Human rights organization Odhikar has demanded justice for the killing of Felani by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and called for an end to border killings. The demand was made on Wednesday at a rally held at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark Felani Day and protest her death.

Odhikar’s director Nasir Uddin Elan stated that the manner in which Felani was killed at the border is known, yet justice has not been served. He described the killing of a woman at the border as a grave human rights violation and urged everyone to raise their voices against such incidents. Families of several victims of border killings were present at the event, along with Odhikar researcher Taskin Fahmin and other senior leaders of the organization.

The rally highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights violations along the Bangladesh-India border and renewed calls for accountability and justice for victims of cross-border violence.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s three-time former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In a condolence message sent on January 2 to Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Guterres conveyed his sympathy on behalf of the United Nations. The message was released by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Wednesday.

In his message, Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the former Prime Minister. He extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and to Khaleda Zia’s family, noting that as the country’s first female Prime Minister, she held a distinct and dignified place in Bangladesh’s political history. He added that through her long years of public service and leadership, she left a significant mark on the nation’s political life.

Khaleda Zia, known for her uncompromising stance on democracy, passed away on December 30 of the previous year while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She was buried with state honors on December 31 beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at the capital’s Zia Udyan.

A high-level European Union delegation met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his Bashundhara office on Wednesday. The delegation, led by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Chief of the European External Action Service’s Asia and Pacific Division, included the EU ambassador to Dhaka and another official. Following the meeting, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters that the main discussion focused on the upcoming national election and the Rohingya issue. He said the EU delegation informed them that the Union would send the highest number of observers to monitor the election.

Dr. Taher emphasized that fair and impartial elections are essential for Bangladesh, noting that the lack of credible polls has been a major cause of national crises over the past 55 years. He expressed concern that recent government and law enforcement activities suggest bias toward one party, raising fears of a rigged election. Jamaat urged the government, Election Commission, and authorities to act neutrally to protect the country.

The EU delegation also discussed the Rohingya issue, and Jamaat leaders said they would work with the international community to ensure Rohingya safety and rights if they come to power.

Thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas to show support for President Nicolás Maduro following his reported abduction along with his wife by the United States. Protesters waved national flags, sang patriotic songs, and chanted anti-American slogans. The demonstration was joined by Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, according to TRT World.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez asserted that no foreign power governs Venezuela, rejecting earlier remarks by US President Donald Trump claiming the United States would run the country until a change occurs. Rodríguez emphasized that the Venezuelan government remains in control and declared seven days of mourning for 24 Venezuelan soldiers killed in a US military operation. Cuba also reported the deaths of 32 of its military members.

The Trump administration has not yet clarified its plans for Venezuela since Maduro’s detention, leaving uncertainty about Washington’s next steps in the crisis.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to embark on a four-day visit to northern Bangladesh, beginning on January 11, 2026. According to the party, the trip is primarily focused on religious and social events. The BNP stated that the tour will fully comply with the code of conduct issued by the Bangladesh Election Commission. The party has submitted applications to the Election Commission, as well as to the relevant district commissioners and election officers, to ensure adherence to the regulations.

The tentative itinerary shows that Rahman will travel from Dhaka through Tangail and Sirajganj to Bogura on the first day, then proceed to Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon over the following days, before returning to Dhaka on January 14. During the trip, he will visit the graves of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and Tayeba Mojumdar, among others, and attend prayer gatherings. He is also scheduled to meet injured freedom fighters and families of martyrs from the democratic movements.

The BNP emphasized that the visit is non-political in nature and intended to honor historical and social figures while maintaining compliance with electoral guidelines.

More than one hundred leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party (GM Quader faction) in Singair, Manikganj, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The formal joining took place on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m., when they presented flowers to Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Manikganj-2 constituency.

Among those who joined were Pirzada Mohammad Ali, vice-president of the upazila Jatiya Party, member Mozzaffar Hossain, former organizing secretary Mojibur Rahman, municipal organizing secretary Shahanur Rahman, religious affairs secretary Mufti Akkas Ali, and upazila women’s Jatiya Party president Munni Akter, along with numerous supporters. Pirzada Mohammad Ali and Shahanur Rahman said they were inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman.

BNP candidate Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto welcomed the new members, noting their long involvement with Jatiya Party politics. He urged everyone to work together to ensure victory for the BNP’s electoral symbol and to develop Singair and southern Manikganj into a modern region.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has rejected reports that his party would allocate 10 parliamentary seats to the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP). Speaking at a briefing after a meeting with European Union representatives at the Jamaat Ameer’s political office in Dhaka on Wednesday morning, he said the claim was imaginary and that an agreement among 11 allied parties over seat distribution would be finalized soon.

Dr. Taher warned that Bangladesh would face destruction if elections were manipulated as in the past. He also stated that if Jamaat came to power, it would form a government in coordination with all political parties.

The statement followed media reports published on Tuesday claiming Jamaat would not give NCP more than ten seats, which sparked renewed political discussion.

The Anti-Aggression Movement, known as a symbol of public resistance against political aggression, dominance, and oppression, is holding its first anniversary event titled the 'July Hero Honor' ceremony on Wednesday. The program began at 9 a.m. at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka. Families of July martyrs, injured participants, and July fighters from various districts including Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Noakhali gathered in the capital early in the morning.

According to the organizers, the event will honor those who were martyred, injured, or persecuted during the July Movement. National-level political leaders, social figures, journalists, and citizen representatives are attending the ceremony. The Anti-Aggression Movement stated in a notice on Tuesday that the initiative continues the movement launched on January 7, 2025, at Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial, opposing political prescription and hegemonic aggression.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to work uncompromisingly for national interests, sovereignty, and people’s rights. The event is being supported by JAM Sangstha, an organization active in education, health, and social development.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has warned that Bangladesh will head toward destruction if future elections are manipulated as in the past. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning in Dhaka after a meeting with representatives of the European Union at the political office of the Jamaat Ameer.

During the briefing, Taher said that discussions among 11 political parties regarding seat-sharing are nearing an agreement. He dismissed as imaginary the claim that the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) would receive 10 seats. The Jamaat leader also stated that if his party comes to power, it will form a government in coordination with all political parties.

The meeting with EU representatives and Taher’s comments reflect ongoing political negotiations and concerns over electoral integrity ahead of the next national polls.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela will supply between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality oil to the United States. He made the statement on Tuesday through his social media platform Truth Social, saying the oil would be sold at market price once brought to the U.S. Trump added that he would personally oversee the use of the proceeds to benefit both the Venezuelan and American people.

The announcement came a day after former Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president. Trump said he had instructed his Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, to implement the plan immediately and that the oil would be transported directly to the United States by ship. According to CBS, representatives of major U.S. petroleum companies plan to meet with the Trump administration later this week.

The move signals a new phase in U.S.-Venezuela energy relations following recent political changes in Caracas, though details of the agreement’s structure and timeline remain unclear.

Partial results from the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election show differing leads across key posts. Out of 39 centers, results from 11 have been announced. Chhatra Dal-supported VP candidate A.K.M. Rakib received 1,142 votes, leading Chhatra Shibir-backed Riazul Islam, who secured 1,031 votes, by 111 votes. The results were officially declared by the JAKSU Election Commission at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

In the General Secretary (GS) race, Chhatra Shibir’s Abdul Alim received 1,101 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s Khadijatul Kubra got 570 votes, giving Alim a lead of 531 votes. For the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) position, Chhatra Shibir’s Masud Rana earned 1,020 votes, ahead of Chhatra Dal’s Tanzil with 898 votes, a margin of 122 votes.

The results reflect a mixed trend, with Chhatra Dal leading in the VP race and Chhatra Shibir ahead in the GS and AGS contests. Further results from the remaining centers are yet to be announced.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is confronting internal unrest in Comilla, a district long considered one of its strongholds, as the upcoming parliamentary election approaches. The party has announced candidates for all eleven constituencies in the district, but protests have erupted in five—Comilla-2, Comilla-6, Comilla-7, Comilla-9, and Comilla-10—after several leaders were denied nominations. These demonstrations by excluded aspirants and their supporters have exposed divisions within the party’s local ranks.

Historically, BNP dominated Comilla, winning eight of twelve seats in 1991 and eleven in 2001 as part of an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, before dropping to two seats in 2008. Analysts cited in the report suggest that the political landscape shifted after August 5, 2024, with the emergence of rebel and independent candidates weakening BNP’s position and potentially benefiting Jamaat. In several constituencies, including Comilla-1 through Comilla-5, multiple parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are fielding active campaigns.

Local observers believe that unless BNP resolves its internal divisions, it risks losing up to six seats in Comilla to rival or allied groups.

The United States has announced a new update to its visa bond list, adding Bangladesh among 38 countries whose citizens may now be required to deposit a financial bond when applying for a U.S. visa. The updated list was released by the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, and the new rule will take effect from January 21. Under the policy, applicants from these countries may need to pay between 5,000 and 15,000 U.S. dollars as a visa bond.

According to the announcement, most of the countries included in the list are from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The visa bond system is designed to discourage visa overstays by requiring a refundable financial guarantee from applicants. The measure is expected to make obtaining U.S. visas more difficult for many citizens of the listed countries.

The newly added countries include Bangladesh, Algeria, Angola, Antigua, Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of imitating his dance moves and labeled him a violent leader responsible for millions of deaths. Speaking before Republican lawmakers at the Kennedy Arts Center in Washington, Trump claimed Maduro tried to mimic his dance on stage. He also alleged that a torture center once operated in central Caracas but offered no further details.

Trump’s remarks followed a New York Times report suggesting that Maduro’s public dancing despite U.S. threats signaled to White House officials that it was time for tougher action on Venezuela. The Venezuelan leader had been seen dancing to a techno version of the slogan “No war, yes peace” during U.S. troop deployments in the Caribbean in late 2025, while Trump is known for dancing to the disco song “YMCA” at his rallies.

Although Trump praised a recent U.S. special forces operation to detain Maduro and his wife, he did not outline any clear plan for managing Venezuela after Maduro’s fall. Much of his speech focused on preparations for the 2026 midterm elections and his political priorities.

In the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JCSU) election, results from eight of the 39 polling centers have been announced. According to the official declaration made by the JCSU Election Commission at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Shibir-backed vice president (VP) candidate Riazul Islam received 810 votes, while Chhatra Dal-backed candidate A.K.M. Rakib secured 804 votes, leaving Riazul ahead by six votes.

Departmental results show varying leads between the two panels. In the Microbiology Department, Riazul received 87 votes against Rakib’s 46, while in the Finance Department, Rakib led with 231 votes to Riazul’s 138. Other departments, including Computer Science, Genetic Engineering, Geography, Anthropology, Public Administration, and Pharmacy, reported mixed outcomes across VP, GS, and AGS positions.

Vote counting was temporarily halted on Tuesday night at 9:20 p.m. due to a technical fault in the counting machine. The process resumed after the issue was resolved, and results were later released following a long interruption.