BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to meet the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, this evening at the Chief Adviser’s residence, the Jamuna State Guest House. This will be their first formal meeting since Tarique Rahman’s return from the United Kingdom, drawing attention to what topics may be discussed.

According to sources from the Chief Adviser’s Office and the BNP, the meeting is expected to focus on the country’s current political situation, particularly the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for 12 February. Several senior BNP leaders may also join the discussion. The two leaders last met in June of the previous year in London, where they reached key decisions regarding the timing of the national election and issued a joint statement afterward.

Following Tarique Rahman’s return on 25 December, he had a phone conversation with Dr. Yunus to thank him for ensuring overall security. They also briefly met during the funeral of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on 31 December, but today’s meeting marks their first official discussion since his return.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Ukraine, not Russia, is obstructing a possible peace agreement to end the ongoing conflict. In an interview with Reuters at the Oval Office on January 14, Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to conclude nearly four years of war, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is less prepared. He added that he believes Putin is ready to make a deal, but Ukraine is not.

When asked why the largest European conflict since World War II has not been resolved through U.S.-led negotiations, Trump directly pointed to Zelensky. His remarks signaled dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian leader and reflected his tendency to express more trust in Putin than in U.S. allies, a stance that has frustrated Ukraine, European capitals, and American lawmakers.

A Reuters report from December noted that U.S. intelligence agencies had warned Putin had not abandoned his goal of capturing all of Ukraine and restoring parts of the former Soviet empire, though National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard denied that assessment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has no plans to execute anti-government protesters. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been assured that killings of protesters in Iran had stopped, according to Al Jazeera.

When asked about possible executions, Araghchi said the question of carrying out death sentences does not arise. Earlier, Trump told reporters he was informed that the killing of protesters had ceased and that planned executions were suspended. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump mentioned receiving the information from what he described as a very important source but did not specify who it was.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent Mike Hanna reported from Washington, D.C., that Trump’s tone toward Iran appeared softer, suggesting a possible cooling of tensions. Hanna added that Trump seemed to be considering various options after being briefed by his national security team, indicating a potential move away from immediate escalation.

The Bangladesh interim government is preparing a new law titled the 'July Uprising Protection and Indemnity Ordinance, 2026' to provide legal immunity to participants of the 2024 July uprising. According to a senior Cabinet Division official, the draft, containing six sections, is expected to be presented at the advisory council’s regular meeting on Thursday. The proposed law stipulates that all cases filed against July fighters between July 1 and August 5, 2024, will be automatically withdrawn without requiring any application. It also bars future lawsuits related to the uprising and allows victims of the 36-day movement to seek compensation through the National Human Rights Commission.

The draft states that the ordinance aims to protect those who acted in self-defense and to restore public order during the anti-autocratic movement. Law Adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul affirmed the ordinance’s constitutional validity under Article 46 and compared it to post-revolution indemnity laws in other countries. He emphasized that July fighters risked their lives to free the country from fascist rule and deserve legal protection.

The law ministry began reviewing and withdrawing related cases after the interim government took office, though some remain pending due to legal complexities.

Rabeya Islam Sampa, wife of slain activist Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, posted on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon demanding justice for her husband’s killing. In her post, made at 2:40 p.m., she questioned why the organization Inkilab Moncho had not yet announced any program related to the case. Sampa insisted that justice must be ensured at any cost and expressed frustration over the delay in legal proceedings.

The post recalled Hadi’s earlier remarks about perseverance and struggle, urging supporters to continue his fight. Sampa also reflected on the grief of Hadi’s family and followers, describing their emotional state since his death. The post has drawn attention to the lack of visible action from the platform Hadi once led.

According to the report, Osman Hadi, aged 32, a front-line activist of the July Movement and convener of Inkilab Moncho, was shot in the head during an attack in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar on December 12. He was later taken to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died. His funeral drew thousands, and he was buried beside the national poet’s mausoleum.

A newly released 223-page report by the commission on enforced disappearances has revealed that during the administration of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s judiciary was often used to legitimize state repression. The report, published on Tuesday, found that the legal system was manipulated to portray victims as criminals, normalize illegal detentions, and record coerced confessions as legal truths. It concluded that the judiciary was diverted from protecting citizens’ rights and instead served political objectives.

The commission identified a systematic pattern of forced confessions, procedural manipulation, and strategic case filing that allowed enforced disappearances to persist under legal cover. Testimonies from victims described being coerced into memorizing scripts, threatened with violence, and denied access to legal counsel. Magistrates often failed to verify whether confessions were voluntary, and in some cases, recorded statements under duress or in the presence of law enforcement officers.

The commission emphasized that the judiciary must act as the guardian of constitutional rights, stressing that no law enforcement agency is above the law and that even the most serious offenders are entitled to justice.

Bir Muktijoddha Rafiqul Baset, former president of Gazipur Metropolitan Freedom Fighter unit and vice-president of BNP’s central Freedom Fighter unit, has left the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to join Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He formally joined the party on Wednesday evening at the Jamaat office of Ward 57 under Tongi East Police Station in Gazipur. Baset announced his decision through a Facebook post, stating that he had voluntarily resigned from all responsibilities within BNP and its affiliated organizations.

In his post, Baset explained that after long self-reflection and contemplation, he decided to lead his life according to Islamic ideals. He joined Jamaat through Gazipur Metropolitan Nayeb-e-Ameer and Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Gazipur-2 constituency, Hossain Ali, and Metropolitan Assistant Secretary Afzal Hossain. He expressed his belief that the Islamic way of life ensures justice in personal, social, and state affairs, and sought forgiveness for past mistakes.

After joining, Baset said that Jamaat-e-Islami follows the path of Allah and His Messenger and that he had long desired to join the party. He added that he had been involved with BNP politics since the era of Ziaur Rahman.

Two leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Tongi, Gazipur, formally joined Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday evening. The joining ceremony took place at the 57th Ward Jamaat office in Tongi Bazar. The new members are Rafiqul Baset, central vice-president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party and president of its Gazipur metropolitan unit, and Sohrab Uddin, a former member of the Greater Tongi Thana BNP. Jamaat leaders including Muhammad Hossain Ali, Gazipur metropolitan Nayeb Amir and MP candidate for Gazipur-2, attended the event along with other local leaders.

After joining, Rafiqul Baset said he decided to join Jamaat-e-Islami after long self-reflection and a desire to live by Islamic ideals. He expressed his belief that Jamaat works under divine guidance and prayed to remain steadfast in his new political path. Sohrab Uddin stated that they would openly inform BNP leaders and share the news on social media.

The event marks a notable shift of local BNP figures toward Jamaat-e-Islami in Gazipur’s Tongi area.

Nearly 10,000 doctors in Bangladesh’s health cadre, including supernumerary positions, are undergoing promotion, with more than 5,500 already elevated to ranks such as junior consultant, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. A significant portion of those promoted are reportedly aligned with the Awami League and its affiliate organization, Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip). Allegations have surfaced that a syndicate involving the Chief Adviser’s Office and the Ministry of Public Administration facilitated these promotions, sometimes in exchange for money. Some doctors accused of legitimizing violence during the so-called ‘peace rally’ at the Shaheed Minar have also been promoted.

Officials from the Health Ministry acknowledged that promotions were granted under an old executive order from the autocratic era, bypassing mandatory senior scale examinations. This has caused discontent among qualified but overlooked candidates. The Health Secretary stated that actions are taken only when specific complaints or intelligence reports are received, as no comprehensive list of Awami-affiliated doctors exists.

Investigations are ongoing into about 1,500 Swachip members whose promotions were withheld, while allegations persist that political groups including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP also influenced the process.

A new report by the Washington-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) and its India Hate Lab (IHL) project shows a sharp rise in hate speech incidents targeting religious minorities in India. In 2025, over 1,318 hate speech cases were recorded across 21 states, marking a 13 percent increase from 2024 and a 97 percent rise since 2023. Nearly 98 percent of these incidents targeted Muslims, while 133 involved Christians. Most cases occurred in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accounting for 88 percent of all recorded hate speech.

The report found that extremist Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Parishad were linked to hundreds of incidents. Many speeches invoked conspiracy theories like “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “population jihad,” often calling for violence, boycotts, or destruction of mosques and churches. Attacks on Christians also surged around Christmas, including assaults on churches in Raipur and other cities.

Experts cited in the report warned that religious hate speech has become intertwined with BJP’s political strategies, fueling communal tensions and violence against minorities.

Exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi, son of the country’s last deposed Shah, presented his vision for a future Iran following the fall of the Islamic Republic. In a message posted Wednesday on social media platform X, he said a new Iran would end its nuclear military program, recognize Israel, and seek normalized relations with the United States.

Addressing “friends” around the world, Pahlavi stated that Iran’s current global image is defined by terrorism, extremism, and poverty. He argued that a free Iran would contribute to regional stability and act as a responsible global partner. On security and foreign policy, he pledged to halt support for terrorist groups and cooperate internationally against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and extremist Islamism.

Pahlavi also emphasized economic openness, describing Iran as one of the world’s largest untapped markets. He said the country would aim to become a reliable global energy supplier and adopt international standards of transparency and good governance. He called for international support for the Iranian people, envisioning a free Iran as a force for peace and prosperity.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public remarks since the start of nationwide protests, attempted to distinguish between what he called the bazaar’s “legitimate” grievances and the broader anti-state uprising. He praised the country’s merchants as among the Islamic Republic’s most loyal supporters and insisted that foreign enemies could not use the bazaar to challenge the state. However, demonstrations have continued in Tehran’s markets, where authorities used tear gas to disperse crowds chanting anti-government slogans, including calls for Khamenei’s removal.

The unrest reflects a deeper erosion of the bazaar’s traditional alliance with Iran’s ruling establishment. Once a pillar of the 1979 revolution, the merchant class has seen its influence decline over two decades of economic favoritism toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and religious foundations, compounded by sanctions and inflation. The IRGC’s growing dominance in trade, banking, and infrastructure has marginalized traditional business networks that once anchored the regime’s stability.

Analysts note that while the state could theoretically ease sanctions and curb IRGC-linked conglomerates to regain bazaar support, escalating tensions with the West and entrenched power structures make such reforms increasingly unlikely.

Relations between Bangladesh and India have sharply worsened ahead of upcoming elections in both countries. The crisis began after Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years with close ties to New Delhi, was ousted in 2024 following mass protests led by students and young people. After fleeing to India, the new interim government in Dhaka demanded her return for trial, but India refused, sparking anger among Bangladeshis. The dispute escalated into a diplomatic standoff, with both sides suspending visa services and trading accusations over minority safety and political interference.

The tension has extended into sports, as Indian right-wing groups protested against Bangladeshi players, leading to one being dropped from the Indian Premier League. In response, Bangladesh announced it would not participate in the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India and requested that its matches be relocated. Analysts say both nations’ domestic politics are driving the hostility, with India seeking regional dominance and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, balancing public sentiment and diplomatic pragmatism.

With elections approaching in February, anti-India sentiment is shaping Bangladesh’s political landscape, while India explores new ties with the opposition BNP. Observers warn that mutual mistrust and rising nationalism may keep relations strained in the near term.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a month-long, 15-point nationwide campaign to ensure a ‘Yes’ victory in the upcoming referendum. The program, unveiled on Wednesday at a press conference in front of the DUCSU building, is being conducted under the slogan “Vote Yes, Secure Bangladesh.” DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem announced the initiatives aimed at increasing public participation and awareness.

According to the announcement, the campaign includes direct public outreach, online activities, debates, seminars on state reform, meetings with civil society and journalists, discussions with online activists, cultural events, and visits to educational institutions across the country to unite students. In his written statement, Kayem said the referendum represents a continuation of the July uprising’s spirit of reform and equality, describing participation and a ‘Yes’ vote as a duty to honor the sacrifices of July’s martyrs.

DUCSU also called on all anti-fascist political parties, student and professional organizations, and the general public to unite in creating a nationwide wave of support for the ‘Yes’ vote.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, has permitted the display of seized evidence from the July–August 2024 crimes against humanity cases at the July Uprising Memorial Museum gallery for one month. The order was issued following a prosecution request, according to a report by BSS. The museum, located at Ganabhaban and officially designated by the current government as the July Uprising Memorial Museum, is scheduled to open on January 20.

Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim stated that the museum authorities applied through the prosecution to exhibit the seized items, which include bullets, weapons, bloodstained clothing, and chairs used during torture. The tribunal granted permission for these materials to be displayed for one month from a specified date. The decision allows the public to view physical evidence from both resolved and ongoing tribunal cases.

The display aims to preserve and present historical evidence of the July events, marking a significant step in documenting crimes against humanity tried under the tribunal’s jurisdiction.