BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, addressing party members virtually from London, emphasized that the upcoming election will be challenging and warned against mistakes that could lead to regret. He urged leaders and activists to remain united and support the people, calling them the party’s true strength. Highlighting years of repression and sacrifices by BNP activists, he stressed resisting injustice and fulfilling public expectations. Tarique called for a renewed commitment to stand by the people and uphold their trust.

Lt. Colonel Golam Kibria of the 59th BGB Battalion stated that the BSF violated international law by using sound grenades during a tense border situation near Chapainawabganj. The conflict arose over mango tree cutting at border pillar 177, involving citizens of both nations. BGB increased deployment and held a flag meeting with BSF, where regret was expressed. Tensions spanned 2 km, involving clashes and injuries to three Bangladeshi citizens. BGB remains vigilant to prevent further escalation.

The interim government has invited public feedback on the July Uprising Declaration. Citizens can submit their opinions via letter to the Office of the Chief Advisor until January 23. The collected feedback will help create a revised and widely accepted declaration, which will be announced publicly. This initiative follows an all-party dialogue on January 16. The Chief Advisor’s Press Wing emphasized the importance of stakeholder participation in shaping a comprehensive declaration for national consensus.

Sarjis Alam, General Secretary of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, declared that local groups will be formed in each district and upazila to tackle injustice and irregularities. Speaking at a winter clothing distribution event in Panchagarh, he emphasized the region’s 16 years of neglect, particularly in infrastructure development. Sarjis pledged to work tirelessly to secure the rights of Panchagarh’s residents and highlighted the importance of cooperation with wealthy individuals and factory owners to drive change.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi questioned Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her passports were reportedly revoked. He accused the Awami League of laundering money under the guise of development and alleged that Tulip Siddiq, a UK MP, benefited from corruption tied to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Rizvi claimed Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy made a $500 million deal with Russia, with bribes allegedly funneled through a Malaysian bank, as reported in the media.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has declared a “March for Justice” to demand accountability for Chhatra League’s alleged terrorist activities during Sheikh Hasina’s regime and punishment for the perpetrators. The march will also call for action against accomplices of fascism during last year’s student uprisings. Scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 PM, the march will start from the Engineers Institution and proceed to the Central Shaheed Minar. JCD leaders urged students to join the protest.

A Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife Bushra Bibi to 7 years over a £19 million corruption case linked to the Al-Qadir Trust. They were also fined; failure to pay will result in additional jail time. The verdict, postponed thrice, follows accusations filed in February 2024. PTI lawyers argue the decision reflects injustice. National Accountability Bureau officials and legal representatives were present during the ruling.

President-elect Trump’s transition team has asked three senior State Department career diplomats to resign, potentially heralding broader changes in the diplomatic corps. The officials—Dereck Hogan, Marcia Bernicat, and Alaina Teplitz—have served under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Sources suggest Trump aims to appoint more political allies to key roles, aligning with his pledge to “clean out the deep state.” Critics warn the move could politicize the department, while Trump’s team argues it’s necessary for advancing his foreign policy agenda.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has published the first gazette listing 834 martyrs of the July 2024 uprising. The gazette includes names, medical case IDs, and addresses but excludes death locations or dates. The uprising began as a student-led movement demanding quota abolition, escalating into a one-point demand for government resignation after police shootings. Nearly 1,500 died and 20,000 were injured. A new directorate under the ministry will support affected individuals.

All political parties and student leaders have agreed to draft a unified declaration for the July-August mass uprising. The consensus highlights the importance of inclusivity, clarity, and collective ownership in the process. Proposals to form a discussion committee and ensure no undue delays were widely supported. Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul expressed optimism about achieving success through this agreement, reflecting the cooperative spirit seen during the uprising. Participants unanimously emphasized unity as the foundation for the declaration’s creation.

BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed, speaking after an all-party meeting chaired by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, questioned the need for the July Declaration five months after the People’s Uprising. He emphasized determining its political, historical, and legal significance to avoid national division. While respecting the declaration as a potential political or historical document, he stressed the importance of inclusivity, urging that all relevant parties be consulted to ensure unity and broad acceptance in its formulation.

Abu Hanif, the general secretary of Awami League’s Ward 4 in Majidpur Union, Titas Upazila, has been elected president of Jamaat-e-Islami for the same ward. Hanif revealed that he had long-standing ties with Jamaat before becoming a member. He joined the Awami League to facilitate development work in his area but has now taken on the Jamaat leadership role. Although he currently holds positions in both parties, Hanif stated he has not resigned from the Awami League yet but plans to do so. Jamaat’s local leadership acknowledged the situation, emphasizing the need for detailed discussion to explain it fully.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government, emphasized the importance of unity in issuing the July declaration to inspire courage and demonstrate collective strength. Speaking at an all-party meeting, he stated that a divided approach would undermine its purpose. He encouraged recreating the spirit of August 5 for a unified declaration, which would benefit the country and hold international significance. Dr. Yunus highlighted that unity is the nation’s strength and essential for impactful outcomes.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed will attend an all-party meeting today at the Foreign Service Academy to finalize the July uprising proclamation. While there was initial uncertainty about BNP’s participation, media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan confirmed their involvement. The meeting, convened by interim government leader Professor Muhammad Yunus, is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. However, several political parties claimed they were not formally informed about the meeting as of last night.

A commission led by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar has recommended banning those convicted in crimes against humanity tribunals from participating in politics. The proposals also include reforms such as maintaining a party membership list, introducing rotating women’s representation in local governments, and implementing a “no” vote provision. Other suggestions include limiting the term of the Prime Minister, revising MPs’ benefits, and establishing an upper house for the election commission’s proposals. The commission also advocates for postal and online voting for expatriates.