Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), announced that he will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary election despite his party being part of an 11-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami. He made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2026, through a post on his official Facebook page. In his post, Pradhan stated that his decision was made in the interest of maintaining greater unity within the alliance. He called on leaders and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan, and other allied parties to avoid unwanted behavior or language toward one another. He also mentioned that he would campaign in favor of the alliance’s candidates and support the “Yes” vote in the referendum. Pradhan urged his supporters not to be disheartened by his withdrawal, emphasizing that collective understanding and unity were more important than individual participation. He concluded his message with a prayer for the success of the alliance’s efforts for the country’s welfare.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially relieved director M Nazmul Islam of his duties. In a formal statement issued on January 15, 2026, the board said the decision was made in the interest of the organization following recent events. The BCB clarified that the move did not violate any clause of its constitution, citing Article 31 as the basis for the removal. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul will temporarily take charge of the board’s finance committee. The statement emphasized that the board remains committed to upholding the dignity and respect of its players. It also expressed hope that, following this decision, cricketers would soon return to the field to participate in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches. The announcement comes amid reports of player boycotts that led to delays in scheduled matches, though the BCB did not directly link the removal to those incidents.

Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of the political-cultural platform Inquilab Moncho, has filed a no-confidence petition against the charge sheet submitted by the Detective Branch (DB) police in the murder case of the platform’s spokesperson, Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The petition was filed on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam in Dhaka through lawyer Mostafizur Rahman Mukul. The court accepted the petition and kept its order pending. According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, the DB’s charge sheet failed to establish links between the alleged planners and the shooters, and did not reflect the scale of planning behind Hadi’s killing. The lawyer argued that the inclusion of a ward councillor as a suspect was insufficient and that the investigation overlooked key conspirators. The charge sheet, submitted on January 6 by DB Inspector Faisal Ahmed, named 17 accused, including six fugitives and eleven in custody. The case stems from the December 12 shooting of Hadi in Dhaka’s Paltan area. He later died on December 18 in Singapore after being transferred for advanced treatment. The court will decide on the petition after reviewing the charge sheet’s admissibility.

Students from seven major government colleges in Dhaka blocked the Science Lab and Mirpur Technical intersections on January 15, 2026, demanding the issuance of the Dhaka Central University ordinance. The blockade began around 12:40 p.m., halting traffic across Mirpur Road and surrounding areas. Buses, private cars, and rickshaws were stuck in long queues, causing severe disruption to daily movement. Commuters faced hours-long delays, with many forced to walk to their destinations as transport fares surged. Participants from Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College joined the protest. They said prolonged academic complications had gone unresolved, prompting renewed demonstrations. The Education Ministry stated that a revised draft of the ordinance had been sent for approval but gave no timeline, fueling student frustration. The traffic police deployed extra personnel and diverted vehicles through alternate routes, but full normalcy could not be restored. The movement stems from long-standing academic delays since the colleges were affiliated with Dhaka University in 2017.

A new controversy erupted on the opening day of the Dhaka phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam made contentious remarks about players. In response, the cricketers demanded his resignation and announced a boycott of matches. Following a meeting at a five-star hotel in Dhaka, the players confirmed they had not withdrawn from their boycott decision. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (COAB) president Mohammad Mithun said the players had taken the decision out of helplessness and compulsion. When asked whether players would receive compensation if they missed the World Cup, Nazmul Islam replied that no compensation is sought from players for poor performance and added that without the board, there would be no cricketers. The players reiterated at a press conference that they remained firm in their stance, emphasizing their willingness to play only if their demands were met. Later, Nazmul Islam was relieved of all his responsibilities, and Bulbul was assigned to lead the finance committee, signaling a possible step toward resolving the dispute.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 29 individuals on January 14, 2026, during citywide raids under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The arrests were made by police teams from Jatrabari, Rupnagar, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Kalabagan, and Motijheel police stations. According to DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, the operation targeted crime-prone areas across the capital. Jatrabari police detained nine suspects, Rupnagar six, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar six, Kalabagan one, and Motijheel seven. The detainees were reportedly involved in various criminal activities, including old cases. The coordinated daylong operation was part of an ongoing effort to curb urban crime under the DMP’s special campaign. The DMP stated that the arrests were made following intelligence-led drives in multiple neighborhoods. Further legal actions against the detainees are expected as investigations continue under the supervision of respective police stations.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said his government’s attempt to change the Trump administration’s position on Greenland had failed. Following a meeting at the White House, Rasmussen confirmed that Washington’s stance remained unchanged and that President Donald Trump still appeared intent on asserting control over Greenland. The meeting involved Denmark and Greenland’s foreign ministers, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to AFP, the talks were aimed at easing tensions after Trump’s aggressive remarks toward NATO ally Denmark. Rasmussen stated that Denmark made clear such a move would not serve U.S. interests, emphasizing that despite long-standing American military bases in Greenland, any attempt to seize the territory was unnecessary. He described the issue as deeply emotional for both Danish and Greenlandic people, citing their sacrifices alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. To keep dialogue open, both sides agreed to form a joint committee within weeks to explore possible solutions. Earlier, Trump had argued that NATO should support U.S. efforts to control Greenland, calling the island vital for his proposed “Golden Dome” defense system.

US President Donald Trump has voiced doubts about whether the Iranian people would accept Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last deposed Shah, as their leader. In an interview with Reuters, Trump described Pahlavi as a very polite man but said he was uncertain about how much support Pahlavi would have inside Iran. He added that the situation had not yet reached a stage where such leadership could be confirmed. Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the United States for decades, remains one of the most recognizable Iranian political figures abroad. Born in Tehran in 1960 and once designated crown prince, his prospects for rule ended after the 1979 revolution. Pahlavi has recently called on protesters to bring down Iran’s current ruling system. Trump’s remarks, following his earlier statement that he had no plans to meet Pahlavi, have further highlighted questions about Pahlavi’s leadership viability and domestic acceptance within Iran.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set January 21 to deliver its order on whether to frame charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The prosecution has accused them of crimes against humanity for allegedly shutting down the internet during the July uprising. The tribunal gave the order on Thursday after hearing both sides. Palak, who is under arrest, was produced in court for the hearing. Defense lawyers Liton Ahmed and Munjur Alam argued that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and sought acquittal for their clients. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim countered that the charges were based on credible evidence and requested the tribunal to frame charges and begin trial. The prosecution has brought three charges against the two. The charges include allegations that Palak incited violence through social media posts on July 14, 2024, and that both accused conspired to shut down the internet and encouraged the use of lethal force, resulting in multiple deaths during the July events.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained four individuals, including an alleged human trafficker, while they were attempting to cross into India illegally through the Bokchar border in Chapainawabganj on Wednesday evening. The operation took place around 7 p.m. based on secret intelligence, and the arrests were confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, commanding officer of BGB’s 53rd Battalion. The detained trafficker was identified as Md. Shahin, son of Ebadul Islam from Bokchar village. The other detainees were Mizanur Rahman from Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila, Shafiqul Islam Munna from Rajshahi city, and Tarajul Islam from Mithapukur in Rangpur. During questioning, the detainees reportedly said they were planning to travel to Chennai, India, with Shahin’s help to work as masons. BGB handed the four detainees over to Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Md. Nure Alam confirmed that a case was filed based on BGB’s complaint and that the detainees would be presented before court.

Nepal’s oldest political party, the Nepali Congress, has split ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for March. The rebel faction unanimously elected Gagan Thapa as its new president, deepening the political uncertainty that has gripped the nation. The division follows months of unrest after last September’s protests over corruption, governance failures, and demands for political reform, which led to the previous government’s ouster. Thapa, 49, a prominent figure among the party’s younger generation and former general secretary, pledged not to disappoint supporters after his election. The Election Commission has yet to decide which faction will be recognized as legitimate and allowed to use the party’s traditional tree symbol and flag in the March 5 vote. Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had led the party since 2016 but failed to reach a compromise with dissenting leaders before their expulsion. The split reflects a generational shift and growing calls for accountability in Nepal’s politics. Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, appointed after the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, has promised a fair and fear-free election environment.

Police in Chattogram have revealed that a series of arson attacks on minority homes in Raozan and Rangunia were part of a politically motivated conspiracy. According to investigators and confessional statements, the attacks were organized to create unrest and international pressure aimed at facilitating the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Before the fires, Tk 1.3 million was allegedly distributed among homeowners as compensation. The incidents occurred in December, destroying five houses belonging to Hindu, Buddhist, and hill communities, though no casualties were reported. The main accused, Monir Hossain, confessed before a Chattogram court that he was introduced to local Awami League leaders and professional criminals who planned the attacks. Meetings were reportedly held in Khagrachhari to finalize the plan, and banners containing inflammatory messages and phone numbers were found at the sites. Police later arrested seven suspects and seized banners, kerosene containers, and vehicles used in the crimes. At a press briefing, police officials described the incidents as deliberate and conspiratorial attempts to incite communal tension and mislead the international community. Three cases have been filed in connection with the attacks.

Pakistan has expressed concern over the escalating anti-government protests in Iran and warned that any regime change there could have disastrous consequences for the region. The statement comes amid threats of intervention in Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump. Pakistani officials and analysts said instability in Iran could immediately fuel cross-border militancy, arms smuggling, refugee flows, and economic disruption along the two countries’ 900-kilometer border. Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Asif Durrani, said any internal or external intervention in Iran would directly affect Pakistan. He noted Islamabad’s past role in easing tensions between Iran and Western powers and emphasized that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions also monitor Iran’s interests. Former foreign secretary Jauhar Saleem warned that external interference—economic, cyber, or military—would worsen Iran’s crisis. Experts added that unrest in Iran could strengthen militant networks across the border and undermine Pakistan’s counterterrorism gains in Balochistan. Islamabad, already hosting millions of Afghan refugees, fears a new influx if Iran’s regime collapses. Pakistan maintains that preserving Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability is vital to regional security.

The demolition of the historic Chhoto Rajbari, known locally as the Zamindar House, in Maghia Union of Kachua upazila, Bagerhat, has been stopped following the intervention of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). The building, located on private land and considered old and risky, was being dismantled when the matter drew public attention through social media posts. Acting on the directive of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the upazila administration visited the site on January 14 and requested the owners to suspend demolition until further government instructions. According to the report, an application to preserve the structure as an archaeological heritage site has already been submitted to the Department of Archaeology. The current owners stated they were unaware of this application and claimed legal ownership of the land, which they had sold due to the building’s fragile condition. The UNO confirmed that the site has historical significance and that all activities potentially damaging to the structure have been ordered to stop. Authorities have instructed all concerned parties to suspend any construction or demolition work until official decisions are made regarding the building’s heritage status.

The first match of Thursday’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) did not start on time after players boycotted games in protest against Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Hossain’s comments about cricketers. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CoAB) demanded his resignation on Wednesday night and announced a boycott of all matches until he steps down. As a result, the scheduled toss between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express did not take place at 12:30 p.m. Despite full preparations at the venue, including open gates for spectators and warm-up arrangements, no players appeared on the field. The boycott ensured that the match could not begin as planned. CoAB called a press conference at 1 p.m. at a five-star hotel in Dhaka to announce further decisions. Following the controversy, Nazmul Hossain was relieved of all responsibilities, with Bulbul taking charge of the finance committee. However, players have not withdrawn their boycott, leaving uncertainty over whether Thursday’s two scheduled matches will be played.