Newly appointed Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has imposed a ban on foreign travel of five former Members of Parliament (MPs) and their family members. The new commission led by its chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen took the decision on the first day of taking charge of office on Thursday. They are Feni-1 constituency’s former MP Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Bhola-3’s ex-MP Nur Nabi Chowdhury Shawon, Habiganj-3’s ex- MP Abu Jahir, Noakhali-1’s ex-MP HM Ibrahim Chowdhurym and Lakshmipur-2’s former MP Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayon. Taking charge on Wednesday, Abdul Momen on said the commission will start investigation into the allegations against ‘big fish’ immediately as it is the expectation of people. Read: ACC to start probe against ‘big fish’ soon: New Commissioner "Work as per public expectations is top priority. We will take action immediately about those cases of corruption which affected the country significantly and take action against culprits who were behind these graft and irregularities," he said while talking to reporters.

The government has issued new directives aimed at curbing foreign travel by public officials, discouraging such trips except for those deemed absolutely necessary for national interests. Officials are also prohibited from traveling abroad simultaneously in groups unless it is unavoidable. The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the issuance of these updated guidelines today. This follows a circular released by the Chief Adviser's Office on December 9. Similar restrictions were placed in the previous fiscal year due to an ongoing dollar shortage, limiting non-essential foreign travel. Key directives on foreign travel: Public officials are to avoid foreign travel unless absolutely necessary. Ministries are required to prepare a forecast of potential foreign trips for the year. A centralized database for tracking foreign travel must be developed. The Chief Adviser’s Office will oversee its framework and manage the data. Government renames 14 hospitals and medical colleges Officials across all levels are instructed to refrain from traveling abroad in groups. Ministers and secretaries are discouraged from traveling abroad together. Exceptions require clear justification based on national interests. Secretaries and department heads may only travel together if it serves a critical national purpose. Proposals for attending seminars or workshops must include details about the rank of invited officials and counterparts from other participating countries. Travel proposals must outline the necessity of the trip and its relevance to the official’s responsibilities. South Korea weighs travel ban on President Yoon Only relevant experts should be sent abroad for activities like pre-shipment inspections or factory acceptance tests. Low-priority foreign trips funded by government resources must be avoided. Recreational travel abroad is strictly prohibited for all government officials. Officials are discouraged from taking extended study leaves abroad. Travel proposals must include a record of the official’s foreign trips in the past year. The government has reiterated that any exceptions to these rules will require substantial evidence of necessity, ensuring that only essential trips aligned with national priorities are approved. These measures come as part of broader efforts to manage foreign currency reserves and optimize public expenditure.  

Israel on Wednesday advised its citizens to reconsider all foreign travel amid the global spread of the new coronavirus that was first reported in China.