Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has called on voters to reject politics of corruption, land grabbing, and extortion, urging them to entrust their votes to honest people. He made the remarks on Saturday during public meetings and yard gatherings in various areas of Atlia Union under Dumuria upazila in Khulna. Parwar warned that if those involved in looting regain power, the lives and property of both Hindus and Muslims would be unsafe. Recalling his tenure as a Member of Parliament, Parwar said Dumuria was once plagued by severe terrorism, with killings, abductions, and violence occurring daily. He claimed to have fulfilled two election pledges—eliminating terrorism and ensuring transparent development—by implementing development projects worth about Tk 350 crore and publishing detailed accounts. He added that joint forces had arrested many terrorists, while others fled the area. In the current electoral context, Parwar alleged a conspiracy to return corrupt individuals to power, accusing one candidate of massive corruption, a 13-year court sentence, and links to Hawa Bhaban. Several local Jamaat leaders accompanied him during the campaign.

The Indian Navy is setting up a new naval base at Haldia port in West Bengal’s Medinipur district, according to a report by India Today citing defense sources. The facility, described as a naval detachment, will deploy small, modern warships to strengthen India’s strategic position amid rising Chinese naval activity in the northern Bay of Bengal and growing defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Construction of a special jetty and administrative building is already underway, utilizing existing port infrastructure for rapid operational readiness. Experts cited in the report say the base will help India monitor the movements of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy and prevent infiltration through Bangladesh. The base will host high-speed vessels and 300-ton fast-attack craft equipped with CRN-91 guns and Nagastra precision drones, designed for coastal patrols and anti-infiltration missions. Initially, around 100 officers and sailors will be stationed there under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Defense analysts view the move as part of India’s effort to assert itself as the primary security provider in the Bay of Bengal region.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Saturday evening at the party’s Gulshan office in Dhaka. The meeting began at 5 p.m. and was attended by senior BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Salahuddin Ahmed. Verma’s visit marked his first official discussion with Rahman since assuming his diplomatic post. During the day, Rahman also held separate meetings with diplomats from the European Union, Turkey, and Egypt. According to BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, the discussions covered Bangladesh’s future development plans, foreign policy priorities, and potential bilateral relations if the BNP forms the next government. The diplomats conveyed condolences over the death of Khaleda Zia. Verma reportedly referred to a message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing hope for a new beginning under Rahman’s leadership and emphasized cooperation to address mutual challenges and promote stability. BNP leaders said the series of meetings reflected growing international interest in Tarique Rahman’s leadership and Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape.

A man named Jamal Uddin, aged 38, was shot dead on Saturday night in Fatikchhari upazila of Chattogram. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on a deserted road in the Lelang Union area. Locals discovered his bullet-riddled body and informed the police, who later recovered it. Police reported that the victim had multiple gunshot wounds on his head and body. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (Hathazari Circle) Kazi Tarek Aziz, the initial assessment suggests it was a murder. However, the motive and those responsible remain unknown. Law enforcement officials are collecting CCTV footage from nearby areas and speaking with local residents to gather information. The body has been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. As of the latest report, no arrests have been made in connection with the killing, and the investigation is ongoing.

A violent clash erupted on Saturday afternoon between two rival groups of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal in the Takkar Math area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. The confrontation, reportedly over local dominance, involved the use of crude bombs and brick throwing, leaving at least five people injured. A joint force comprising police and army personnel intervened to bring the situation under control. Authorities detained five individuals, including former district Chhatra Dal organizing secretary Mehedi Hasan Dolon. According to police and local residents, the conflict stemmed from an ongoing dispute over control of the local jhut (garment waste) sector between supporters of former Kutubpur Union Jubo Dal president Zainal and Dolon. The tension had been building for several days before escalating into open violence when both sides confronted each other at Takkar Math. Fatullah Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mannan confirmed the arrests and said that legal proceedings, including a case filing, are underway.

Israeli forces carried out artillery and air strikes across the Gaza Strip, killing at least three Palestinians, in what has been described as the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement that took effect three months ago. The attacks occurred in several areas, including Khan Younis, Gaza City, and the Maghazi refugee camp, where multiple injuries were also reported. According to reports, one person was killed and another injured in a drone strike near the Bani Suhaila roundabout in central Khan Younis, while two others were shot dead in eastern Gaza City. The New Arab reported that Israeli forces also targeted the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, injuring several people. The incident followed an earlier Israeli assault on Thursday that killed at least 14 Palestinians, including displaced civilians in tents and shelters. Hamas accused the United States of providing cover for Israeli military actions. Meanwhile, Gazans continue to suffer from harsh weather conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds damaging numerous tents, worsening the humanitarian situation.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman announced that he will begin his election campaign on January 22, focusing on a national development plan. He made the announcement on Saturday during a meet-and-greet event with journalists at the Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. This was his first official program since assuming the role of BNP chairman, attended by editors, senior executives, and journalists from national print, electronic, and online media. According to senior BNP leaders, Rahman will start his campaign in Sylhet, following the party’s long-standing tradition of launching election activities from that region. The campaign will begin with visits to the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal and Shah Paran (R.A.). Rahman stated that as a member of a political party preparing for elections, he and his team will present their plans to the public starting January 22. Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after spending about 15 years in exile in the United Kingdom. Following the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, on December 30, the BNP Standing Committee appointed him as party chairman ten days later.

Bangladesh has made significant progress toward strengthening mutually beneficial trade relations with the United States. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Saturday, during his visit to Washington, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman requested U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamison Greer to raise the issue of reducing the existing 20 percent reciprocal tariff on Bangladesh with U.S. President Donald Trump. The USTR agreed to bring the matter forward, which could enhance Bangladesh’s competitive position in South Asia if implemented. The two countries also discussed a new and innovative mechanism to support Bangladesh’s export priorities. Under the proposed preferential arrangement, Bangladesh could export an equivalent amount of apparel and textile products to the U.S. duty-free, based on the square meter volume of cotton and synthetic fibers imported from the U.S. Observers believe this creative and mutually beneficial system would strengthen bilateral ties, benefiting Bangladeshi producers and workers while deepening supply chain links with U.S. raw material suppliers. Analysts view this development as a reflection of growing trust and positive momentum in U.S.-Bangladesh economic relations, potentially marking a promising new chapter for Bangladesh in global trade.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for legal action against individuals or groups allegedly creating an artificial crisis in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market despite sufficient reserves. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday, he said a vested quarter is deliberately causing public suffering by manipulating supply, which he described as inhumane and against public interest. Porwar warned that such actions are destabilizing the market, raising prices, and harming the national economy, particularly affecting lower- and middle-income groups. He urged the government to restore order in the LPG market, identify those involved in hoarding and unethical business practices, and take strict legal measures against them. He further emphasized that the government must act responsibly to protect citizens’ rights by strengthening market monitoring and ensuring exemplary punishment for offenders, warning that failure to do so could lead to recurring crises. Porwar also called on the public to remain vigilant and united against any anti-public activities.

On January 3, 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract, citing unspecified “developments all around.” The move, widely linked to escalating India-Bangladesh tensions following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exile in New Delhi, ended Rahman’s IPL season before it began. Within days, he joined the Pakistan Super League, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) condemned the decision as “discriminatory and insulting.” Dhaka banned IPL broadcasts and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. The ICC assured Bangladesh of full participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup and pledged to coordinate on safety planning, though matches remain scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. Indian political figures were divided: a BJP leader opposed Bangladeshi participation in Indian events, while Congress’s Shashi Tharoor warned against politicising sport. Analysts said the episode reflected India’s growing use of cricket as a geopolitical tool, leveraging its financial dominance in the game to influence regional relations. Observers noted that cricket, once a bridge for diplomacy, is increasingly becoming a stage for political confrontation in South Asia.

South Africa has defended its weeklong naval exercises with Russia, Iran, China and other BRICS Plus members as essential, describing the “Will for Peace 2026” drills off Cape Town as a necessary response to increasing maritime tensions. The exercises began on Saturday, shortly after the United States seized a Venezuela-linked Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantic, citing sanctions violations. South African officials said the drills were planned well before the recent rise in global tensions and aimed to strengthen cooperation among BRICS nations. Captain Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, South Africa’s joint task force commander, said the exercises represented a collective commitment to maritime security and cooperation. The drills involve warships from China, Iran, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, with Indonesia, Ethiopia and Brazil participating as observers. Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa urged calm, emphasizing that the United States’ disputes with other countries should not define South Africa’s foreign policy. The event follows previous BRICS naval collaborations and comes amid U.S. criticism of South Africa’s ties with Russia and its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Washington has accused BRICS of anti-American policies and warned of potential new tariffs on member states.

An Israeli literary organization has been barred from participating in the upcoming Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy, according to reports from Middle East Monitor and Haaretz. The fair’s board decided not to allow any official Israeli institutions to exhibit, preventing the Israel Institute for Hebrew Literature from joining the event. The organization, funded by Israel’s culture and foreign ministries, was established to promote Israeli literature abroad and had previously participated in the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Bologna Children’s Book Fair, one of the world’s largest and most influential publishing events, traditionally includes national stands from various countries. However, organizers cited a board decision to exclude official Israeli representation this year. The move comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza and allegations by human rights experts and legal scholars accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. Observers described the decision as a reflection of political and moral positioning within the global cultural sector, signaling a broader trend of cultural boycotts against Israel.

On January 10, 2026, newly appointed BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman held his first official program—a meet-and-greet with journalists at the Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. Editors and senior media executives from national newspapers, television, and online outlets attended the event to exchange greetings and share their expectations. During the session, editors offered wide-ranging advice. Shafik Rehman of Jaijaidin urged Rahman to take firm action on financial governance, including oversight of Bangladesh Bank, curbing money laundering, and controlling commodity prices. Mahmudur Rahman of Amar Desh criticized the media’s past silence on journalist repression. Matiur Rahman Chowdhury of Manabzamin highlighted ongoing restrictions on press freedom and called for unity to face political challenges. Mahfuz Anam of The Daily Star emphasized climate change as Bangladesh’s greatest future challenge, urging political attention to environmental degradation. Hasan Hafiz of Kaler Kantho called for a journalist-friendly administration and warned against repeating past media manipulation. The event gathered a broad spectrum of editors, senior journalists, and BNP leaders, marking Rahman’s first public engagement as party chairman.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the nomination of former UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov to supervise the Gaza ceasefire as part of a peace board proposed by US President Donald Trump. The appointment was reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily, following a meeting between Netanyahu and Mladenov in Jerusalem. The board has been formed to oversee the implementation of the second and more complex phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. A senior US official confirmed that the Trump administration assigned Mladenov to manage the board’s daily administrative operations, while Trump himself will serve as its head. Additional appointments are expected in the coming week. According to Trump’s plan, the board will oversee the formation of a new technocratic Palestinian government, the disarmament of Hamas, deployment of an international security force, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and reconstruction efforts. Mladenov previously served as Bulgaria’s defense and foreign minister and worked as the UN’s Middle East peace envoy from 2015 to 2020, during which he played an active role in easing tensions between Israel and Hamas.

A Dhaka court has directed Abdullah Al Jabir, the plaintiff in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, to appear on January 12 if he has any objection to the chargesheet submitted by the investigating officer. The order was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam, according to information from the court’s prosecution office. The investigation officer, DB Police Inspector Faisal Ahmed, filed the chargesheet on January 6 against 17 accused, including prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud alias Dawood. Among the accused, 11 are currently in jail, including Masud’s parents, wife, sister-in-law, and several associates. Six others, including Masud himself, remain absconding. The investigating officer has also applied for arrest warrants against the absconding suspects. The court’s next proceedings will depend on the plaintiff’s appearance and any objections raised regarding the chargesheet.