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to Thailand using a U.S. passport between December 4 and 15, which would not have been possible if his citizenship had been revoked.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.

Bangladesh’s small political parties are facing an existential crisis following amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), which now prohibit elections under coalition symbols. The change has prompted many minor party leaders to dissolve their organizations or join larger parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to secure nominations for upcoming parliamentary elections. Several leaders, including those from the Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party, Bangladesh National Party, and National Democratic Movement, have already joined the BNP and will contest under its ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.

Political scientists and senior politicians cited in the report attribute this trend to a growing focus on power rather than public service. They argue that the revised RPO has disrupted traditional electoral strategies and exposed the fragility of smaller parties. Some BNP grassroots members have expressed discontent over seat-sharing with allies, leading to internal dissent and expulsions.

Observers warn that dissolving parties for electoral gain could erode public trust and deepen long-term political instability, while others hope the current turbulence may eventually lead to a more principled political culture.

A leader of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal in Kurigram has been expelled following allegations of involvement in a question leak during the primary school assistant teacher recruitment examination. The decision was announced on Friday evening through a press release signed by Touhidul Islam Tarek, office secretary of the district unit. District convener Arman Hossain confirmed the expulsion.

According to the statement, Minarul Islam, joint convener of the Nageshwari upazila unit, was expelled from all party positions for damaging the party’s image and violating organizational discipline. Minarul also held positions in the upazila BNP convening committee and the Bamandanga union BNP.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, police detained Minarul and five others from a house behind Kazi Market in Nageshwari town before the recruitment exam began. They were reportedly found with question papers and electronic devices.

A newly released report by Bangladesh’s Commission on Enforced Disappearances reveals that several senior army officers accused of involvement in abduction cases during the Awami League’s 15-year rule have fled despite travel bans and passport cancellations. The commission submitted its findings to the chief adviser on January 4, 2026, describing how no single unit took responsibility for monitoring high-risk officers or preventing their escape. The report links the lapses to the absence of clear directives treating the issue as a national security priority.

According to the report, the International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants on January 6, 2025, against 11 top military officials, including senior DGFI officers. Despite being under restricted movement, some officers disappeared from Dhaka Cantonment within weeks. The commission identified three waves of escapes between August 2024 and October 2025 and noted that intelligence and security agencies such as DGFI, MI, ASU, and NSI failed to coordinate effectively.

The commission warned that these repeated failures represent a continuing national security concern and could undermine future accountability efforts. It also raised concerns that some fugitives may have crossed into India, suggesting possible cross-border complicity.

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board general secretary and ex-Asian Cricket Council CEO Syed Ashraful Haque has sharply criticized the Indian cricket board’s decision to drop Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League following protests by Hindu nationalist groups. Speaking to the Times of India, Haque said the cricket administration across South Asia has become hostage to politicians. He argued that the decision has strained cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh, with the Bangladesh team now unwilling to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Haque accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain, particularly ahead of elections in West Bengal and Assam. He also questioned the leadership of current cricket administrators, including ICC chairman Jay Shah, saying earlier leaders were more mature and understood the spirit of the game. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has already written to the ICC requesting that its World Cup matches be moved to co-host Sri Lanka.

Haque said that even if boycotting the tournament causes financial loss, national dignity must come first. He emphasized that Bangladesh and India share a brotherly relationship, unlike India and Pakistan, but warned that the current situation threatens that goodwill.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is in the final stage of preparing its manifesto for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Party sources said the document will serve not only as an electoral pledge but also as a comprehensive framework for state reconstruction, economic recovery, and human resource transformation. The manifesto emphasizes youth employment, an investment-friendly environment, and empowering young people as key drivers of national development. It is being prepared based on four pillars: Ziaur Rahman’s 19 points, Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030, Tarique Rahman’s 31 points, and the July National Charter.

The manifesto includes a dedicated section titled “Outline for Youth,” promising one crore new jobs within 18 months of assuming power and unemployment benefits for educated job seekers. It also pledges SME financing, startup funds, IT and outsourcing training, and initiatives to attract domestic and foreign investment. Other commitments cover democratic reforms, agricultural modernization, women’s empowerment, minority protection, and universal healthcare.

BNP plans to distribute concise leaflets summarizing key points before the official manifesto launch, which will take place at a major event after the campaign begins.

Dense fog has severely disrupted operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after its Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category 2 became nonfunctional. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh said a Thai Airways aircraft accidentally damaged the high antenna approach lights on October 29, reducing the system to Category 1. As a result, 5 to 8 flights are being diverted daily to nearby airports such as Chattogram, Sylhet, and Kolkata. The authority expects it will take three months to restore Category 2 capability.

The downgrade has caused major inconvenience for passengers, especially those on early morning and late-night international flights, who often face long delays or diversions. Airlines are incurring higher operational costs due to extra fuel, rescheduling, and penalties. Officials said the damaged lights are expensive and must be imported, with tenders already issued. Aviation experts noted that regular maintenance and pre-winter inspections could have prevented the disruption.

Authorities are working to repair the lighting system quickly, though they confirmed that upgrading to Category 3 is not feasible due to high-rise buildings near the runway.

Bangladesh’s cricket community erupted after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and finance committee chairman M Nazmul Islam called former captain Tamim Iqbal a “tested Indian agent” in a Facebook post. The comment followed Tamim’s call for decisions on playing the World Cup in India to be made in the country’s best interest. The post triggered widespread criticism, prompting the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) to issue a formal protest to the BCB and demand a public apology from Nazmul. Although he later edited the post to replace the word “agent” for “dalal,” the original version had already gone viral.

CWAB president Mohammad Mithun condemned the remark, calling it unacceptable and urging that BCB directors be brought under a code of conduct. He said the association had sent a protest letter to the BCB president and demanded accountability. Mithun also expressed disappointment that such comments came from a board led by former captains. Nazmul, however, told the media he would not apologize, and the BCB has not commented on the issue.

Mithun warned that CWAB might take further steps if no apology or official response comes from the board. He also urged that politics be kept separate from cricket and emphasized ensuring player safety for the upcoming World Cup in India.

An opinion piece published on January 10, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh warns that signs of extensive election engineering are beginning to appear ahead of Bangladesh’s forthcoming national elections. The article argues that such manipulation could push the country into a deep crisis, as surveys suggest that the two main political parties currently enjoy nearly equal public support. Even minor engineering could therefore cause major shifts in seat distribution, potentially leading to results reminiscent of the 2014 or 2018 elections, which the author claims would be unacceptable domestically and internationally.

The analysis outlines several possible methods of election engineering, including pre-election arrests or intimidation of opposition activists, polling station takeovers, manipulation of vote counts, and alteration of results during transmission to returning officers. It also describes how administrative behavior, media narratives, and international signals can shape public perception weeks before voting, influencing undecided voters. The author asserts that the state apparatus plays the central role in such processes and notes that Bangladesh’s administration has not functioned independently for over 15 years.

The piece concludes that without administrative reform, the extent of election engineering in the upcoming polls remains a critical concern.

Large portions of Dhaka’s roads, from main arteries to narrow lanes, have become nearly impassable due to potholes, open manholes, and prolonged excavation works. A report published on January 10, 2026, describes that about two-thirds of the city’s roads under Dhaka North and South City Corporations are in poor condition, with many areas turning into waterlogged pits during rains. Residents in newly added 18 wards face extreme hardship despite paying taxes, as basic urban services remain inadequate.

Field visits revealed that major routes such as Basabo–Madartek, Khilgaon, and Nikunja–2 are riddled with large potholes, causing constant traffic jams. Urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan stated that the city corporations have failed to meet citizens’ expectations due to uncoordinated digging, waste mismanagement, and encroachment. Officials from both corporations acknowledged limited budgets and pending project approvals worth nearly 1,900 crore taka.

The prolonged road and flyover construction has slowed city traffic to an average of four kilometers per hour, disrupting emergency services and daily commutes. Authorities have promised repairs, but visible progress remains minimal.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has restructured its central election steering committee ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to a press release signed by convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain, the party’s new spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has been appointed chairman, while joint convener Monira Sharmin has been named secretary. The committee will oversee overall election preparations, field coordination, legal and administrative activities, media and campaign management, monitoring, and advocacy for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum.

The newly formed committee includes 29 members, among them Barrister Omar Faruk, Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti, Tanzil Mahmud, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, Advocate Humayra Noor, Akram Hossain, and others. Previously, on November 4, NCP had formed a committee led by Nasiruddin Patwari and Tasnim Zara, but several central leaders resigned following an electoral understanding with Jamaat-e-Islami. On December 29, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan joined the party and assumed the roles of spokesperson and committee head, while Monira Sharmin withdrew her candidacy from Naogaon-5 after the Jamaat deal.