Police in Damudya upazila of Shariatpur arrested Abu Taher Bepari, a 36-year-old Youth Dal activist, on January 15, 2026, in connection with an extortion case. The case, filed under sections 143, 447, 385, and 506, was registered at Damudya Police Station as case number 11. According to the complaint, filed by Md. Lutfar Rahman of Char Malgaon Bishwaskandi village, Taher allegedly occupied his land for six months and demanded Tk 20 lakh to return it.

Sub-inspector Narayan Sarkar of Damudya Police Station confirmed the arrest, stating that legal action would follow after investigation. The complaint alleged that Taher threatened not to return the land unless the money was paid, prompting the victim to seek police help.

Upazila Youth Dal general secretary Mosaddeq Hossain Mehedi said Taher was a supporter of the organization but emphasized that the party respects the law and would take internal action if the allegations are proven.

Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and parliamentary candidate for Narayanganj-4, has filed a general diary (GD) at Fatullah Model Police Station citing security concerns. The GD was recorded on Thursday, January 15, 2026, according to Inspector (Investigation) Anwar Hossain. The filing followed an attempted attack on Al Amin in the Bashmuli area of Kashipur Union, Sadar upazila, on Wednesday evening.

In his GD, Al Amin stated that an unidentified caller had threatened to kill him and verbally abused him. He also reported that his party’s leaders and activists were receiving threats from various phone numbers. Al Amin said he and his family were living in fear due to these threats.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police, have confirmed the detention of two individuals allegedly involved in the attempted attack on Al Amin.

The Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, has warned that the use of unnecessary antibiotics in Bangladesh’s fish farming sector is increasing at an alarming rate. Speaking on Thursday at a discussion meeting titled “Stopping Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in Fisheries,” held at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute auditorium in Mymensingh, he said that using antibiotics without expert advice may bring short-term benefits but poses serious long-term risks to public health, food safety, and the environment.

The meeting, chaired by Mymensingh Divisional Director Nripendra Nath Biswas, was attended by senior officials, fish farmers, hatchery owners, feed producers, and other stakeholders. Speakers noted that many farmers use excessive antibiotics to prevent disease and boost growth, especially in closed water bodies, leaving harmful residues in fish that can increase antibiotic resistance in humans. Officials said inexperienced farmers often apply antibiotics without departmental guidance, sometimes encouraged by drug company representatives and local feed traders.

Participants emphasized the need to ban antibiotic sales and use without expert consultation and called for stricter monitoring and awareness campaigns to protect public health and the aquatic environment.

National Film Award-winning actress Dolly Zahur is returning to the big screen after a 13-year hiatus. Having stepped away from films in 2011 while continuing to act in television dramas, she is now working on two new projects. Shooting has been completed in Dhaka and Gazipur for Yamin Ilan’s family drama ‘Jhamela’, produced under the Diya Productions banner. The director stated that the story is entirely original and not adapted from any foreign film. Initially hesitant, Zahur agreed to join after hearing the story.

The director expressed hope that audiences would connect with the film’s storyline. The cast includes Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Huraira Tanvir, Saberi Alam, and several others. The final phase of shooting began on Thursday, with plans to release the film during an upcoming Eid. Zahur also appears in Redoan Rony’s ‘Dom’, playing Afran Nisho’s mother in a survival story inspired by true events, featuring Chanchal Chowdhury and Pooja Cherry. Filming took place partly in Pabna and Kazakhstan, with a release planned for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Zahur said she had not intended to return to films but was drawn by the stories and creative process of these two projects, which also feature many of her regular television co-actors.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced that the four additional metro rail trips planned for Friday will not operate following the cancellation of Thursday’s scheduled Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match. The information was confirmed by Md. Ahsan Ullah Sharifi, Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) of MRT Line-6, on January 15, 2026.

According to Sharifi, DMTCL had planned to run four extra trips daily from January 15 to 23 to accommodate passengers traveling to and from Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur during BPL match days. However, the plan has been temporarily suspended due to the match cancellation.

Officials stated that decisions regarding additional trips for upcoming match days will be made based on the evolving situation and future schedules.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against journalist and part-time teacher Anisur Rahman Alamgir, also known as Anis Alamgir, on charges of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources and money laundering. The case was lodged under Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, by Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman at the commission’s headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The ACC’s Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain disclosed the information at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

According to the ACC, Alamgir possesses immovable assets worth Tk 2.5 million and movable assets worth Tk 38.46 million, totaling Tk 40.97 million. Including family and other expenses of Tk 1.59 million, his total wealth amounts to Tk 42.55 million. The commission calculated his legitimate income at Tk 9.9 million, derived from savings, talk shows, consultancy, plot sales, and bank interest. The ACC stated that Tk 32.64 million, or about 77 percent of his total assets, could not be explained by known income sources.

The report also noted that Alamgir had made controversial remarks on social media following the July uprising, criticizing student groups and the current government.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday, marking his formal assumption of duties in Dhaka. According to the US Embassy, Christensen said the United States is proud to call Bangladesh a friend and expressed honor in presenting his credentials to the President.

Christensen highlighted that for over 50 years, the two nations have worked together to enhance regional stability, promote economic growth beneficial to both peoples, and strengthen mutual respect for sovereignty. He stated his eagerness to continue this collaboration and deepen bilateral ties. Senior officials from the President’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the ceremony.

Christensen arrived in Dhaka on Monday evening as the 19th US Ambassador to Bangladesh. He later met with senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to working closely with Dhaka to advance regional peace and prosperity.

Two men were arrested with a pistol and three locally made weapons during a special army operation in Dhunat upazila of Bogura on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The detainees were identified as Raihan Ali Rana, 40, son of Ijar Uddin of Khanna Omar Dighi village, and Firoz Poddar, 38, son of Jamal Poddar of Shakpala village. The operation was conducted in a rented house at Bererbari Babur Bazar area under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir Ahmed Tamal from the Youth Development Camp near Bogura Tinmatha Railgate.

According to police sources, the two men had been living in a rented house owned by Khokon Mia in Babur Bazar area. Acting on a tip-off, army personnel raided the house and recovered one pistol and three machetes. Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam confirmed the arrests and said the detainees would be handed over to the police for further action.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the purpose of the weapons or the suspects’ possible affiliations.

Journalist Akram Hossain, the Manikganj district representative of the daily Amar Desh, has filed a general diary at Manikganj Sadar Police Station after allegedly receiving threats over a published news report. According to the diary, on the night of January 14 around 8:19 p.m., he received a phone call from a foreign number. The unidentified caller used offensive language about the news and its caption and issued multiple threats.

The caller reportedly warned that if Akram Hossain or his family faced any harm, even a local MP candidate from Manikganj-3 would not be able to help him. When the journalist asked for the caller’s identity, the person hung up. The diary states that Akram and his family have been living in fear since the incident.

Manikganj Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sarwar Alam said the matter is being taken seriously and that necessary legal action will follow after investigation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has interrogated Bushra Afrin, the first Chief Heat Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal wealth accumulation by her father, former DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam. The questioning took place on Thursday at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. According to the ACC, Afrin was summoned to determine whether she had any involvement in her father’s alleged acquisition of illicit assets.

Bushra Afrin, who completed her secondary education in Dhaka and pursued higher studies in Canada, was appointed DNCC’s Chief Heat Officer in May 2023. The ACC’s Deputy Director (Public Relations), Akhtarul Islam, confirmed that the commission conducted the questioning. Atiqul Islam was arrested on October 16, 2024, in Dhaka’s Mohakhali DOHS area after going into hiding following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.

The ACC is investigating allegations that Atiqul Islam and others misused power, manipulated tenders, and engaged in corruption and money laundering related to the purchase of mosquito control equipment.

A group of writers organized a memorial meeting in remembrance of former three-time Prime Minister and political leader Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Al Mahmud Writer’s Corner of Bangla Academy. BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu attended as the chief guest, while writer and publisher Saeed Bari presided over the session.

The program featured poetry recitations, reminiscences, and discussions highlighting various aspects of Khaleda Zia’s life and political career. Participants included poets, writers, researchers, and journalists such as Mahmud Shafik, Razueddin Stalin, Asad Kajol, Kalam Fayezi, and others. Speakers recalled that during Khaleda Zia’s tenure, Bangladeshi writers enjoyed significant freedom and that even those with differing opinions received state recognition.

Speakers expressed that her liberal political philosophy would continue to inspire future generations of writers and intellectuals in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of Hummam Quader Chowdhury, BNP’s candidate for Chittagong-7 and a member of the party’s central executive committee, as valid. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following an appeal hearing held at the Election Building in Dhaka. This marks Hummam’s first participation in a parliamentary election. He had submitted his nomination papers on December 29 after receiving party endorsement on November 3.

His candidacy faced challenges over allegations of loan default and concealment of financial information in his affidavit. Hummam claimed that attempts were made to label him a defaulter through a special process on January 8, but the High Court had already issued a stay order on the disputed report. The EC, led by the Chief Election Commissioner, considered the legal documents before validating his nomination.

According to his affidavit, Hummam’s annual income is about Tk 1.25 million, with movable assets worth Tk 8.42 million. His wife’s declared assets amount to nearly Tk 410 million. The EC’s decision reportedly revived enthusiasm among BNP supporters in Chittagong-7.

Interim government industry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming February 12 referendum, held alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the 'Vote Car' caravan following an Imam Conference at the district stadium in Chattogram, he urged voters to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the 36 days of the fiery July movement and to participate in a festive atmosphere.

Adilur Rahman said the referendum aims to establish the 'July Charter' signed by anti-fascist movements and to pave the way for building a century-long Bangladesh. He recalled the past 16 years as a period of fear and oppression, marked by disappearances, killings, and repression. He emphasized that citizens had been deprived of voting rights and that thousands had been imprisoned under a fascist regime.

He appealed to all citizens to vote for their preferred candidates in the national election and simultaneously cast a 'Yes' vote in the referendum to ensure that such oppression never returns and to continue the transformation initiated by the July movement.

RAB-11 has arrested a suspect in connection with an attack on an NCP candidate during an election campaign in Narayanganj-4. The arrested individual, identified as 22-year-old Maruf Hasan from Kashipur Union, was detained in a special operation at Char Kashipur around 2 a.m. on January 15. The incident occurred on the evening of January 14 when Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, the NCP candidate, was conducting campaign activities in Bashmuli area under Fatullah Police Station. Two unidentified youths followed him and his team, leading to the detention of one suspect from whom a machete was recovered.

During the attack, two of Abdullah Al Amin’s associates were injured, though the candidate and his team managed to leave safely with local assistance. Later, the detained suspect was reportedly freed by accomplices wielding local weapons. The incident gained wide attention after video footage spread across media platforms.

According to RAB, the arrested suspect has been handed over to Fatullah Police Station for legal proceedings. Additional Superintendent of Police Tarek Al Mehdi stated that legal action is underway and security monitoring has been intensified in the area to ensure election safety.

The interim government of Bangladesh has approved the draft of the July Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance, which is expected to become law within five to seven days through a gazette notification. The approval was given at a meeting of the advisory council chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Tejgaon. Later, at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul said the ordinance fulfills the government’s commitment to those involved in the July uprising.

According to Nazrul, the ordinance grants immunity from criminal liability to individuals who participated in political resistance activities during July and August aimed at restoring democratic governance by toppling the fascist regime. The government will withdraw existing criminal cases related to such activities, and no new cases can be filed for actions taken during that period. However, acts of violence committed for personal gain or revenge will not be exempted.

The National Human Rights Commission has been tasked with determining whether killings were politically motivated or driven by personal interests. Victims’ families may appeal to the commission, whose investigation reports will carry the same legal weight as police reports in court.