Bir Muktijoddha Rafiqul Baset, former president of Gazipur Metropolitan Freedom Fighter unit and vice-president of BNP’s central Freedom Fighter unit, has left the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to join Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He formally joined the party on Wednesday evening at the Jamaat office of Ward 57 under Tongi East Police Station in Gazipur. Baset announced his decision through a Facebook post, stating that he had voluntarily resigned from all responsibilities within BNP and its affiliated organizations.

In his post, Baset explained that after long self-reflection and contemplation, he decided to lead his life according to Islamic ideals. He joined Jamaat through Gazipur Metropolitan Nayeb-e-Ameer and Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Gazipur-2 constituency, Hossain Ali, and Metropolitan Assistant Secretary Afzal Hossain. He expressed his belief that the Islamic way of life ensures justice in personal, social, and state affairs, and sought forgiveness for past mistakes.

After joining, Baset said that Jamaat-e-Islami follows the path of Allah and His Messenger and that he had long desired to join the party. He added that he had been involved with BNP politics since the era of Ziaur Rahman.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has found evidence that former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor S M Moniruzzaman received Tk 20 million in bribes from the controversial business conglomerate S Alam Group. The BFIU report states that the payment was made in August 2021 through a pay order from an S Alam-owned company account, shortly after Moniruzzaman opened a new savings account. The funds were later used to open three fixed deposits. The report found no documentation of any legitimate service or contract behind the payment and described the transaction as highly suspicious.

The BFIU also discovered that Moniruzzaman worked for 27 months after retirement at an S Alam-owned company, earning Tk 650,000 monthly. Investigators suspect he may have provided undue advantages to S Alam-linked banks and institutions during his tenure as deputy governor between 2016 and 2020. The findings have been forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further action.

Moniruzzaman denied all allegations, claiming the Tk 20 million was payment for a property he sold to S Alam Group.

Two leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Tongi, Gazipur, formally joined Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday evening. The joining ceremony took place at the 57th Ward Jamaat office in Tongi Bazar. The new members are Rafiqul Baset, central vice-president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party and president of its Gazipur metropolitan unit, and Sohrab Uddin, a former member of the Greater Tongi Thana BNP. Jamaat leaders including Muhammad Hossain Ali, Gazipur metropolitan Nayeb Amir and MP candidate for Gazipur-2, attended the event along with other local leaders.

After joining, Rafiqul Baset said he decided to join Jamaat-e-Islami after long self-reflection and a desire to live by Islamic ideals. He expressed his belief that Jamaat works under divine guidance and prayed to remain steadfast in his new political path. Sohrab Uddin stated that they would openly inform BNP leaders and share the news on social media.

The event marks a notable shift of local BNP figures toward Jamaat-e-Islami in Gazipur’s Tongi area.

Nearly 10,000 doctors in Bangladesh’s health cadre, including supernumerary positions, are undergoing promotion, with more than 5,500 already elevated to ranks such as junior consultant, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. A significant portion of those promoted are reportedly aligned with the Awami League and its affiliate organization, Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip). Allegations have surfaced that a syndicate involving the Chief Adviser’s Office and the Ministry of Public Administration facilitated these promotions, sometimes in exchange for money. Some doctors accused of legitimizing violence during the so-called ‘peace rally’ at the Shaheed Minar have also been promoted.

Officials from the Health Ministry acknowledged that promotions were granted under an old executive order from the autocratic era, bypassing mandatory senior scale examinations. This has caused discontent among qualified but overlooked candidates. The Health Secretary stated that actions are taken only when specific complaints or intelligence reports are received, as no comprehensive list of Awami-affiliated doctors exists.

Investigations are ongoing into about 1,500 Swachip members whose promotions were withheld, while allegations persist that political groups including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP also influenced the process.

Relations between Bangladesh and India have sharply worsened ahead of upcoming elections in both countries. The crisis began after Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years with close ties to New Delhi, was ousted in 2024 following mass protests led by students and young people. After fleeing to India, the new interim government in Dhaka demanded her return for trial, but India refused, sparking anger among Bangladeshis. The dispute escalated into a diplomatic standoff, with both sides suspending visa services and trading accusations over minority safety and political interference.

The tension has extended into sports, as Indian right-wing groups protested against Bangladeshi players, leading to one being dropped from the Indian Premier League. In response, Bangladesh announced it would not participate in the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India and requested that its matches be relocated. Analysts say both nations’ domestic politics are driving the hostility, with India seeking regional dominance and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, balancing public sentiment and diplomatic pragmatism.

With elections approaching in February, anti-India sentiment is shaping Bangladesh’s political landscape, while India explores new ties with the opposition BNP. Observers warn that mutual mistrust and rising nationalism may keep relations strained in the near term.

The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, released in January 2026, states that Bangladesh’s medium-term economic outlook has improved, with growth expected to strengthen steadily over the next two fiscal years. The forecast for 2025–26 has been revised upward to 4.6 percent, and for 2026–27 to 6.1 percent, reflecting stronger domestic demand, industrial activity, and investment.

According to the report, easing inflation is expected to boost private consumption, while reduced political uncertainty following the 2026 general election and anticipated structural reforms by the new government will support industrial expansion. Public spending and investment growth are also projected to accelerate faster than previously forecast, with the 2027 growth estimate raised by 0.3 percentage points compared to the June projection.

In the global context, the World Bank noted that despite trade tensions and policy uncertainty, the world economy remains more resilient than expected. However, it warned that if current trends persist, the 2020s could become the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a month-long, 15-point nationwide campaign to ensure a ‘Yes’ victory in the upcoming referendum. The program, unveiled on Wednesday at a press conference in front of the DUCSU building, is being conducted under the slogan “Vote Yes, Secure Bangladesh.” DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem announced the initiatives aimed at increasing public participation and awareness.

According to the announcement, the campaign includes direct public outreach, online activities, debates, seminars on state reform, meetings with civil society and journalists, discussions with online activists, cultural events, and visits to educational institutions across the country to unite students. In his written statement, Kayem said the referendum represents a continuation of the July uprising’s spirit of reform and equality, describing participation and a ‘Yes’ vote as a duty to honor the sacrifices of July’s martyrs.

DUCSU also called on all anti-fascist political parties, student and professional organizations, and the general public to unite in creating a nationwide wave of support for the ‘Yes’ vote.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, has permitted the display of seized evidence from the July–August 2024 crimes against humanity cases at the July Uprising Memorial Museum gallery for one month. The order was issued following a prosecution request, according to a report by BSS. The museum, located at Ganabhaban and officially designated by the current government as the July Uprising Memorial Museum, is scheduled to open on January 20.

Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim stated that the museum authorities applied through the prosecution to exhibit the seized items, which include bullets, weapons, bloodstained clothing, and chairs used during torture. The tribunal granted permission for these materials to be displayed for one month from a specified date. The decision allows the public to view physical evidence from both resolved and ongoing tribunal cases.

The display aims to preserve and present historical evidence of the July events, marking a significant step in documenting crimes against humanity tried under the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

A joint operation led by the Bangladesh Navy seized 80,000 yaba pills in Teknaf’s Hnila Union, Leda area on Wednesday, January 14. The operation was conducted with the participation of the Coast Guard and police, following intelligence information about drug trafficking in the region. During the search of several suspected autorickshaws, one driver abandoned his vehicle and fled into a Rohingya camp, leaving behind the narcotics.

Officials reported that the seized yaba pills have an estimated market value of around 40 million taka. The autorickshaw used to transport the drugs was also confiscated. Both the drugs and the vehicle were later handed over to Teknaf Police Station for legal action.

Authorities stated that the Bangladesh Navy regularly conducts such operations to safeguard national maritime sovereignty and maintain internal security by preventing drug trafficking, terrorism, and other criminal activities in its designated areas.

Seven people have died in Rangpur over the past three days after consuming rectified spirit alcohol reportedly collected from local homeopathic pharmacies. Police confirmed that two more people, Abdul Malek of Gopalpur Union and Rashedul Islam of Shyampur, died recently, bringing the total death toll to seven. Several others remain critically ill, and the bodies of the latest victims were sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Among the deceased is Zainul Abedin, a known drug dealer who was in Rangpur Central Jail facing drug and murder charges. He died while under treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Police have recovered ten bottles of rectified spirit and filed two separate cases in Badarganj and Hajirhat police stations. Law enforcement agencies, including the Detective Branch and the Department of Narcotics Control, have conducted raids at a homeopathic chamber in the city.

Rangpur Superintendent of Police Marufat Hossain stated that drug dealers had been collecting the spirit from certain homeopathic chambers. Investigations and operations are continuing to trace the source and prevent further incidents.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that a new cold wave may sweep across several regions of the country starting Wednesday. The cold spell is expected to last two to three days and may be accompanied by fog. The department said that the intensity of winter, which had recently eased, is likely to increase again.

According to the synoptic situation, an extension of the subcontinental high-pressure zone lies over West Bengal and adjoining western Bangladesh, while the seasonal low pressure is positioned over the southern Bay of Bengal. The forecast indicates that nighttime temperatures across the country may fall by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures also dropping slightly. The temperature decline may continue until January 16.

At 9 a.m. today, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, Panchagarh, while Dhaka registered 15.5 degrees Celsius. The Met Office has cautioned that cold and foggy conditions could persist for several days.

The Pay Commission is scheduled to hold a full meeting on Thursday at 12 p.m. in the Cabinet Division’s old building at the Secretariat to discuss unresolved matters regarding the implementation of the new pay scale for government officials and employees. The session will address maximum and minimum salary levels, grade numbers, housing rent, medical and festival allowances, retirement benefits, and other facilities. Issues that reach consensus among members may be finalized during the meeting.

According to commission sources, the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries in the ninth national pay scale has already been set at 1:8, following a meeting on January 8. Three proposals for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—are under review, with a final decision expected in the upcoming session. The maximum salary scale has not yet been determined, as related allowances remain unsettled.

A commission member stated that the framework will incorporate inflation, commodity prices, family size, housing, and education costs as key indicators, serving as a reference for future governments in setting pay structures.

The non-political social organization Mulyabodh Andolon has demanded that voters be given three options—'Yes', 'Yes with objections', and 'No'—in the referendum scheduled for the day of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The demand was announced at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Maulana Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club. The organization’s chairman, Dr. Mohammad Sarwar Hossain, an associate professor at Independent University, Bangladesh, presented the written statement.

According to the group, the interim government’s current referendum plan forces voters to either accept or reject all provisions of the July Charter in full. Mulyabodh Andolon argued that this approach is unjust and fails to reflect public aspirations. The organization expressed concern that the charter lacks references to Islamic values and faith in Allah, while giving undue prominence to Western pluralistic and secular ideologies. It also warned that undefined terms such as 'equality' and 'social justice' could open the door to values contrary to religious beliefs.

The group further urged the government to restore faith in Allah as a constitutional principle and to ensure that no law contradicting the Qur’an and Sunnah is enacted. If these demands cannot be met, it proposed excluding certain disputed articles from the referendum or adding the 'Yes with objections' option.

Depositors of five troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh will not receive any profit on their deposits for the years 2024 and 2025. The directive was issued after approval from Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, instructing the banks to suspend profit calculations during this period. The affected banks are Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank, all of which are being merged into a newly formed Combined Islami Bank.

According to the central bank’s resolution scheme, all deposit accounts will be recalculated without profit for the specified two years, applying a defined haircut to determine final balances. The new bank will have an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government already injecting Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares. Portions of institutional deposits will be converted into Class B and C shares totaling Tk 15,000 crore.

The scheme also sets withdrawal limits and allows up to 20 percent of term deposits to be used for loans or investments, aiming to stabilize the merged entity’s financial structure.

Bangladesh’s interim government has decided to temporarily suspend the issuance of on-arrival visas ahead of the upcoming national election. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain announced the decision on Wednesday at an event in Dhaka, stating that the move aims to prevent any unwanted situations before the election period.

According to statements released by Bangladeshi embassies in countries whose citizens previously received on-arrival visas, the suspension will be in effect from January 15 to February 15. The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives confirmed the one-month suspension through a notice on its official Facebook page. The measure applies to all countries whose nationals were eligible for on-arrival visas.

The decision reflects the government’s precautionary approach to maintaining stability and security during the sensitive pre-election period, as reported by BBC Bangla.