Police in Dhaka’s Uttara West area conducted a daylong special operation on Friday, arresting 17 individuals linked to various criminal cases. According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, a significant quantity of drugs was recovered during the operation. The arrests included suspects involved in regular cases, terrorism, and drug trafficking. Police sources said the coordinated operation took place across multiple points under Uttara West Police Station. The detainees include Sheikh Monirul Islam, Abul Kalam, Robiul Islam, Zillur Rahman Ahad, Jahangir Alam Zidan, Al Bashar alias Bashir, Ibn Sina Akash, Saifur Rahman Miraj, Mahbub, Shakil, Shariful Islam, Rakib, Momin, Jewel, Sakib, Hasib Khan, and Zahid Hasan. Officers recovered five yaba tablets, five packets of heroin, and one packet of cannabis from them. All detainees were sent to court following legal procedures. Officials from Uttara West Police Station stated that such targeted operations will continue regularly to ensure public safety and curb criminal activities in the area.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam, issued a stern warning to the government and Jagannath University administration regarding the upcoming Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall elections scheduled for January 6. He made the statement on Friday, January 2, through a post on his verified social media account, cautioning that failure to hold the election would make both the administration and the government responsible. Saddam alleged that conspiracies were underway to prevent the JAKSU election, which had already been postponed once. He claimed that the postponement was influenced by known parties and that similar interference had occurred in previous student union elections. He emphasized that students were determined to secure their rights. Earlier, the JAKSU election scheduled for December 30 was suspended during a special syndicate meeting. Following protests from candidates and students, the university administration rescheduled the vote for January 6. However, uncertainty remains among students about whether the election will take place on the announced date.

Police have arrested Awami League leader Rashedul Islam Bhuiyan, 42, in connection with the murder of madrasa student Hafez Siam in Enayetpur, Sirajganj. The arrest took place on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Rashedul’s home in Gopinathpur village under Enayetpur Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Zahid Hossain confirmed that the arrest was made following a raid at his residence. According to the case record, Hafez Siam was killed on August 4, 2024, during an anti-discrimination student movement in front of Enayetpur Police Station. Later, on August 21, 2024, Enayetpur unit Jubo Dal’s joint convener, Hazrat Ali Molla, filed a case over the incident. Rashedul, who serves as the office secretary of Enayetpur Thana Awami League and is the son of local rural physician Rafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, was named in that case. Police said the arrest is linked to the ongoing investigation into the 2024 killing, which occurred amid student protests in the area.

Naeem Ahmad, chief organizer of United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), has called for ensuring that the murder of Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi does not remain unresolved like that of Siraj Sikder. He made the remarks on Friday at the organization’s central office during a discussion titled “Siraj Sikder: State, Dissent, and the Politics of Killing,” marking the anniversary of Sikder’s death. Ahmad alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in India, and her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were involved in killings and enforced disappearances to maintain power. He also claimed that Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, shows similar tendencies through his statements from abroad. Referring to the 1975 killing of revolutionary leader Siraj Sikder in state custody, Ahmad described it as the first major “crossfire” incident in independent Bangladesh. He warned that Awami League members and affiliates should not be allowed to re-enter politics and alleged that some are attempting to contest the upcoming elections under different banners. Ahmad further suggested that Sajeeb Wazed Joy might have had a role in planning Hadi’s killing and urged citizens to remain vigilant to ensure justice.

RAB-4 has arrested three top criminals and a drug dealer during operations in Dhaka’s Pallabi and Shah Ali police station areas. The arrests were announced at a press conference at the RAB-4 headquarters in Mirpur’s Paikpara on Friday afternoon. The detainees were identified as Faizur Rahman Mukti alias Don Mukti, Shakir Ahmed Suman alias Hockey Suman, and Golam Mostafa Kamal Bappi alias Shooter Bappi. A foreign pistol, a revolver, a magazine, and 11 rounds of ammunition were recovered based on their information, along with yaba tablets seized from a drug dealer named Babu alias Picchi Babu. According to RAB, the arrested individuals were involved in extortion, armed robbery, mugging, and other criminal activities across Mirpur, Pallabi, Rupnagar, and Shah Ali areas. They face multiple cases related to murder, weapons, and narcotics. RAB officials stated that the seized firearms were smuggled into Bangladesh through a neighboring country’s border and were used in at least four armed robberies and extortion incidents in the past six months. RAB said further operations are planned to dismantle the wider criminal network and identify the sources of the smuggled weapons in coordination with other agencies.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza crisis, comparing him to Pharaoh. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after Friday prayers on January 2, Erdogan said the cries and suffering of children in Gaza were shaking the world, yet Israel continued to block humanitarian aid. He added that children living in wind, rain, and mud had no tents, and Turkey’s attempts to send container shelters were being obstructed by Israel. Erdogan praised the large pro-Palestinian rally held on January 1 at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge, calling it proof that Palestine is not alone. He pledged that Turkey and the Islamic world would stand firmly with Gaza. Turkish media outlet Hurriyet Daily News reported his remarks. Since the conflict began in October 2023, Turkey has reduced trade with Israel, banning the export of over 1,000 products in April and later suspending all exports, imports, and transit trade between the two countries.

Police in Shibaloy, Manikganj, have detained Khondaker Ziaur Rahman Sujon, 41, the joint general secretary of the Arua Union unit of the Chhatra League, during an operation titled 'Devil Hunt Phase-2'. The arrest took place on Friday night, and Sujon was later sent to Manikganj jail through a court order. He is the son of the late Khondaker Shah Alam from Ghonapara area of the upazila. According to Shibaloy Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Monir Hossain, Sujon was detained on allegations of involvement in subversive activities. The officer stated that similar operations are continuing across different areas of the police station to maintain law and order. The report indicates that the 'Devil Hunt Phase-2' operation is part of an ongoing law enforcement effort in the region, though further details about the broader campaign or specific charges against Sujon were not provided.

Two leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated Sramik League were arrested by the district detective police in Pabna while attending the nomination paper scrutiny of independent candidate and Awami League Information and Research Secretary Abu Sayeed for the Pabna-1 constituency. The arrests took place on Friday afternoon in front of the Pabna Deputy Commissioner’s office after the scrutiny session concluded. The detainees were identified as Sirajul Islam Pramanik, former general secretary of Santhia municipal Awami League and former mayor, and Shahin Hossain, president of the municipal Sramik League. According to Pabna DB Police Officer-in-Charge Rashidul Islam, they were arrested in connection with a case filed at Santhia Police Station and will be presented before the court following legal procedures. The report adds that on April 12 of the previous year, a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was filed against former state minister for information Abu Sayeed and 163 others, accusing them of plotting to destabilize the state during a meeting held at his residence in Bera municipality.

At least seven people were killed and more than twenty injured in Saudi-led airstrikes targeting fighters and infrastructure of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in southeastern Yemen, according to the group. The attacks took place in Wadi Hadramaut and the Hadramaut desert, where STC leader Mohammad Abdul Malik said seven air raids struck a camp in Al-Khasar. Middle East Eye reported that Saudi-backed forces launched the operation to retake areas seized by the STC in December. Hadramaut Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi, supported by Saudi Arabia, had earlier announced a rapid 'peaceful operation' to reclaim military positions captured a month earlier. However, STC officials accused Riyadh of deception, saying the so-called peaceful mission quickly turned into airstrikes. STC’s foreign affairs representative Amr Al-Bidh alleged that Saudi Arabia deliberately misled the international community by labeling the offensive as peaceful. The internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council had granted Khanbashi full military and administrative authority to restore control in Hadramaut. Saudi Arabia has not commented on the airstrikes.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) personnel prevented Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members from constructing a bridge in violation of international border law at Dhabalsuti in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday, January 2, 2026. The incident occurred near the main border pillar at zero line 828/2 S during Friday prayers, when over a hundred BSF members began the construction. Local residents noticed the activity and informed the Dhabalsuti Border Outpost under Teesta Battalion 61 BGB. Acting promptly, BGB members reached the site and halted the work, forcing BSF personnel to withdraw. Following the incident, a company commander-level flag meeting was held between BGB and BSF, where BSF assured that the construction would remain suspended. BGB lodged a formal protest, condemning the violation of border law. Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Mohammad Musahid Masum, commanding officer of the 61 BGB Battalion, stated that BGB maintains a strict stance on border law violations and will take all necessary measures to protect national sovereignty and uphold international law.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for national unity to build a truly welfare-oriented and effective state. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday, he emphasized that a nation divided by internal discord can never stand tall in the global arena. He urged citizens to overcome divisions and work together for justice and fairness. Dr. Rahman stated that while differences in thought may exist, they should not turn into bitter conflicts. He called on people to leave behind envy and division and move forward shoulder to shoulder toward establishing a just and equitable state. He concluded his message with a prayer for divine assistance in achieving this goal. The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s emphasis on unity and moral values as essential foundations for national progress and social harmony.

After the scrutiny of nomination papers, eight candidates in three parliamentary constituencies of Chattogram had their nominations canceled on Friday afternoon at the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s office. The decision followed verification by the returning officer’s office, which cited irregularities in voter signatures, inclusion of deceased voters, inconsistencies in party nominations, loan default, and missing documents as reasons for the cancellations. In Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai), three candidates were disqualified, including an independent candidate for listing a deceased voter, a BNP rebel for lacking party endorsement, and a Jatiya Party candidate for violating election rules. In Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari), three nominations were canceled due to false voter information, missing documents, and incomplete party approval. In Chattogram-3 (Sandwip), two candidates lost eligibility—one for party nomination inconsistencies and another for being a loan defaulter and having disputed supporter signatures. District Commissioner and Returning Officer Zahidul Islam Miah stated that the disqualified candidates may appeal within the next four working days starting Sunday.

A prayer gathering was held at Jagannath University’s central mosque on Friday, January 2, to seek forgiveness for the soul of Begum Khaleda Zia, the university’s founder, three-time former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and BNP Chairperson. The event was organized by the university mosque committee and preceded by a short discussion session attended by university officials, teachers, students, and staff. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim described Begum Khaleda Zia as a distinguished leader whose contributions were integral to the establishment of Jagannath University. He praised her honesty, unity, and determination, noting her leadership in continuing the political vision of late President Ziaur Rahman. Faculty leaders including Professors Md. Rois Uddin and Imranul Haque highlighted her transformation from a homemaker to a national leader, her steadfastness during political crises, and her lifelong dedication to the nation’s welfare. The prayer was led by the mosque’s senior imam, with participation from university deans, department heads, teachers, students, and journalists, reflecting broad respect for the late leader’s legacy.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that up to five cold waves may sweep across the country during January, with temperatures possibly dropping to as low as four degrees Celsius. Director Md. Mominul Islam stated that two to three of these cold waves are expected to be mild to moderate, ranging between 8–10°C and 6–8°C, while one or two could be moderate to severe, between 6–8°C and 4–6°C. According to the forecast, no cyclones or low-pressure systems are likely to form over the Bay of Bengal this month, and the country’s major rivers are expected to maintain normal water flow. The five-day weather outlook indicates dry conditions nationwide with partly cloudy skies and widespread fog, particularly from midnight to morning, which may persist until noon in some areas. Dense fog may temporarily disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road communication. The mild cold wave currently affecting several districts could expand further, and temperatures in various regions are expected to drop slightly in the coming days.

The national final selection round of the cultural competition 'Serader Sera Season-6', organized by the Somonnito Sangskritik Songshod (SASAS), was successfully completed on Friday at Tejgaon College premises in Dhaka. Participants from eight divisions of Bangladesh competed in three categories—singing, acting, and recitation—after advancing through upazila, district, and divisional levels. The event aimed to identify talented artists, actors, and reciters from across the country and provide them with a national platform. Out of 300 selected contestants, ten from each category received 'Yes Cards' to move on to the next round, while others were presented with honorary gifts. The program was attended by cultural personality Ustad Tafazzal Hossain Khan as chief guest and former executive director of SASAS Abdullah Al Noman as special guest. The national-level competition was directed by Zakir Hossain, with overall management by SASAS assistant executive director Israil Hossain Shanto. Guests and judges delivered motivational remarks to the participants before officially concluding the audition round.