Three senior leaders of the US Catholic Church have issued a joint statement sharply criticizing the Trump administration’s foreign policy, questioning America’s moral role in global politics. The Archbishops of Washington, Newark, and Chicago—Cardinals Robert McElroy, Joseph Tobin, and Blase Cupich—expressed deep concern over the ethical justification for the use of military power in recent events involving Venezuela, Ukraine, and Greenland. They stated that military action should be a last resort in extreme circumstances, not a routine tool of national policy.

The cardinals avoided partisan analysis but their remarks were seen as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction within the Church toward national leadership under Trump. Their statement referenced controversies surrounding threats to seize Greenland, naval operations against Venezuela, and the detention of President Nicolás Maduro without congressional approval. Pope Leo XIV also urged respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and emphasized dialogue over violence, while warning that Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine could alter transatlantic alliances.

Cardinal Cupich further noted concern over the decision to dismantle USAID, a long-standing humanitarian agency. The cardinals warned that force-based global systems undermine nations’ sovereignty, calling the administration’s moral outlook “Darwinian.”

India has decided to recall the family members of its diplomats stationed in Bangladesh, citing security reasons. The country has also designated Bangladesh as a ‘non-family posting’ for its diplomatic staff. Despite this move, India’s High Commission in Dhaka and its Assistant High Commissions in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet will remain open and continue normal operations, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.

The report, quoting unnamed sources, stated that the decision had been under consideration for some time due to the overall security situation. As part of the process, officials working in the mentioned missions have been advised to send their families back to India. However, no specific timeline has been set for when the families will return, and details about the number of Indian diplomats currently serving in Bangladesh were not disclosed.

The move comes just weeks before Bangladesh’s national election, scheduled for February 12, 2026, suggesting heightened caution by India regarding the security environment in the neighboring country.

Iranian authorities have initiated the punishment process for individuals detained during recent anti-government protests across the country. Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei announced on January 19 that judicial operations have been intensified, warning that leniency toward those deemed undeserving would contradict justice. The government has also restricted internet access nationwide, citing security concerns, after briefly restoring partial connectivity the previous day.

Mohseni-Ejei met with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf before issuing a joint statement pledging strict action against what they called 'murderous and terrorist instigators.' However, they said protesters misled by foreign powers might receive 'Islamic compassion.' Iranian officials again accused the United States and Israel of funding and arming demonstrators. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that several thousand people were killed in the unrest but attributed the deaths to agents linked to foreign powers rather than state forces.

The protests began on December 28 in Tehran’s downtown commercial district and have led to the arrest or detention of more than 10,000 people, according to estimates cited in the report. Authorities continue to release new arrest data daily.

A senior BNP leader, Fazlul Haque Chumku, aged 52, died in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday night in Patiya upazila of Chattogram. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway near the Badamtal area. Chumku, a resident of Habilasdweep Union and son of the late Abul Hashem, lost control of his motorcycle while trying to save a homeless woman standing in the middle of the road. His friend Mustafa Morshed, who was riding with him, sustained minor injuries.

According to local and eyewitness accounts, Chumku appeared unhurt immediately after the crash and returned home around 8 p.m. Later, he suddenly felt unwell and began vomiting. Family members prepared to take him to the hospital, but he died around 9 p.m. before reaching there. Former Habilasdweep Union Parishad chairman Shafiqul Islam confirmed the sequence of events and described Chumku as a dedicated BNP activist despite holding no current party position.

The accident has drawn local attention due to the circumstances of Chumku’s death while attempting to prevent harm to another person.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) faces a major internal challenge as more than fifty rebel candidates continue to contest in various constituencies across the country. Despite the Election Commission’s Tuesday deadline for nomination withdrawal, these candidates did not withdraw, raising concerns about potential impacts on party unity and vote distribution.

According to party sources, many long-time BNP activists were angered after being denied nominations. Some have chosen to run as independents, while others have openly opposed party decisions. The BNP’s election management committee acknowledged that not all aspirants could be nominated due to political and strategic considerations. Although efforts were made to persuade rebels to withdraw, many refused. The party has already expelled several leaders for violating organizational discipline.

Reports from multiple districts show rebel candidates in constituencies such as Barishal-1, Jhalkathi-1, Naogaon-1 and 6, Bagerhat, Cumilla, Tangail, and Narayanganj, among others. Party insiders fear that the popularity of these local leaders could split BNP’s vote base in key areas.

Abul Kalam Azad, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday morning to surrender. He had been a fugitive since the tribunal handed down the death sentence on January 21, 2013, under the leadership of then-chairman Justice Obaidul Hassan.

According to a government order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Prisons-2 branch) on October 22 of the previous year, Azad’s sentence was suspended for one year on the condition that he surrender to the court and file an appeal. The order temporarily halted the execution of his punishment to allow for legal proceedings.

The tribunal’s acceptance of his surrender marks a significant development in a long-running war crimes case that had remained unresolved due to his fugitive status.

Maulana Azharul Islam, president of Islami Andolan’s Ward No. 5 and vice-president of the upazila unit in Charfassion, Bhola, has joined Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement was made on Tuesday night by Zainal Abedin Bhuiyan, a member of the Charfassion municipal Jamaat working committee. According to the report, Azharul Islam completed Jamaat’s membership form on Monday before formally joining the party.

The source states that Maulana Azharul Islam had been active in Islami Andolan politics under the leadership of the Charmonai Pir for a long time, holding various responsibilities in Charfassion. He said he joined Jamaat-e-Islami inspired by the party’s ideology and principles. Maulana Abbas Uddin, secretary of Islami Andolan’s Bhola South district unit, confirmed that Azharul Islam was part of the organization’s previous committee but not the current one.

The development marks a shift in local political alignment in Charfassion, as a senior Islami Andolan leader transitions to Jamaat-e-Islami, potentially influencing future political dynamics in the area.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman posted a message on his Facebook page on Tuesday night calling on all concerned to refrain from any activities that could disrupt the voting environment in Dhaka-15 constituency. He expressed hope that good sense would prevail among those involved.

Earlier, a clash broke out between activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in front of Al Mobarak Mosque in Pirerbag under Mirpur Model Police Station during leaflet distribution for the upcoming national election. At least 16 people were initially reported injured. The army and police quickly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Following the incident, Jamaat activists held a protest and rally demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers. The procession started in front of Pirerbag Paka Mosque and ended at Barek Molla Mor with a gathering attended by several local Jamaat leaders.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas advised leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) to learn politics and focus on the country’s development. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion meeting held at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka. Abbas said young leaders should avoid wrongdoing and that his party would support them if they engage in positive political activities.

Referring to the post-liberation period, Abbas stated that after the war, his generation returned to studies and work without seeking ministerial positions, unlike what he described as greed among some current leaders. He contrasted the roles of freedom fighters and those who fought to remove oppressive forces, asserting that his generation had also overthrown autocratic regimes in the past.

Abbas further emphasized his lifelong commitment to protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, vowing not to let the country fall into the hands of deceivers or opportunists.

Dhaka city north unit of Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally in Mirpur on Tuesday night demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those who carried out an armed attack on its activists. The rally followed an alleged assault that occurred when Jamaat members were leaving a mosque after Maghrib prayers. Shah Alam Tuhin, a member of the party’s Dhaka north executive committee, accused BNP and Jubo Dal activists of launching the attack and called on authorities to ensure justice.

The protest march began in front of Pirerbag Paka Mosque and ended at Barek Molla Mor with a gathering attended by several local Jamaat leaders. Tuhin alleged that the attackers acted out of political desperation and that law enforcement failed to act impartially. He claimed that even female Jamaat activists were assaulted and criticized the government for not taking effective measures to stop such violence.

Jamaat’s Dhaka north unit announced another protest march for Wednesday morning at Barek Molla Mor to condemn the attack and the reported harassment of female activists.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today on whether to frame charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The prosecution has accused them of crimes against humanity during the so-called July Revolution, including shutting down the internet and inciting violence. Palak will be produced before the tribunal from prison for the hearing.

Earlier, defense lawyers Liton Ahmed and Munjur Alam argued that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and sought discharge for their clients. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim countered that the charges were based on credible evidence and requested the court to proceed with the trial. The prosecution has brought three charges, including allegations of incitement through social media posts, ordering internet shutdowns, and aiding killings in Dhaka and Uttara.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam read out the charges on January 11 and formally requested the tribunal to frame charges against both accused. The tribunal’s decision today will determine whether the trial moves forward.

Bangladesh’s young generation, credited with toppling former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, is now expected to play a decisive role in the country’s upcoming national election on February 12. The vote, described by European Union observers as the “biggest democratic process in 2026, anywhere,” will be the first since the July 2024 uprising that forced Hasina to flee to India after a violent crackdown left up to 1,400 people dead. Many first-time voters, such as 27-year-old Rafiul Alam from Dhaka, say they are eager to participate after years of political disillusionment.

According to the Election Commission, nearly 56 million of Bangladesh’s 127 million registered voters are aged between 18 and 37, representing about 44 percent of the electorate. Analysts say this group’s shared distrust of institutions and demand for accountability could redefine the political landscape. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has barred the Awami League from contesting, leaving the field to two main coalitions led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

However, divisions have emerged within youth-led movements such as the National Citizen Party, whose alliance with Jamaat has drawn criticism from protest leaders. Women’s representation also remains low, with only 4.24 percent of candidates being female, raising concerns about the depth of political reform.

Two Awami League leaders, Azam Pasha Chowdhury Rumel and Advocate Saif Uddin Ahmed, allegedly arranged a family gathering known as a 'beyakhana' inside the women’s lockup of the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Monday, January 19. The event reportedly took place with the cooperation of on-duty police officers while both leaders were brought to court for hearings. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing family members present inside the restricted area.

According to court sources, both leaders are long-term detainees in Noakhali District Jail facing multiple murder and explosives-related cases. The gathering followed the recent marriage between Rumel’s daughter and Ahmed’s son, which took place on December 30. Police officials confirmed that the lockup is normally used for female detainees’ basic needs, not for family events.

Following reports of the incident, a three-member investigation committee was formed under Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayeb Md Arif Hossain. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days, after which internal disciplinary action may be taken.

The government of Bangladesh has approved a special allocation of Tk 71.98 crore to install CCTV cameras at 21,946 highly important and high-risk polling centers across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The announcement was made by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NIKAR) held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

According to Majumder, out of approximately 42,000 polling centers nationwide, 6,552 already have CCTV cameras, while new installations are underway at the rest. Each high-risk center will receive at least six cameras under the special allocation, while other centers will be covered through local administrative and city corporation funding. The installation process has started in all districts, with Gazipur district nearing completion. Additionally, 299 polling centers without electricity will be equipped with solar power or generator backup to ensure uninterrupted power supply on election day.

The briefing also discussed improving law enforcement in Dhaka amid rapid urban growth and reviewed possible administrative restructuring of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, though no final decision was reached.

Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of Jagannath University (JNU) Chhatra Dal, issued a stern warning on Tuesday evening, January 20, through a Facebook post emphasizing politeness, tolerance, and healthy student politics. He stated that while his organization had long endured controversial activities from other student groups with patience, any further crossing of limits would lead to severe consequences. Himel warned that those who overstep boundaries would not be able to stay anywhere in Dhaka, neither on campus nor at home.

In his post, Himel described Jagannath University as an emotional space for Chhatra Dal, founded by Begum Khaleda Zia, and said the group had shown restraint to maintain a peaceful educational environment. His remarks came after Ibrahim Khalil, organizational secretary of JNU Shibir, accused the authorities of halting the Shaksu election to arrange a BNP rally in Sylhet and called for a blockade in protest. That statement sparked criticism among Chhatra Dal activists nationwide.

Himel further warned that any organization under the influence of Chhatra League making provocative comments would not be spared, triggering renewed debate in campus politics.