A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck a popular campsite on New Zealand’s North Island, leaving six people, including two teenagers, missing. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday near Mount Maunganui on the island’s eastern coast. Rescue operations are underway, with emergency teams using three mechanical excavators to search through mud and debris that buried the site.

Officials warned on Friday that the search could take several days due to the difficult conditions caused by the heavy rain. Witnesses and emergency personnel reported hearing cries for help immediately after the collapse, but no further sounds were heard afterward. Fire and Emergency Assistant National Commander David Guard said debris removal was being carried out slowly and cautiously, describing the area as complex and high-risk.

Authorities confirmed that the search will continue until all missing persons are located. Mount Maunganui is a popular summer destination for hikers and beachgoers, making the disaster particularly concerning for local tourism.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to upgrade Dinajpur district to a city corporation if the 10-party alliance comes to power in the upcoming 13th national election. He made the announcement on Friday while addressing a public rally organized by the 10-party electoral alliance in Dinajpur.

Earlier, at a rally in Panchagarh, Dr. Rahman said that northern Bangladesh had been deliberately kept impoverished since the country’s independence. He vowed that within five years, the region’s condition could be transformed through collective effort. He also promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, reopen closed sugar mills in Panchagarh, and turn northern Bangladesh into an industrial hub.

Dr. Rahman urged supporters to remain united until victory is achieved on the 12th, warning them to stay alert so that no old wrongdoers return in new forms. He emphasized that the people themselves are the party’s strength and that Jamaat would continue working alongside citizens to build a responsible and compassionate Bangladesh.

Police in Cumilla have arrested Assistant Government Pleader (AGP) Masudul Haque alias Masum, brother of a local Jamaat-e-Islami leader, along with another man named Ariful Islam. The arrests took place after a foreign pistol, two magazines, and ten rounds of ammunition were recovered. The operation was confirmed by Inspector Saiful Islam of the EPZ police outpost under Cumilla Sadar South Model Police Station, who said a case under the Arms Act has been filed and both men were sent to court.

According to police, Ariful was first detained early Thursday at a checkpoint in the Tomchom Bridge area with five bullets and a knife. A photo on his phone showed a pistol, which he said belonged to Masum. Based on this information, police searched Masum’s home and recovered the weapon and ammunition. Cumilla Jamaat Secretary Mahbubur Rahman claimed the incident appeared staged, saying Masum was not politically active though he is the younger brother of city Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer Emdadul Haque Mamun.

Public Prosecutor Kaimul Haque Rinku said the ministry had been informed and legal action would follow once official instructions arrive.

Interim government Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that a wave of public support is rising across Bangladesh in favor of the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum. Speaking to journalists on Friday, January 23, 2026, during a visit to the Buchai Pagla shrine in Sanora Union of Dhamrai, Dhaka, he said citizens believe that a 'Yes' vote will prevent the return of autocracy and injustice, ensuring protection of rights and establishment of a fair governance system.

Alam added that the Election Commission has assured there will be no issues with vote casting, though counting may take time. He urged people to remain calm and patient during the process. He also described the Buchai Pagla shrine as a symbol of communal harmony and an example of Bangladesh’s pluralistic culture, noting its annual Baul music fair. Referring to the 2024 vandalism incident at the shrine, he condemned attacks on religious sites and emphasized respect for all faiths.

He further stressed that ensuring journalists’ safety is a shared responsibility of the government, political parties, and citizens, expressing hope for fair election coverage.

At a public reception in Morelganj, Bagerhat, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Bagerhat-4 constituency, Principal Abdul Alim, called on citizens to vote for the party’s balance symbol to build a fair and justice-based state. The event, held on Friday morning at the Naboirshi bus stand, honored newly elected Jagannath University Vice President Riazul Islam. Alim also urged people to vote ‘yes’ in the upcoming referendum to implement the July Movement’s charter.

The gathering was presided over by Professor Shahadat Hossain, the local Jamaat chief, and attended by several party leaders and professionals. Following the speeches, a large procession paraded through the town, ending with a separate ceremony where Riazul Islam received a crest and floral tribute.

Alim further stated that victory for the balance symbol would help transform Morelganj and Sharankhola into modern towns, ensuring safe drinking water, sustainable embankments, and an end to corruption, extortion, and inequality.

On the second day of election campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, BNP’s Dhaka-16 candidate and former national football team captain Aminul Haque called on voters to remain alert against data fraud, religious exploitation, and conspiracies. Speaking at a street rally in front of Mirpur’s Pallabi Station on Friday, he warned that some groups were misusing religion to gain votes and deceiving devout citizens.

Haque reiterated that only Allah can grant salvation and no political symbol or individual holds such power. He emphasized that BNP believes in religious and Islamic values but never uses religion as a political shield. He also alleged that a vested group was collecting voters’ national ID and mobile banking information, which he feared could be part of a larger fraud or fake voting scheme. He urged citizens not to share sensitive personal data with anyone.

Referring to foreign interference, Haque claimed that certain political forces were attempting to undermine the election with external support. He affirmed that BNP would not engage in any conspiracy and would respect the people’s verdict.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said he came not to deliver a speech but to bear witness, asserting that North Bengal had been deliberately kept poor since the country’s independence. Speaking as the chief guest at a rally organized by the 10-party electoral alliance at the Panchagarh sugar mill field on Friday afternoon, he pledged to transform the region within five years through collective effort and faith.

Dr. Rahman emphasized creating employment for all citizens and eliminating youth unemployment in the northern districts. He promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, including Panchagarh, and to recover embezzled funds allegedly siphoned abroad. He also vowed to reopen closed sugar mills and turn North Bengal into the industrial capital of Bangladesh. Calling the people his true strength, he urged vigilance against the return of corrupt elements in new forms.

Other speakers at the rally included Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, National Citizens Party coordinator Sarjis Alam, and National Democratic Party vice president Rashed Pradhan.

A United States delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss President Donald Trump’s draft plan aimed at ending the Ukraine war. According to a Kremlin statement released on Friday, the meeting lasted more than three hours. The delegation included Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks as realistic and constructive, noting that discussions covered not only Ukraine but also the peace board, the Greenland issue, and bilateral relations. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the draft plan was nearly finalized and that he had reached an understanding with Trump on post-war security guarantees.

Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and demands full control of the eastern Donbas region. Kyiv has warned that no peace deal can involve surrendering territory, arguing that such concessions would only encourage further Russian aggression.

In the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Gopalganj-1 constituency (covering parts of Muksudpur and Kashiani) has drawn attention for featuring two imprisoned candidates. Independent contender Md. Ashraful Alam Shimul, currently held at Keraniganj Central Jail, is running with the ‘football’ symbol and faces four cases. Gono Odhikar Parishad nominee Kabir Mia, detained in Kashimpur Jail and facing seven cases, is contesting with the ‘truck’ symbol. Both regained candidacy after High Court rulings overturned earlier disqualifications, creating a rare “prison versus field” electoral scenario.

Family members of both candidates said supporters will campaign on their behalf if bail is not granted before the polls. Local voters are reportedly intrigued by this unusual contest, which analysts say has added a new dimension to the constituency’s political dynamics. The returning officer, Md. Arif-uz-Zaman, confirmed that all nomination matters are being reviewed according to law and court directives.

Under election law, individuals not yet convicted with at least two years’ imprisonment remain eligible to contest, allowing both candidates to legally stay in the race.

Uttara West Thana Ameer Mazharul Islam has stated that the Shapla Koli symbol represents the Dhoripalla in Dhaka-18 constituency. He made the remarks on Friday while presiding over a rally and mass contact program organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ward 51 unit in support of Ariful Islam Adib, the Dhaka-18 candidate nominated by a ten-party alliance and senior joint convener of the NCP.

During his speech, Mazharul Islam urged voters to cast their ballots for Adib under the Shapla Koli symbol to ensure victory, emphasizing that the symbol embodies justice and unity. He also called on supporters to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum. Ariful Islam Adib, speaking as the chief guest, echoed the call, urging voters to support Shapla Koli and the “yes” vote for the establishment of justice.

The event was attended by several Jamaat leaders, including Turag Central Thana Ameer Gazi Monir Hossain, Nayebe Ameer Kamrul Hasan, Uttara West Thana Secretary Firoz Alam, and Turag Central Thana Secretary Muhibullah Bacchu.

European leaders have expressed doubts about the effectiveness and objectives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed Peace Board. Following a summit in Brussels on Friday, European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU is ready to work with the United States and the new board to establish peace in Gaza, but raised concerns about the board’s scope, governance, and alignment with the United Nations Charter.

The Peace Board was launched on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where leaders and representatives from 19 countries signed its charter. Trump announced that countries seeking permanent membership must contribute one billion dollars. Although the board was initially intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, its charter extends authority beyond Palestinian territories, prompting speculation that it aims to rival the United Nations.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his country declined an invitation to join the board. France and the United Kingdom, both close U.S. allies, also voiced skepticism, with London expressing concern over the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin. France stated that the board’s current framework conflicts with its international commitments and UN membership obligations.

US billionaire Elon Musk joked that President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Peace Board’ should have been named the ‘Piece Board’ instead. Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, Switzerland, alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Musk made the remark while discussing Trump’s initiative. His comment drew laughter from the audience, and he added that what he truly wanted was peace.

Musk, known as a Trump ally, had previously experienced a rift in their relationship before reconciling. His latest comment came after that reconciliation, suggesting a lighthearted jab rather than a serious criticism. Earlier, Musk had described the Davos conference as “boring” in a post on social media platform X.

The exchange highlighted Musk’s continued prominence at global economic events and his willingness to make provocative remarks about political figures, even those with whom he shares a generally friendly relationship.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced plans to turn North Bengal into the capital of the agricultural industry during an election campaign rally organized by the ten-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday. He said the party aims to reopen closed sugar mills and shift the national slogan from “Teknaf to Tetulia” to “Tetulia to Teknaf.” Rahman emphasized that the alliance does not rely on membership cards but on the people’s support.

In his address, Rahman stated that North Bengal had been deliberately kept poor since Bangladesh’s independence and vowed to create employment opportunities in the region. He criticized the drying up of four rivers and questioned the government’s responsibility. He also pledged to establish 64 medical colleges across the country and recover Tk 28,000 crore allegedly laundered abroad. Rahman further promised to curb corruption, extortion, and money laundering if given the chance to govern.

The rally was part of the ten-party alliance’s election campaign, where Rahman called for unity and urged voters to bring change through the upcoming election scheduled for January 12.

NCP’s northern regional coordinator Sargis Alam has called for a boycott of occupiers, extortionists, and drug traders in the upcoming election. Speaking at a campaign rally organized by the 10-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday, he urged people to reject those who publicly oppose drugs by day but profit from drug sales at night. He announced that the boycott should take place on February 12.

Alam stated that the 2026 election would determine whether the country moves forward or returns to corruption and extortion. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, he said that one stage of struggle had already been completed and emphasized the need to build an extortion-free Bangladesh. During his speech, he led slogans calling for justice, equality, and people’s power.

He also urged voters to ensure the victory of the 10-party alliance as a step toward creating a new Bangladesh, linking the election outcome to the nation’s direction and moral integrity.

The High Court has directed the allocation of an election symbol to independent candidate Zakir Hossain Pradhania in the Chandpur-5 (Hajiganj-Shahrasti) constituency. His nomination had previously been canceled during scrutiny due to insufficient attachment of one percent of the voter list. Following the cancellation, Pradhania filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking reinstatement of his nomination.

After hearing the writ petition on Thursday, the High Court bench annulled the earlier cancellation order and instructed the district returning officer to allocate an election symbol to Pradhania. The independent candidate confirmed the court’s directive himself.

With this decision, all nominations in the Chandpur-5 constituency have been declared valid, and a total of seven candidates will now contest in the upcoming election.