The Shaheed Osman Hadi Memorial Book Fair began on Sunday at the Dhaka University Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) premises. The five-day event, jointly organized by the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and the Dhaka University Young Columnist Forum, was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan. Aurora Specialized Hospital Limited is supporting the fair, which features 22 participating publishing houses and will remain open to all from January 18 to 22, daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Alongside the fair, cultural programs and discussion sessions have been arranged to commemorate Shaheed Osman Hadi. During the inauguration, DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem presided over the event, conducted by Abid Hasan Rafi, General Secretary of the Young Columnist Forum. Several guests, including university officials and forum leaders, attended. In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor said such initiatives strengthen social bonds and called for justice in Osman Hadi’s killing. Speakers highlighted Hadi’s ideals of justice and resistance against oppression, emphasizing the fair’s goal to inspire the new generation through reading and critical thought. The opening day saw a large turnout of students across the fairgrounds.

Professor Dr. M. Shahidul Islam emphasized that Bangladesh must adopt and implement a strategic plan for green technology and renewable energy to ensure long-term sustainable economic development. Currently, about 95 percent of the country’s energy system depends on high carbon-emitting fossil fuels, producing roughly 0.7 kilograms of carbon per kilowatt-hour of electricity. This dependency poses structural challenges to sustainability and directly contributes to climate change, threatening public health, ecosystems, and biodiversity. The article highlights that energy security is a fundamental right linked to food security, water management, industrialization, and employment. Bangladesh holds about 3 billion tons of high-quality coal and has renewable energy potential of around 75,000 megawatts from solar, wind, hydro, and biomass sources. The proposed in-situ underground coal gasification (UCG) method could convert deep coal into syngas without mining, reducing environmental damage and carbon emissions. Economic analysis shows UCG could achieve up to 85 percent thermal efficiency and cut emissions to below 0.1 kilograms per kilowatt-hour. The author calls for pilot projects, research, and skilled workforce development to overcome geological and technical challenges, ensuring a balanced, low-risk energy transition for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has decided to conduct a nationwide campaign across all universities, colleges, schools, and madrasas to encourage students to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum. The decision was made at a meeting held on Sunday afternoon at the University Grants Commission (UGC) with participation from the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Technical and Madrasa Education Division, National University, and UGC officials. As part of the campaign, leaflets and booklets titled 'Yes for Change' will be distributed among students. Documentaries, video clips, and songs about the referendum will be released on mobile and university social media platforms. Banners, festoons, and stickers will also be displayed at educational institutions. Dr. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, said the referendum reflects the aspiration to dismantle a fascist state structure and establish a truly democratic system. He emphasized that a 'Yes' verdict in the referendum is essential for building a humane and democratic state. Senior officials including UGC Chairman SMA Faez and secretaries from relevant education divisions attended the meeting.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has alleged that a political party is transferring voters from different parts of the country to constituencies in Dhaka to secure victories for its candidates. On Sunday evening, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with Election Commission officials to present their complaints and requested detailed information on how many voters were transferred, from where, and for what reasons. Following the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul told reporters that the alleged voter transfers were part of an unethical strategy to manipulate election outcomes. The BNP also raised other concerns, including claims that Jamaat election workers were collecting personal information such as mobile payment numbers and national ID copies, which the party described as a violation of privacy and a criminal offense. Additionally, BNP accused some returning officers, police officials, and Election Commission staff of working in favor of one party and demanded their withdrawal. The BNP urged the Election Commission to take immediate action on these issues and ensure a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the elections.

A written complaint has been filed in Madan upazila of Netrakona alleging that students of Maghan High School were charged excessive fees during the 2026 SSC examination form fill-up. Guardian Jhuman Mia submitted the complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Sunday, claiming he was verbally abused and forced out of the school premises after protesting the demand for Tk 9,000, far above the government-fixed fee of Tk 2,315. According to the complaint and statements from guardians, the school allegedly compelled students to pay additional coaching fees along with the form fill-up charges, warning that those unable to pay would be barred from completing the process or sitting for the exam. Teacher Abdul Gani denied the allegations, saying no extra money was taken, while Head Teacher Shahidul Islam Khokon stated that Tk 2,500 was collected per student and referred further questions to Gani. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bedbati Mistri said she was currently in the district and would take action after reviewing the matter.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), a key partner in the Jamaat-e-Islami-led electoral alliance, has announced candidates for 27 out of 30 constituencies allocated to it under the alliance agreement. The remaining three candidates will be finalized soon, according to the party. The announcement was made on Sunday through the NCP’s verified Facebook page, which published posters featuring the names and photos of the candidates and urged voters to support the party’s ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol. Among the confirmed candidates are NCP convener Nahid Islam for Dhaka-11, member secretary Akhtar Hossain for Rangpur-4, and senior joint coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud for Noakhali-6. The list also includes candidates across multiple districts such as Comilla, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, and Chittagong. In total, 47 NCP members submitted nomination papers, though the party will contest 30 seats as part of the alliance. Party sources said that after Islami Andolan withdrew from the electoral understanding, NCP began discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami to expand its seat share within the alliance.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, stated that she has come forward with the intention to listen, learn, and work together in Bangladesh’s social and political landscape. She made the remarks on Sunday at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka’s Khamarbari, during a discussion organized by Dhaka Forum titled ‘Women in Nation Building: Policy, Potential, and the Future of Bangladesh’. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury attended the event as the chief guest. In her speech, Zaima Rahman said that although participants at the event hold different ideals, experiences, and perspectives, they are united by their concern for the country and its people. She described this diversity and dialogue as the true beauty of democracy. She added that this was her first policy-level address in Bangladesh and that she did not claim to have all the answers but believed in contributing sincerely to society and the nation. Zaima Rahman also highlighted that Bangladesh cannot progress far by leaving half of its population, women, behind in the development process.

The Cumilla Battalion-10 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized illegal Indian sarees, three-pieces, and fireworks worth Tk 13.48 million during two separate operations in Cumilla Sadar upazila on Sunday morning. The seizures were made from Murapara and Paharpur areas, located 250 and 100 yards inside Bangladesh’s border respectively. The items were found abandoned along with a mini pickup truck. Battalion Commander Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz confirmed the recovery of the smuggled goods. According to BGB sources, the Cumilla Battalion regularly conducts anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics operations across its assigned border areas to curb cross-border crimes. The January 18 operations were part of these ongoing efforts under the jurisdiction of the Jashpur Border Outpost (BOP) patrol team. Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz stated that necessary legal measures would be taken regarding the seized contraband and that such operations would continue to prevent smuggling along the border.

A Kuki woman who survived a gang rape during the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur, India, has died on January 10, 2026. The assault occurred in May 2023, shortly after clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities. According to her family, she never recovered from the physical and psychological trauma of the attack. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) announced a candlelight vigil in her memory, stating that she had been abducted from Imphal, raped in Langol, and left in Bishnupur to die. The woman, then 20, had filed a police complaint on July 21, 2023, describing how four armed men in black shirts abducted her and three of them raped her. Kuki groups alleged that some members of Meira Paibi handed her over to Meitei men. Her mother told NewsLaundry that the injuries caused severe breathing problems and that her daughter had lost her cheerful nature after the incident. She had been receiving treatment in Guwahati before her death. The 2023 ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities over land rights and political representation left more than 260 people dead and displaced about 50,000 others.

Police recovered two burnt bodies from an abandoned community center in Savar on Sunday afternoon. The discovery was made after local youths and a college student noticed the bodies inside the deserted Savar municipal community center, located about 500 yards from the local police compound. Officers suspect the remains may belong to a woman and a young boy, but their identities have not yet been confirmed. According to police, the bodies were severely burnt, making identification difficult. The Savar Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Arman Ali, said the incident is under investigation. This marks the fifth body recovered from the same abandoned building in the past two months. Earlier, unidentified male and female bodies were found there on several occasions, but none have been identified so far. Local residents expressed concern that various criminal activities continue inside the abandoned center, located near the police station, and alleged that authorities have failed to take effective action.

A large student gathering titled 'Stand for Hadi' was held at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur, demanding justice for the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shaheed Osman Hadi. The event, organized by the Tamirul Millat Central Students’ Union (TAKSU), took place on Sunday afternoon in the madrasa’s academic courtyard, drawing participation from around 14,000 students. The campus echoed with chants calling for justice and accountability for Hadi’s death. Principal Dr. Hefzur Rahman attended as the chief guest, emphasizing that ensuring justice is a fundamental duty of a civilized state. He urged authorities to identify the perpetrators swiftly and bring them under the law through a fair and impartial investigation, warning that delayed justice undermines fairness. TAKSU leaders including Vice President Iqbal Kabir, General Secretary Saeedul Islam, and Assistant General Secretary Moinul Islam also addressed the event. Speakers stated that students would continue their united movement until justice is achieved and called for effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. They described the peaceful protest as a strong stance in favor of justice.

Popular family game show 'Family Feud Bangladesh' is set to return to television with its second season starting January 19. The show will air every Monday at 9:30 p.m. on NTV, with reruns on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Viewers will also be able to watch it anytime for free on the Bongo app and website. The new season will again be hosted by Tahsan Khan and directed by Wahidul Islam Shuvro. According to the producers, the second season aims to build on the success of the first, which recorded over one billion total views across platforms and awarded more than three million taka in prizes. The upcoming season promises more excitement, larger prizes, and a wider scope of participation. Tahsan Khan expressed enthusiasm about the show’s return, noting that survey questions were collected from all 64 districts of Bangladesh, making the content more engaging and representative. The producers expect the expanded format and fresh survey-based questions to enhance the show’s appeal and strengthen its position as a leading source of family entertainment in Bangladesh.

The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc have signed a major trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, on Saturday. The deal, reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News, brings together the EU’s 27 member states and Mercosur members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, forming one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The signing follows nearly 25 years of complex negotiations. The agreement is viewed as a significant message against the tariff threats and trade uncertainty associated with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries over the Greenland issue. During the signing ceremony, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the parties chose fair trade over tariffs and long-term partnership over isolation. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña described the deal as a clear message in favor of international trade amid global tensions, while European Council head Antonio Costa said it rejects the use of trade as a geopolitical weapon. Leaders expressed hope that the agreement will generate employment, prosperity, and new opportunities across both regions.

US President Donald Trump plans to charge countries one billion dollars each to become permanent members of his proposed 'Board of Peace', according to a Bloomberg report. The draft charter states that Trump would serve as the board’s first chairman and hold veto power over membership decisions. Countries paying the full amount within the first year would secure permanent membership, while others would have three-year terms. The draft charter argues that existing international structures have failed to maintain peace and calls for a more flexible and effective global peace organization. The language has raised concern that Trump may be attempting to create an alternative to the United Nations. The board is described as an international body aimed at ensuring stability, lawful governance, and sustainable peace in conflict-prone regions. Trump has already invited several world leaders to join the board, including those from Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada. Egypt’s foreign minister said the proposal is under consideration, while a senior aide to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed interest in accepting the invitation.

The Ministry of Education has finalized the ordinance for establishing Dhaka Central University and sent the draft to the Cabinet Division for approval. Officials confirmed that the ordinance is expected to be placed before the advisory council meeting on Thursday for final approval. The ministry’s public relations officer, Khalid Mahmud, stated that all procedural steps have been completed, including consultations with relevant ministries, public feedback collection, and expert opinions. The ministry emphasized that the ordinance reflects stakeholders’ expectations and aims to ensure quality education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It urged all parties to avoid activities that could cause public suffering or disrupt normal life, warning that instability could undermine the progress achieved. The ministry also assured that the new university will open a new chapter in Bangladesh’s higher education. The initiative to form Dhaka Central University, comprising seven government colleges in Dhaka, followed student movements last year. After revisions and consultations, the final draft was submitted on January 13. Students have agreed to wait until Thursday for the advisory council’s decision.