BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed announced that his party fully supports the signed July National Charter and will implement every proposal contained in it. He made the statement on Wednesday morning while addressing the Pekua Upazila Olama Mashayekh Conference and the prize distribution ceremony for students who passed the annual merit scholarship exam organized by Tanzim-e-Ahle Haq at Ashraful Ulum Madrasa field in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar.

Ahmed emphasized that BNP’s politics is dedicated to ensuring peace, rule of law, democratic rights, and constitutional guarantees for the people of Bangladesh. He said the party’s reform proposals are based on national consensus and will be implemented accordingly. He also recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had introduced the phrase invoking faith in Almighty Allah into the Constitution, which he claimed was later removed by the Awami League government.

The event was presided over by Cox’s Bazar district Olama Dal convener Ali Hasan Chowdhury and conducted by Qari Ataullah Gani. Several religious scholars also spoke, and prizes were distributed among the scholarship recipients.

Md. Arfan Hossain, the younger brother of Felani Khatun who was killed by BSF gunfire at the border, has officially joined the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as a sepoy. He took an oath to protect the nation’s sovereignty and integrity during the passing-out parade of the 104th recruit batch at the Bir Uttam Mujibur Rahman Parade Ground of the Border Guard Training Center and College in Baitul Izzat, Satkania, Chattogram. The event marked the induction of 3,023 new BGB members, including 2,950 men and 73 women—the highest number in the force’s history.

Arfan had passed the recruitment examination organized by 15 BGB on February 23 before beginning his training. His enlistment carries deep emotional significance for his family, who have long sought justice for Felani’s death in 2011 at the Anantapur border in Kurigram’s Phulbari. The family and local residents believe Arfan’s service symbolizes hope and the continuation of Felani’s unfulfilled dream.

The ceremony underscored BGB’s ongoing expansion and the inclusion of new recruits dedicated to safeguarding Bangladesh’s borders.

Iran’s Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni has pledged to expedite the trials of individuals arrested during recent protests across the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday through state television, which described the demonstrations as “riots.” During a visit to a Tehran prison where many detainees are being held, Mohseni stated that authorities must act quickly in cases involving violence such as arson or beheadings.

According to Iranian news agencies, Mohseni also called for the trials to be conducted publicly. Reports said he spent about five hours at the Tehran facility reviewing case files of those detained in connection with the unrest. Human rights organizations have claimed that thousands of people have been arrested in the recent protests and expressed fears that Iran’s judiciary may impose widespread death sentences.

The situation has heightened international concern over human rights conditions in Iran, as observers warn that the judiciary’s approach could further escalate tensions within the country.

The Home Affairs Adviser stated that threats made by individuals living abroad hold no value and urged those with courage to return to Bangladesh and face the law. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning at the Border Guard Training Center and College in Baitul Izzat, Satkania, Chattogram, following the 104th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recruiting parade. Responding to questions about threats directed at the Prime Minister and her son over the election, he said that such statements from fugitives abroad are meaningless unless made within the legal framework of the country.

Addressing election security, the adviser said that the number of security forces is being increased to prevent any disorder during the polls and expressed confidence that the election would remain peaceful with public cooperation. On border issues, he noted that the Arakan Army currently controls parts of Myanmar’s Rakhine region, creating problems for Bangladesh. He added that Bangladesh maintains communication with Myanmar’s government and protests whenever incidents occur along the border.

The adviser also mentioned that clashes between Myanmar forces and the Arakan Army sometimes cause shells to land inside Bangladesh, and the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent future incidents.

The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election will be held on January 20, as scheduled. However, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) required all candidates to sign a pledge form containing specific conditions. On January 13, vice president candidates from various panels confirmed that they had collectively rejected this requirement and decided instead to submit a memorandum expressing their commitment to a peaceful and disciplined election.

According to the EC’s proposal, the pledge form included three conditions: that the ShakSU election would have no link to the national election, would not influence it adversely, and would not lead to any deterioration of law and order. The university administration had instructed candidates to include their names, mobile numbers, and positions in the signed document. Candidates from panels supported by different student groups argued that ensuring non-violence was the responsibility of the administration and the EC, not the contestants.

After prolonged discussions with the acting vice-chancellor and other officials, all candidates agreed to submit a memorandum instead of signing the EC’s pledge form, reaffirming their cooperation in conducting a fair and festive election.

Students from seven affiliated colleges in Dhaka have announced a new phase of their movement demanding the issuance of the final ordinance for the proposed Dhaka Central University. The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon on behalf of Bangla College students, who said that the current sit-in program had been suspended for the day but would resume as a continuous peaceful protest from Thursday.

According to student representative Masum Billah, the coordinated decision was made at Gabtoli Technical intersection. He stated that starting Thursday at 11 a.m., students would hold simultaneous peaceful sit-ins at Science Lab, Technical, and Tantibazar intersections in the capital. The students emphasized that their movement centers on a single demand—the final issuance of the ordinance to establish the proposed university.

Participants described the campaign as a long struggle for their future and rights, asserting that even though the day’s program ended, they would not retreat from their main demand.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has said that only U.S. President Donald Trump can prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from threatening Europe. In an interview with Radio 4, Nawrocki stated that Russia poses a threat to Poland and to Central and Eastern Europe, and that Trump is the only person capable of resolving the issue and ending the war in Ukraine. He warned that these are dangerous times and urged Europe to support Trump’s efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

Nawrocki, known as a supporter of Trump, also commented on the relationship between Europe and the United States. He said that despite recent U.S. statements regarding Greenland, the United States remains the guarantor of Europe’s security. According to him, Trump’s actions toward Europe deserve support and respect. Nawrocki expressed concern that Europe is moving away from the United States, which he believes would not be beneficial for the European Union’s economic or military security.

The president’s remarks reflect Poland’s continued emphasis on transatlantic ties and its reliance on U.S. leadership in European security matters.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has clarified the island’s stance on its political alignment, stating that if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, Greenland would choose Denmark. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, according to BBC reports.

The statement follows comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting that the United States should acquire ownership of Greenland to counter Russia and China. The White House reportedly discussed the possibility of purchasing the island and did not entirely rule out the use of force. In response, Denmark’s Prime Minister described the US approach as “completely unacceptable pressure” from a close ally and warned that the situation could become more difficult.

Nielsen emphasized that Greenland faces a “geopolitical crisis” but firmly rejected any notion of US ownership or governance, reiterating that Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.

On the fifth day of appeals against returning officers’ decisions for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, the Election Commission heard 36 appeals in the first hour. Of these, 28 were approved, five were rejected, one was kept pending until 4:30 p.m., and two appellants were absent. The hearings began at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Among the rejected appeals, independent candidates from Rajshahi-1, Manikganj-1, and Sirajganj-6 lost their nominations due to unverifiable voter lists submitted with their applications. In Chattogram-13, a candidate from Gano Adhikar Parishad was disqualified over loan default. Meanwhile, in Cumilla-2, the commission upheld the nomination of independent and BNP leader Abdul Matin, rejecting an appeal by BNP’s nominated candidate Principal Md. Selim Bhuiyan.

The appeal process continues as part of the Election Commission’s review of nomination disputes ahead of the 13th national election.

Students from Kabi Nazrul Government College and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College staged a road blockade at Tantibazar intersection in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding the final ordinance for Dhaka Central University be issued. The demonstration began around 11:30 a.m. from their college premises, moving through Ray Saheb Bazar before reaching Tantibazar, where they occupied the road. The blockade continued until about 2:30 p.m., causing severe traffic congestion in the area. Later, the students began marching toward Science Lab, where they planned to announce their next program.

Participants said they had repeatedly approached the Ministry of Education but received no satisfactory response, prompting them to take to the streets. They vowed to continue their movement until the ordinance is approved and published as a gazette through the president. One student noted that the prolonged delay by authorities has severely disrupted their academic life.

The students’ demand centers on the swift presentation of the Dhaka Central University ordinance to the cabinet for final approval and gazette publication.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Member Secretary A S M Suza Uddin has warned that the ongoing multifront war in neighboring Myanmar could become increasingly severe. In a short article shared in the NCP’s Cox’s Bazar district WhatsApp-based media group, he emphasized that ensuring the safety of citizens in Bangladesh’s border areas is the government’s primary responsibility. Suza Uddin, nominated by the NCP for the Bandarban-300 hill constituency and a resident of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar, called for an urgent meeting involving all political stakeholders.

He suggested forming a strong collaborative force comprising government, administration, and local representatives to operate effectively in the Ghumdhum area of Bandarban and the Ukhiya-Teknaf region. He also stressed the need for maximum caution so that no innocent Bangladeshi becomes a victim amid the Rohingya crisis. According to him, Bangladesh is simultaneously facing multiple internal challenges, including elections, fascist tendencies, and international pressures.

Suza Uddin’s remarks highlight growing concern over cross-border instability and the need for coordinated national preparedness in response to Myanmar’s escalating conflict.

Venezuela’s new interim government has begun releasing American citizens imprisoned in the country starting Tuesday, according to a U.S. official who confirmed and welcomed the move. The official, speaking anonymously, said multiple detainees had been freed but did not disclose the total number or further details. The releases were ordered by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under ousted leader Nicolás Maduro, following a request from the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the initiative, announcing that he had canceled a planned attack on Venezuela in response to the country’s cooperation. The development follows years of political turmoil after Maduro was declared winner of the disputed 2024 presidential election, which triggered mass protests and a harsh government crackdown that led to thousands of arrests.

Earlier, Venezuela had also released Spanish and Italian citizens from detention. The United States has long considered the release of its citizens held abroad a top diplomatic priority.

Students from seven affiliated colleges staged road blockades at three major points in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding the government issue the final ordinance to establish the proposed Dhaka Central University. The demonstrations began around 11:30 a.m. at Science Lab, Technical, and Tantibazar intersections, halting traffic and causing significant disruption for commuters.

According to the report, the draft of the Dhaka Central University Act 2025 was published on the Ministry of Education’s website on September 24. Following debates and consultations with stakeholders, the ministry updated the draft. During sit-in programs on December 7 and 8, ministry officials reportedly assured students that necessary procedures would be completed by December and the ordinance would be issued in early January.

The students resumed protests after the promised issuance did not occur within the expected timeframe, pressing for immediate government action to finalize the ordinance.

The Islamist alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is facing internal rifts ahead of the February 12 parliamentary election due to unresolved seat-sharing disputes. The main contention arises from the demands of Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, the Pir of Charmonai, whose Islami Andolon Bangladesh insists on more constituencies, claiming a strong nationwide voter base. Jamaat had agreed to leave 40 seats and even proposed keeping some open, but Charmonai rejected the offer, leading to repeated but fruitless negotiations.

Similarly, Maulana Mamunul Haque’s Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis is demanding more seats than initially agreed, creating further tension within the 11-party coalition. Attempts to finalize seat distribution and issue a joint declaration on Tuesday failed, leaving the alliance uncertain. Jamaat has refrained from nominating candidates in over a dozen constituencies contested by Charmonai and Mamunul’s parties, giving them leverage in negotiations.

The alliance, originally an eight-party Islamist bloc, expanded to 11 parties after the inclusion of NCP, LDP, and AB Party. This expansion reduced the influence of smaller Islamist groups, intensifying competition over seat allocation and raising the risk of a formal split.

Eighteen leaders and activists of the Ganadhikar Parishad have joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. The formal joining took place on Tuesday night at the Jamaat office in Joynand Bazar of Dabore Union. The event was attended by Jamaat’s nominated candidate for the Dinajpur-1 (Birganj–Kaharol) constituency, Matiur Rahman, as chief guest, and Kaharol upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Torikul Islam. Several district and upazila-level leaders from Dinajpur and Birganj were also present.

Selim Reza, vice-president of the Ganadhikar Parishad’s Dinajpur district branch, said the party had deviated from people’s aspirations by aligning with the “sheaf of paddy” symbol, which he described as disappointing and embarrassing. The new Jamaat members include Selim Reza, Murshed Ali, Joydeb Roy, Mamunur Rashid, Sohel Rana, Monirul Islam, Faruk Hossain, and several others from the union branch. They filled out associate membership forms and were welcomed with flowers and garlands by local Jamaat leaders.

The joining marks a shift in local political alignments within Kaharol, reflecting dissatisfaction among some Ganadhikar Parishad members with their party’s recent direction.