Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) today cut Jet A-1 (jet fuel) price for domestic and international airlines by Tk 9.68 per litre. According to a commission circular today, the price of Jet A-1 fuel has been cut by Tk 9.68 per litre to Tk 94.93 from Tk104.61 for domestic careers. Besides, the BERC also said that the price has been decreased by US$0.0629 per litre to US$0.6246 from US$0.6875 for international airlines. The regulatory agency said considering the Platts Rate from December 5, 2025 to January 4, 2026 on an average, it decreased the jet fuel price for January, 2026. The BERC held a public hearing today in accordance with Sections 34 (4) and 34 (6) of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003 in view of the proposal of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Padma Oil Company Limited (POCL).

Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) – Forest guards today arrested a poacher along with deer-hunting traps from the Dimerchar area of Kochikhali in the eastern Sundarbans. The operation was conducted around noon during a foot patrol in the Dimerchar forest area, said Forester Md Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of the Kochikhali Wildlife Sanctuary Centre under the Sharankhola Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. During a search, the team caught one poacher red-handed, while two others escaped into the deep forest. Forest guards seized a large number of loop and snare traps along with seven plastic sacks from the spot. Forester Md Mizanur Rahman said the rescued deer was immediately released back into the Sundarbans.

BARCELONA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Holders Barcelona will travel to Racing Santander in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey while Real Madrid will meet Albacete after both were drawn against second division opposition on Wednesday. The other teams involved in the Spanish Super Cup, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, also face second-tier opponents. Tournament rules dictate the Super Cup teams face the lowest ranked teams remaining, until later in the competition. Atletico will visit two-time winners Deportivo La Coruna, while Athletic go to Cultural Leonesa. Full last 16 draw:Deportivo La Coruna v Atletico Madrid, Racing Santander v Barcelona, Cultura Leonesa v Athletic Bilbao, Albacete v Real Madrid, Burgos v Valencia, Betis v Elche, Real Sociedad v Osasuna, Alaves v Rayo Vallecano

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police collected the DNA samples. The Chief Adviser said that the atrocities committed by the then government were rare in world history. According to the report, so far, nine families searching for their missing relatives have provided DNA samples. CID Chief Md Sibgat Ullah said that the mother of one martyr used to visit the CID office regularly. The CID chief said establishing a laboratory at the site and conducting DNA testing there has significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the police.

DHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The government has given its consent to bring in shares of profitable state-owned enterprises (SoEs) and multinational companies (MNCs) with government shareholding to the capital market aiming to deepen the market and restore investor confidence. Several profitable state-owned enterprises will be listed through direct listing, while multinational companies have said that any decision on stock market listing will be taken through their respective board meetings. The companies include Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited, Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO), North-West Power Generation Company Limited, West Zone Gas Company Limited, Syngenta Bangladesh Limited, Sylhet Gas Fields Limited, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, Synovia Bangladesh Limited, Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited and Nestlé Bangladesh PLC. The Finance Adviser said the stock market has now largely returned to a rule-based framework and the focus should be on increasing market depth and restoring confidence. Replying to a question on multinational companies, the Finance Adviser said the government holds shares in some of these companies, but they are not listed.

DHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) – A Dhaka court today ordered freezing of more than 20 bank accounts of two people named Yasin and Shahin on charges of money laundering and gold smuggling. The undocumented precious goods were subsequently sold in Bangladesh’s various markets and they deposited the money in various bank accounts of accused Yasin. The report further said that a total of Tk.20.84 crore was transacted in nine bank accounts of Yasin from 2016 to 2023, which was completely inconsistent with his declared income. Besides, Al Arafat Jewelers owned by Shahin Chowdhury and Bismillah Jewelers owned by Ujjal Chowdhury purchased gold brought from abroad illegally. The court simultaneously ordered seizure of Chowdhury’s bank accounts on a CID application.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - A full-scale security drill titled Airport Security Exercise 2026 was conducted at Cox’s Bazar Airport today to test emergency preparedness and strengthen coordination among aviation security stakeholders. Under ICAO guidelines, every airport is required to conduct an airport security exercise at least once every two years, said a press release here issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Participants in the exercise included the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Army, RAB, Cox’s Bazar district police, APBn, Ansar, medical teams from the Civil Surgeon’s Office and General Hospital, and Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence. He expressed optimism that such exercises would play a vital role in preparing for the upcoming ICAO security audit and informed that work on extending Cox’s Bazar Airport runway to 10,700 feet and constructing a new international terminal is progressing rapidly. CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan and CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal were also present.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today spoke atMohammadpur Government Physical Education College ground in the city. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today stressed on developing talent and merit in children through sports. Dhaka Divisional Social Services Office, under the Department of Social Services organized the competition on Mohammadpur Government Physical Education College ground in the city. Speaking on the occasion, the social welfare adviser mentioned sports and cultural practices as one of the means of building discipline, confidence and human values ? The job of the Ministry of Social Welfare is to stand by the children, women, disabled and underprivileged people of the society and create a suitable environment for them so that they can develop their talents properly, Sharmeen said.

BGB to be deployed in 489 upazilas for holding peaceful electionDHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The government has decided to deploy Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in 489 upazilas across the country, including the capital city, to ensure the forthcoming 13th national election is held in a free, fair, impartial, peaceful and festive manner. According to a Home Ministry circular issued Tuesday, BGB will be deployed in 489 of the country's 495 upazilas. Earlier, BGB said in a press release that a total of 1,151 platoons have already been deployed nationwide to maintain peace and law and order during the election period. In total, more than 800,000 personnel from various forces will be deployed for election duties. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Coast Guard will also assist in ensuring a secure election environment.

Photo: CollectedPARIS, France, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Washington and Kyiv teams in Paris were on Wednesday expected to tackle Ukraine talks' "most difficult issues" including territory following a breakthrough in European-led negotiations, Ukraine's leader said. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner represented Washington in the talks amid efforts to end nearly four years of war in Ukraine sparked by Russia's invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Kyiv and Washington teams would dedicate the second day of the Paris talks to the fate of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and control of territory in eastern Ukraine. "The most difficult issues from the basic framework for ending the war will be discussed -- namely, issues related to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and territories." Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said he does not want to see NATO troops on the ground in Ukraine.

DHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The government has promulgated a new amended ordinance to ensure legal protection and inheritance rights for families of persons subjected to enforced disappearance. In addition, the wife or dependent family members of a victim of the enforced disappearance will no longer require prior permission from the commission to initiate legal proceedings. The ordinance will be known as the “Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026” and has been ordered to come into effect immediately. Upon verification of the application’s authenticity, the tribunal may order distribution of the property. Protection for family members:The new ordinance simplifies legal protection for the wife or dependent members of a victim of enforced disappearance.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday said the general election in Bangladesh is an internal affair of Bangladesh and China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. "It’s believed that Bangladesh will be able to hold the general election smoothly," he said during his meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, stressing that China stands ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the BNP and promote Bangladesh-China friendship to new heights. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on different issues including China-Bangladesh relations, party-to-party cooperation, among others. Ambassador Yao once again expressed deep condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of BNP and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stated that China and Bangladesh are Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partners. The Communist Party of China and the BNP have long maintained close and friendly relations, he said.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) traders have warned of a nationwide suspension of LPG supply and marketing from Thursday if Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) does not announce a fresh price adjustment within 24 hours. LPG Traders Cooperative Society Limited issued the ultimatum from a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday. He alleged that BERC has set new prices without consulting distributors, creating hardships for companies, distributors, and consumers alike. The organisation claimed that although the country has around 55 million LPG cylinders only about 12.5 million are being refilled, resulting in a supply shortfall of nearly 60 percent compared to demand. The traders urged government intervention including subsidies for inactive cylinders and measures to ensure uninterrupted gas supply.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Wednesday alleged that his party faced serious discrimination during the scrutiny of nomination papers and demanded the removal of partisan Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from their posts. He said two kinds of decisions were seen on the similar issues as some partisan DCs were appointed in different places who took decisions based on their partisan attitude not laws during the scrutiny of nomination papers. “In similar cases of dual citizenship, nomination papers were accepted in some constituencies, while in others they were rejected,” he said, adding that the nomination paper of Jamaat aspirant Mahbub Salehin in Kurigram was rejected on similar grounds. Among them, nomination papers of two candidates were accepted, but in the same circumstances, the nomination of our candidate Hamidur Rahman Azad was rejected,” he said. The six-member Jamaat delegation also included its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Jamaat MP candidate Shishir Monir.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has fixed January 11 for the hearing on framing of charges against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a crimes against humanity case. The order was passed on Wednesday by a single-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud. As Joy remains absconding, the tribunal on December 17 ordered the appointment of state defence counsel on his behalf. On December 10, the tribunal directed that notices be published in two national newspapers asking Joy to surrender. The case was filed on allegations of inciting crimes against humanity through the suspension of internet services.