Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, has announced his candidacy from both Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18 constituencies in the upcoming parliamentary election. Although BNP had earlier pledged to leave Bogura-2 for Manna as part of an electoral understanding, the party ultimately nominated its own candidate there. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations has passed, yet no final decision has been made on whether BNP will vacate any seat for Manna, leaving the alliance’s seat-sharing deal unresolved. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had declared on December 24 that Bogura-2 would be left for Manna, but the returning officer initially rejected his nomination, which was later reinstated by the Election Commission. BNP has nominated Mir Shah Alam for Bogura-2 and SM Jahangir Hossain for Dhaka-18, while Manna’s nominations for both seats remain valid. BNP’s election committee chairman Nazrul Islam Khan said discussions are ongoing to settle the issue. Nagorik Oikya leaders stated that no recent formal talks have been held with BNP. They expressed frustration that despite earlier assurances, BNP fielded its own candidate in Bogura-2, creating confusion within the opposition alliance.

Bangladesh had earlier informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it would not play the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested to play its matches in Sri Lanka instead, but the ICC, under pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), rejected the proposal. Following a board meeting, the ICC confirmed that Bangladesh must play in India as scheduled or face alternative measures. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) supported Bangladesh’s stance, sending a letter to the ICC endorsing BCB’s request. ESPN Cricinfo reported that the ICC convened a meeting based on this letter but ultimately upheld the original schedule. Other member boards did not support Bangladesh’s position. The ICC reportedly gave BCB until January 21 to review its decision, though the BCB denied receiving any formal deadline. The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, joint patrol operations by the Bangladesh Navy and police have been strengthened in Charfassion upazila of Bhola to maintain law and order. On Wednesday, the forces conducted daylong and evening patrols across Dakshin Aicha Thana Bazar, Notun Bazar, and Baburhat Bazar areas. During the patrols, officers interacted with traders, residents, and pedestrians, urging public cooperation to preserve a peaceful electoral environment. Law enforcement officials warned that any attempt to incite violence, intimidation, or unrest related to the election would face strict legal action. The patrol teams also carried out searches of suspicious individuals and vehicles at key market points and advised locals to immediately report any unusual activities to nearby police stations. Lieutenant Commander Rafayet Bin Ferdous stated that the joint patrols would continue regularly in major markets, crowded zones, and vulnerable areas of Charfassion until the election concludes, emphasizing that any attempt to spread rumors or provoke disorder would be firmly suppressed.

Rajshahi Warriors secured a 12-run victory over Sylhet Titans in the second qualifier, earning a place in the final against Chattogram Royals. The match took place in Mirpur, where Rajshahi posted 165 runs for 9 wickets, thanks to resilient innings from Kane Williamson, who scored 45 not out off 38 balls, and Jimmy Neesham, who added 44 off 26 balls. In reply, Sylhet Titans were restricted to 153 for 8 in 20 overs. Sylhet’s chase faltered early, losing wickets at regular intervals despite a 48-run effort from opener Parvez Hossain Emon and 37 from Sam Billings. Rajshahi’s Binura Fernando delivered a match-winning bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 19 runs and earning the player of the match award. Salman Irshad was the most successful bowler for Sylhet, claiming 3 wickets for 23 runs. With this win, Rajshahi Warriors will face Chattogram Royals in the tournament final, scheduled for tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has added nine new members, including four women, to its National Election Steering Committee. The decision was made on Wednesday night at a meeting held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The new members are former secretary Dr. Khondaker Kh M Kabirul Islam, Dr. Khalilur Rahman Madani, Oli Ullah Noman, Shahidul Islam, Dr. Anwarul Azim, Nurunnisa Siddika, Saeeda Rumman, Dr. Habiba Chowdhury Sweet, and Ayesha Siddika Parveen. The meeting was chaired by Assistant Secretary General and Committee President ATM Masum, with Member Secretary and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim conducting the session. Other committee members were also present. Discussions covered the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum, as well as the activities of various committees and subcommittees. The meeting finalized the election campaign schedule starting from January 22. According to a press release from Jamaat’s central publicity department, the decisions and new appointments were part of preparations for the upcoming national polls.

In Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur area of Chattogram, the prime accused in the murder of RAB Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Motaleb, identified as Yasin, has reappeared publicly and issued threats against law enforcement. During a self-styled press conference at his den on Wednesday afternoon, Yasin warned that no one could enter the area without providing him with a list of suspects and demanded that RAB members be tried for entering without his permission. He also blamed BNP candidate Lion Aslam Chowdhury for the RAB officer’s death. According to the report, Yasin held the press event at his old office in Alinagar, attended by several online journalists. He accused his rival Rokon Uddin of involvement in the killing and alleged that Aslam Chowdhury was backing him. Yasin also made derogatory remarks about former Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Muminul Haque, claiming that the administration must inform him before any arrests in Jungle Salimpur. Yasin asserted that no one could evict him from the area, warning that any administrative action without his consent would lead to consequences.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called for policy-driven politics instead of mutual mudslinging among political parties. Speaking at a meeting with the newly elected executive committee of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at his Gulshan office on Wednesday, he emphasized constructive debate on development policies and solutions as the path forward for the country. Rahman presented BNP’s vision for building a modern Bangladesh, highlighting plans to make Dhaka a livable city by addressing traffic congestion and urban challenges with input from local and foreign experts. He mentioned initiatives such as family and agriculture cards, satellite cities connected to Dhaka by train, and restoring the Buriganga River. He also pledged improvements in agriculture, education, and health, and reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to food self-sufficiency and a humane state. He further stated that under a BNP government, the media would enjoy full freedom and journalists’ safety would be ensured. Rahman praised DRU’s neutrality and consistent elections, and accepted an invitation to attend its upcoming family gathering on January 30.

Bangladesh Bank has decided to provide a 4 percent annual profit rate to depositors of five banks currently undergoing a merger process for the years 2024 and 2025. The central bank communicated this decision to the administrators of the five banks through an official letter issued on Wednesday. This move replaces an earlier decision to suspend profit payments for the same period, which had sparked strong dissatisfaction among depositors. According to a directive from the Bank Regulation Department, the earlier suspension of profit on fixed-term deposits under the Islamic Bank Company formation and expansion regulations has been reconsidered. The revision came following appeals from depositors and to maintain normal banking operations. Under the new decision, the 4 percent profit rate will apply to personal (non-institutional) deposits from January 1, 2024, to December 28, 2025. Banks have been instructed to recalculate deposit balances as of the last working day of 2025 and submit revised statements to the central bank within three working days. If any depositor has already received a higher profit, the excess will be adjusted against future earnings, while previous instructions remain valid for deposits not covered by the new decision.

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir have begun distributing a four-page form titled “profiling of mosques,” requesting extensive details about mosques and their staff. The form seeks information on sect affiliation, funding sources, land ownership, and personal data such as mobile numbers, bank accounts, and relatives abroad. Similar forms have been sent to religious schools, prompting fears among residents that the exercise represents increased surveillance and state control over Muslim institutions. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema, Kashmir’s largest Islamic religious body, condemned the move as an intrusion into sacred spaces and a violation of religious freedom. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the National Conference party also criticized the profiling as discriminatory and fear-inducing. Police actions come amid heightened central control following the 2019 revocation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its autonomy. The BJP defended the initiative, citing the need for transparency and security, arguing that mosques had previously been used for political mobilization. Analysts and local clerics warned that the profiling could erode trust and deepen community tensions, with some fearing further restrictions on religious practices in the region.

Eight countries from the Middle East and Asia have announced plans to join United States President Donald Trump’s “board of peace” in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the goal of achieving a permanent ceasefire in the war-torn enclave. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar made the announcement in a joint statement on Wednesday, reaffirming support for Trump’s peace efforts. The board’s mission includes consolidating a lasting ceasefire, supporting Gaza’s reconstruction, and advancing a peace process based on Palestinian self-determination and statehood under international law. The announcement follows the White House’s recent unveiling of the board’s composition, part of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza. The board includes senior Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and will oversee a Palestinian technocratic committee managing daily affairs in Gaza. However, Palestinians and observers have expressed doubts about the mechanism’s effectiveness and criticized the inclusion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 466 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October.

The United Kingdom has initiated formal discussions and a public consultation process to consider a complete ban on social media use for individuals under sixteen. The move, announced by Technology Minister Liz Kendall in the House of Commons, aims to safeguard children’s mental health and online safety. The consultation will run for three months, gathering opinions from parents, youth, and civil society representatives. As part of the initiative, several measures are under consideration. These include making British schools ‘phone-free’ by default, empowering the education inspection body Ofsted to monitor compliance with phone-use policies, and requiring technology companies to remove addictive features or algorithms from their platforms. The proposal has gained attention following advocacy by Esther Gher, mother of teenager Briana Gher, who recently died by suicide. The report notes that Australia became the first country to implement a similar ban in December 2025, providing a precedent for the UK’s current deliberations.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that Bangladesh must play its 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India as originally scheduled. The decision came after a video conference board meeting where the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested to move its matches to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. The ICC board, by majority opinion, concluded that there was no credible threat to Bangladeshi players, officials, media, or fans at any Indian venue and that altering the schedule so close to the tournament would harm the event’s integrity. The dispute began when Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League by Kolkata Knight Riders under instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, prompting BCB’s reluctance to send its team to India. Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s position, but the ICC maintained that its venue and scheduling decisions are based on neutral threat assessments and host assurances. The ICC emphasized that no verified security risk exists and that changing venues would undermine fairness and logistical stability. Bangladesh has been given 24 hours to confirm whether it will participate under the existing schedule, leaving its final decision pending.

Fresh allegations have surfaced that some officials of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications are using their influence over affiliated agencies to secure foreign trips funded by those agencies. Questions have arisen within the administration and policymaking circles about the legality of such trips, as they are conducted without ministry budget allocations. The issue has drawn sharp criticism following recent visits to Azerbaijan and Germany by ministry officials whose expenses were covered by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Documents show that two ministry officials received about USD 3,816 each for the Azerbaijan trip, funded from BTRC’s 2025–26 foreign expenditure account. Another controversy emerged when an administrative joint secretary joined a technical inspection trip to Germany, raising doubts about his role in a specialized engineering task. Insiders claim that ministry pressure determines who gets nominated for foreign travel, leaving agencies dependent and constrained. Officials from the ministry and BTRC defended the trips, citing knowledge sharing and contractual obligations. However, critics argue that such practices violate government circulars restricting foreign travel before the upcoming national election, highlighting a widening gap between official directives and actual conduct.

Police in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar arrested two suspected robbers early Wednesday night while they were allegedly preparing for a robbery. The operation took place around 3 a.m. on January 21 in the Lamapara area of Kawarkhop Union’s Ward No. 7. Law enforcement recovered a large cache of sharp weapons and tools from the scene. The arrests were confirmed by Cox’s Bazar District Police spokesperson and Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Biswas later that evening. According to police, a team from Ramu Police Station acted on a tip-off that 10 to 15 robbers had gathered near the mosque pond area west of the chairman’s house in Kawarkhop Union to plan a robbery. When police arrived, the suspects attempted to flee, but two individuals—Mehedi Hasan, 20, and Jasim Uddin, 22—were detained. Both are residents of Lot Ukhia’s Ghona area in Kawarkhop Union. Police said a variety of weapons, including machetes, knives, iron hammers, Chinese axes, lock cutters, pliers, and chain-linked iron tools, were recovered. Legal action has been initiated against the two detainees.

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in Greenland during a speech at the World Economic Forum, calling for “immediate discussions” over control of the world’s largest island. He emphasized that he does not intend to use force, saying he neither wants nor needs to do so. Trump also remarked that Europe is “not going in the right direction” and expressed his wish to see it improve. Trump stated that he holds “immense respect” for the people of Greenland and Denmark but described Greenland as vast, sparsely populated, and underdeveloped. He claimed the United States has been attempting to purchase Greenland for nearly two centuries and argued that Denmark has “no trace” there. According to him, only the United States can ensure the island’s security and development. Referring indirectly to NATO, Trump said that while the U.S. could be unstoppable if it chose to use excessive force, it would not take that path. He concluded that what America seeks is simply “a place called Greenland.”