Police in Natore’s Naldanga upazila arrested a Youth Dal activist on Monday for allegedly stealing cash during a Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) goods distribution at Madhnagar Union Parishad. The suspect, identified as Rumman Sardar, 35, was detained from Purba Madhnagar village with 181,050 taka in cash, which police said was part of the stolen amount of nearly 200,000 taka. The theft occurred when dealer Mizanur Rahman left the distribution site briefly for prayers. According to police, Rumman Sardar is a resident of Purba Madhnagar and known locally as a Youth Dal activist. He is the son of Md. Lokman Hossain Bhulu, president of the BNP’s Ward No. 5 unit in Madhnagar Union. Bhulu told reporters that his son was addicted to drugs and expressed shock over the incident, adding that anyone committing a crime must face legal consequences. Naldanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nure Alam said the suspect is in custody and legal proceedings are underway. Authorities added that further action will be taken if others are found involved after investigation.

Renowned musician Kabir Suman has joined Dhaka cinema for the first time, contributing as a lyricist and composer for the upcoming film 'Jhamela'. Although he will not sing, his songs will be performed by popular Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar. The film, directed by Yamin Ilan, features six songs, three of which are written and composed by Suman. Music direction is handled by Ujjal Sinha and Azmir Babu. 'Jhamela' is a family drama produced under the banner of Diya Productions, with Diya Rois as producer. The cast includes Dolly Zahur, Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Hurayra Tanvir, Abdullah Rana, and Saberi Alam, among others. Director Yamin Ilan emphasized that the film is entirely Bangladeshi, not modeled after Tamil or Indian cinema, and that shooting has taken place in Dhaka and Gazipur. According to the director, the team plans to release the film during one of the upcoming Eid festivals this year.

The government has approved a special grant of Tk 10 million to provide a flat in Dhaka for the family of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, who was killed in December 2025. The allocation will be used to purchase and furnish a 1,215-square-foot apartment at the government-owned Doel Tower in Lalmatia. The Ministry of Finance approved the funding on Tuesday following a proposal from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. The handover of the flat is conditional on verification of the identities of Hadi’s wife and child. The expenditure will come from the Ministry of Housing’s current fiscal allocation of Tk 60 million for residential buildings. Hadi gained prominence during the July uprising and the movement against the ban on the Awami League. He had announced his candidacy as an independent for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. On December 12, he was shot by assailants on a motorcycle during a campaign event in Bijoynagar and later died on December 18 while receiving treatment in Singapore. Following his death, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated in a national address that the state would take responsibility for Hadi’s wife and only child.

Students and candidates at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet staged another protest on Tuesday demanding the immediate holding of the central student union (ShakSU) election. The demonstration began around 11:45 a.m. in front of the Administration Building-1, where participants called for a chamber court hearing and the announcement of the election date on January 21. Independent general secretary candidate Faisal Hossain told the media that the election must be declared by the end of the day, warning that national elections starting from January 22 would make it impossible to hold ShakSU afterward. He cautioned that failure to hold the election on January 21 could lead to serious consequences both on campus and nationally. ShakSU Election Commission spokesperson Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam said the university had appealed to the chamber judge court and was awaiting a hearing. He added that if the court ruled in favor of holding the election, it would proceed immediately; otherwise, it would be delayed by four weeks. The university, he said, was fully prepared and only waiting for the court’s decision.

Eight candidates have withdrawn their nominations from 13 parliamentary constituencies in the Dhaka division ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office, the withdrawals were completed by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The candidates who stepped down represent several Islamic and left-leaning political parties, including Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, and Ganosamhati Andolon. Among those withdrawing are Ahmad Ali from Dhaka-10 (Khelafat Majlish), Bilkis Nasima Rahman from Dhaka-18 (Ganosamhati Andolon), and Muhammad Ashraful Haque from Dhaka-18 (Jamaat-e-Islami). Others include Ahsanullah and Md. Rifat Hossain Malik from Dhaka-16, Md. Emdadul Haque from Dhaka-17, Mokhlesur Rahman Kashemi from Dhaka-5, and Md. Foyez Bakhsh Sarkar from Dhaka-9. Election officials confirmed that all withdrawal applications were received within the official deadline and that candidate lists are being updated. Political analysts suggest that the withdrawals indicate constituency-level coordination, alliance adjustments, and strategic positioning among Islamic parties, which could influence voter dynamics in several Dhaka constituencies. The Election Commission is scheduled to allocate symbols on January 21, marking the start of formal campaigning.

One year after returning to the Oval Office as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump’s administration has enacted extensive economic, diplomatic, and social policy changes that have reshaped both the US and global landscape. On his first day back in office on January 20, 2025, Trump signed 26 executive orders, setting a record for the most issued on an inauguration day. Over the year, he signed a total of 228 executive orders, surpassing the 220 from his entire first term. His administration deported at least 605,000 people, saw 1.9 million voluntary departures, and revoked legal status for about 1.6 million residents. Trump also banned citizens of 75 countries from obtaining immigration visas. Economically, Trump imposed tariffs averaging 10 percent on all trading partners, with India facing 50 percent levies. These tariffs generated $287 billion in 2025 but increased household costs by an estimated $1,500. He also created the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, which cut 317,000 federal jobs and eliminated diversity and education programs. Internationally, Trump visited 13 countries, launched attacks in at least seven, and opened 2.5 million square kilometres of ocean for offshore drilling while reversing 30 climate policies, including exiting the Paris Agreement.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUB) organized a farmer training program titled “Verification of Milk Quality at Farmers’ Doorsteps through the Innovated Mobile Milk Testing Laboratory.” The event took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the university’s International Complex seminar room. The training aimed to ensure fair prices for farmers and safe milk for consumers by teaching the use and practical application of the mobile milk testing laboratory. Forty farmers from different areas of Gazipur participated in the two-phase program. The opening session was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. J.K.M. Mostafizur Rahman as chief guest, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M. Moynul Haque and Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Safiul Islam Afrad as special guests. The session was chaired by Professor Dr. Farhana Yasmin, Director of the External Center. The training was conducted by Professor Dr. Md. Morshedur Rahman, inventor of the mobile milk testing technology, who provided both theoretical and practical guidance. According to the university, the mobile milk testing lab—first of its kind in Bangladesh—offers services such as nutrition analysis, adulteration detection, antibiotic presence testing, mastitis examination, and microbial count assessment.

Jatiya Party Chairman Golam Maula Rony (GM Quader) announced that his party will reject the upcoming constitutional referendum, citing the exclusion of political parties like Jatiya Party from the reform process. Speaking at a press conference in a Kakrail hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday, he said the party will vote 'no' and encourage citizens to do the same, warning that the proposed reforms could destroy the country if approved. Quader accused the interim government of violating its constitutional oath by organizing a referendum on such a complex issue. He argued that presenting constitutional amendments as a simple 'yes' or 'no' question to the general public was unrealistic and irrational. He also expressed doubts about whether the proposers fully understood the implications of their proposal, warning that implementing the reforms could render the state ungovernable by stripping the prime minister of effective power. Earlier, Jatiya Party Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwary announced a final list of 196 candidates for the upcoming election, including several accused in the July massacre cases, some of whom are in jail or absconding.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced major labor market reforms requiring at least 60 percent Saudi nationals in 18 marketing and sales-related professions. The directive, reported by Gulf News, aims to expand local participation and reduce unemployment. Companies with three or more employees must comply within three months, and Saudi workers in these roles will receive a minimum monthly salary of 5,500 riyals. The affected professions include marketing and advertising managers, public relations officers, graphic designers, photographers, sales managers, retail and wholesale representatives, and IT and telecommunications sales specialists. Firms failing to meet the localization target after the grace period will face fines and administrative penalties. The initiative aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond oil and create more jobs for young Saudis. However, the policy is expected to significantly impact expatriate workers, particularly from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, who have long dominated Saudi Arabia’s private marketing and sales sectors.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jibon, on charges of acquiring illegal wealth worth about Tk 3.25 crore. The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by ACC’s public relations officer Md. Akterul Islam. Siam, also known as a former relief and disaster management secretary of the banned Dhaka North unit of Chhatra League, had previously been expelled from the organization after his name surfaced in a question paper leak scandal. On January 5, 2025, the ACC filed three separate cases against Jibon, his wife Shahreen Akter Shilpi, and their son Siam, accusing them of possessing Tk 5.37 crore in illegal assets and conducting suspicious transactions totaling around Tk 45 crore. Siam’s arrest marks the latest development in the ongoing investigation into the family’s alleged corruption and financial irregularities, as authorities continue to pursue the cases filed last year.

Police in Khulna arrested three young men on Monday afternoon from the residence of S M Shafiqul Islam, president of Koyra Upazila Jubo League and former upazila chairman, following allegations of extortion. The suspects, identified as Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Al Nahian, and Miraz Gazi, allegedly introduced themselves as student coordinators and leaders of the NCP. The arrest took place at Shafiqul Islam’s house on Nesar Uddin Road under Sonadanga Police Station. His daughter, Shahnaz Parvin, filed a case accusing the men of demanding 2.5 million taka and threatening to hand her father over to police if the demand was not met. Sonadanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rafiqul Islam confirmed the arrests and said the accused were sent to jail through the court. He also noted that Shafiqul Islam faces multiple cases but is currently out on bail. NCP district coordinator Maulana Mahmudul Hasan Faizullah stated that the detained individuals are not affiliated with any NCP or anti-discrimination student movement committees and called for lawful action if the allegations prove true. The incident has raised questions about why police have not acted against Shafiqul Islam despite his pending cases, as noted by the NCP coordinator.

Toyota Bangladesh Limited (TBL), a fully owned investment of Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific and Toyota Tsusho Japan, recently held a meeting with the Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ashik Chowdhury, to discuss the future of the automotive industry in Bangladesh. The meeting focused on long-term growth, a sustainable automotive future, and improving the overall business environment in the country. During the discussion, TBL emphasized its commitment to contributing to Bangladesh’s evolving industrial landscape through innovation, efficiency, and responsible business practices. BIDA welcomed Toyota Bangladesh’s participation and reaffirmed its growing support for sustainable investments that strengthen industrial capacity and promote environmentally responsible growth. The meeting highlighted mutual interest in advancing Bangladesh’s automotive sector through collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to foster a more sustainable and competitive industry.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has said that government officials must demonstrate their neutrality through their work rather than words. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with district-level officials at the Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner's conference room, held in preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. During the discussion, the adviser expressed confidence that although not everyone may agree on every issue, citizens would support the referendum with a 'yes' vote for the necessary changes in the state. He also stated that a large number of foreign observers would be present to ensure transparency, acceptability, and neutrality in the upcoming national election. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Hossain Chowdhury and attended by Superintendent of Police Md. Abu Yusuf along with officials from various election-related departments.

Dhaka University has published the admission test results for the Arts, Law and Social Science Unit of the 2025–26 academic year. The announcement was made on Tuesday after 4:30 p.m. through a notice on the university’s admission website. This year, 107,712 students applied for 2,934 available seats, and 103,611 took part in the exam. A total of 7,553 students passed, including 4,109 from the humanities stream, 2,981 from science, and 463 from business studies. The overall pass rate stood at 7.29 percent, while results of five candidates were canceled. Md. Shahriar Shimul topped the humanities stream, Rifat Al Rafi led the science stream, and Md. Abir Ahmed Rohan ranked first in business studies. Successful candidates can fill out detailed and subject preference forms from January 27 to February 5. Quota applicants may collect and submit their forms between February 1 and 5 at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Students seeking re-evaluation can apply with a fee from January 21 to 27. Results are available at admission.eis.du.ac.bd or via SMS through Grameenphone, Banglalink, or Teletalk numbers.

Faruk I Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, stated that a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum could bring fundamental changes to the state structure. Speaking on Wednesday morning at a courtyard meeting in Fapor, Bogura Sadar, organized by the District Information Office, he said the campaign aims to raise public awareness about the importance of the 'Yes' or 'No' vote. He emphasized that constitutional safeguards could prevent future authoritarian governments from committing abuses or extrajudicial killings. Azam compared the 2024 struggle against one-party rule to the Liberation War, describing it as a fight of citizens against internal oppression. He said the interim government is non-partisan and temporary, and will step down after the election. According to him, the process, if enshrined in the constitution, would allow public opinion to guide the nation during crises. The event was attended by the district commissioner, police superintendent, civil society representatives, and students.