The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has interrogated Bushra Afrin, the first Chief Heat Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal wealth accumulation by her father, former DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam. The questioning took place on Thursday at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. According to the ACC, Afrin was summoned to determine whether she had any involvement in her father’s alleged acquisition of illicit assets.

Bushra Afrin, who completed her secondary education in Dhaka and pursued higher studies in Canada, was appointed DNCC’s Chief Heat Officer in May 2023. The ACC’s Deputy Director (Public Relations), Akhtarul Islam, confirmed that the commission conducted the questioning. Atiqul Islam was arrested on October 16, 2024, in Dhaka’s Mohakhali DOHS area after going into hiding following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.

The ACC is investigating allegations that Atiqul Islam and others misused power, manipulated tenders, and engaged in corruption and money laundering related to the purchase of mosquito control equipment.

A group of writers organized a memorial meeting in remembrance of former three-time Prime Minister and political leader Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Al Mahmud Writer’s Corner of Bangla Academy. BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu attended as the chief guest, while writer and publisher Saeed Bari presided over the session.

The program featured poetry recitations, reminiscences, and discussions highlighting various aspects of Khaleda Zia’s life and political career. Participants included poets, writers, researchers, and journalists such as Mahmud Shafik, Razueddin Stalin, Asad Kajol, Kalam Fayezi, and others. Speakers recalled that during Khaleda Zia’s tenure, Bangladeshi writers enjoyed significant freedom and that even those with differing opinions received state recognition.

Speakers expressed that her liberal political philosophy would continue to inspire future generations of writers and intellectuals in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of Hummam Quader Chowdhury, BNP’s candidate for Chittagong-7 and a member of the party’s central executive committee, as valid. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following an appeal hearing held at the Election Building in Dhaka. This marks Hummam’s first participation in a parliamentary election. He had submitted his nomination papers on December 29 after receiving party endorsement on November 3.

His candidacy faced challenges over allegations of loan default and concealment of financial information in his affidavit. Hummam claimed that attempts were made to label him a defaulter through a special process on January 8, but the High Court had already issued a stay order on the disputed report. The EC, led by the Chief Election Commissioner, considered the legal documents before validating his nomination.

According to his affidavit, Hummam’s annual income is about Tk 1.25 million, with movable assets worth Tk 8.42 million. His wife’s declared assets amount to nearly Tk 410 million. The EC’s decision reportedly revived enthusiasm among BNP supporters in Chittagong-7.

Interim government industry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming February 12 referendum, held alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the 'Vote Car' caravan following an Imam Conference at the district stadium in Chattogram, he urged voters to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the 36 days of the fiery July movement and to participate in a festive atmosphere.

Adilur Rahman said the referendum aims to establish the 'July Charter' signed by anti-fascist movements and to pave the way for building a century-long Bangladesh. He recalled the past 16 years as a period of fear and oppression, marked by disappearances, killings, and repression. He emphasized that citizens had been deprived of voting rights and that thousands had been imprisoned under a fascist regime.

He appealed to all citizens to vote for their preferred candidates in the national election and simultaneously cast a 'Yes' vote in the referendum to ensure that such oppression never returns and to continue the transformation initiated by the July movement.

Ukraine’s new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told parliament that nearly 200,000 soldiers have left their posts without authorization, describing the situation as a severe manpower crisis. Speaking before his confirmation vote on Wednesday, Fedorov said around two million Ukrainians are currently wanted for evading military duties. He noted that the army has been under immense pressure for years while defending the country against a much stronger enemy.

According to Fedorov, the front-line situation remains dire, with Ukrainian forces struggling to hold key positions despite shortages of personnel and weapons. CNN reported that rumors of low morale and desertions had circulated for some time, but Fedorov’s remarks marked the first official acknowledgment of the scale of the problem. Ukrainian law requires all men aged 18 to 60 to register for military service, while those aged 25 to 60 are subject to mandatory mobilization.

After meeting Fedorov, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s mobilization process needs major reform. Fedorov, 34, emphasized that technological advancement, including drones and robotics, is now vital to offset manpower shortages.

The interim government of Bangladesh has approved the draft of the July Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance, which is expected to become law within five to seven days through a gazette notification. The approval was given at a meeting of the advisory council chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Tejgaon. Later, at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul said the ordinance fulfills the government’s commitment to those involved in the July uprising.

According to Nazrul, the ordinance grants immunity from criminal liability to individuals who participated in political resistance activities during July and August aimed at restoring democratic governance by toppling the fascist regime. The government will withdraw existing criminal cases related to such activities, and no new cases can be filed for actions taken during that period. However, acts of violence committed for personal gain or revenge will not be exempted.

The National Human Rights Commission has been tasked with determining whether killings were politically motivated or driven by personal interests. Victims’ families may appeal to the commission, whose investigation reports will carry the same legal weight as police reports in court.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced the suspension of four of its branch committees in Patuakhali. The decision was disclosed on Thursday, January 15, 2026, through a press release issued by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the statement, the existing committees of Patuakhali Municipality, Sadar Upazila, Dumki Upazila, and Mirzaganj Upazila BNP will remain suspended until further instructions from the party.

The announcement, distributed to the media, serves as an official notification to all concerned members and stakeholders within the party. No specific reasons for the suspension were mentioned in the release, and no replacement committees were announced at this stage.

The suspension indicates an internal organizational adjustment within the BNP’s local structure in Patuakhali, pending future directives from the central leadership.

Jamaat-e-Islami has denied allegations that it is collecting voters’ National ID (NID) and bKash numbers ahead of the upcoming referendum and parliamentary elections. The party’s Assistant Secretary General Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad dismissed the claims after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building on Thursday, January 15, 2026. He described the allegations as false and misleading.

According to the report, several senior Jamaat leaders, including Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Mobarak Hossain, Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, and Barrister Najib Momen, attended the meeting. The allegations had been raised by BNP leaders, who claimed that Jamaat activists were collecting personal information from voters. The referendum and parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 12, 2026.

The denial comes amid heightened political activity surrounding the upcoming national polls, with multiple parties engaging in discussions with the Election Commission.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. According to a source, they shared dinner together following an invitation from Dr. Yunus. The meeting marked Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Jamuna since returning to Bangladesh in late December after years abroad.

The source indicated that discussions might have included the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the country’s current political situation, though neither the Chief Adviser’s press wing nor the BNP confirmed any details. Press wing officials said the dinner involved an exchange of greetings in a cordial atmosphere.

This was the third meeting between Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman since June of the previous year, when they first met in London after Yunus became Chief Adviser. Their earlier meetings included a private discussion in London and a brief encounter during Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer at the National Parliament premises.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday night, January 15, 2026, at the Jamuna State Guesthouse in Dhaka. Rahman left his Gulshan office at 6:42 p.m., visited his residence briefly, and then departed for Jamuna at 6:52 p.m. Security measures were visibly tightened in the Jamuna area ahead of his arrival.

The meeting marked the first formal discussion between the two since Rahman’s return to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after 17 years abroad. Upon arrival, he had spoken with the Chief Adviser by phone. They had also met briefly at the funeral of late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on December 31. Previously, on June 13, 2024, Rahman and Yunus held a meeting in London, after which their representatives issued a joint statement.

The renewed engagement between the BNP leader and the Chief Adviser follows a series of high-level contacts since Rahman’s return, suggesting continued political dialogue at the national level.

Dhaka University’s Sada Dal, a group of teachers aligned with Bangladeshi nationalism, has expressed deep concern and astonishment over the current activities and direction of the National Pay Commission. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s convenor Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan and joint convenors Professor Dr. Abdus Salam and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar said the commission has failed to reflect the expectations it was formed to meet.

The statement noted that the commission’s current working methods and decision-making process have disappointed the teaching community. The group praised Professor Dr. Md. Maksudur Rahman Sarkar, a Dhaka University teacher, for resigning from the commission, calling his decision a principled stance that highlights the lack of a healthy and objective environment within the body. The Sada Dal said it had earlier presented specific demands to the commission’s chairman, who had promised to consider them, but no visible action has followed.

The group demanded that the commission urgently correct its current shortcomings and submit recommendations that uphold the dignity and interests of university teachers, warning that any pay structure undermining teachers’ status would be unacceptable.

Five leaders of the banned Chhatra League were arrested in Cox’s Bazar while visiting the beach area. The group included presidents and general secretaries of the organization’s upazila units in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi and Pakundia. They were detained by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members on Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m. near the Cox’s Bazar airport area, based on secret information. On Thursday afternoon, the detainees were taken into police custody and transferred to the relevant police station.

The arrested individuals were identified as Sheikh Samrat Alamgir, president of Katiadi Upazila Chhatra League; Md. Roni Khan Shuvo, general secretary; Habibur Rahman Rakib, joint general secretary; Samad Ullah; and Tofayel Ahmed Tuhin, general secretary of Pakundia Upazila Chhatra League. Although RAB-15 in Cox’s Bazar did not confirm the arrests, Katiadi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman verified the detention and transfer of the five leaders.

The report did not mention the specific reasons behind the arrests or any subsequent legal actions following their transfer to Katiadi police custody.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has expressed optimism about maintaining an electoral alliance under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, despite internal disagreements. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of top alliance leaders at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Thursday, he said efforts would continue to keep the coalition united and that the process of forming the alliance would move forward regardless of differing opinions.

Nahid Islam stated that the alliance reflects public aspirations and that the upcoming election is expected to be competitive. He added that a participatory contest would help advance democracy. According to him, the short time available for forming the alliance has led to some differences, but these are expected to be resolved soon.

He further announced that there would be no individual party candidates in the 300 parliamentary constituencies, as all candidates would represent the alliance, with each party supporting the others.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged irregularities and bias in the handling of postal ballots, claiming that the process favored a particular political party. He made the remarks on Thursday, January 15, after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) secretary at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. Ahmed said complaints had emerged regarding the preparation, dispatch, and use of postal ballots, which he argued undermined the transparency of the electoral process.

He noted that this was Bangladesh’s first initiative to allow expatriates to exercise their voting rights, which might explain some procedural errors. However, he pointed to social media posts showing large numbers of ballots found in private homes, reports of ballot seizures, and instances of ballots being received by individuals other than the intended voters. Ahmed demanded clear explanations from the EC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on how ballots were sent abroad, how expatriates were to vote, and who would be accountable for any irregularities.

The EC reportedly assured that it would review the issues and might provide an explanation later the same day.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy call on Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting covered progress on issuing Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 displaced Rohingyas living in Saudi Arabia, manpower export, trade expansion, preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, and an invitation for Bangladesh to join the World Defense Show in Riyadh.

The adviser described Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as close friends, noting the deep emotional and economic ties between the two nations through over 3.2 million Bangladeshi expatriate workers. He requested increased manpower recruitment from Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador inquired about the Rohingya passport process, and the adviser said significant progress had been made, with special teams sent to accelerate the work despite low enrollment attendance.

The adviser also briefed the ambassador on election security preparations, including training for law enforcement and ongoing operations to recover illegal weapons. He declined to attend the February 2026 World Defense Show due to the national election but confirmed that Bangladesh would send a representative.