The government on Tuesday approved in principle a proposal to procure vaccines under the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) for the current fiscal year (FY26) through Direct Procurement Method (DPM). The approval was given at this year’s first meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed chaired the meeting. The procurement will be carried out under the project titled Loan 4078 (COL)/4079-BAN: Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project under the Asia Pacific Vaccines Access Facility (APVAX).’The Health Services Division submitted the proposal to the committee, which, after discussion, recommended it for approval in principle.

The Oikyoboddho Jobiyan panel, backed by Chhatra Shakti, has alleged the use of muscle power during voting in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election. Kishor Samya said Chhatra Dal was openly displaying muscle power in the election. “In Room 102 of the Social Work Department, our polling agent was prevented from entering by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists. Chhatra Dal polling agents are blatantly violating the code of conduct. When an agent from their panel objected, Chhatra Dal panel leaders and activists allegedly rushed to assault him inside the centre and attempted to destabilise the situation through shouting and commotion.

Inqilab Mancha on Tuesday began its “March for Justice” from Shahbagh, demanding justice for the killing of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and the fulfilment of its four-point demand. Leaders and activists of the platform joined the march, which started around 11:30am. Participants said they joined the program to demand justice for Hadi’s murder, questioning why no progress has been made so far. They demanded that all those involved in the killing be brought to trial before the upcoming elections. Inqilab Manch’s four-point demands

Fingerprints of students were being checked in front of Shahid Sajid Bhaban, the English Department building and the Philosophy building. Security personnel have been deployed at several points on and around the campus since morning. The university Proctor Professor Tajammul Haque said three-tier security measures have been introduced for the first time during a Jagannath University student parliament election. “To keep the situation normal, security has been strengthened since noon. As part of this, members of the proctorial body are checking the fingerprints of students who have already voted and asking them to leave the campus,” he said, seeking cooperation from all concerned.

The survey and research report conducted by the research vessel RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansenu on marine fisheries and ecosystems was submitted to the Chief Adviser by the concerned authorities today. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today underscored the need for extensive research in deep-sea and identification of challenges to ensure proper utilization of vast marine resources. He further emphasised coordinating joint marine research initiatives with Japan, Indonesia, and the Maldives. According to the findings, around 270 to 280 large fishing trawlers operate in deep-sea fishing, of which about 70 use sonar-based targeted fishing methods. The vessel will support seabed mapping, depth measurement, and marine data collection, which help enhance Bangladesh's marine research and capacity.

While there is still some nervousness about stretched valuations in the tech sector, analysts remain optimistic about the outlook for equities this year, with artificial intelligence still the main game in town. "Equities can continue grinding higher if earnings expectations, liquidity, and rate expectations remain supportive, especially in tech." That mood was reflected on Wall Street, where the Dow ended at a new record, boosted by a rally in tech giants including Amazon and Meta as well as energy giants. Hong Kong piled on more than one percent, while Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also sharply higher. Oil prices slipped, having risen 1.7 percent Monday as the impact of developments in Venezuela were being weighed.

Ravens players reflect on shocking playoff-less season: ‘Hard to process’ ‘Some people need time. Some people might need therapy. Some people might need God,’ Patrick Ricard says

Seized firearms and drugs. Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), in an anti-crime drive, arrested an alleged drug-paddler with firearms and heroin from a remote village of the district in the early hours of today. RAB sources said the arrestee has been identified as Royel Hossain, 27, son of Mojibur Rahman of Jote Kadipur village under Bagha Upazila. On a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a raid at Royel's residence around 2.20am and recovered two one-shooter guns, four rubber bullets and 300 grams of heroin. Sources also said the arrestee was involved in drug-trading and its trafficking for a long time.

72 appeals filed so far to EC against nomination rejection, acceptanceFile photo. The process commenced at 10:00 am today at the EC premises in the city’s Agargaon area, where 10 region-based booths have been set up for filing appeals. According to EC sources, 41 appeals were lodged on the first day, Monday, against nomination rejections, along with one appeal against acceptance. By 12:45 pm today, the total number of appeals filed over the two days stood at 72, EC officials confirmed. On January 4, the final day of scrutiny, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers across 300 constituencies examined 2,568 nomination papers.

Australia lead the series 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes, with England desperate for another morale-boosting win after victory at the previous Test in Melbourne. Nice to start my innings on the back of a great innings from Travis Head," Smith told Fox Sports. Skipper Smith treated Bethell with contempt, launching him for a big six on his way to a 37th Test hundred. - Dropped catches -Head resumed on 91 and Neser on one after Jake Weatherald (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) were out on Monday. Batting like a top-order batsman, he smacked four boundaries before getting a thin edge to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off Carse.

BERLIN, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Anger is simmering in parts of Berlin where an arson attack claimed by a far-left group has caused a blackout that has plunged tens of thousands into icy darkness in mid-winter. Jutta Herter, 77, said she was "simply furious" with those behind the arson attack on high-voltage cables first reported Saturday morning, which left 45,000 households in the snow-covered city in the dark and many without heating. It follows a similar attack claimed by an anarchist group in September, when electricity pylons were set on fire, causing a blackout affecting tens of thousands in southeastern Berlin. Conservative MP Roderich Kiesewetter has raised the possibility that Moscow was involved with the latest arson attack and the earlier one in September. "It's very dark and cold in the morning, but if you light candles in the evening and wrap yourself up, it's fine."

MOSCOW, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A Ukrainian drone strike in Russia's western Tver city killed one person and wounded two, regional authorities said Tuesday. A fire broke out when a drone fragment struck an apartment block, acting regional governor Vitaly Korolev said on Telegram. Nearly four years into the conflict, Russia has been bombarding Ukraine daily and making slow territorial gains. Ukraine has responded with drone attacks that have particularly targeted Russian energy infrastructure. Russian air defence systems shot down 129 Ukrainian drones overnight, Moscow's defence ministry said Tuesday.

BANGUI, Central African Republic, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Central African Republic has re-elected President Faustin-Archange Touadera, according to provisional results released by the electoral authority on Tuesday. Touadera, 68, had been widely expected to win a third term and had touted his efforts to steady a nation long plagued by conflict. Touadera won more than 76 percent of the vote, the National Authority of Elections said. Touadera touted improvements in security, paved roads, public lighting on major avenues and renovated rainwater drainage canals in the capital. Critics have branded him "President Wagner" for his perceived dependence on Moscow and the Russian paramilitaries that prop up the nation's security.

STRASBOURG, France, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Liam Rosenior will hold a press conference at his French club Strasbourg on Tuesday, the Ligue 1 side announced, despite being in negotiations to become Chelsea's next manager. Rosenior will return to Strasbourg's Stade de la Meinau with an annoucement expected at a press conference there at 0830GMT on Tuesday. A club source said Strasbourg are already "working behind the scenes to find his replacement... as quickly as possible". Rosenior, who guided Strasbourg to a seventh-placed finish last season, was strongly tipped to take over at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea parted company with Italian coach Maresca on New Year's Day. Rosenior has enjoyed a measure of success with a similarly young squad at Strasbourg, and led them into the knockout rounds of the Europa Conference League.

For the last one week, the intensity of cold has sharply increased in the district, leaving daily life almost paralysed. According to the Jashore and Chuadanga Regional Meteorological Office, temperatures have dropped across Chuadanga, Jashore, Meherpur, Jhenaidah, Kushtia and Magura districts since the middle of last week. Day temperatures have fallen in Maheshpur, Harinakundu, Kotchandpur, Kaliganj and Sadar upazilas of Jhenaidah, while night temperatures have been hovering between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius almost every day. The prolonged cold spell has severely affected low-income labourers, including van and rickshaw pullers, agricultural workers and brick kiln labourers, who are finding it increasingly difficult to secure work. At the Post Office intersection area of Jhenaidah town, day labourer Samad Hossain of Rajapur village was seen waiting for work.