Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that Bangladesh will not participate in the upcoming World Cup in India, citing no improvement in the security situation there. The decision was reaffirmed during a meeting held today at a five-star hotel in Dhaka with national cricketers to finalize Bangladesh’s stance on the tournament.

According to the report, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul had requested additional time at an ICC meeting yesterday to convey the country’s final decision. Following that, the BCB held a joint discussion with government representatives and players. After the meeting, Dr. Nazrul confirmed that the government remains firm on its earlier position not to send the team to India due to security concerns.

The adviser emphasized that the government’s stance remains unchanged, and Bangladesh is not in favor of traveling to India under the current circumstances.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, speaking at an election rally in Moulvibazar on Thursday, called on the interim government’s head and advisers to increase the protocol and security for certain unnamed political figures. Without mentioning any party by name, he said that if they required protocol, it should be made three times higher than what BNP receives. He argued that these individuals were misleading the public, and as people were becoming aware of it, there was a risk of public anger against them.

Rahman stated that his appeal was made on behalf of BNP and millions of supporters to ensure safety and avoid any untoward incidents. He recalled the role of some groups during the 1971 Liberation War, saying that people were now re-examining their actions from that period. He emphasized that history could not be erased and that the public had already seen their stance against the country.

He reiterated that as these individuals sought government protection, the interim administration should provide them with triple the protocol and security currently afforded to BNP leaders.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced that national identity card (NID) correction services will resume across the country from January 25. The Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, A S M Humayun Kabir, confirmed the decision on Thursday, January 22, stating that citizens will again be able to correct all information on their NIDs starting Sunday.

According to EC sources, the correction process had been temporarily suspended since November 24 to facilitate the updating of the voter list ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum. During that period, limited correction services were available only for urgent cases through special applications.

Officials said that with the voter list preparation now completed, full correction services are being reopened for the general public. Citizens waiting to update their names, addresses, or other details on their NIDs can now submit regular applications from January 25.

Two rival groups within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed multiple times during an election campaign in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj on Thursday. The incidents occurred between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Dighirpar Bazar area, where supporters of BNP candidate Abdus Salam Azad organized a procession. The clashes erupted as the procession moved from Dighirpar Bazar toward Kamar Khara, involving sharp weapons and sticks.

According to local accounts, the violence broke out between followers of BNP leader Shamim Molla and supporters of union BNP general secretary Monowar Khan. The confrontation escalated quickly, and by 1 p.m., supporters from the Khan and Molla families were again engaged in fighting. Several hundred people reportedly took part, forcing shopkeepers and residents to flee as the market area shut down amid panic.

One injured person, identified as Nazrul Molla, 42, from Dighirpar, was named, while others remained unidentified. Tongibari police officer-in-charge Mohammad Monirul Haque Dablue said additional police were deployed, the situation was under control, and legal action was being processed.

The central leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled three members from Madaripur district for contesting as independent candidates against official party nominees in the 13th national parliamentary election. The expulsions were confirmed on Wednesday night, January 21, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The expelled individuals are Kamal Zaman Molla from Madaripur-1, Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui Lablu from the same constituency, and Milton Baidya from Madaripur-2.

According to the press release, a total of 57 BNP leaders across the country were expelled for engaging in activities contrary to party policy, ideology, and discipline. The decision followed internal disputes over nominations in Madaripur, where Kamal Zaman Molla was initially nominated but later replaced by Nadira Akter in Madaripur-1. In Madaripur-2, Jahandar Ali Mia is contesting as the official BNP candidate, while in Madaripur-3, Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder is representing the party.

The expulsions underscore BNP’s effort to enforce internal discipline and maintain unity ahead of the 13th national election.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that February 11 will be a public holiday ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The decision was revealed at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Workers in industrial areas will also receive leave on February 10, while February 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday) are regular weekends, resulting in a four-day holiday for government employees.

The press secretary said the cabinet meeting approved 13 agenda items, including the final approval of several draft laws and policies. These include the Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zone (Repeal) Act, the Gambling Prevention Ordinance 2026, the Right to Information Ordinance 2026, and the National Poultry Development Policy 2026. The cabinet also approved the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the Dhaka Central University Ordinance 2026.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the Gambling Prevention Ordinance 2026 defines 19 types of gambling and sets 15 categories of punishment, with a maximum fine of 500,000 taka and imprisonment up to 10 years.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has issued a warning prohibiting the collection of voters’ personal information and National Identity Cards (NID) under the guise of election campaigning. The notice, released on Thursday, January 22, 2026, stated that the commission had observed attempts by certain individuals to gather such data, which violates the National Identity Registration Act, 2010. The act forbids carrying or transferring another person’s NID.

The EC further reminded that under Rule 4 of the ‘Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025,’ no political party, candidate, or representative may offer or promise donations, gifts, or contributions to individuals, groups, or institutions within an electoral area. The commission emphasized that these actions constitute punishable offenses under existing regulations.

The EC urged all citizens and organizations to refrain from engaging in or supporting such activities, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining lawful and transparent election practices.

BNP central leader and Natore-2 constituency candidate Advocate M Ruhul Quddus Talukder, also known as Dulu, formally began his election campaign on Thursday morning from Chatni Bhatpara village in Chatni Union. He claimed that during his five-year tenure as a minister starting in 2001, he had implemented significant development projects in Natore. He alleged that the subsequent Awami League government failed to bring any development to the district and instead engaged in widespread corruption and plundering. Dulu urged voters to support him by voting for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, promising to continue the previous development initiatives.

During his campaign, Dulu stated that Natore had suffered from two decades of violence and pledged to transform it into a peaceful and developed area if the BNP returned to power. He announced plans to introduce family cards for women and agricultural cards for farmers, which would provide various benefits for five years. Throughout the day, he addressed rallies at ten locations across Chatni Union, accompanied by local BNP leaders including Rahim Newaz, Kazi Shah Alam, and Rafiqul Islam.

The campaign events marked the formal start of BNP’s local election activities in Natore ahead of the upcoming polls.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has warned that directly confiscating Russian assets would be tantamount to an act of war and could trigger a severe crisis in Europe’s financial system. Speaking on Thursday at the ‘Ukrainian Breakfast 2026’ event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he said Europe is not at war with Russia, and any unilateral seizure of Russian assets would violate international law and set a dangerous precedent.

De Wever explained that Europe has already immobilized a large portion of the Russian central bank’s assets, most of which are held through the Belgian financial institution Euroclear, but these assets have not been confiscated. He noted that even during World War II, frozen assets were not seized, and doing so now could severely undermine confidence in the eurozone’s financial system. He also cautioned that if sanctions were lifted in the future, Europe might face legal obligations to return seized assets, complicating the process.

Acknowledging Europe’s responsibility to support Ukraine, De Wever said the EU has pledged around 90 billion euros in aid for this year and next. He added that the frozen Russian assets would remain immobilized until the war ends and could later be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction and debt repayment.

At least twelve leaders and activists of the suspended Awami League and Jubo League, including an accused in an arson and violence case, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Badarganj, Rangpur. The joining took place on the night of January 21, 2026, led by former Betgari Union Parishad chairman Mohayemin Islam Maruf, who had earlier resigned from the Awami League on December 25, 2025. The development has sparked widespread discussion and debate in local political circles.

According to Badarganj police, a case was filed on September 16, 2024, over violent incidents during an anti-discrimination student and public movement on August 4, 2024. The case, numbered 4/24, remains under investigation. Maruf, one of the accused, was previously arrested and later released on bail. Other new BNP members include Abu Taher Md. Rokibul Haque, Md. Ashraf Ali, Md. Khademul Islam, Nazrul Islam, Babu Harimol Chandra Sarker, Jahangir Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, Rakib Ahmed Robiul, Bayezid Islam, Julfikar Ali, and Aminur Rahman.

Local BNP president Chand Sarkar said the former Awami League members joined BNP inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman. Police confirmed that the ongoing investigation and legal process will continue unaffected by the political shift.

The Ministry of Public Administration has appointed 3,263 candidates to various cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) through the 48th BCS (Special) Examination 2025. The announcement was made in a government circular issued on Thursday, based on recommendations from the Bangladesh Public Service Commission dated September 29 and October 27. The newly appointed officers will receive salaries under the 2015 national pay scale, ranging from 22,000 to 53,060 taka.

According to the circular, appointees must complete basic training at the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre or another government-designated institution, followed by professional and specialized training. They will serve a two-year probationary period, extendable by up to two additional years. Successful completion of training, departmental exams, and satisfactory probation will lead to permanent appointment. The circular also outlines disciplinary measures, resignation procedures, and conditions for cancellation of appointments, including false information or marriage to a foreign national.

Appointees must join their designated offices by February 1, submit property declarations, and sign a bond pledging not to engage in dowry practices. Failure to comply with these conditions will result in cancellation of the appointment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the ownership dispute between the United States and Denmark over Greenland is not a matter of concern for Russia. Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, he stated that the issue should be resolved bilaterally between the two nations. Referring to historical land transfers, Putin estimated Greenland’s potential sale value at around $1 billion.

Putin criticized Denmark’s historical governance of Greenland, describing it as colonial and harsh toward local residents. He also noted that Russia would not object to US pressure regarding Greenland, citing past examples of territorial sales such as Russia’s sale of Alaska to the US in 1867 and Denmark’s sale of the Virgin Islands in 1917. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland has strained transatlantic relations, though he ruled out tariffs or military action during a speech in Davos.

Residents of Greenland reportedly welcomed Trump’s assurance against military use, while Russia remains displeased with Denmark’s military and financial support for Ukraine since 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that Greenland is not naturally or historically an inseparable part of Denmark.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), expressed confidence that the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 10-party alliance will win by a large margin in the upcoming national election. He made the remarks on Thursday at Dhaka University campus after visiting the graves of three leaders, marking the formal start of his party’s election campaign. Islam said the alliance aims to form the next government with the support of the people and called on voters nationwide to back the coalition and NCP’s 30 candidates running under the Shapla Kolly symbol.

He alleged that the Election Commission and the government were favoring a particular party and not acting neutrally, citing instances where other parties conducted campaigns despite restrictions while his party received show-cause notices. Islam emphasized that true neutrality requires impartial conduct from the authorities. He reaffirmed NCP’s firm stance on reform, justice, and fair elections, vowing to ensure that the February 12 election is held properly.

The NCP’s campaign, titled “March for Justice,” began after the grave visit and is scheduled to conclude in Motijheel.

A massive winter storm named 'Winter Storm Fern' is forecast to strike large parts of the United States this week, potentially affecting around 170 million people with heavy snowfall, power outages, and travel disruptions. The storm is expected to stretch from Texas through the Mid-Atlantic to the northeastern states, bringing freezing air that could push temperatures far below zero in several regions.

Cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York may be blanketed in snow, with some areas possibly experiencing temperatures as low as 40 degrees Celsius below freezing. The Rocky Mountain states are expected to see significant snowfall by Friday, with meteorologists predicting accumulations exceeding 12 inches in some locations. Virginia and Maryland are projected to be among the hardest-hit states.

Emergency declarations have already been issued in several states, including Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as authorities prepare for the storm’s severe impact.

An ordinance to establish 'Dhaka Central University' by merging seven government colleges in the capital has been approved by the advisory council. The decision was communicated on Thursday afternoon by Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, who personally informed students over the phone. Around 2 p.m., students gathered in front of Dhaka College erupted in celebration upon hearing the news, chanting slogans in support of the new university.

The move follows years of unrest since the seven colleges were affiliated with Dhaka University in 2017 without prior preparation, leading to prolonged academic and administrative challenges. The colleges involved are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Mohila College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, Government Bangla College, and Titumir College. Students from these institutions had long been demanding an independent, autonomous university.

With the advisory council’s approval, the government’s decision marks the end of a long-standing student movement and paves the way for the creation of a unified public university in Dhaka.