Negotiations between Jamaat-e-Islami and Charmonai Pir’s Islami Andolan Bangladesh have reached a decisive stage over seat sharing for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Tensions arose after the formal announcement of a 10-party electoral understanding, as Islami Andolan expressed dissatisfaction with the number of constituencies offered and warned of withdrawing from the alliance if demands were unmet. Grassroots-level mistrust and social media disputes further complicated the situation, prompting top leaders from both sides to reopen talks and seek a resolution.

Jamaat leaders, including Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, emphasized that discussions were ongoing and that the alliance could expand to 11 parties after nomination scrutiny. Islami Andolan leaders acknowledged earlier frustrations but said dialogue had eased tensions. The 11-party bloc, including LDP and NCP, has collectively fielded over 700 candidates for 300 seats, with overlapping nominations in several constituencies causing unease among partners.

Both Jamaat and Islami Andolan now stress maintaining unity and finalizing seat allocations after the nomination review process, expected to conclude in early January.

At the official swearing-in ceremony of New York’s new mayor, Zohra Mamdani, congressional representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on New Yorkers to celebrate the event as their own victory. Speaking at City Hall, she praised residents for choosing courageous and historic leadership during uncertain times, emphasizing that they opted for collective prosperity over fear and inequality.

Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic representative from New York’s 14th Congressional District, had endorsed Mamdani in June 2025 and actively mobilized voters in the months leading up to the election. She previously told a rally of 13,000 people in Queens that Mamdani’s victory would send a clear message rejecting authoritarianism. During the inauguration, she congratulated citizens for electing a mayor committed to building a hopeful future for working people.

Echoing Mamdani’s campaign promises, Ocasio-Cortez praised plans for universal childcare, affordable housing, and accessible public transport. She described the city’s choice as a rejection of division and extreme inequality, expressing confidence that New York’s example could inspire broader change.

Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Advocate Maulana Sheikh Abdul Wadud has said that if voters in Mongla cast their ballots for the balance symbol, local people will be able to live safely and free from land and enclosure occupation. He made the remarks on Friday, January 2, during campaign visits across various areas of Mongla upazila. Wadud is contesting the Bagerhat-3 (Mongla-Rampal) constituency on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In his address as chief guest, Wadud stated that Bangladesh belongs to people of all religions—Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian—who together built the nation. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami has long worked to establish a just and discrimination-free society and has consistently advocated for the security, religious freedom, and dignity of minority communities. He added that honest, skilled, and principled leadership is essential to end political vengeance, land grabbing, and irregularities, ensuring safety for all citizens.

Mongla upazila Jamaat’s Naib-e-Amir and former vice chairman Professor Kohinur Sardar also spoke, highlighting the party’s justice-based politics and welfare programs. Thousands of local leaders and supporters attended the campaign event.

The government of Bangladesh has issued a new ordinance amending the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act, 2013 to ensure better governance in the travel agency business, prevent artificial ticket shortages, and stop harassment of migrant workers. President Md. Shahabuddin promulgated the ordinance on January 1 under Article 93(1) of the Constitution, and the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division has published the related gazette.

The revised law introduces separate bank guarantee requirements for online and offline travel agencies—10 lakh taka for offline agencies and 1 crore taka for online ones. It strictly prohibits false bookings that create artificial ticket shortages and bans business-to-business ticket trading. Agencies must use only government-approved financial channels for transactions. The ordinance also forbids deceptive advertising or advance payments under false promises and criminalizes ticket trading from third countries or altering passenger details after confirmation.

Penalties have been made stricter, including up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 lakh taka. Agencies must renew registration every three years and submit annual financial and operational reports. Loan defaulters are deemed ineligible for registration.

At a prayer gathering held on Friday after Juma prayers at the Patiya Model Mosque premises in Chattogram, BNP leader Enamul Haque Enam alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was responsible for the death of former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event was jointly organized by the Patiya Upazila and Municipality units of the BNP. Enam, speaking as the chief guest, claimed that Sheikh Hasina had pushed Khaleda Zia toward a slow death.

Enam described Khaleda Zia as a guardian figure who had fought uncompromisingly for the people and democracy of Bangladesh. He said that countries around the world had expressed condolences over her death. The prayer and special supplication for Khaleda Zia were led by Maulana Irfanul Islam, the Khatib of Patiya Model Mosque.

The event was attended by numerous BNP leaders and activists from the upazila, municipality, and district levels, including representatives from the youth, student, volunteer, farmers, and cultural wings of the party.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that nearly 2,000 people have been pushed back to Bangladesh over the past few months using provisions of a 1950 law. Speaking at a press conference on recent cabinet decisions, he said that anyone declared a foreigner by the state’s Foreigners Tribunal would be expelled within a week to prevent them from appealing to higher courts. Sarma added that 18 individuals were sent back on December 31 and described the push-back policy as a new administrative approach to curb illegal immigration.

Lawyers and human rights activists have strongly questioned the legality of invoking the 1950 law, arguing that it was enacted in a specific post-partition context and is now unconstitutional. Senior advocates from the Gauhati High Court said the law violates constitutional rights to equality and due process, as it allows deportation without notice, hearing, or appeal. They also warned that bypassing judicial review undermines the entire legal system.

Rights groups have demanded transparency, asking for the list of deported individuals and assurances that no Indian citizens were mistakenly expelled.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman expressed condolences to the family of Jamal Uddin, a BNP leader from Noakhali who died following a road accident while traveling to Dhaka for a rally marking Tarique Rahman’s homecoming day. On Friday, January 2, before the Jumu’ah prayer, Rahman called Jamal’s eldest son to offer sympathy and prayers for the deceased. Jamal had been under treatment at PG Hospital in Dhaka, where he passed away earlier that day.

According to party sources, after learning of the accident, Tarique Rahman had immediately instructed that medical treatment be arranged for Jamal. The accident occurred late Wednesday night near Bagmara Bazar in Cumilla when a bus carrying BNP activists from Noakhali lost control and hit a road divider, injuring at least 32 passengers. Jamal and another activist were later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Rahman assured the bereaved family that he would visit them in person soon and urged Jamal’s children to remain united. Jamal Uddin was a former president of Ward 4 BNP in Noakhali municipality and father of four children.

RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam has called for collective action and public awareness to resolve the longstanding problems of Old Dhaka. Speaking as the chief guest at a views exchange meeting organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan Association at Nayabazar on Friday, he emphasized the need to strictly follow RAJUK’s construction regulations. He also stressed that ensuring adequate road access for fire service and ambulances during disasters like fires or earthquakes is essential.

The meeting discussed various risks associated with unplanned buildings, narrow roads, and unauthorized constructions in Old Dhaka. The RAJUK chairman noted that these problems have persisted for many years and cannot be solved by law enforcement alone. He urged residents to become more conscious to build a safer and more beautiful city for the next generation.

During the meeting, RAJUK presented its development plans for the area. The session was presided over by Dhaka Association President Ismail Nawab and attended by senior officials including General Secretary Abu Motaleb and RAJUK Member (Development Control) Eradul Haque.

The Bangladesh Election Commission is verifying affidavits submitted by potential candidates for the 13th National Parliamentary Election after the nomination deadline. The affidavits include details of income, assets, and education, which have sparked public debate, particularly regarding top political figures. Analysts have questioned whether the declared figures are realistic, citing examples of unusually low reported incomes by prominent leaders.

Despite the Commission’s assurance of stricter scrutiny this time, political analysts and election observers continue to doubt the accuracy of the verification process. Professor Sabbir Ahmed described the affidavit submission as largely a formality, arguing that the limited time and resources make thorough verification impossible. Former election official Jesmin Tuli, however, noted that under the revised Representation of the People Order (RPO), the Commission can cancel candidacy or impose penalties for false information.

According to the election schedule, the verification of candidate information will continue until January 14, with objections resolved by January 18. Final candidate lists will be confirmed on January 20, ahead of the February 12 election.

Three senior BNP leaders from Barishal who were denied party nominations for the upcoming parliamentary election have been appointed to the party’s central election steering committee. The 41-member committee was formed on Thursday night with BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan as chairman and Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as member secretary, according to a press release.

Begum Selima Rahman, a Standing Committee member who was denied nomination from Barishal-3 (Babuganj-Muladi), has been made vice-chairman of the committee. Former MP and BNP Chairperson’s adviser Moazzem Hossain Alal, who sought nomination from Barishal-5 (Sadar), has been appointed as the first member. Gazi Kamrul Islam Sojol, a central executive committee member and central organizational secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, who sought nomination from Barishal-1 (Gournadi-Agailjhara), has also been included as a member.

The inclusion of these leaders, despite their earlier exclusion from nomination, has reportedly generated enthusiasm among their supporters in Barishal.

A Qur'an recitation and prayer gathering was held at the National University in Gazipur on Friday after Jumu'ah prayers, seeking forgiveness for the soul of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The event took place at the university’s central mosque in Boardbazar, according to the acting director of the university’s Public Relations Office, Mostafizur Rahman.

The gathering was attended by Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Md. Lutfar Rahman and Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, along with deans, the registrar, the controller of examinations, heads of departments, teachers, officers, students, and staff from various university offices.

Earlier, as part of the three-day state mourning for Khaleda Zia’s death, from December 31 to January 2, the national and university flags were flown at half-mast at the university’s Gazipur campus, its city office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, and regional centers.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the future Bangladesh will be a 'rainbow nation' where equal rights will be ensured for all people regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. He made the remarks on Friday morning at the Parade Ground in Chattogram during a national memorial event organized by the Bangladesh Buddhist Association in honor of the late Supreme Buddhist leader, Sangharaj Dr. Gyanashree Mahathero.

Amir Khasru compared the diversity of Bangladesh to the colors of a rainbow, saying that every citizen will maintain their own faith, language, and history, but the country will belong to everyone. He observed that current politics has drifted away from peace and stated that the BNP is working to restore stability, mutual respect, and coexistence. He emphasized that the party believes in a liberal democracy where every citizen’s identity will be simply Bangladeshi.

He further stressed that the benefits of development, education, healthcare, and employment must reach every household, ensuring equality at all levels of national life. He warned that discrimination and favoritism toward special groups will no longer be tolerated and called for a level playing field for all citizens.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam, issued a stern warning to the government and Jagannath University administration regarding the upcoming Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall elections scheduled for January 6. He made the statement on Friday, January 2, through a post on his verified social media account, cautioning that failure to hold the election would make both the administration and the government responsible.

Saddam alleged that conspiracies were underway to prevent the JAKSU election, which had already been postponed once. He claimed that the postponement was influenced by known parties and that similar interference had occurred in previous student union elections. He emphasized that students were determined to secure their rights.

Earlier, the JAKSU election scheduled for December 30 was suspended during a special syndicate meeting. Following protests from candidates and students, the university administration rescheduled the vote for January 6. However, uncertainty remains among students about whether the election will take place on the announced date.

Naeem Ahmad, chief organizer of United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), has called for ensuring that the murder of Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi does not remain unresolved like that of Siraj Sikder. He made the remarks on Friday at the organization’s central office during a discussion titled “Siraj Sikder: State, Dissent, and the Politics of Killing,” marking the anniversary of Sikder’s death.

Ahmad alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in India, and her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were involved in killings and enforced disappearances to maintain power. He also claimed that Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, shows similar tendencies through his statements from abroad. Referring to the 1975 killing of revolutionary leader Siraj Sikder in state custody, Ahmad described it as the first major “crossfire” incident in independent Bangladesh.

He warned that Awami League members and affiliates should not be allowed to re-enter politics and alleged that some are attempting to contest the upcoming elections under different banners. Ahmad further suggested that Sajeeb Wazed Joy might have had a role in planning Hadi’s killing and urged citizens to remain vigilant to ensure justice.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza crisis, comparing him to Pharaoh. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after Friday prayers on January 2, Erdogan said the cries and suffering of children in Gaza were shaking the world, yet Israel continued to block humanitarian aid. He added that children living in wind, rain, and mud had no tents, and Turkey’s attempts to send container shelters were being obstructed by Israel.

Erdogan praised the large pro-Palestinian rally held on January 1 at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge, calling it proof that Palestine is not alone. He pledged that Turkey and the Islamic world would stand firmly with Gaza. Turkish media outlet Hurriyet Daily News reported his remarks.

Since the conflict began in October 2023, Turkey has reduced trade with Israel, banning the export of over 1,000 products in April and later suspending all exports, imports, and transit trade between the two countries.