Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said the current government is the outcome of the July uprising and that a referendum is essential to implement the July Charter. Speaking to journalists in Rangpur on Friday during a two-day visit, he emphasized that the government seeks a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum and called on all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, as well as the administration, to work in favor of the 'Yes' campaign.

He stated that only defeated forces and collaborators of fascism could oppose the referendum, asserting that fascism must never be allowed to return. Adilur made these remarks after placing a floral wreath at the memorial built in honor of the martyrs of the July uprising. During his visit, he also inspected the RDA and Talghat Zamindar Bari and later planned to visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed before departing for Bogura. Senior administrative officials, including the district commissioner Enamul Ahsan, were present at the event.

The film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the movie recounts the true story of Hind Rajab, who was shot dead by Israeli forces in January 2024 while fleeing Gaza City with her family.

According to the report, Hind and her relatives were attacked while trying to escape Israeli bombardment. All passengers in the car, including her cousins and aunt and uncle, were killed. During the incident, Hind contacted Gaza’s Red Crescent volunteers for help. The film incorporates the real audio of her prolonged phone call with rescuers, who tried to comfort her as she remained trapped among her family’s bodies. Two rescuers later sent to save her were also killed by Israeli fire.

Earlier, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, marking international recognition for its portrayal of the Gaza tragedy.

Police have arrested another suspect, identified as shooter Rahim, in connection with the killing of volunteer leader Azizur Rahman Mosabbir in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area. The Detective Branch (DB) confirmed the arrest on Friday at 11 a.m. Mosabbir, a former general secretary of the Dhaka North unit of the volunteer organization, was shot dead by assailants on January 7 in an alley near the Star Hotel at Tejturi Bazar.

Following the murder, Mosabbir’s wife, Suraiya Begum, filed a case with Tejgaon Police Station. Earlier, police had arrested three individuals, including Jinat and suspected planner Billal, for alleged involvement in the killing. The latest arrest of Rahim adds to the list of suspects detained in the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about Rahim’s role or the motive behind the attack, but the series of arrests indicates continued progress in the murder probe.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has issued a show-cause notice to BNP-nominated candidate M Akbar Ali from Sirajganj-4 (Ullapara) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct during the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The committee’s chairman, Md Shanu Akand, confirmed the notice on Thursday night. Akbar Ali has been instructed to appear in person or through a representative at the committee’s temporary office at Ullapara Upazila Parishad Dak Bungalow on January 27 to submit a written explanation.

According to the notice, on January 20, from 3 p.m. until Maghrib, Akbar Ali organized a large public gathering at the Kazipara Government Primary School field in Panchakroshi Union, Ullapara, in the presence of his wife. The event reportedly included loud campaign slogans broadcast via microphones, which the committee stated was a clear violation of Rule 18 of the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025.

The notice further warned that if no satisfactory explanation is provided, legal action may be recommended to the Election Commission Secretariat following the inquiry.

Amazon, the U.S.-based e-commerce giant, is preparing for another major round of layoffs, with around 14,000 employees expected to lose their jobs next week. This move is part of a broader plan to cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions. According to the report, the company had already dismissed about 14,000 workers in October as part of the same restructuring effort. The new phase of layoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, though Amazon’s spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Sources indicated that employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources—collectively known as the People Experience and Technology division—may be among the most affected. The full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, and insiders cautioned that the company’s plans could still change.

Media reports suggested that the widespread job cuts may be linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence within Amazon’s operations, and that similar reductions could also occur in India.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that a major political party has become fearful after witnessing the growing public support for the 10-party alliance ahead of the upcoming national election. Speaking on Friday morning at a pre-rally gathering in Bashatala, Vatara, Dhaka, he claimed that the party is spreading misleading information and panic among the public.

During his speech, Nahid Islam urged voters to resist extortionists and land grabbers, asserting that such elements would have no place in Dhaka-11 constituency. He emphasized that their movement was not to replace one form of authoritarianism with another but to establish a just Bangladesh. He warned those planning to seize polling centers not to attempt it, vowing that his supporters would guard every center and secure victory.

Nahid also highlighted local issues in Dhaka-11, including traffic congestion and criminal activities, promising to address them if his alliance forms the government. He called on citizens nationwide to vote for the 10-party alliance candidates and to support the referendum with a “yes” vote.

A joint force operation in Gazipur’s Tongi area early Friday led to the detention of 35 individuals and the recovery of explosives and narcotics. The coordinated raids took place around 4 a.m. in Ershadnagar and Haji Mazar slums. According to Gazipur District Executive Magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique, who briefed the media at Haji Mazar slum around 8:30 a.m., the forces seized 500 grams of heroin, 347 yaba tablets, two homemade weapons, and three hand grenades.

The magistrate stated that the operation aimed to prevent potential unrest ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The detained individuals were later handed over to Tongi East and West police stations. Legal proceedings were expected to follow, with the suspects to be presented before court after case filing.

Authorities indicated that the raids were part of broader security measures to maintain order during the election period in Gazipur.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the country’s parliament ahead of a snap election scheduled for February 8. On Friday, the Speaker of Japan’s parliament formally announced the dissolution of the lower house through an official letter. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, made the decision to seek a fresh mandate from voters before the election date.

According to the report, Takaichi had earlier indicated that an early election might be called. Her decision aims to secure public support for the government’s various plans and spending initiatives. The upcoming election will cover all 465 seats in the lower house and will serve as Takaichi’s first major electoral test since taking office.

Takaichi, who assumed office in October, is expected to use her current popularity to strengthen her position within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The election outcome will reveal how the Japanese public views the government’s spending expansion plans.

Joint forces arrested top criminal Md. Hasan Tarek Chita, aged 30, with a foreign pistol in Lakshmipur. The arrest took place on Thursday night in front of a mosque at Paschim Latifpur village under Chandraganj Union of Sadar upazila. Major Md. Rahat Khan of the Lakshmipur Army Camp confirmed the arrest on Friday morning. During the operation, the forces recovered a foreign pistol, one magazine, five rounds of ammunition, and two mobile phones. Several associates, including another criminal known as Chhoto Kausar, managed to escape.

According to Major Rahat Khan, the operation was part of a regular anti-crime drive conducted on the basis of secret intelligence. Chita, son of the late Abdus Sattar of Paschim Latifpur, is known as an associate of Chhoto Kausar and faces multiple cases, including murder and arms charges. After his arrest, he was handed over to Chandraganj Police Station for further legal action.

Authorities indicated that operations against criminal networks in the region would continue as part of ongoing law enforcement efforts.

The Maheshpur 58 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion announced that 15 platoons will be deployed across six parliamentary constituencies in Jhenaidah and Magura districts ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Rafiqul Alam, commanding officer of the battalion, during a press conference held at the battalion headquarters in Khalishpur, Maheshpur, on Thursday afternoon. The deployment will begin on January 29.

According to the BGB, the deployment aims to ensure security in the border areas and prevent illegal infiltration, arms and drug smuggling, and human trafficking during the election period. The battalion will also set up 55 temporary checkpoints in key locations across the two districts to conduct search operations and strengthen surveillance.

The BGB leadership emphasized that its members will maintain a strict and alert presence in all election-related and border-sensitive areas to support a secure and orderly electoral environment.

The United States is reportedly considering withdrawing all its troops from Syria, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Thursday. Citing unnamed U.S. officials, the report said the Syrian government has launched a major offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the country’s north. If the SDF collapses, officials indicated that there would be no further need for U.S. troops to remain in Syria. Currently, between 800 and 1,000 American soldiers are deployed there, and ongoing clashes between the SDF and Syrian forces have increased risks for U.S. personnel.

The offensive is part of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharar’s effort to disarm militias formed during the 14-year civil war and integrate their fighters into the national army. Officials also noted that cooperation with the Syrian military would be problematic, as some of its members are sympathetic to jihadists and have been accused of atrocities against Kurdish and Druze minorities.

The SDF, once a key force against Islamic State militants, is viewed by both Ankara and Washington as a terrorist organization linked to the PKK, according to the report.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Manzur Murshed Bhuiyan from the Department of Finance has been appointed as a new member of the Syndicate, the highest policy-making body of Jagannath University (JnU). The appointment, effective from January 22, 2026, will remain valid for two years. The university’s acting registrar, Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, confirmed the nomination on Friday through an official notice.

According to the notice, the appointment was made by the Vice-Chancellor under sections 17(1)(j) and (2) of the Jagannath University Act, 2005, following the 31st decision of the 76th meeting of the Academic Council. The Syndicate serves as the top administrative and academic decision-making council of the university.

The acting registrar requested Professor Bhuiyan to actively assist in the university’s administrative and academic operations. Professor Bhuiyan currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at Jagannath University.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has alleged that conspiracies are again being carried out over the upcoming election. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally on Thursday night at Kuttapara playground in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria, he called on voters to perform the Fajr prayer in front of polling centers and then line up early to cast their votes. During the event, he introduced BNP and alliance candidates for Brahmanbaria’s six parliamentary constituencies.

Rahman claimed that ballot papers sent for expatriates had been seized by a particular party and warned that similar conspiracies were taking place inside the country. He urged voters to remain vigilant and to vote for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf. He also pledged development initiatives if elected, including introducing family cards for women and agricultural cards for farmers to provide fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides.

The rally was presided over by Brahmanbaria district BNP President Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamal, with several political figures attending as special guests.

Bangladesh Bank has initiated liquidation proceedings for nine non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) due to severe irregularities and high default rates. Hearings have begun to assess the justification for liquidation. According to central bank sources, if the institutions are closed, the government will refund individual depositors, while institutional and interbank dues will be settled through asset sales. The nine NBFIs include FAS Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, GSP Finance, Prime Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing, and International Leasing.

These institutions have default rates between 75 and 98 percent, accounting for 52 percent of total NBFI defaults by the end of 2024. Allegations of large-scale financial misconduct, including embezzlement by former executives, have contributed to their collapse. The total deposits across the nine institutions amount to Tk 15,370 crore, of which Tk 3,493 crore are individual deposits to be repaid by the government.

Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that individual depositors will receive their principal amounts before Ramadan in February 2026, without interest. The government has verbally approved around Tk 5,000 crore for repayments, and asset valuation will determine any potential returns for shareholders.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has decided to move all chemical warehouses from the cargo house of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to a safer distance outside the terminal area. The decision follows a devastating fire last year that caused losses worth Tk 900 crore. To implement the relocation, a coordination meeting involving all relevant agencies has been called for January 24.

According to the source, multiple investigation reports submitted after the fire recommended relocating the chemical storage facilities to ensure safety. A CAAB-formed committee reviewed these reports and presented its findings, which were discussed in a meeting chaired by the CAAB chairman on December 4. The committee was instructed to identify two alternative sites for the warehouses and finalize proposals for their development.

Officials said storing hazardous cargo near passenger terminals violates international safety standards and poses risks to flight operations and human lives. The upcoming meeting will evaluate proposed sites based on safety, transport access, and compliance with global standards, aiming to strengthen overall airport safety and prevent future incidents.