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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke today during an exchange of views with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat Media Center. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said no contesting political party has so far lodged any complain about the environment of coming national election. Rizwana Hasan, however, acknowledged that a section of people is trying to keep people away from the elections by creating fear. “So far, the election environment is acceptable and political parties are participating in the election process with enthusiasm, and we’re doing the job that is supposed to be done,” she said. Highlighting the issue of the referendum, Rizwana Hasan said it needs to be publicized and focused more effectively.

Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS) - Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today said in view of the increase in salt production costs, labour costs and transportation costs in recent years, the lease price of the salt fields will not be increased. "Human labour is essential in every step of salt production, from land preparation to salt collection and storage. There is enough space to create more salt fields in Banshkhali and Cox's Bazar in Chattogram, the land adviser said. In the fiscal 2024-2025, the sector-wise demand for salt was: edible salt 8.85 lakh metric tonnes, industrial sector 8.92 lakh metric tonnes, fisheries sector 0.39 lakh metric tonnes and livestock sector 3.50 lakh metric tonnes. Total refined salt demand is 21.67 lakh metric tonnes, while unrefined salt demand is 26.10 lakh metric tonnes.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially decided that the Bangladesh national cricket team will not travel to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next month, a move that marks a significant escalation in cricketing and diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries. “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board took this decision today,” Nazrul wrote in a post on social media. Beyond participation in the World Cup, the fallout has also extended to broadcast-related issues. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India places the ICC under mounting pressure to address the situation, raising uncertainty over tournament logistics and regional cricketing ties.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation on Sunday and discussed issues of mutual interest. They reviewed Bangladesh-Pakistan relations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors, officials said. They also exchanged views on recent developments in Asia and the Middle East and agreed to remain in close contact amid the evolving situation.

The National Poetry Council (NPC) announced poetry festival schedule at a press conference at the Zahur Hossain Auditorium of the National Press Club today. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 4, 2026 (BSS) - The 38th National Poetry Festival will be held on February 1 and 2 at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. The National Poetry Council (NPC) came up with the schedule at a press conference at the Zahur Hossain Auditorium of the National Press Club today. Addressing the press conference, the NPC leaders called for the use of poetry as a powerful means to resist anti-cultural provocations. He said the council was formed during the mass movement against military autocracy in the 1980s and that the first National Poetry Festival was held on February 1-2, 1987, under the slogan "Poetry for Liberation from Chains."

Tasnim Jara, an independent candidate in the Dhaka-9 constituency, has said she will return crowdfunding money to anyone who requests a refund, while expressing confidence that she will succeed in appealing the cancellation of her nomination. Tasnim Jara submitted her nomination papers as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 seat in the 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking about crowdfunding, she said that when she announced her decision to contest as an independent candidate, she had made it clear that anyone seeking a refund of their donation would receive it. According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Tasnim Jara collected a total of Tk46.93 lakh through crowdfunding. She later submitted her nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-9 constituency.

General Daily Insight for January 04, 2026 Warm confidence colors our choices and conversations. Taurus April 20 – May 20 This morning favors comfort and steady progress. Gemini May 21 – June 20 Delivering your message is possible, but it may need a little editing first. Luna is leaping into your chatty 3rd house, inviting you to share ideas with humor and rewrite notes before hitting send. Your 7th House of Partnership draws focus as the instinctive Moon enters, inviting honest exchanges and useful commitments.