A violent clash erupted on Saturday afternoon between two rival groups of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal in the Takkar Math area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. The confrontation, reportedly over local dominance, involved the use of crude bombs and brick throwing, leaving at least five people injured. A joint force comprising police and army personnel intervened to bring the situation under control. Authorities detained five individuals, including former district Chhatra Dal organizing secretary Mehedi Hasan Dolon.

According to police and local residents, the conflict stemmed from an ongoing dispute over control of the local jhut (garment waste) sector between supporters of former Kutubpur Union Jubo Dal president Zainal and Dolon. The tension had been building for several days before escalating into open violence when both sides confronted each other at Takkar Math.

Fatullah Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mannan confirmed the arrests and said that legal proceedings, including a case filing, are underway.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman announced that he will begin his election campaign on January 22, focusing on a national development plan. He made the announcement on Saturday during a meet-and-greet event with journalists at the Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. This was his first official program since assuming the role of BNP chairman, attended by editors, senior executives, and journalists from national print, electronic, and online media.

According to senior BNP leaders, Rahman will start his campaign in Sylhet, following the party’s long-standing tradition of launching election activities from that region. The campaign will begin with visits to the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal and Shah Paran (R.A.). Rahman stated that as a member of a political party preparing for elections, he and his team will present their plans to the public starting January 22.

Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after spending about 15 years in exile in the United Kingdom. Following the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, on December 30, the BNP Standing Committee appointed him as party chairman ten days later.

On January 10, 2026, newly appointed BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman held his first official program—a meet-and-greet with journalists at the Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. Editors and senior media executives from national newspapers, television, and online outlets attended the event to exchange greetings and share their expectations.

During the session, editors offered wide-ranging advice. Shafik Rehman of Jaijaidin urged Rahman to take firm action on financial governance, including oversight of Bangladesh Bank, curbing money laundering, and controlling commodity prices. Mahmudur Rahman of Amar Desh criticized the media’s past silence on journalist repression. Matiur Rahman Chowdhury of Manabzamin highlighted ongoing restrictions on press freedom and called for unity to face political challenges. Mahfuz Anam of The Daily Star emphasized climate change as Bangladesh’s greatest future challenge, urging political attention to environmental degradation. Hasan Hafiz of Kaler Kantho called for a journalist-friendly administration and warned against repeating past media manipulation.

The event gathered a broad spectrum of editors, senior journalists, and BNP leaders, marking Rahman’s first public engagement as party chairman.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has described recent US remarks about Greenland as a negotiation tactic rather than a sign of real military intent. In an interview with Finland’s public broadcaster Yle on Friday, Orpo warned that any potential military occupation of Greenland would create a catastrophic situation, especially if one NATO member intervened militarily in another member’s territory.

Orpo emphasized that NATO remains a valuable alliance for the United States and said he does not believe Washington would take such an extreme step as seizing Greenland. He acknowledged that Finland’s security and defense are heavily dependent on the United States but reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a multilateral world order, the role of the United Nations, and adherence to international law.

He further stated that the future of Greenland should be determined by the people of Greenland and Denmark. The comments followed US President Donald Trump’s renewed expression of interest in acquiring Greenland for national security reasons after a military operation in Venezuela on January 3.

Pakistan and the United States began the 13th edition of their bilateral joint anti-terror military exercise, 'Inspired Gambit–2026', on Saturday. The two-week-long exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the two armies and facilitate the exchange of counterterrorism experience and skills. The opening ceremony took place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, northwestern Pakistan, with military officials from both countries in attendance.

According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise focuses on urban counterterrorism operations, tactical procedures, and marksmanship skills. It also seeks to deepen understanding of each other’s operational doctrines and best practices.

The joint exercise is part of the long-standing defense cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. Observers believe it will contribute to strengthening regional security, improving counterterrorism capabilities, and reinforcing bilateral military relations.

Law advisor Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that judges, not he, are responsible for the bail granted to some Awami League activists accused of terrorism. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 10, at a dialogue on political parties, human rights, and freedom of expression held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka. Nazrul said that about 90 percent of the bail orders related to the July cases came from the High Court, and any error in granting bail was the judges’ responsibility.

He argued that many judges were appointed during what he termed the Awami League’s fascist period and that their removal falls under the authority of the Chief Justice through the Supreme Judicial Council. Nazrul emphasized that neither he nor the law minister has the power to remove or act against High Court judges. He criticized attempts to place blame on him, saying such actions serve political agendas and generate online attention and financial gain.

Calling for self-reflection, Nazrul urged everyone to practice self-criticism, describing it as a key virtue in Islam.

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has claimed that Israeli agents are currently active inside Iran during the country’s ongoing protests over the falling value of the rial and a deepening economic crisis. Speaking to Israel’s Army Radio on Thursday, Eliyahu said that Israel had used ground agents during a 12-day war with Iran last June and that similar operations continue now. He asserted that some Israeli operatives remain active on Iranian soil.

According to Eliyahu, these agents are not directly working to overthrow the Iranian government but are focused on weakening Iran’s military and strategic capabilities to prevent it from posing a threat to Israel. Tehran had previously acknowledged Israeli intelligence activity during the 12-day conflict and has since arrested and executed several people accused of spying for Mossad.

Eliyahu’s remarks have intensified Iranian accusations of foreign interference by Israel and the United States. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded sharply, accusing former U.S. President Donald Trump of having blood on his hands and warning that arrogant powers would face the same fate as the pre-1979 monarchy.

Several photos of Comilla City Corporation (CUSC) Administrator Md. Shah Alam with Nasir Uddin Lincoln, the general secretary of the banned Barura Upazila Awami League, have gone viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. The pictures were reportedly taken on Saturday, January 10, at Lalmai Lakeland Park in Comilla after a meeting of the Barura Upazila Welfare Association.

Local activists and residents expressed strong disapproval of the administrator’s association with a leader from a banned political organization. Abu Raihan, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Comilla, said that a senior government official should know with whom it is appropriate to take photos. An unnamed city resident alleged that the photos suggested collusion with the Awami League, while BNP leader Mostak Mia demanded that higher authorities investigate the matter.

In response, Administrator Md. Shah Alam stated that he did not notice when the photos were taken and that he had only attended an event.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has appointed Supreme Court senior lawyer Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol as the head of its legal aid subcommittee formed for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced on Saturday, January 10, through a letter signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The letter stated that the names of other members of the subcommittee would be announced soon.

Earlier, on January 1, BNP had formed a 43-member central election management committee for the 2026 parliamentary election, with Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan as chairman and Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as member secretary. Begum Selima Rahman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu were made vice chairmen, while Md. Ismail Jobiullah was appointed chief coordinator.

Barrister Kajol, who is also a member of the BNP National Executive Committee, was included in the 43-member central election management committee. He currently serves as the immediate past secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association and chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Bar Council.

The Cabinet Division has issued instructions for all government offices to use the referendum logo in official communications until the upcoming national election. The directive also calls for displaying related banners in prominent locations. Letters containing these instructions have been sent to senior secretaries or secretaries of all ministries, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners.

According to the notice, the directive follows a letter from the Chief Adviser’s Office to the Cabinet Division, requesting implementation of the measure. The logo, provided by the Chief Adviser’s Office, is to be placed on the upper right side of all official correspondence. The order is linked to preparations for the forthcoming 13th National Parliament election and the associated referendum.

The instruction aims to ensure uniform use of the official referendum symbol across government communications and public displays until the election concludes.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced that the final seat-sharing arrangement within the party’s electoral alliance will be declared by January 12, ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He made the statement on Saturday after a meeting with Ivars Ijabs, the European Union’s chief election observer. The NCP has formed an electoral alliance with several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, but no formal declaration on seat distribution has yet been made.

Nahid informed the European Union that his party still lacks confidence in achieving a level playing field for the election. He alleged that signals are being sent to favor a particular party, creating bias within the administration. He also expressed concern that nominations of some loan defaulters have been approved and that violations of the electoral code of conduct are occurring.

Nahid further mentioned that insecurity persists due to the lack of justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, and urged the Election Commission to take strict action against code violations.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said that the public often misunderstands police actions taken in accordance with the law. Speaking to journalists on Saturday at the Rangpur District Police Lines School field, he noted that people question why police under the current government make arrests or control traffic. He emphasized that without public cooperation, it will not be possible to hold a fair election.

The IGP stated that he raised these concerns during a meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting that political interference hampers law enforcement decisions. He identified fear and hesitation among police officers as major challenges. Alam urged the media and citizens to criticize any police misconduct, acknowledging that while total crime control is impossible, the force strives to reduce it within its limitations.

Regarding the upcoming election, Alam said maintaining national stability is a collective responsibility. He added that alongside police, a large number of other law enforcement personnel will be deployed on election day. He also mentioned ongoing investigations into the death of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and several murder cases in Khulna.

Exiled opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, praised the ongoing protests in Iran on Friday and called for larger demonstrations over the weekend. In a social media video message, he urged Iranians to move beyond street rallies and organize to seize and hold city centers. Pahlavi said he was preparing to return to Iran, believing that change was now very close.

Human rights activists warned that the Iranian government might shut down the internet to conceal its crackdown. According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization, at least 51 people have been killed so far. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi cautioned that security forces could prepare for mass killings under communication blackouts.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced the protesters as vandals and insisted the Islamic Republic would not retreat, blaming the United States for the unrest. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned possible new military actions against Iran, further heightening tensions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a hardline stance against the ongoing nationwide protests, declaring the protection of national security and the 1979 Islamic Revolution’s achievements as a “red line” that cannot be crossed. In a statement broadcast on state television on Saturday, the IRGC accused “terrorists and rioters” of attacking military and law enforcement bases, setting fire to public and government property, and killing several security personnel and civilians. The Iranian army, operating separately under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also vowed to use maximum force to defend national interests and infrastructure.

The protests, spreading for two weeks across Iranian cities, began over inflation and economic hardship but quickly turned political, with demonstrators calling for an end to religious rule. State media reported arson at a municipal building in Karaj and funerals for slain security members in Shiraz, Qom, and Hamedan. Human rights group HRANA said at least 65 people, including 50 protesters and 15 security forces, have been killed, while over 2,500 have been arrested.

US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iranian leaders, expressing support for the “brave people of Iran.” Leaders of France, Britain, and Germany jointly condemned the killings and urged Iranian authorities to refrain from violence.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, stated that a large portion of Bangladesh’s media failed to support persecuted journalists over the past 16–17 years due to fear, pressure, and opportunism. He made the remarks on Saturday at a meeting in Banani, Dhaka, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met with editors and journalists. Mahmudur Rahman said he would not deliver a long speech but would instead mention names of journalists who, in his view, suffered injustice.

He cited the late journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi, who was imprisoned while suffering from cancer and denied treatment, and senior editor Abul Asad, who was jailed for years and unable to be with his wife during her illness. He also described the harsh prison conditions faced by 80-year-old Shafik Rehman and the imprisonment of journalist Kanak Sarwar for broadcasting Tarique Rahman’s speech live. Mahmudur Rahman said mainstream media remained silent in all these cases.

In his closing remarks, he addressed Tarique Rahman, asserting that the true history of Bangladesh’s media and liberation war had been distorted and promising to present a detailed account in the future.