Police have arrested Shah Jalal Ahmed Shawon, the general secretary of the banned Narsingdi district unit of Chhatra League, while he was attempting to leave the country for Dubai. The arrest took place at around 10 a.m. on Saturday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka with the assistance of immigration police. His family confirmed the arrest.

According to police, Shawon faces six separate cases related to attacks, shootings, and killings during an anti-discrimination student movement. His brother, Imran Mahmud, stated that Shawon was traveling to Dubai for family business purposes when he was detained, and the family has demanded his unconditional release. Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sujan Chandra Sarkar said they had received preliminary information about the arrest and were verifying details with immigration police.

Police sources added that Shawon had been in hiding since August 5, 2024. He was elected general secretary of the Narsingdi district Chhatra League on July 31, 2022, and previously held joint secretary positions in both the district and Narsingdi Government College units.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has expressed the country’s policy-level interest in joining an international stabilization force in Gaza. The announcement came through a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Saturday, January 10, following Rahman’s meetings in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapoor. Hooker responded that the United States is willing to work with Bangladesh on this important issue.

The discussions took place against the backdrop of a United Nations Security Council resolution passed in November supporting a U.S.-backed 20-point plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end the Israel-Gaza war. One clause of that plan called for the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee and secure a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. During the meetings, Rahman also briefed U.S. officials on Bangladesh’s upcoming general election preparations and thanked them for their support of the interim government.

Both sides discussed trade, the Rohingya crisis, and regional issues. Rahman emphasized expanding bilateral trade, easing U.S. visa bond requirements for Bangladeshi business travelers, and sought U.S. development finance access for semiconductor initiatives in Bangladesh.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that Bangladesh can no longer return to the situation before August 5. He made the remarks on Saturday at a meeting with editors of newspapers, television, and online media at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka. Rahman said that after returning to the country, he visited several places including Savar and felt that the new generation is seeking guidance and hope. Referring to the movements of 1971, 1990, and 2024, he emphasized working for the country and its independence to achieve the right goals.

During the discussion, Rahman addressed concerns raised about the safety of a female journalist, saying that both men and women have the right to security. He called for maintaining the democratic process and ensuring accountability despite political differences. He also announced that from January 22, the party would present its plans to the public and seek feedback to help solve national problems.

The meeting was attended by editors from major national newspapers and senior BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the party’s standing committee.

A massive fire broke out early Friday night in three jute warehouses in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj, burning around 1,800 maunds of jute and causing an estimated loss of Tk 1 crore. The blaze started around 2:30 a.m. near the Muksudpur government T&T office and quickly spread to adjacent warehouses. Fire service units from Muksudpur and Kashiani, led by Station Master Mehedi Hasan, worked for hours to bring the fire under control.

According to reports, jute traders Sunil Saha, Nirmal Saha, and Ikram Mia lost approximately 1,300, 175, and 300 maunds of jute respectively. The affected traders said they had closed their warehouses as usual the previous evening and were unaware of how the fire started. Station Officer Mehedi Hasan stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown but may have originated from wooden debris behind one of the warehouses. An investigation will determine the exact cause.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage or announced any compensation measures for the affected traders.

In Dhaka-20 (Dhamrai) constituency, BNP candidate Md. Tamiz Uddin has been identified as the wealthiest contender for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to his affidavit, he holds deposits exceeding Tk 85 crore in various financial institutions, along with nearly Tk 1.49 crore in cash and over Tk 47 lakh under his wife’s name. His immovable assets are valued at more than Tk 5.6 crore, including multiple buildings in Dhamrai and Dhaka. He also has loans of about Tk 85 crore from Islami Bank and an annual business income of Tk 48 lakh. Tamiz Uddin, president of Dhamrai Upazila BNP, has been acquitted in 15 cases and currently faces four criminal cases filed during the previous government.

In contrast, Khelafat Majlis candidate Md. Ashraf Ali, symbolized by a wall clock, declared the smallest amount of assets. His affidavit shows around Tk 26 lakh in movable assets and about 85 decimals of land, with teaching as his main source of income. On January 3, the Dhamrai Upazila Executive Officer confirmed that all six candidates’ nominations for Dhaka-20 were declared valid after scrutiny.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has declared the nomination of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad as valid. The decision came on Saturday, January 10, following a hearing on his appeal. Azad is contesting in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency, which includes Maheshkhali and Kutubdia.

Earlier, on January 2, the returning officer and district commissioner Md. A. Mannan had canceled Azad’s nomination due to complications related to case information provided in his affidavit. Following the cancellation, Azad appealed to the Election Commission seeking reinstatement of his candidacy. After reviewing the appeal, the EC restored his eligibility to contest in the election.

The decision marks the return of the former member of parliament and senior Jamaat leader to the electoral race for Cox’s Bazar-2, clearing previous procedural obstacles to his participation.

The Election Commission has declared the nomination of Tasnim Zara as valid for the upcoming national parliamentary election. She is contesting as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-9 constituency. The decision was made during a hearing that began on Saturday morning, following her appeal against the earlier cancellation of her nomination.

Tasnim Zara had submitted an appeal to the Election Commission last Monday after her nomination was initially rejected. Speaking to journalists after the decision, she confirmed that her appeal had been accepted and her candidacy approved. She expressed gratitude to supporters at home and abroad who had extended their good wishes and prayers during the past week.

Zara also announced that she would apply for the football symbol as her preferred election mark, reaffirming her commitment to continue her campaign as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-9 race.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that Bangladesh now has an opportunity to establish a truly liberal democratic system. He made the remarks on Saturday at a views-exchange meeting with editors of newspapers, television, and online media at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was present on the stage during the event, which also included greetings exchanged between him and media representatives.

In his speech, Fakhrul paid tribute to the late Begum Khaleda Zia, the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, and those who died in the 2024 student and public movement. He said Khaleda Zia had fought throughout her life to free Bangladesh’s democracy and that the 2024 mass uprising had created a historic opportunity to build a democratic Bangladesh. Fakhrul added that the nation was now hopeful following Tarique Rahman’s return to the country.

Editors from several major national newspapers and media outlets attended the meeting, along with senior BNP leaders. A prayer was also held for the soul of Khaleda Zia.

At least 50 activists were injured in a series of clashes between BNP and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) supporters in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola on Friday. According to BDP’s parliamentary candidate Nizamul Haque Nayeem, the violence began around 11 a.m. in Ramaganj Union’s Ward 6 when female activists of Jamaat, supporting BDP, faced verbal abuse and harassment from a local man named Rubel. The situation escalated after Rubel allegedly attacked a local businessman, leading to further confrontations between the two political groups.

Nayeem claimed that despite informing the administration, BNP leaders and activists gathered at the scene, intensifying the tension. He reported that 15 of his supporters were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex. Meanwhile, BNP’s upazila general secretary Shafiqul Islam Babul accused BDP activists of trying to disrupt local peace with Jamaat’s help and alleged that Awami League and Jamaat-linked cadres attacked BNP and Jubo Dal members after evening prayers.

Lalmohan police officer-in-charge Oliul Islam said police and naval forces remained deployed until 11 p.m. to control the situation. BDP has filed a written complaint, while BNP has not yet submitted one.

Bangladesh’s lowest temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius was recorded on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Chuadanga and Panchagarh’s Tetulia. According to local weather observations, Chuadanga registered 9.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. with 95 percent humidity, which dropped to 8.3 degrees Celsius by 9 a.m. when humidity stood at 93 percent. The data was confirmed by the acting officer of the first-class weather observatory, Jaminur Rahman Jaman.

A continuous cold wave, sometimes moderate and sometimes mild, has been sweeping over Chuadanga, severely disrupting daily life. Dense fog and cold winds from the north have caused transportation delays and reduced visibility from night until morning. The district’s normal activities have slowed significantly as residents struggle with the biting cold.

In recent days, temperatures in Chuadanga have fluctuated between 6.9 and 8.5 degrees Celsius, indicating persistent cold conditions across the region.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Fakhruddin Manik has filed an appeal with the Election Commission seeking to declare the nomination of BNP candidate Abdul Awal Mintu for the Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan-Sonagazi) constituency invalid. The appeal, submitted on January 9 in Agargaon, Dhaka, alleges that Mintu concealed information about his U.S. citizenship and pending cases in his affidavit. It also names Feni Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Monira Haque as respondents for approving Mintu’s nomination despite these alleged omissions.

According to the appeal, Mintu claimed to have renounced his U.S. citizenship on December 9, 2025, but provided no proof. The document further states that he traveled to Thailand using a U.S. passport between December 4 and 15, which would not have been possible if his citizenship had been revoked. The appeal argues that such concealment violates the Representation of the People Order, 1972, warranting cancellation of his candidacy.

Earlier, on January 4, the returning officer validated Mintu’s nomination, citing his declaration of renouncing foreign citizenship and submission of related documents. Hearings on appeals are scheduled from January 10 to 18 at the Election Commission building in Agargaon.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamison Greer in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday. Dr. Rahman also held a separate meeting with US Deputy Trade Representative Brendan Lynch. During the talks, he highlighted progress in reducing the trade deficit between Bangladesh and the United States and proposed lowering the existing 20 percent reciprocal tariff.

Ambassador Greer assured that the proposal would be considered positively and agreed to review Dr. Rahman’s suggestion to reduce or remove tariffs on garments made with US raw materials. Both sides agreed to resolve outstanding issues quickly to finalize and implement the reciprocal tariff agreement. Dr. Rahman noted that increased trade would strengthen business connections between the two countries.

He also urged the US side to ease business travel for Bangladeshis following the country’s inclusion in the US visa bond program and requested access to Development Finance Corporation (DFC) funds for Bangladesh’s private sector. Ambassador Greer expressed willingness to cooperate on these matters.

Brent Christensen has been sworn in as the new United States ambassador to Bangladesh, pledging to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the US Department of State in Washington on Friday, January 9, local time, according to a statement from the US Embassy in Dhaka. Christensen expressed his excitement to return to Bangladesh, a country he said he knows well, and to lead a strong team of American and local staff at the embassy.

The US Senate confirmed Christensen’s nomination in December, making him the 18th US ambassador to Bangladesh. He succeeds Peter Haas in the position and is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on January 12. In a previous Senate hearing, Christensen stated that he would highlight potential risks of leaning toward China in defense and other sectors during his tenure. A senior Foreign Service officer, he previously served as political and economic counselor at the US Embassy in Dhaka from 2019 to 2021.

Christensen also expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for nominating him and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the president’s goals while strengthening US security and prosperity.

Nine people were injured in a clash between activists of the BNP and the NCP in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali on Friday night. The violence erupted around 8:30 p.m. in the Darbesh Bazar area of Chanandi Union after a Facebook post by an NCP leader accused local BNP figures of removing bricks from a paved road. The post triggered tension, leading to an altercation and later a violent confrontation involving local weapons. The injured were taken to the upazila health complex and other hospitals for treatment.

According to an NCP press release, their leaders were attacked by armed BNP members after protesting the alleged road material theft, and eight motorcycles were reportedly looted. The BNP, in a separate statement, claimed that NCP activists spread false propaganda while they were repairing a damaged road, and that NCP members attacked two BNP activists. Police said the situation is now under control, with additional forces deployed and legal action to follow pending investigation.

Authorities confirmed that the area remains under surveillance to prevent further unrest.

Barrister A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and BNP candidate for Noakhali-1 (Chatkhil-Sonaimuri), declared that no one will be allowed to manipulate the upcoming national election. Speaking on Friday evening at a prayer gathering in Debkala Government Primary School field, Sonaimuri, held for the late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, he warned that any attempt at electoral fraud would face a strong response.

Khokon emphasized that the BNP, founded by Ziaur Rahman and led by Khaleda Zia, seeks a free, fair, and neutral election. He stated that no deceit, fraud, or conspiracy would be tolerated. Referring to teachers who support Jamaat-e-Islami and wish to serve as presiding or polling officers, he said no partisan individuals should hold such positions. He warned that any teacher found working for a political party during election duties would face legal action.

The event was chaired by union BNP president Dr. Tajul Islam and attended by several local BNP and affiliated leaders, including Didar Hossain, Kutub Uddin Sani, and others.