end of 2024. Belarus election likely extends Lukashenko's 30-year authoritarian rule Natural gas prices did spike at the beginning of the year following the expiration of Ukraine's transit contract with Russia, though an increase in liquefied natural gas shipments to Europe has kept prices fluctuating. As the EU prepares to renew sanctions on Moscow in the coming week — which requires unanimity among all the 27-member bloc’s leaders — Hungary has signaled it may use a veto to block the penalties. Orbán, considered to have the closest relationship with the Kremlin of any other EU leader, has long been a vocal opponent of EU sanctions against Moscow, though he has ultimately always voted for them. But following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump last week, Orbán has publicly demanded an end to sanctions, raising the possibility that he would veto the newest round which must be decided by Jan. 31. “The question of extending the sanctions is now on the agenda, and I pulled the handbrake and asked European leaders to understand that this cannot be continued," he said Friday. “It is not possible that Hungary will pay the price of the sanctions in this proportion.” Micheál Martin to return as Ireland's PM again “I told my (EU) colleagues to please understand that we are asking for help," he continued. "We ask that they be able to get the Ukrainians to restore the gas pipeline.” He also said he wanted guarantees that Ukraine would not stop transiting Russian oil into Hungary, which he said would pose a “serious risk” to the country.

An explosion at an ordnance factory at Maharashtra’s Bhandara district in India claimed the lives of eight workers and left seven others injured on Friday morning.  Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed the casualties during an event later in the day. “In Bhandara, at the ordnance factory, a major mishap has taken place, resulting in the death of eight people and injuries to seven others. This is preliminary information,” he said, urging attendees to observe a minute’s silence to honor the victims of the "unfortunate incident."  The blast occurred in the factory’s LTP section around 10:30am, according to District Collector Sanjay Kolte. Firefighters and medical teams were dispatched to manage the situation.  The explosion caused the roof to collapse, trapping more than a dozen workers. In the initial rescue efforts, three workers were pulled out alive, while one was found dead. An excavator was deployed to clear the debris, the official added.  12 rail passengers killed in India after jumping onto tracks in fire panic The intensity of the blast was so severe that it was heard up to 5 km away. Videos from the site showed thick smoke billowing from the factory.  Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that senior officials were on-site and rescue teams from Nagpur were en route to assist. Source: with inputs from Indian media

Dhaka, Jan 24 (UNB) : The 10th Shah Cement AKS Cup Golf Tournament 2025 officially commenced at the Kurmitola Golf Course on Friday. The tournament, running from January 22-24 January 2025, has drawn around 650 golfers from across the country, including members of the Kurmitola Golf Club and various other golf clubs, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan inaugurated the tournament as chief guest, it said. Commandant of the National Defence College and Vice President of the Kurmitola Golf Club, Lt Gen Mohammad Shahinul Haque, Executive Director of Abul Khair Group, Freedom Fighter Brig Gen Shahidullah Chowdhury, Club Captain Brig Gen Mohammad Touhid Hossain, senior officers of the Bangladesh Navy, senior officials of Abul Khair Group, and relevant military and civilian officers were present at the event, among others.

The 43rd edition of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan (National Rabindra Sangeet Conference) began on Thursday. It is organised by the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad and is being held at the Chhayanaut auditorium in Dhaka's Dhanmondi. Cultural show marking Chinese New Year held in Dhaka The three-day conference, scheduled to be continued till January 25, is being joined by more than five hundred artists, cultural activists, and organisers from different regions of the country. Eminent Rabindra exponent Fahmida Khatun inaugurated the conference, and the president of the inaugural session, Dr Sarwar Ali, acknowledged her graceful presence with floral greetings. The three-day conference festivity began with the song “Ei Kotha ta Dhore Rakhish.” After the song, Dr Sarwar Ali delivered the President's speech, stating, "There was a crisis of artists here as many talented artists left for India after the partition—then talented artists like Fahmida Khatun and Zahidur Rahim played a special role in spreading the practice of Rabindra Sangeet across the country." “Fahmida Khatun inaugurated this conference today, and this incident has created a special significance for this year’s conference," Dr Sarwar Ali said, while also emphasising the majestic literary works of Rabindranath and how they resonated with society and its people for ages. ‘Nalini’: artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra’s solo exhibition begins at AFD Tania Mannan, secretary of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, delivered the welcome speech at the conference, informing that the recently deceased eminent Rabindra exponent, Papia Sarwar, will be honoured with Rabindra Padak at this year’s conference. After the speeches, the event started moving forward—starting with the lyrical ballad 'Firey Chol Matir Taney.'. The lyrics of the ballad were penned by Santosh Dhali, and the music was directed by artist Bulbul Islam, and the ballad was recited by Bhaswar Banerjee and Trapa Mazumdar. Nrityam Nrityashilana and Dhrithi Nartanalaya then showcased enthralling dance recitals, and after that, renowned Rabindra Sangeet artists including Rokaiya Hasina, Ashok Saha, Akalima Khatun, Shukla Pal, Ferdous Ara, Sushmita Ahmed, Prateek End, Partha Pratim Roy, Kallol Sengupta, Naima Islam, Mainul Islam, Anupam Basak, Pemana Roy, Irene Parveen, Asim Dutta, and Shrabani Mazumder performed solo songs. Alongside these solo performances, the Chandpur branch artists under the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad performed collective songs. Eminent dance artist Munmun Ahmed also performed on the inaugural day, and renowned recitation artist Dalia Ahmed recited Tagore’s poem at the event. 23rd DIFF concludes; ‘Priyo Maloti’ wins Best Film for Bangladesh More than 500 artists, cultural workers, and organisers from different parts of the country are participating in this year's 43rd National Rabindra Sangeet Conference. Activities of the second day of the conference started at 9:30 am on Friday, and several musical performances, dances, and recitals are scheduled to be held to enthral the Rabindra admirers. A delegation meeting was held on Friday at 3 pm, and a seminar titled “Rabindranath in Bangladesh and Rabindranath's Bangladesh" will be held at 4 pm. The activities of 'Zahidur Rahim Smriti Parishad' started in 1979 on the death anniversary of eminent Rabindra artist Zahidur Rahim. The name of the organisation was then changed to ‘Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad’ with a mission to operate on a larger scale across the country, and as of now, the Sammilan Parishad has been operating nationwide with its 82 branches. After its establishment, the first annual sessions were held only in the capital, Dhaka. To activate the branches, since 1984, conferences have been held in Dhaka for one year and in other districts the next year. Open to all, the three-day conference will welcome Rabindra admirers till January 25 at Chhayanaut.

A truck driver died, and three others were injured in a collision between a truck and a covered van in Dhaka’s Demra area on Friday. The deceased was identified as Hridoy, 30, The injured include Sharfin, 60, the truck's helper, and Nazmul, 45, the driver of the covered van, along with his helper, Babu, 23, said Demra Police Station Sub-Inspector Shital Kumar. 2 die in separate Natore road accidents The accident happened around 7:30 am in front of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College on Demra-Jatrabari Road. The truck had stopped after running out of fuel. Driver Hridoy and his helper Sharfin were signalling to other vehicles while waiting behind the truck. Amid dense fog, the covered van rammed into the stationary truck from behind, killing Hridoy on the spot, added the SI. Fire Service personnel, with the help of locals, rescued the injured and rushed them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. Hridoy's body has been sent to Mitford Hospital for an autopsy. 2 friends dead in motorcycle accident on Dhaka-Chattogram highway Police have seized the covered van, and further legal action is underway.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has warned that fascists will have the opportunity to return if the nation's unity is shattered. The Jamaat leader spoke about the importance of preserving national unity and building a humane Bangladesh, while speaking at a workers' rally organised by the district Jamaat at the Kurigram Government College grounds on Friday. India gave shelter to traitors: Jamaat leader He called for the cessation of extortion and land grabbing, stating, "Such activities must be stopped to protect our national unity. If unity is destroyed, the fascists will return." Shafiqur also criticised the Awami League, accusing it of embezzling a staggering Tk 26 lakh crore under the guise of development. "The fascists have no place in Bangladesh," he said, demanding justice for all the killings that have occurred during the current AL government's tenure. He made it clear that the struggle for a humane Bangladesh would continue until justice is served. "From January 10, 1972 to January, 24, 2025, all crimes, murders, and disappearances will be judged on the soil of Bangla. We demand the publication of a list of those who have tortured people, grabbed land, displaced families, and violated the dignity of others,” the Jamaat ameer also said. War against extortion, encroachment will continue: Jamaat Ameer Kurigram Jamaat Ameer Prof Abdul Matin Faruqi presided over the rally. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim, Barrister Salehin, Prof Azizur Rahman Swapan, spoe at the rally, among others.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Bangladesh in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has concluded a two-day annual portfolio review workshop in Dhaka. The workshop brought together about 100 participants, including government officials, development partners, implementing agencies, technical specialists and IFAD country and regional teams, to assess the performance of IFAD investment in Bangladesh, focusing on aligning of IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Programme 2023-2028 with government priorities and its relevance in the current the socio-economic and political context. Report: IFAD expands its climate finance for more resilient rural populations “Despite many successes, challenges remain, and the workshop allows us to share ideas, learn from one another, and identify pragmatic ways to make a greater impact on the lives of the people we work for”, said Valantine Achancho, IFAD country director for Bangladesh. This portfolio review workshop is an opportunity for IFAD and the government to come together and reflect on what they have achieved, while also looking ahead to the work that remains under IFAD’s strategic framework, he said. "Over the past year, we have made significant progress in improving food production, enhancing market access, building climate resilience in communities, and promoting inclusion in rural Bangladesh,” he added. IFAD has long been a trusted partner of Bangladesh, and they share a common commitment to improving the livelihoods of rural communities. "Initiatives such as this workshop provide a valuable opportunity for a comprehensive review of our mutual commitments, enabling us to assess the successes and identify areas requiring more focused intervention. This collaborative exercise further reinforces our partnership with IFAD to effectively leverage our collective resources for sustained impact," said Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance. New climate finance goal must empower small-scale farmers: IFAD President The workshop provided an engaging platform for in-depth discussions and critical assessments of ongoing IFAD-financed projects in Bangladesh. Participants delved into the key indicators, analyzing progress and performance, while giving particular attention to cross cutting themes such as nutrition, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, and social, environmental, and climate assessment procedures. The workshop sessions included insightful presentations highlighting the achievements of 2024 and collaborative discussions to shape strategic plans for 2025, aimed at delivering meaningful outcomes for rural communities. Development partners and co-financiers also participated in discussions about resource mobilization and enhancing cooperation to unlock more opportunities for rural development projects. Reehana Raza, IFAD’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, addressed the participants virtually, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration in strengthening the development impact of IFAD-financed projects in Bangladesh. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks and a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards achieving the goals set for 2025 and beyond, with a steadfast focus on keeping rural people at the center of all investments and initiatives led by IFAD.

The news published on India.com is "false and part of an Indian-orchestrated propaganda campaign" against Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, his family members and the interim government of Bangladesh, said Chief Adviser's press wing on Friday. Dr Yunus did not donate any money to the Hillary Clinton Foundation as claimed in the post, said its fact-checking wing. CA's Press Wing quashes rumours of ISI chief visiting Dhaka His friendship with the Clintons has not benefited his daughter, Monica Yunus, and, contrary to the claim, she never held any position in Joe Biden's administration, said the CA's press wing. The report of Prof Yunus receiving millions of dollars in loans while Hillary Clinton served as US Secretary of States is also false, it said in a Facebook post. Nasimul Ghani not a Hizb ut-Tahrir member, says CA's Press Wing Dr Yunus also played no role in the World Bank’s decision to scrap any loan deal for the Padma Bridge project, according to the CA's press wing.

After 17 days of intensive medical observation, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is likely to go to her son Tarique Rahman’s residence on Friday evening, as she may be discharged from the London Clinic, UK. Khaleda’s personal physician Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said this while talking to reporters on Thursday night (London time). Khaleda Zia, 35 others acquitted in Cumilla sabotage case “If everything goes well and the reports come in as expected... Inshallah, there is a possibility of Madam (Khaleda) being discharged from the hospital. The doctors here are yet to provide a discharge clearance, as some additional tests are being conducted today… she might be discharged this evening,” he said. Even after discharge, Zahid said, the BNP chief will remain under the care of Professors John Patrick Kennedy and Jennifer Cross as they are overseeing her treatment in consultation with her medical board. “She (Khaleda) will be provided treatment following the UK’s medical protocols,” he said. Khaleda was admitted to the London Clinic on January 8 right after she arrived in the UK aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar. Since then, she has been receiving treatment at the hospital under the supervision of a medical board, led by liver specialist Professor John Patrick Kennedy. London Clinic to offer unified medical care for Khaleda The 79-year-old BNP chairperson has been suffering from multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, kidney, heart, diabetes and arthritis-related complications. Asked about her current health condition, Dr Zahid said the BNP chairperson is generally feeling much better now, but no final decision has been made regarding the liver transplant. He said it is important to consider her age and the severity of her liver disease, along with other health complications, before making such a major decision regarding the liver transplant. During her time in prison, the physician said she was deprived of the necessary medical care and left isolated. Khaleda, Tarique acquitted in Zia Orphanage graft case “Had she been brought abroad earlier she might have recovered quicker. The doctors are saying that earlier intervention could have led to different outcomes,” he said. Dr Zahid said the doctors at the London Clinic and the experts from Johns Hopkins University are largely in agreement on continuing her treatment focusing on managing her various ailments with medication. He also said some of the test results are still pending and some samples have been sent for further analysis. “Based on these results, a decision will be made regarding her future course of treatment." During her stay at Tarique’s residence, Zahid said the medical board will continue to monitor her health closely and adjust the treatment plan as necessary. He said Khaleda and her family, including BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, have requested the people of Bangladesh to pray for her speedy recovery.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has accused India of providing shelter to traitors. Taher said that these sheltered individuals were responsible for numerous murders and looting in Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh are demanding their return for trial. War against extortion, encroachment will continue: Jamaat Ameer The Jamaat leader was speaking at a Tafsiru-l-Quran Mahfil organised by the Konkapait Islami Samaj Kalyan Parishad in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla last night. Maulana Mustafa Kamal chaired the event with Maulana Qari Al-Amin serving as the chief Mufassir. Special discussions were held by Maulana Sadiqur Rahman Azhari and Maulana Mufti Lokman Hossain as special Mufassirs. Won't stop until misrule-free Bangladesh is established: Jamaat Ameer Leaders and workers from various levels of Jamaat in Chauddagram Upazila were present at the gathering.

Two motorcyclists have died after their bike collided with a train in Gazipur. The incident accident happened around 9:45 pm on Thursday at the railway crossing near the Ambagh Khulapara area of Gazipur city, on the Dhaka-Rajshahi rail line, said Sub-inspector Nadir Uzuzzaman of Joydebpur Railway Junction Police Outpost. 2 die in separate Natore road accidents The deceased, identified as Hafizur Rahman Ripon (45) and Mahmudul Hasan Chanchal (38), were from the Harinachala Housing area of Konabari Police Station. Hafizur was a jute trader, while Mahmudul worked at a hospital. According to locals, the two were riding from Konabari to Sakashwar in the Kaliakair upazila when their motorcycle was struck by a train travelling towards Dhaka at the crossing. Both men died at the scene. Lineman dies falling from ladder in Shahbagh A police team recovered the bodies. Following the family's request, the bodies were handed over to the relatives without undergoing an autopsy, said the SI.

Over 100 workers of a ready-made garment (RMG) factory have fallen sick after eating tiffin provided by the organisation in Tongi of Gazipur, according to officials on Friday. The incident occurred at Baraka Fashions Ltd in Singbari intersection of Tongi on Thursday night. Workers said they were served bananas and breads as tiffin on behalf of the factory around 8pm. Some 1000 workers were on-duty in the factory at this time. After taking this, over 100 workers fell sick suddenly, creating panic among the co-workers. Initially they were given first-aid in the factory and later shifted to Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and private International Medical College and Hospital, said the factory’s Human Resources Official Shakil Ahmed. The private hospital’s Assistant Director Dr Kazi Kashfia Tabassum said those brought to the hospital returned home after receiving treatment. Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector Ismail Hossain said an investigation was underway in this regard.

Two people died, at least 10 others injured in separate road accidents in Natore’s Gurudaspur upazila on Friday. The first accident occurred at around 6:30 am on the Bonpara-Hatikumrul toll road in the Noyabazar area when two trucks collided head-on, resulting in the death of Shahin Alam (27), a fruit trader from Ullapara, Sirajganj, who was in one of the trucks. Three other individuals were injured in the crash, said Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Bonpara Highway Police Station. Lineman dies falling from ladder in Shahbagh While emergency teams were responding, a passenger bus arriving at the accident site lost control and overturned. At least seven passengers were injured in the incident. Fire service personnel rescued the victims, transporting them to the local government hospital and clinic for treatment, he said. In another accident, a person died in the nearby Kachikata area after being hit by an unidentified vehicle. The identity of the deceased is yet to be known, the OC said. Two college students die in Sylhet road accident

As President Donald Trump prepares to visit areas affected by wildfires in California, he is once again focusing on one of his regular targets for criticism: the state’s water policy. Since the fires began on January 7, Trump has used social media and interviews to accuse the state of sending excessive amounts of water to the Pacific Ocean, rather than directing it south toward Los Angeles. He also pointed out that some hydrants ran dry during the early hours of the firefighting efforts in Pacific Palisades, reports AP. Progress made on huge fire north of Los Angeles while new fires erupt in Southern California Early in his second term, Trump urged federal officials to create plans to redirect more water to California’s Central Valley, an area with abundant crops, as well as to southern cities. A few days later, he threatened to withhold federal disaster assistance unless state leaders changed their water management strategy. This article looks at the facts behind Trump’s comments and the extent of presidential influence over California’s water policies: Where does Southern California’s water come from? California's water is largely sourced from the north, while its population is mainly located in the drier southern region. Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest city, relies on water from external sources. The Central Valley, which is relatively dry, contains fertile land where much of the country's fruits and vegetables are grown. Two systems of dams and canals transport water from northern rain and snowmelt to the south. The federal government operates the Central Valley Project, while the state manages the State Water Project. Both systems channel water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, an estuary crucial for fish and wildlife such as salmon and the endangered delta smelt, a species Trump has shown interest in. Southern California’s water supply is split between local sources like groundwater, and state and federally managed systems, including the Colorado River. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also manages aqueducts that draw water from the Sierra Nevada. What power does Washington have over California’s water? Federal officials manage how much water is allocated to the delta to protect endangered species and to users of the Central Valley Project, mostly farms. This project does not supply water to Los Angeles. Both state and federal officials typically coordinate on water distribution, with the goal of maintaining water flow through the delta to support the ecosystem. However, Trump and others argue that the state allows too much water to flow into the ocean, rather than redirecting it to cities and farms. What actions has Trump taken regarding California’s water policy in the past? During his previous administration, Trump allowed more water to be redirected from the delta to the Central Valley, a move opposed by environmental groups who claimed it would harm endangered species. California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit, arguing that the policy would drive endangered fish species to extinction, including the delta smelt, chinook salmon, and steelhead trout. Under President Joe Biden, new regulations were introduced in December, which environmental groups claimed offered some improvements over Trump’s first set of rules. What is Trump’s stance now? Trump continues to criticize California’s water management. On his Truth Social platform, he recently attacked the state for diverting millions of gallons of water to the Pacific Ocean, instead of using it for towns, cities, and farms across California. Such comments have been welcomed by farmers and water managers in the Central Valley, who feel federal water allocations have been too limited over the past two years, despite a period of heavy rainfall in 2023 that helped the state recover from drought. However, dry conditions are returning to central and southern California. Trump has now instructed the federal government to again redirect more water to farmers and cities. How does this relate to the Los Angeles fires? Not much. The ongoing debate about farms versus fish is a well-established issue in California’s water politics and does not always follow partisan lines. Some environmentalists argue that Newsom is too accommodating to farming interests, but this debate is not related to the water issues faced during the Los Angeles wildfires. Over 50,000 under evacuation orders or warnings as wildfire imperils homes north of Los Angeles Trump has suggested that state officials should “turn the valve” to provide more water to the city, but the state’s water supplies are not responsible for the hydrant shortages or the near-empty Santa Ynez Reservoir during the fire fight. The hydrants failed because they were overstressed, and the reservoir was empty due to maintenance. Newsom has called for an investigation into how the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power handled these issues. According to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the region has enough water in storage to meet around three years of demand. Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay affirmed, "We can deliver what our agencies need." If the federal government decides to allocate more water, it may not benefit Los Angeles. Without coordination between state and federal systems, increasing federal water draw could lead California to reduce its own water allocations to protect the delta, Upadhyay added.

The upcoming Belarusian election is set to extend the 30-year rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who is often referred to as "Europe's last dictator." In the 2020 presidential election, Lukashenko claimed an 80% victory, leading to accusations of fraud, widespread protests, and a brutal crackdown that saw thousands arrested, reports AP. To prevent a repeat of such unrest, Lukashenko has moved the 2025 election from August to the colder month of January, when protests are less likely. EU may suspend asylum for migrants 'weaponized' by Russia, Belarus With many of his political rivals either imprisoned or living in exile, the 70-year-old Lukashenko is poised for a seventh term, solidifying his position as the only leader most Belarusians have known since the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Belarus, once part of the Soviet Union, has a population of 9 million and is located between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO member states. Its close relationship with Russia and President Vladimir Putin has been central to Lukashenko’s rule, with Belarus providing military support, including allowing Russian forces to invade Ukraine in 2022 and hosting Russian nuclear weapons. Lukashenko first took office in 1994, capitalising on public frustration over the economic collapse following post-Soviet reforms. He has maintained power through heavy reliance on Russian subsidies and has drawn criticism for his authoritarian methods, including suppressing dissent and holding elections the West deems unfair. His admiration for the Soviet Union is evident, as he has reintroduced Soviet-era economic controls and sought to reduce the prominence of the Belarusian language in favour of Russian. While Lukashenko occasionally tried to ease repression to court Western approval, such gestures ended after the 2020 election, which was widely regarded as fraudulent. Following mass protests, authorities conducted a sweeping crackdown, arresting tens of thousands and closing independent media and NGOs, drawing sanctions from the West. Many opposition figures are either imprisoned or in exile, with Belarus reportedly holding around 1,300 political prisoners. Belarus says Wagner chief who staged mutiny is in Russia, raising questions about Kremlin's strategy Ahead of this election, Lukashenko moved the election date to January, citing the need to engage in "strategic planning," though critics argue it is to avoid protests in the winter. In an attempt to ease pressure, he pardoned 250 people deemed political prisoners but has continued to arrest those perceived as dissenters. Unlike the previous election, Lukashenko faces minimal opposition this time, as most challengers have been barred from running. Early voting began on Tuesday, with the election concluding on Sunday. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has condemned the election as a farce and called for a boycott. Lukashenko’s ties to Russia have strengthened, with a December 2024 treaty allowing Russian nuclear weapons to be stationed in Belarus. This agreement, alongside Russia’s new nuclear strategy, places Belarus under Russia's nuclear umbrella, increasing its strategic importance amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Samir al-Baghdadi, a mechanic, is attempting to rebuild his family home in Qaboun, a district near Damascus, using his own hands. His house, once a gathering place for family, is now reduced to rubble from years of civil war, reports AP. Al-Baghdadi cannot afford workers or machinery to clear the debris and repair the house, earning just enough to feed his family. However, with the high cost of rent in a nearby apartment, he is determined to rebuild gradually. Italy’s foreign minister visits Syria to promote a peaceful transition after Assad’s regime Though Assad was ousted last month in a swift uprising, the country’s severe economic conditions that sparked protests remain unchanged. Years of civil war, corruption, and mismanagement, compounded by international sanctions, have decimated the economy, with inflation causing about 90% of the population to fall into poverty. The U.N. World Food Program reports that more than 12 million people are uncertain where their next meal will come from. Even though international sanctions have not been fully lifted and potential investors remain cautious, the hopes for Syria's new rulers may be short-lived. Qaboun and other areas of eastern Damascus became rebel strongholds in 2012, during the protests against Assad. The neighbourhood suffered heavy bombardment, including from the Islamic State group. Although government forces regained control in 2017, al-Baghdadi was banned from returning until Assad's ousting. Despite the challenges, al-Baghdadi hoped the political change would lead to better times. However, issues such as power outages and fuel shortages persist. Families have relied on humanitarian aid and remittances from abroad, while the country’s infrastructure—electricity, water, and roads—needs extensive rebuilding. Experts estimate that reconstruction could cost up to $400 billion, far more than the $250 billion predicted in 2017. Although Gulf nations have pledged to work with Syria’s interim rulers, and the U.S. has relaxed some restrictions, many Syrians believe these measures are insufficient to revive the economy. Economic researcher Sinan Hatahet criticises U.S. actions as inadequate, pointing out that restrictions on trade and reconstruction hinder the private sector's ability to recover. The lack of jobs, investment, and financial aid is putting enormous pressure on Syrian families. The World Food Program’s executive director, Cindy McCain, warned that the ongoing food and economic crises are also a matter of security. In Damascus, markets may appear lively, but the economy tells a different story. Merchants, like Walid Naoura, note that despite the celebratory atmosphere, high prices have deterred customers. In a nearby workshop, carpenter Abou Samir works by hand, unable to power his equipment due to frequent electricity cuts. His sons send him money from abroad, but he refuses to stop his trade. First international commercial flight since Assad's ouster lands in Syria's capital Back in Qaboun, al-Baghdadi reflects on his modest progress—connecting a single lightbulb to electricity but still lacking running water. Despite these challenges, he hopes to move back into his home before summer, even though it's far from complete, believing that living in his own home is preferable to any luxury elsewhere.

Freedom carries a bittersweet feeling for Palestinians released from Israeli prisons. When Dania Hanatsheh was freed this week from an Israeli jail and welcomed by jubilant crowds in Ramallah, it brought back uneasy memories for her. After nearly five months of detention, it marked her second release as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas for a pause in the Gaza conflict, reports AP. 2 killed in an Israeli strike in the West Bank, Palestinians say While Hanatsheh was overjoyed to be free again, she expressed sadness about the ongoing destruction in Gaza and uncertainty about her future, with many in her community sharing her fears of future detentions. “Palestinian families are ready for arrest at any time,” she explained. “It feels helpless, like there’s nothing you can do to protect yourself.” Hanatsheh was one of 90 women and girls freed by Israel in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. The deal involves the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, halting fighting for six weeks, freeing 33 hostages from Gaza, and increasing aid to the region. Some prisoners are held for minor acts like throwing stones, while others are convicted of killing Israelis. Hanatsheh was initially arrested in November 2023, shortly after the war began, and released briefly during a ceasefire in exchange for hostages. She was arrested again in August when Israeli forces raided her home with explosives. Despite being detained twice, she was never told the reasons for her arrests. Israel’s justice ministry claims she was detained for “supporting terror,” but she was neither charged nor given a trial and is not affiliated with any militant group. Her experience is common among Palestinians, where nearly every family across Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem has a relative who has spent time in an Israeli jail. The ongoing conflict has caused significant family trauma, with many children growing up without one or both parents. Since the war began 15 months ago, the number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons has risen to over 10,000. Palestinians navigate rubble to return home as Gaza ceasefire takes effect The Israeli practice of “administrative detention” allows authorities to imprison individuals based on secret evidence without charges or trials. This has been a source of frustration for many, including Amjad Abu Asab, head of the Detainees’ Parents Committee in Jerusalem, who highlighted the lack of transparency in the process. The terms of the ceasefire stipulate that the released prisoners cannot be re-arrested for the same charges or returned to jail to complete sentences for past offenses. No documents are signed upon release. Conditions for prisoners deteriorated severely after the war in Gaza began. Israel’s then-national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, vowed that prisons would no longer be “summer camps.” Released prisoners reported inadequate food, medical care, and overcrowded conditions. Prisoners, both male and female, have been subjected to beatings, pepper spray, and deprivation of family visits or even clean clothes. One of the most prominent prisoners released was Khalida Jarrar, 62, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a leftist faction involved in armed resistance. Human Rights Watch condemned her repeated arrests as part of Israel’s unjust crackdown on non-violent political opposition. While some families celebrated the release, others expressed concern that the ceasefire wouldn’t last long enough to see the return of their relatives. Negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire will aim to release all remaining hostages and secure long-term peace, but uncertainty remains. For Yassar Saadat, the release of his mother, Abla Abdelrasoul, who had been in “administrative detention,” was a bittersweet moment. His father, Ahmad Saadat, a high-profile leader of the Popular Front, remains imprisoned, and it’s uncertain whether he will be released. The release of some prisoners convicted of killing Israelis has sparked controversy, particularly among families who have lost loved ones to such attacks. Micah Avni, whose father was murdered by a Hamas member in 2015, expressed his belief that such prisoner exchanges might not lead to lasting peace. Despite the controversy, some Palestinians see the prisoner exchanges as justified due to Israel’s arbitrary detention policies. Others, like Amal Shujaeiah, focus on the personal toll of lost time with their families. Shujaeiah, who spent over seven months in prison, was accused by Israel of participating in pro-Palestinian activities and hosting a podcast on the Gaza conflict. She expressed immense joy at being reunited with her family. “Today I am with my family and loved ones. It’s an indescribable joy, a moment of freedom that helps you forget the sorrow,” Shujaeiah said.

An Afghan women’s organisation on Friday applauded the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Taliban leaders over their persecution of women, reports AP. Karim Khan, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, announced on Thursday that he had sought arrest warrants for two senior Taliban officials, including their leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. Afghans fleeing Taliban urge Trump to lift refugee ban Since reclaiming control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed restrictions barring women from employment, most public spaces, and education beyond the sixth grade. In a statement, the Afghan Women’s Movement for Justice and Awareness welcomed the ICC’s move, describing it as a “significant historical milestone.” “We view this as a testament to the resilience and determination of Afghan women, and we believe this action marks the beginning of a new era of accountability and justice in the country,” the group stated. The Taliban government has not yet commented on the court’s decision. A former official from the Western-backed administration cautioned that the Taliban might use the ruling for propaganda purposes, portraying it as evidence of their unwavering faith and strength. “They could tell their followers that their convictions are so formidable they have provoked unified global opposition,” Mohammad Halim Fidai posted on the X platform. Fidai, a former governor of four provinces before the Taliban takeover, now resides outside Afghanistan. “This decision might inadvertently enhance their credibility or serve as a badge of honour.” Meanwhile, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan described the ongoing denial of education to girls as a “tragedy and travesty.” Indian and Afghan officials meet again, despite no formal ties “It has been 1,225 days — almost four years — since authorities imposed a ban preventing girls over the age of 12 from attending school,” said Roza Otunbayeva, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. “Millions of Afghan girls have been denied their fundamental right to education, which is both a tragedy and a travesty.” Afghanistan remains the only country globally to explicitly prohibit women and girls from all levels of education, Otunbayeva added.

Ferry services on Aricha-Kazirhat and Paturia-Daulatdia river routes in Manikganj resumed on Friday morning after nine hours of suspension due to dense fog. Nasir Chowdhury, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) in Aricha sector, said the ferry services resumed at 10:30am after the fog cleared. Earlier, he said the fog intensified in the Padma and Jamuna rivers’ basins starting from midnight, forcing them to suspend the ferry services at 1:30am. The suspension caused four ferries stuck in the middle of the both rivers and over 500 vehicles at the terminals. During this time, four ferries—Borkot, Kopoti, and Khan Jahan Ali, and Chitra got stuck in the middle of the rivers. Read: Fog fades in Meghna River, ferry services resume Moreover, six ferries remained stuck at the Paturia terminal, four at the Daulatdia, and three at the Aricha, all carrying passengers and vehicles, according to terminal authorities. Currently, over 500 vehicles were stuck at the four ferry terminals, with over 400 freight trucks, they said. Nasir said they allowed passenger buses, private cars, microbuses, ambulances to cross the river on the priority basis after the fogs lifted.

As the party wants the next national election to be held in a free and fair manner, the BNP has begun preparing a list of controversial teachers and other officials who served as returning officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers, and were involved in vote rigging during the national and local body elections over the past 15 years. Speaking to UNB, several BNP leaders revealed that in a recent virtual meeting with the party’s organisational secretaries, the Acting Chairman of the BNP instructed that the list be compiled and submitted to Upazila Election Offices in each district. They said the move has been taken to ensure that these people are excluded from voter registration or election management duties in future polls. The BNP leaders said they have also instructed their party leaders and activists across the country to remain vigilant as the Election Commission (EC) launched the voter list updating process nationwide, to ensure that the job is done properly and fairly. Besides, they said, Tarique Rahman also instructed them to expedite the formation of committees for expired party units at the district, city, upazila, thana, municipality, and union levels across the country. This ensures that the party can be strengthened before the upcoming national election. The BNP leaders said the party high command is working on reorganising the party with sincere and clean-image leaders to face future challenges and overcome the electoral hurdles. A BNP standing committee member, wishing to remain anonymous, said the party believes the next election may not be easy for them due to emerging factors. Read: 12th Parliamentary Election: Voting begins amid opposition boycott “First of all, the government seems to be unnecessarily buying time in the name of reforms. So, we’re preparing to exert pressure on the government to complete the election-related reforms and arrange the election either by August or November,” he said. Secondly, the BNP leader said the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination movement are trying to form a political party with the backing of the interim government. “We don’t have any objection if anyone from any party forms a party, but it should be done through the political process without government support,” he said. The BNP leader said if students form a party with government support and have some of their leaders as advisers in the interim government, they may try to influence the election in various ways. “So, we’re making various strategies to prevent vote rigging and other irregularities during the next election.” As part of their strategies, the BNP leader said they have started compiling a list of controversial teachers, bank officials, and government employees to prevent them from being involved in election duties. He said they have started to suspect that the government is not working impartially, which is a matter of concern for them and could prompt them to launch a movement demanding the election be held under a neutral government. During an interview with BBC Bangla, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday that a neutral government would be needed if the current interim government fails to maintain its impartiality. "If representatives of these students are part of this government, neutrality cannot be maintained. If they think they can hold elections with their representatives in the government, political parties will not accept it," Fakhrul said. Read more: 12th parliamentary election: Polling centre set on fire in Feni Later, on Thursday, he categorically said the interim government is failing to maintain neutrality in certain matters. Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party leaders and workers across the country are well aware of the election officers, presiding officers, and polling agents who assisted the Awami League in rigging votes and manipulating elections over the last 15 years. “We will provide the list of these controversial individuals to the Election Commission so that they are not involved in the next national election. If the government is serious about holding a free and fair election, the questionable people should be excluded from the voting process,” he said. Mosharraf said they are also focusing on further revitalising the BNP by forming expired committees for all units of the party and its associated bodies. “Party overhauling is a continuous process. We’re forming committees and bringing in new and capable leadership.” Replying to a question, he said their party demands a prompt election as it is well prepared for the polls. “The government should hold the election as early as possible in the interest of the country and its people, as various plots are underway to destabilise the country.” The BNP leader said they are closely monitoring the activities of the government, various political parties, and student leaders. “If any unfair move is made to delay or manipulate the election, we will come up with appropriate strategies to tackle it.” Read more: 12th parliamentary election will be competitive and fair, says CEC BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that if any political party is formed with state patronage, the credibility of the interim government will be lost. "It is acceptable if a new party is formed by others, especially those involved in the Anti-Discrimination movement, as we move towards democracy. But it should not be a King's party," he said.

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order denying U.S. citizenship to the children of parents living in the country illegally, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” during the first hearing in a multi-state effort challenging the order. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution promises citizenship to those born on U.S. soil, a measure ratified in 1868 to ensure citizenship for former slaves after the Civil War. But in an effort to curb unlawful immigration, Trump issued the executive order just after being sworn in for his second term on Monday. The order would deny citizenship to those born after Feb. 19 whose parents are in the country illegally. It also forbids U.S. agencies from issuing any document or accepting any state document recognizing citizenship for such children. Trump's order drew immediate legal challenges across the country, with at least five lawsuits being brought by 22 states and a number of immigrants rights groups. A lawsuit brought by Washington, Arizona, Oregon and Illinois was the first to get a hearing. "I’ve been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is,” U.S. District Judge John Coughenour told a Justice Department attorney. “This is a blatantly unconstitutional order.” Thursday’s decision prevents the Trump administration from taking steps to implement the executive order for 14 days. In the meantime, the parties will submit further arguments about the merits of Trump's order. Coughenour scheduled a hearing on Feb. 6 to decide whether to block it long term as the case proceeds. Coughenour, 84, a Ronald Reagan appointee who was nominated to the federal bench in 1981, grilled the DOJ attorney, Brett Shumate, asking whether Shumate personally believed the order was constitutional. “I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order,” he added. Shumate assured the judge he did — “absolutely.” He said the arguments the Trump administration is making now have never previously been litigated, and that there was no reason to issue a 14-day temporary restraining order when it would expire before the executive order takes effect. The Department of Justice later said in a statement that it will “vigorously defend” the president’s executive order, which it said “correctly interprets the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” “We look forward to presenting a full merits argument to the Court and to the American people, who are desperate to see our Nation’s laws enforced,” the department said. Read: Trump signs executive order to end birthright citizenship The U.S. is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship — the principle of jus soli or “right of the soil” — is applied. Most are in the Americas, and Canada and Mexico are among them. The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, in the aftermath of the Civil War, to ensure citizenship for former slaves and free African Americans. It states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Trump’s order asserts that the children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States, and therefore not entitled to citizenship. Arguing for the states on Thursday, Washington assistant attorney general Lane Polozola called that “absurd," noting that neither those who have immigrated illegally nor their children are immune from U.S. law. “Are they not subject to the decisions of the immigration courts?” Polozola asked. “Must they not follow the law while they are here?” Polozola also said the restraining order was warranted because, among other reasons, the executive order would immediately start requiring the states to spend millions to revamp health care and benefits systems to reconsider an applicant’s citizenship status. “The executive order will impact hundreds of thousands of citizens nationwide who will lose their citizenship under this new rule,” Polozola said. “Births cannot be paused while the court considers this case.” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown told reporters afterward he was not surprised that Coughenour had little patience with the Justice Department’s position, considering that the Citizenship Clause arose from one of the darkest chapters of American law, the Supreme Court’s 1857 Dred Scott decision, which held that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not entitled to citizenship. Read more: Trump says birthright citizenship will be ended “Babies are being born today, tomorrow, every day, all across this country, and so we had to act now,” Brown said. He added that it has been “the law of the land for generations, that you are an American citizen if you are born on American soil, period.” “Nothing that the president can do will change that,” he said. A key case involving birthright citizenship unfolded in 1898. The Supreme Court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip abroad, he had faced being denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds that he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some advocates of immigration restrictions have argued that case clearly applied to children born to parents who were both legal immigrants. They say it’s less clear whether it applies to children born to parents living in the country illegally. Trump’s order prompted attorneys general to share their personal connections to birthright citizenship. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, for instance, a U.S. citizen by birthright and the nation’s first Chinese American elected attorney general, said the lawsuit was personal for him. Later Thursday, he said Coughenour made the right decision. “There is no legitimate legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own,” Tong said this week.

Asian shares advanced Friday after U.S. stocks rose to a record and the Bank of Japan raised its key lending rate. U.S. futures edged lower and oil prices fell after U.S. President Donald Trump called on oil-producing countries to reduce the price of crude, which would ease worries about inflation. Markets showed little obvious reaction to Trump's most recent comments about imposing higher tariffs on products from China and other countries. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.3% to 40,074.87 after the central bank raised its benchmark rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, as widely expected. It is the highest level for the rate since 2008, as the Bank of Japan shifts out of a long spell of extreme low interest rates meant to spur more borrowing and spending. Just before the decision, statistics from the government showed the core inflation rate increased to 3% year-on-year in December, reaching the highest level in 16 months and was above the central bank’s 2% target. The dollar dropped against the Japanese yen, trading at 155.24 yen, down from 156.06 yen. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 1.8% to 20,057.46 and the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.7% to 3,253.79. In South Korea, the Kospi gained 0.6% to 2,530.56. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.4% to 8,408.30. Read: Asian shares mixed as Big Tech drops affect Wall Street On Thursday, the S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to 6,118.71, surpassing its record set early last month. It was the seventh gain in eight days for the main measure of Wall Street’s health. The Dow Jones Industrial Average piled on 0.9% to 44,565.07, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to 20,053.68. The gains came amid relatively calm moves for Treasury yields in the U.S. bond market. Big swings there in recent months have been shaking the stock market, particularly when rising worries about inflation and the U.S. government’s heavy debt send Treasury yields higher. Treasury yields took a brief turn upward after President Donald Trump began talking about the prospect of tariffs in a speech by video at the World Economic Forum, saying products made outside of the United States will be subject to a tariff, but they pulled back after he gave few details. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.64% from 4.61% late Wednesday, though it remains below its high from earlier this month. The two-year Treasury yield eased to 4.29% from 4.30% late Wednesday. Yields earlier in the day had held relatively steady after a report showed slightly more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. While the numbers increased, “they were well within the modest range established in recent months,” according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. “Employment continues to highlight US economic outperformance.” Traders don’t expect the report to push the Federal Reserve to cut its main interest rate at its upcoming meeting next week, according to data from CME Group. If they’re correct, it would be the first meeting since September where the Fed hasn’t lowered the federal funds rate to take pressure off the U.S. economy. Lower rates can goose prices for investments, but they can also give inflation more fuel. In the cryptocurrency market, where prices have surged on hopes President Donald Trump will make Washington friendlier to the industry, bitcoin fell below $103,000, according to CoinDesk. It had set a record above $109,000 on Monday. Read more: Asian shares decline amid concerns over rate cuts and tariffs In other dealings early Friday, U.S. benchmark crude oil shed 13 cents to $74.49 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 13 cents to $78.16 per barrel. The euro rose to $1.0449 from $1.0416.

Evacuation orders were lifted Thursday for tens of thousands as firefighters with air support slowed the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, but new blazes erupted in San Diego County, briefly triggering more evacuations. Southern California is under a red flag warning for critical fire risk through Friday. The area has been facing constant challenges in controlling the fires, as dangerous winds gained strength again Thursday. The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day charred nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, a popular recreation area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week. Crews made significant progress by late afternoon on the Hughes Fire, with more than one-third of it contained. Two new blazes were reported Thursday in the San Diego area. Evacuations were ordered but were later lifted after a brush fire erupted in the late afternoon in the wealthy enclave of La Jolla near the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. Further south, near the U.S.-Mexico border, another blaze was quickly spreading through the Otay Mountain Wilderness, home to the endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly and other unique species. In Ventura County, a new fire briefly prompted the evacuation of California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo. Water-dropping helicopters made quick progress against the Laguna Fire that erupted in hills above the campus of about 7,000 students. The evacuation order was later downgraded to a warning. Read: Over 50,000 under evacuation orders or warnings as wildfire imperils homes north of Los Angeles Rain is forecast for the weekend, potentially ending Southern California's monthslong dry spell. Winds are also not as strong as they were when the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out, allowing for firefighting aircraft to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant. That helped the fight against the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area north of Los Angeles, allowing helicopters to drop water, which kept it from growing, fire spokesperson Jeremy Ruiz said. “We had helicopters dropping water until around 3 a.m. That kept it in check,” he said. Nearly 54,000 residents in the Castaic area were still under evacuation warnings Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. There were no reports of homes or other structures burned. Kayla Amara drove to Castaic’s Stonegate neighborhood Wednesday to collect items from the home of a friend who had rushed to pick up her daughter at preschool. As Amara was packing the car, she learned the fire had exploded in size and decided to hose down the property. Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she’s been on edge for weeks as major blazes devastated Southern California. “It’s been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home it’s just super stressful,” she said. The Palisades Fire was more than three-quarters contained, and the Eaton Fire was 95% under control Thursday. The two fires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out Jan. 7. Read more: As flames linger, talk turns to rebuilding Los Angeles neighborhoods leveled by wildfires Rain was expected to start Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Officials welcomed the wet weather, but crews also were shoring up hillsides and installing barriers to prevent debris flows as residents returned to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas. The California fires have overall caused at least $28 billion in insured damage and probably a little more in uninsured damage, according to Karen Clark and Company, a disaster modeling firm known for accurate post-catastrophe damage assessments. On the heels of that assessment, California Republicans are pushing back against suggestions by President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and others that federal disaster aid for victims of wildfires should come with strings attached. The state Legislature approved a more than $2.5 billion fire relief package Thursday, in part to help the Los Angeles area recover from the fires. Trump plans to travel to the state to see the damage firsthand Friday, but it isn’t clear whether he and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will meet during the visit.

Centuries-old stone Buddha statues and precious jewelries repatriated by the Dutch government to its former colony are on display at Indonesia's National Museum, providing a glimpse into the country's rich heritage that the government had struggled to retrieve. The collection is part of more than 800 artifacts that were returned under a Repatriation Agreement signed in 2022 between Indonesia and the Netherlands, said Gunawan, the museum's head of cultural heritage. The objects are not just those looted in conflict, but also seized by scientists and missionaries or smuggled by mercenaries during the four centuries of colonial rule. “I was so amazed that we have all of these artifacts,” said Shaloom Azura, a visitor to the museum in Jakarta. She hoped other historical objects can be repatriated too, "so we don’t have to go to the Netherlands just to see our own cultural heritage.” The agreement to return cultural objects was inspired by the new era of global restitution and repatriation efforts. In 2021, France said it was returning statues, royal thrones and sacred altars taken from the West African nation of Benin. Belgium returned a gold-capped tooth belonging to the slain Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba. Cambodia in 2023 welcomed the return of priceless stolen artifacts that had been seized during periods of war and instability. Many of the items returned so far have come from the United States. And the Berlin museum authority said it would return h undreds of human skulls from the former German colony of East Africa. The Dutch government announced the same year the return of the Indonesian treasures and looted artifacts from Sri Lanka. Only a few objects made it back before a deal was struck The repatriation “is not something out of the blue” but followed a lengthy process, said I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, former Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands who also headed the government's team tasked to recover the objects. He said negotiations with the Dutch government have been ongoing since Indonesia’s independence in August 1945, but it was only in July 2022 that Indonesia formally requested the return of its cultural objects with a list of specific items. “This repatriation is important for us to reconstruct history that may be lost or obscured or manipulated,” Puja said. “And we can fill the gap of the historical vacuum that has existed so far.” The Dutch government in 1978 returned the famous 13th-century statue of princess Pradnya Paramita from the Javanese Singhasari Kingdom. During the same visit to Indonesia, then-Queen Juliana also returned a saddle and spear seized from Prince Diponegoro, a Javanese nobleman considered a national hero for his struggle against colonial rule in the 19th century. The prince's scepter was returned in 2015. In 2020, Dutch King Willem-Alexander handed over Diponegoro's gold-plated kris dagger in his first state visit to Indonesia. Also pending is the return of the “Java Man” — the first known example of homo erectus that was collected by Dutch paleoanthropologist Eugene Dubois in the 19th century. Read: Emilia Pérez leads Oscar nominations with 13 “The importance of the most recent repatriation is knowledge creation, that will give society a more complete knowledge of our past history,” said Puja. He said the recent repatriation efforts seem to also be motivated by practical considerations, such as when the Delf city administration sent back 1,500 objects in 2019. They were part of the bankrupted Nusantara Museum collection. Focus on protection of repatriated artifacts However, Marc Gerritsen, the Dutch ambassador to Indonesia, said the repatriation would only focus on cultural objects that are requested, rather than emptying out European museums. “There is a huge interest from the Dutch public in Indonesian history and Indonesian culture, so we do know that if Dutch museums put these objects on display, there will be an interest,” Gerritsen said, “But again, the heart of the matter is that the colonial collections artifacts that were stolen during the colonial period are returned on the basis of this process that was established.” He said the Netherlands, the largest investor from the European Union in Indonesia, has a unique relationship with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. “Of course, we have elements of which we are not proud, but we are really grateful for the fact that Indonesia is so much attached to preserving that history,” Gerritsen said. To support its former colony in safeguarding its repatriated cultural heritage, the Dutch government has offered to assist in improving museum storage conditions and staff expertise. Some researchers have criticized Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago nation of 17,000 islands, for a lack of legal framework to protect its rich cultural heritage and natural conservation. At least 11 cases of museum thefts were reported between 2010 and 2020, according to a 2023 report by Rucitarahma Ristiawan, a lecturer of cultural science at Gajah Mada University, and two other researchers. Read more: Meagan Good says goodbye to 'Harlem,' hello to her future with Jonathan Majors In 2023, dozens of ships dredged the bottom of the Batanghari River in Jambi province, and the crews looted archaeological objects including porcelain, coins, metal and gold artifacts, which are believed to have been sold abroad, the report said. “I think there is a lot to be reviewed from our historical works that are still kept in other countries,” said Frengky Simanjuntak, who marveled at the Repatriation Exhibition at the National Museum, on display since October. “So it’s not just about bringing them back home, but how to protect them."

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence Thursday that will revoke past government policies his order says “act as barriers to American AI innovation." To maintain global leadership in AI technology, "we must develop AI systems that are free from ideological bias or engineered social agendas,” Trump's order says. The new order doesn't name which existing policies are hindering AI development but sets out to track down and review “all policies, directives, regulations, orders, and other actions taken” as a result of former President Joe Biden's sweeping AI executive order of 2023, which Trump rescinded Monday. Any of those Biden-era actions must be suspended if they don't fit Trump's new directive that AI should “promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security.” Last year, the Biden administration issued a policy directive that said U.S. federal agencies must show their artificial intelligence tools aren’t harming the public, or stop using them. Trump’s order directs the White House to revise and reissue those directives, which affect how agencies acquire AI tools and use them. Biden’s executive order, the Trump administration said, “established unnecessarily burdensome requirements for companies developing and deploying AI that would stifle private sector innovation and threaten American technological leadership.” Trump's order also calls for the development of an AI action plan within 180 days. Leading the work will be a small group of White House tech and science officials, including a new Special Advisor for AI and Crypto — a role Trump has given to venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks. Trump repealed Biden’s 2023 guardrails for fast-developing AI technology just hours after returning to the White House on Monday. Read: ChatGPT faces outage, users worldwide report problems The new actions threaten to erase some of the Biden administration’s efforts -- championed by then-Vice President Kamala Harris -- to curb government use of the kinds of AI tools that have been found to unfairly discriminate based on race, gender or disability, from medical diagnosis chatbots spouting false information to face recognition technology tied to wrongful arrests of Black men. Until Thursday, it wasn't clear if Trump planned to replace Biden's signature AI policy with his own order. Trump had also signed executive orders on AI in his previous term, including a 2019 order directing federal agencies to prioritize research and development in AI that is still on the books. Alondra Nelson, former acting director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under Biden, said Trump’s order seemed “backward looking” because agencies would be tasked with reviewing initiatives “that are already helping people, with an implicit intent to unwind them.” The Biden administration’s AI policies, she added, were aimed at protecting both innovation and the public. “In 60 days, we’ll know which Americans’ rights and safety the Trump Administration believes deserves to be protected in the age of AI, and if there will be a level playing field for every technologist, developer, and innovator or just the tech billionaires,” Nelson said. Much of Biden’s 2023 order set in motion a sprint across government agencies to study AI's impact on everything from cybersecurity risks to its effects on education, workplaces and public benefits, with an eye on ensuring AI tools weren't harming people. That work is largely done. Read more: Trump announces 500 bln USD AI infrastructure investment in U.S. One major piece that remained — until Trump rescinded it Monday — was a requirement that tech companies building the most powerful AI models share details with the government about the workings of those systems before they are unleashed to the public. The Trump order's focus on “human flourishing” echoes the language of his campaign's long-held promise to cancel Biden's AI policy once back in the White House. It's also in line with ideas espoused by Trump adviser Elon Musk, who has warned against the dangers of what he calls “woke AI” that reflects liberal biases. In a statement, Americans for Responsible Innovation, a nonprofit organization, said Trump has “made it clear from day one that his top priority on AI is out-innovating the rest of the world.” “Today’s executive order is a placeholder until the administration has a chance to develop a full strategy for executing that vision,” said the organization’s executive director, Eric Gastfriend. Agencies had already frozen work on AI policies initiated by the last administration following Trump’s repeal of Biden’s executive order on Monday, Gastfriend said. “This new instruction shouldn’t come as a surprise,” he said.

A new study suggests that a pill used for emergency contraception could be repurposed at a higher dose as an abortion drug, providing a possible alternative to mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in the most common type of abortion in the United States. Mifepristone has been under attack by abortion opponents, with several states seeking in federal court to restrict its use. Now used in two-thirds of U.S. abortions, mifepristone blocks a hormone needed to sustain a pregnancy. It's typically used with misoprostol, which causes contractions and bleeding. In the study, 133 women who were up to nine weeks' pregnant took a 60 milligram dose of ulipristal acetate, the active ingredient in the prescription contraceptive Ella, followed by misoprostol 24 hours later. For 97% of them, that drug combo was effective at inducing an abortion, an effectiveness equal to the mifepristone-misoprostol combination. Four women needed a procedure or an additional medication to complete the abortion. Read: Appeals court decision enables abortions in Arizona to resume The 60 milligram dose of ulipristal used in the study is twice the dose of Ella, a prescription drug used for emergency contraception. The company that makes Ella says on its website that it won't end an existing pregnancy. It can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The findings, published Thursday in the journal NEJM Evidence, may make emergency contraception a target of abortion opponents. “I’m really worried that these results could be misapplied by anti-abortion activists to try to further their assault on contraception,” said Dr. Daniel Grossman of the University of California, San Francisco, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal. Grossman praised the study but said more research is needed on ulipristal as an abortion drug before doctors would prescribe it routinely for that use. Read more: Texas Supreme Court blocks order that resumed abortions Lead author Dr. Beverly Winikoff, president of Gynuity Health Projects, a not-for-profit research group, said women need information about ulipristal, especially with mifepristone challenged in court. “At least now we would have an alternative,” Winikoff said. “I think it’s better to have more things that you could use.”

The northern bordering district of Lalmonirhat has been shivering amid the severe cold as the sunlight wasn’t seen for the past four days, disrupting daily life. People aren’t coming out of their houses unless there is an emergency as the fog has been spawning drizzle since Thursday morning. Cold-stricken people are trying to keep them warm by burning straws in open spaces and the severity of the cold coupled with thick fog aggravates after the evening. The poor visibility caused the thin presence of vehicles on the streets while some transports were seen moving with headlights on to ward off any unwanted incident. Read: Severe cold grips Kurigram; low-income people hit hard The adverse weather has left farmers worried over the seedbeds of crops such potato, garlic, and Boro paddy. Mostafizar Rahman, officer-in-charge of Rangpur regional weather office, said they recorded the lowest temperature at 14.2 degree Celsius in the district among seven districts under the office at 9am on Friday. The temperature fluctuated between 12.00 to 12.06 degree Celsius over the past three days except today (Friday), he said.

Manchester United has told fans it cannot sustain its current financial losses and risks breaching Premier League rules after facing a backlash over rising ticket prices. The record 20-time English champion, which is co-owned by the American Glazer family and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, said it had lost more than 300 million pounds ($371 million) over the past three years. “This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP (financial) requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch,” United wrote in a letter to fan group The 1958 and seen by The Associated Press. Supporters have hit out after United raised its lowest-priced tickets to 66 pounds ($81) partway through the season. Previously, the lowest priced ticket was 40 pounds ($49). “We will get back to a cash positive position as soon as possible and we will have to make some difficult choices to get there,” United wrote. It said it did “not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall” but would look at its ticket pricing strategy to make sure it was “charging the right amount." The Premier League’s profit and financial sustainability rules (PSR) allow clubs to lose a maximum of 105 million pounds ($132.5 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions such as points deductions. Last season, Everton and Nottingham Forest were deducted points for breaking those rules. There are also sanctions for failing to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) regulations. While United reported losses last year of 113.2 million pounds ($140 million) for the year ending June 30, certain areas of spending are not included the league’s PSR calculations. Still, the club has outlined its concerns about its ability to comply with the rules. Ratcliffe, who is one of Britain’s richest people and completed a partial buyout of United last year, has overseen an extensive restructuring program. That has included cost-saving initiatives that saw staff redundancies of around 250 roles. “None of this has been easy, but we believe it is essential to restoring financial sustainability to the club which will underpin us as we work to get back to the top of English and European football,” United said. Read:Vinícius Júnior reaches 100 goals with Real Madrid as club advances in Champions League United also fired Erik ten Hag as manager in late October, just a few months after handing the Dutchman a contract extension through next season. Then, in December, the club announced that sporting director Dan Ashworth would leave by mutual agreement less than six months after taking over the role as part of Ratcliffe's overhaul. United's financial issues come at a time when it is need of improvements on the field. Last week, head coach Ruben Amorim said this was “the worst, maybe, in the history of Manchester United” after defeat to Brighton left it 13th in the standings and closer to the relegation zone than Champions League qualification. His need for funds to add to his squad could see the departure of leading players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho during the midseason transfer window.

Australia's women had already retained the Ashes. Now they've won the series against England. The Australians won the rain-affected second Twenty20 by six runs in Canberra on Thursday to extend their 100% start to the series and move into a 10-0 lead with just one more T20 and a test match remaining. The English were set 186 to win and reached 168-4 with five balls left when heavy rain fell and no further play was possible. They were six runs short of the required score set by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Read: Women's ODI Series: Bangladesh taste maiden victory against West Indies in any format The Australians, who have won all three ODIs and the first two T20s, have held the Ashes since 2015, when they won the multi-format series on English soil.