Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, Secretary General of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), has called for unity among all political forces regardless of party affiliation to protect the country’s national interest and sovereignty. He made the remarks on Monday after a meeting with BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Dhaka. Fuad emphasized that while political disagreements are natural, all parties must stand together on matters of national importance.

According to Fuad, the meeting discussed state sovereignty, national interest, future political structures, and key policy issues. The AB Party delegation included Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Joint Secretary General Barrister Zobayer Ahmed Bhuiyan, and Barrister Nasrin Sultana Mili. The discussion also highlighted the need for a Westminster-style democratic system in Bangladesh and addressed issues such as urban livability, unemployment reduction, environmental protection, and reforms in education and health sectors.

Fuad added that Tarique Rahman expressed interest in continuing policy-based discussions in the future. He reiterated that there would be no compromise on national interest and sovereignty, urging all political actors to remain united on these core issues.

The Press Wing of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser clarified on January 5, 2026, that reports circulating in Bangladeshi and Indian media about the cancellation of several 2026 public holidays were false. The misinformation claimed that holidays for Saraswati Puja, February 21, May Day, Buddha Purnima, Ashura, Janmashtami, Madhu Purnima, and Mahalaya had been canceled. The clarification was issued through an official post on the Press Wing’s Facebook page.

According to the Press Wing, these holidays coincided with regular weekly holidays—Fridays and Saturdays—and were therefore not listed separately in the government’s holiday notification. The official circular, signed by Sabina Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, showed that these dates carried a “zero” holiday count. A fact-check team confirmed that this practice was consistent with the previous two years, where holidays falling on weekends were not counted as additional days off.

The Press Wing emphasized that no holidays were canceled and that the confusion arose solely from the overlap with weekly holidays.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur announced that the government will initiate legal proceedings within a week to declare nine non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) defunct. The move aims to restore discipline in the country’s financial sector. Independent auditors will assess the true financial condition of these institutions. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the central bank’s headquarters.

According to the governor, if the plan proceeds as expected, individual depositors of these institutions will receive their principal funds before Ramadan. Institutional investors, however, will be settled gradually depending on the availability of government funds. The nine institutions are FAS Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, GSP Finance, Prime Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing, and International Leasing.

These nine NBFIs account for 52 percent of total defaulted loans in the financial sector, amounting to Tk 25,089 crore at the end of last year. Eight of them have an average negative net asset value of Tk 95 per share, indicating that without government intervention, repayment of liabilities is nearly impossible.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that a referendum would block the path to creating fascist rulers in Bangladesh. Speaking on Monday morning at a workshop on referendum awareness at the Islamic Foundation auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said that once in power, leaders in Bangladesh have historically sought to extend their rule through various tactics. He argued that the referendum would change this pattern and enable both government and opposition parties to work together in forming the caretaker government, Election Commission, and Public Service Commission.

Dr. Hossain added that the Islamic Foundation has an extensive nationwide network, and strengthening it would bring significant benefits to the country. He also assured that initiatives would be taken to upgrade the Islamic Foundation into a directorate. The event was chaired by Director General A. Salam Khan and attended by senior officials and scholars.

Special guest Professor Ali Riaz said that if the “yes” side wins the referendum, no new fascist leader like Hasina would emerge, and the vote would determine Bangladesh’s direction for the next 50 years.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced that no political party, contesting candidate, or any individual on their behalf may conduct election campaigning before the allocation of electoral symbols for the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. The directive was issued on Monday through a press release signed by Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, Director of Public Relations and Information Officer at the EC Secretariat.

According to the announcement, the allocation of election symbols will take place on January 21. The EC has urged all candidates and related parties to conduct their campaigns in accordance with the electoral code of conduct after that date. Campaigning must end 48 hours before the start of voting, which is scheduled for February 12.

The EC’s statement reiterates its call for adherence to election rules to ensure fair and orderly campaigning once the official symbol distribution is completed.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has published its seventh mass recruitment circular for teachers in private educational institutions across Bangladesh. The circular, released on Monday, January 5, 2026, lists a total of 67,208 vacancies. Among them, 29,571 positions are in schools and colleges, 36,804 in madrasas, and 833 in technical institutions. The online application process will begin on January 10 and continue until midnight on January 17. Details, including vacancy lists, application forms, and conditions, are available on the NTRCA website and the Teletalk Bangladesh Limited portal.

According to the circular, applicants must be no older than 35 years as of June 4, 2025, and their teacher registration certificate must remain valid for three years from the date of result publication. Following the Ministry of Education’s directive issued on January 1, currently employed index-holding teachers are not eligible to apply for equivalent positions.

The circular aims to fill long-standing vacancies in private institutions and streamline the recruitment process through a centralized online system.

The interim government of Bangladesh has proposed a major expansion of merit and general scholarships across secondary to higher education levels. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) recently sent a proposal to the Ministry of Education to increase all SSC, HSC, and undergraduate scholarships by 20 percent and to double the monthly and one-time payments for recipients. If approved, the total number of scholarship holders would rise from 41,000 to 49,151 nationwide.

According to DSHE officials, the plan aims to maintain parity with the recently enhanced junior scholarships and to address rising living and educational costs since the 2015–16 fiscal year. The proposal includes detailed revisions: SSC scholarships would increase to 30,600 recipients, HSC to 12,600, and undergraduate (honours and pass) to nearly 6,000 combined. Monthly stipends and annual grants would be doubled across all categories.

The Ministry of Education is currently reviewing the proposal before forwarding it to the Finance Division for approval. DSHE expects implementation within the current fiscal year once funding is cleared.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central executive council has stated that a free, fair, and neutral electoral environment has not yet been established in Bangladesh. The party alleged that some government officials within the administration are working in favor of a particular political party. During a meeting held on Monday at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, presided over by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the council demanded that the Election Commission and the government take strict measures to ensure full administrative neutrality and improve law and order ahead of the upcoming referendum and 13th national parliamentary election.

According to a press release from Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting discussed the current political situation and expressed concern over reports of political activists being killed in broad daylight in various parts of the country. The council emphasized that the newly achieved Bangladesh, gained through years of struggle, must not be held hostage by any group or conspiracy.

The council called on election officials and law enforcement agencies to maintain complete impartiality and avoid leaning toward any political party while performing their duties.

The Commission of Inquiry on enforced disappearances in Bangladesh has recommended the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and extensive institutional and legal reforms to end enforced disappearances and human rights violations. The recommendations, announced Monday at the commission’s Gulshan Avenue office by Chair Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, also call for the withdrawal of the military from internal law enforcement, repeal or major amendment of the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Act, abandonment of militarized counterterrorism policies, and repeal of Section 13 of the Armed Police Battalion Act, 2009. The commission further urged mandatory human rights training, victim-centered justice, compensation, rehabilitation, and conversion of secret detention sites known as “Aynaghar” into museums.

Formed on 15 September 2024 under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956, the body investigated enforced disappearances between 1 January 2009 and 5 August 2024. It reviewed government records, coordinated with agencies including DGFI, RAB, NSI, and police units, and inspected secret detention centers. Out of 9,191 complaints, 5,568 were actively considered, with 251 people still missing and 36 confirmed dead. The commission found RAB involved in about 25 percent of cases and police in 23 percent, describing the pattern as a state-supported institutional practice.

The commission submitted interim reports naming responsible individuals and institutions and proposed new laws, including the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act, 2025, to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.

The Government of Bangladesh has expressed concern over the recent United States military intervention in Venezuela and the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Bangladesh said it has been observing the developments in Venezuela with concern. The statement emphasized that disputes between nations should be resolved through diplomatic dialogue.

The ministry reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to the United Nations Charter and international law. The concern follows a late-night operation on Friday in which US special forces reportedly conducted a sudden raid in Venezuela and arrested President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro and his wife have been charged in the United States with cocaine importation and illegal possession of weapons, and they are currently being held at a Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Bangladesh’s statement underscores its preference for peaceful resolution of international disputes and adherence to global legal frameworks.

Customers withdrew Tk 107.77 crore from five troubled Islamic banks over two days, while new deposits of Tk 44 crore were made during the same period. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur disclosed the figures at a press conference held on Monday in Dhaka. He said the central bank had managed the situation well following the announcement of a new scheme, as the level of withdrawals was lower than initially feared.

According to the governor, a total of 13,314 transactions took place during the two days, with the highest withdrawal of Tk 66 crore recorded at EXIM Bank. He reassured depositors that their funds remained safe and that those placing new deposits could withdraw them at any time.

The governor’s remarks aimed to restore confidence among depositors amid concerns about the financial health of the affected Islamic banks.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has decided to form a nine-member steering committee to ensure free public access, proper management, and maintenance of parks, playgrounds, and public spaces under its jurisdiction. The decision was made at DNCC’s 13th corporation meeting held on Monday at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban. The committee will monitor whether the 106 parks, playgrounds, and public spaces across 52 wards are being properly maintained and managed.

DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz stated that the city’s parks and playgrounds are managed under different ownerships, which often leads to mismanagement and encroachment. The new committee will bring together all relevant authorities, including RAJUK, the Public Works Department, the National Housing Authority, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and the district administration, along with civil society representatives. The committee will submit monthly reports, oversee safety and maintenance, and prevent any club or commercial entity from occupying public spaces.

Additionally, local citizen committees will be formed in each of DNCC’s ten regions to manage and maintain parks and playgrounds. The steering committee will coordinate with these local bodies and discuss with school and college authorities to allow community use of their fields in the evenings.

Maulana Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Joint Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, has expressed concern about the level playing field for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking at a discussion with the media on Sunday night at the Dawatul Quran Madrasa in Bhuiygar, Fatullah, Narayanganj, he said that many officials from the previous authoritarian era remain in the administration and often take opposing positions toward Islamic parties.

Haque emphasized that ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties is the government’s responsibility to guarantee a fair and transparent election. Regarding electoral alliances, he clarified that no formal coalition has been formed, only seat-sharing arrangements among several Islamic-oriented parties. He added that the final seat distribution would be announced soon and that no internal conflicts had yet arisen.

Addressing local-level announcements about candidate withdrawals, Haque stated that such declarations are personal opinions and not final. He also commented on a statement by 101 scholars, saying that many senior scholars named in it were unaware of the statement and later clarified their positions through various messages.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has confirmed that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will not be inaugurated during the tenure of the current interim government. He made the statement while responding to a question at a press conference organized on the ‘Travel Agency (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026’.

The adviser explained that despite extensive efforts, including meetings and negotiations with the Japanese vice minister, the government could not complete the necessary processes to open the terminal. He said the administration had made every possible attempt but their efforts were not successful.

Bashiruddin added that the government is currently working to keep the procedural requirements active for future actions, and the next government will make the final decision on the terminal’s opening.

The government has launched a hotline for citizens and institutions to report rumors, misinformation, and disinformation. The announcement was made on Monday, January 5, through a post on the Chief Adviser’s official Facebook page. The hotline number 01308332592 and the email address notify@ncsa.gov.bd will receive complaints related to false or misleading information at national, personal, and institutional levels.

According to the post, the initiative aims to strengthen the government’s capacity to counter the spread of misinformation across social media and other platforms. In addition, a Central Cyber Crime Prevention Committee has been formed in connection with the upcoming national parliamentary election.

Authorities expect that the hotline and the new committee will enable more effective measures to address the growing challenge of false information during the election period and beyond.