Authorities in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh have issued demolition notices for 22 houses and shops near the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, alleging illegal construction on land recorded as a cemetery. The district administration has identified the land as government property and served notices to 48 residents, mostly Muslims and small traders, instructing them to respond within 15 days or face bulldozer action. The move followed a recent land survey that officials said revealed unauthorized structures on the cemetery plot.

The notices have sparked fear and anger among local Muslim residents, who claim their families have lived there for decades and accuse the administration of acting hastily. Residents said the threat of bulldozers has created panic, especially among women and children. Local leaders have demanded transparency and restraint, saying they respect the law but seek fairness and time to present their documents.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court declined to halt the land survey, allowing residents to raise objections before revenue officials. The situation remains tense as community members prepare legal responses amid growing unease.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that there is no scope for rushing the trial of Osman Hadi’s murder case. He said authorities are not yet fully certain about the whereabouts of the killers but assured that efforts are underway to bring them to justice as soon as possible. He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after a meeting with district officials at the Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi.

Touhid Hossain added that Bangladesh seeks to maintain good relations with all countries and that the government aims to hand over responsibilities to the elected administration promptly after the February 12 election. He emphasized that there is no external pressure regarding the election process.

Earlier, the adviser, accompanied by members of martyr families, paid tribute at the July Martyrs Memorial in Munshiganj, visited the graves of July Movement martyrs in Uttar Islampur, and met with their families to inquire about their well-being.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a group will assume control of Venezuela until a safe and fair transfer of power is ensured. When asked who would be part of this group, Trump said his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had been in contact with Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Vice President under Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez became the first Venezuelan official to speak publicly after the U.S. attack, urging Washington to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife.

During a press conference, Trump stated that Rodríguez expressed willingness to do whatever the United States wants. Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, have long been strong supporters of Maduro’s government. However, it is suggested that Rodríguez may have agreed to cooperate with the Trump administration to ensure her own safety.

The situation marks a significant shift in Venezuela’s internal power dynamics following the U.S. intervention, with uncertainty surrounding the future leadership structure and the fate of Maduro.

More than 150 academics, doctors, human rights activists, journalists, and legal experts from home and abroad have expressed concern and protest over what they described as false accusations and defamation against Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, they said that following the December 18 news of the death of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July Revolution, attacks and arson took place at two newspaper offices in Dhaka, and Mahmudur Rahman was unfairly implicated in those incidents.

The signatories stated that the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were attempts to silence the media and restrict freedom of expression. They condemned the social media campaign linking Rahman to the violence as a disgraceful act and an obstacle to independent journalism. They urged the state to identify those responsible for both the attacks and the defamatory campaign and ensure justice through legal means.

The statement further alleged that writers AFM Rashedul Haque Mallik (Maruf Mallik) and AKM Wahiduzzaman Apollo committed criminal offenses by spreading false and defamatory claims, calling for their public apology and legal accountability.

During the state-run Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2, aimed at preventing possible sabotage and violence ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, joint forces continued special drives across Bangladesh. In Chuadanga’s Darshana area, police arrested two local Jubo League figures—Begumpur Union Jubo League General Secretary Shahin Ahmed and former leader Saiful Azam Mintu—on January 1 during a special raid at the Hijolgari camp.

Police sources said both detainees were known as active leaders of the ruling party’s youth wing and had been involved in local influence and alleged subversive activities. However, on January 2, while Shahin was sent to court, Saiful was released by police. The release sparked widespread criticism and human chains in Darshana.

Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that both men were brought in for questioning, but Saiful was freed because he held no current organizational post. Locals have questioned whether a police officer alone has the authority to release a political figure under such circumstances, fueling debate in Begumpur and Darshana.

Sharaf Uddin Azad Sohel, vice president of Ramgati Upazila Awami League, has submitted his nomination to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election for the Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency. His candidacy has sparked strong reactions among local groups, particularly the July Movement’s student and citizen activists, who questioned his eligibility and past conduct.

Leaders of the July Movement and local BNP activists accused Sohel of past involvement in violence, vote manipulation, and misuse of political influence during his tenure as upazila chairman. They alleged that he maintained a private armed group that intimidated opponents and attacked BNP offices. The groups demanded the cancellation of his nomination and his immediate arrest, citing multiple reports of misconduct that authorities allegedly ignored.

Assistant Returning Officer Nilufa Yasmin Nipa confirmed that Sohel collected his nomination papers from Ramgati but submitted them at the district office. Attempts to contact the district returning officer for comment reportedly went unanswered.

An analysis of affidavits submitted to the returning officer’s office in Chattogram reveals that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates possess significantly greater wealth than their rivals, while Jamaat-e-Islami nominees hold higher educational qualifications. The review, covering 15 constituencies, shows BNP contenders leading by 10 to 12 times in income, assets, and cash holdings compared to Jamaat candidates. In contrast, most Jamaat nominees rely on salaried jobs, professional services, tuition, or small businesses for income.

The data also indicate that Jamaat candidates are generally more educated, with a higher number of doctors, master’s degree holders, MPhil graduates, and individuals with advanced Islamic studies credentials. In several constituencies, BNP candidates reported multimillion-taka assets, while Jamaat contenders often declared modest financial positions. The findings highlight a consistent pattern of economic dominance by BNP candidates and academic advantage among Jamaat nominees.

The affidavit-based comparison underscores a sharp socio-economic and educational divide between the two parties’ candidates in Chattogram ahead of the upcoming election.

Mahdi Hasan, the Habiganj district member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was not released despite continuous protests in Dhaka and Habiganj. On the night of January 3, he was taken to a magistrate’s residence, raising hopes among supporters. However, his release did not occur as the court session could not be held due to the magistrate’s absence.

According to district convener Arif Talukdar, the bail process was underway, and he, along with the organization’s spokesperson Ashraful Islam Sujon and senior police officials, went to the magistrate’s residence in a microbus. Despite all preparations, the absence of the magistrate prevented the court from convening, leaving Mahdi Hasan in custody. He was detained by the Detective Branch police from a house in Shaestaganj area on Saturday evening, though police have not disclosed under which case he was arrested.

As of early Sunday morning, leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement continued their sit-in in front of Habiganj Sadar Police Station, demanding Mahdi Hasan’s release.

Editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, visited the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Saturday night to sign the condolence book opened following the death of Bangladesh’s political leader Begum Khaleda Zia. After signing, he met BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to express his condolences and inquire about his health. Mahmudur Rahman also recalled moments from Khaleda Zia’s political life and her illness during hospitalization.

Several senior journalists accompanied him, including Amar Desh’s executive editor Syed Abdal Ahmad, managing editor Zahed Chowdhury, and chief reporter Bashir Jamal. Senior journalist and managing director of the Journalist Welfare Trust, M Abdullah, was also present. Upon arrival at around 8:30 p.m., Mahmudur Rahman spoke with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir before meeting Tarique Rahman, who was performing evening prayers at the time.

In the condolence book, Mahmudur Rahman wrote a message paying deep respect to Khaleda Zia, describing her as a guiding light whose principled struggle would inspire future generations.

A photo showing NCP and Jamaat alliance candidate Hasnat Abdullah sitting beside Jubo League leader Zakir Hossain during a nomination paper scrutiny event at the Comilla Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer’s office went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. The event took place on Friday as part of the verification process for six constituencies in Comilla ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of NCP’s southern region, attended the session for Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency with his supporters.

Zakir Hossain, joint convener of the Jubo League’s Malapara Union unit and a former member of the Comilla South District Chhatra League, was seen seated next to Abdullah. The viral image triggered strong reactions online, with local residents and opposition activists criticizing the association. A local BNP-affiliated leader recalled that Zakir Hossain had once submitted a memorandum seeking a ban on BNP politics in 2022.

When asked about the matter, Hasnat Abdullah told the daily Amar Desh that Zakir Hossain is an IDLC Bank official and that he knew nothing beyond that.

The Gazipur district administration has cancelled the nomination papers of 19 candidates across five parliamentary constituencies following the verification process for the upcoming 11th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced by Gazipur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Alam Hossain on Saturday, January 3, after the scrutiny session began at 10 a.m. in the Bhawal Conference Room of the district office. A total of 53 candidates had submitted nomination papers in Gazipur, of which 34 were declared valid.

According to the official review, two candidates were disqualified in Gazipur-1, eight in Gazipur-2, three in Gazipur-3, four in Gazipur-4, and two in Gazipur-5. The cancelled nominations included candidates from various parties such as the National Party, Ganofront, and several independents. In Gazipur-4, candidates from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Communist Party, National Party, and National Peoples Party were declared valid.

The verification process marks a key step in finalizing the list of eligible candidates for the upcoming national election in Gazipur, ensuring compliance with electoral regulations before the campaign period begins.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed gratitude to all who extended condolences during the three-day state mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. On Saturday, January 3, he posted a message on his verified Facebook page, acknowledging the love, prayers, and sympathy received from supporters at home and abroad. He reflected on his mother’s significance to people from diverse backgrounds and described her as a symbol of steadfastness and courage.

In his message, Rahman thanked the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus and its advisory council for their leadership and coordination in organizing the funeral arrangements. He also extended appreciation to the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, ministries, and the President Guard Regiment for their roles in honoring Khaleda Zia’s final journey. Rahman expressed deep gratitude to foreign leaders, diplomats, and friendly nations for their condolences and participation in the mourning events.

He concluded by thanking the people of Bangladesh for their unity and compassion, saying their collective presence reflected the nation’s empathy and respect for the late leader.

The scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election in Chandpur district has been completed. Out of 46 candidates, 15 nominations were canceled while 34 were declared valid. The verification process took place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the conference room of the District Commissioner’s office.

In Chandpur-1 constituency, nominations of three candidates from Gano Forum, Jatiya Party, and Gono Odhikar Parishad were canceled due to missing signatures on their affidavits. In Chandpur-2, five nominations were canceled and one candidate withdrew. The canceled nominations included those from Bangladesh Labour Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Amar Bangladesh Party, and an independent candidate. In Chandpur-3, one Gano Forum candidate’s nomination was canceled for lack of signature. In Chandpur-4, four nominations were canceled for reasons including loan default and missing voter support documents, while in Chandpur-5, one independent candidate’s nomination was canceled for insufficient voter support.

The completion of scrutiny finalizes the list of valid candidates in Chandpur ahead of the upcoming national election.

A total of 119 nomination papers have been declared valid and 54 rejected after scrutiny for the upcoming national parliamentary election in Dhaka’s 13 constituencies. The verification process took place throughout the day at the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Segunbagicha, and the results were announced on Saturday evening by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury. One nomination paper, belonging to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mohammad Ashraful Haque from Dhaka-18, has been kept pending due to a time extension request related to his affidavit.

According to the Returning Officer, the rejections were mainly due to discrepancies in voter signatures for independent candidates, loan defaults, missing signatures on affidavits, and lack of authorization signatures for party-nominated candidates. He stated that all cancellations were made for specific reasons, and written explanations will be provided to the concerned candidates.

Aggrieved candidates may appeal to the Election Commission between January 5 and 9, as per the official announcement.

In Jamalpur-3 (Madaripur-Melandah) constituency, five candidates’ nomination papers, including that of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mojibur Rahman Azadi, were canceled during the verification process. The decision was announced on Saturday afternoon at the district commissioner’s office conference room by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yousuf Ali. Six other candidates from BNP, Islami Andolon, and Jatiya Party were declared valid.

According to the returning officer, Azadi’s nomination was canceled due to missing signatures of the proposer and supporter, while four independent candidates—Md. Sadiqur Rahman Siddiqi Shuvo, Farzana Farid, Shiblul Bari Raju, and S.M. Shahinur Rahman—were disqualified for inconsistencies in the voter support list. Valid nominations were confirmed for Mostafizur Rahman Babul (BNP), Mir Shamsul Alam Lipton (Jatiya Party), Fidel Naeem (Gonosonghoti Andolon), Mohammad Daulatuzzaman Ansari (Islami Andolon), Rubel Mia, and Liton Mia (Gonodhikar Parishad).

Officials stated that candidates whose nominations were canceled may appeal to the Election Commission within the stipulated time. Jamaat candidate Azadi said he plans to appeal on January 5, expressing hope for a fair outcome.