A new study by the Biomedical Research Foundation has revealed that 80 percent of those killed during the May 6, 2013, government crackdown on protesters at Dhaka’s Shapla Square were ordinary citizens, not madrasa students. The report, titled “Shapla Square Massacre (2013): A Case of State-Sponsored Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh,” was published on January 6, 2026. It found that the average age of the victims was 29 and that about 85 percent of deaths were caused by gunfire. The research, conducted by Mohammad Sarwar Hossain, Munaim Khan, Sadid Hossain, and S.M. Yasir Arafat, documented that around 7,500 security personnel took part in the operation, which dispersed about 50,000 protesters within 20 minutes using live bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades. The estimated death toll ranged from 93 to 327, based on data from multiple sources. The study challenges the prevailing notion that the Shapla movement was madrasa-centric. Researchers concluded that the incident constituted a crime against humanity under international law and Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Act. They emphasized the need for a full investigation and forensic documentation to preserve historical evidence and ensure justice.

Three people, including a grandmother and her grandson, died after being electrocuted in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in Tentulia village under Rajpat Union. The deceased were identified as Rahela Begum, 50, her grandson Saifan Sikdar, 8, and their neighbor Iran Sikdar, 55. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Mir Sajedur Rahman of the Muksudpur-Kashiani Circle, an electric fence had been set up near Sajib Sikdar’s house to protect boro paddy seedlings from rats. A leakage in the wire caused Saifan to be electrocuted first. When his grandmother Rahela Begum rushed to save him, she was also electrocuted and died instantly. Neighbor Iran Sikdar was similarly electrocuted while trying to rescue them. Saifan was taken to the upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police from Kashiani station visited the scene and prepared an inquest report on the bodies.

Bloomberg reported on January 9, 2026, that Turkey is planning to join a defense agreement originally signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025. The move comes only weeks after the Trump administration’s return to the White House, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern security politics. Analysts view Turkey’s participation as a direct challenge to the U.S. exchange-based foreign policy and a sign of Ankara’s growing independence in defense and diplomacy. The agreement, still in its formative stage, reflects a broader transformation in how regional security is structured—no longer under a single umbrella but as a multilayered portfolio driven by trade, logistics, and industrial capacity. Saudi Arabia seeks strategic alternatives to U.S. dependence, Pakistan aims to monetize its defense assets, and Turkey wants to expand its influence without leaving NATO. The pact’s success will depend on whether it evolves beyond symbolic cooperation into a functional defense framework. For businesses in the Gulf and Mediterranean regions, the emerging security architecture could reshape insurance costs, credit terms, and risk premiums, as financial models begin to incorporate geopolitical volatility into long-term planning.

Two people were killed and two others injured in a motorcycle accident on Saturday evening in Basail upazila of Tangail. The crash occurred in front of Emdad Hamida Degree College on the Basail-Tangail road. The deceased were identified as retired police officer Arfan Khan, 75, of Chakpara area under Basail municipality, and motorcyclist Milon, 24, of Gosai Joair area in Tangail Sadar upazila. According to police and eyewitnesses, three people were returning to Tangail from the Faila Paglar Mela in Daryiapur of Sakhipur upazila on a motorcycle when it lost control and hit a pedestrian. Both the motorcyclist and the pedestrian died on the spot, while two other riders were injured. The injured were taken to Tangail General Hospital for treatment. Basail Police Station Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Kabir confirmed the incident, stating that the bodies were sent to Tangail General Hospital and would be handed over to relatives after legal procedures.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers begin today, with Bangladesh taking on the United States in the opening match at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, Nepal. The game is scheduled to start at 1:15 p.m. local time. Bangladesh are placed in Group A alongside the USA, Ireland, Namibia, and Papua New Guinea. The team will face Papua New Guinea on January 20, Namibia on January 22, and Ireland on January 24. Before the qualifiers, Nigar Sultana Joty’s team played two warm-up matches, defeating the Netherlands by 26 runs and Thailand by 34 runs. The qualifiers feature two groups, with Group B including Zimbabwe, Scotland, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Nepal. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, from which the best four will qualify for the main World Cup. The tenth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in England in June–July 2026. Eight teams have already qualified, while four more will join through this qualifying tournament.

Following the announcement of the 13th parliamentary election schedule, Thakurgaon has become one of northern Bangladesh’s most discussed constituencies due to the absence of the Awami League. Candidates from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and several smaller parties are campaigning actively, with particular focus on attracting young and minority voters. In Thakurgaon-1, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is the most prominent candidate, while Jamaat’s Maulana Delwar Hossain is promising a corruption-free society. The seat, once dominated by the Awami League, now features 480,609 voters, including about 119,000 minorities and 192,567 new voters, making youth and Hindu voters decisive. In Thakurgaon-2, BNP’s Dr. Abdus Salam, Jamaat’s Maulana Abdul Hakim, and Ganadhikar Parishad’s Faruk Hasan are leading an intense race. Thakurgaon-3 has turned into a three-way contest among BNP’s Zahidur Rahman, Jamaat’s Mizanur Rahman, and Jatiya Party’s Hafizuddin Ahmed. Observers note that the absence of the Awami League has reshaped local political dynamics, with youth and minority participation expected to significantly influence the final outcome.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10 percent tariff on imports from eight European countries, citing their opposition to his position on Greenland. The affected nations are the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. The tariffs will take effect on February 1, with plans to raise the rate to 25 percent on June 1. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday. In his post, Trump claimed that it is time for Denmark to “return” Greenland and argued that the current situation poses a threat to world peace. He alleged that China seeks to take over Greenland and that Denmark is incapable of responding effectively. Trump also accused the European countries of playing a “very dangerous game” in Greenland and said strong measures are needed to end the situation quickly. During a White House meeting on Friday, Trump reiterated that any country disagreeing with his stance on Greenland could face tariffs, emphasizing the island’s strategic importance to U.S. national security.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has secured a seventh term in office after winning the national election with about 72 percent of the vote, according to the country’s election commission. The 81-year-old leader was officially declared the winner on Saturday in Kampala, defeating his main challenger, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who received 24 percent. This victory extends Museveni’s rule into its fifth decade. The election took place amid allegations of violence and vote rigging. Analysts said the result further consolidates Museveni’s political dominance, especially as speculation continues over his eventual successor. Bobi Wine rejected the results, alleging widespread fraud, and called on his supporters to protest. During the vote, the government shut down internet access, citing the need to curb misinformation. Wine later claimed soldiers raided his home and that he fled to avoid arrest, with sources saying he remains in hiding within the country. Reports of post-election violence emerged across Uganda. Police said they fired in self-defense against opposition “criminals,” killing seven people, though a local lawmaker disputed this, alleging security forces killed at least ten at his residence.

Leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh have become divided into at least four factions over their stance on the upcoming 13th national election. Although the organization identifies itself as non-political, many of its senior figures are contesting the election under different political alliances, while others have taken public positions for or against certain parties. Some leaders, including the Amir and Secretary General, have voiced opposition to Jamaat-e-Islami, sparking controversy within religious circles. According to the report, Hefazat was founded in 2010 as a non-political platform of Qawmi madrasa teachers to counter anti-Islamic activities. Despite its stated neutrality, its leaders have historically maintained informal ties with various political parties. In the current election, some Hefazat-linked leaders are aligned with the BNP-led alliance, while others support the Jamaat-led bloc. Meanwhile, a large portion of Qawmi scholars remain politically inactive or silent. The internal division has caused unease among Hefazat’s followers and the broader Qawmi community. Organizational leaders insist that any political involvement is personal, not institutional, though the practical situation appears more complex.

Bangladesh Police have identified 6,748 polling centers across the country as vulnerable ahead of the upcoming national election. The centers were marked due to factors such as the influence of muscle power, long distances from police stations, remote locations, leftist extremist presence, dominance of specific political parties, poor communication systems, and inactive community policing. The list includes districts from Dhaka Division and the southern region. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam stated that standard security measures will be maintained around these centers. According to senior police officials, 2,115 centers in 13 districts of Dhaka Division and 813 in 11 districts of Chattogram Division are considered risky. In Dhaka Metropolitan Police areas, 853 of 2,131 centers are vulnerable. Police have begun reconnaissance and listed potential influencers in these areas. Around 150,000 officers are being trained, and body-worn cameras will be used to ensure transparency. Law enforcement agencies, including the army, BGB, RAB, Ansar, and Coast Guard, will assist in maintaining order. Police have also activated cyber teams to counter election-related rumors on social media and are working to recover 1,340 missing weapons viewed as a threat to fair polling.

A banned organization, Chhatra League, held a flash procession on the busy Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Saturday, January 17. The event took place around 3 p.m. in front of Pushpadam Resort under the banner reading “Boycott elections without the boat symbol.” About fifty activists reportedly participated, following instructions from Gazipur district Chhatra League president Sultan Md. Sirajul Islam. Video footage circulating on social media showed Sreepur upazila Chhatra League joint convener Sohel Sarkar leading the procession. Authorities and observers described the act as a clear violation of the government ban on the organization. According to existing law, any rally or political activity under the name of a banned group is illegal. The incident raised concerns about law enforcement and administrative oversight in the area. Sreepur police officer-in-charge Mohammad Nasir Ahmed said the location might not fall under his station’s jurisdiction and that conflicting information about time and place was being verified. Observers warned that continued public activities by banned groups could threaten law and order and undermine state authority if not addressed promptly.

Four teenagers were detained after allegedly throwing stones at a moving train near Mobarakganj Railway Station in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, on Saturday around 5:30 p.m. Local residents and railway authorities caught them on the spot after the incident. The stones reportedly damaged the window glass of the Rupsha Express, which was traveling from Chilahati to Khulna. According to railway officials, train staff immediately informed authorities after the attack, prompting the train to stop and the suspects to be apprehended. The detained teenagers were identified as Shakib Hossain, Foysal Ahmed, Nikunja, and Tanvir Hasan, all residents of Kaliganj town. Station Master Shahjahan Sheikh stated that the Government Railway Police (GRP) took the four into custody and transported them toward Khulna Railway Station. Railway police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees. Although the incident caused brief panic among passengers, officials said the situation was quickly brought under control through prompt action.

Veteran editor and writer Shafik Rehman said journalists are often labeled as agents due to the culture of political allegiance shifts. He made the remarks on January 17 at the Media Conclave 2026 held at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka, jointly organized by the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and the Editors’ Council. Rehman emphasized that journalists should uphold positive values and proposed forming a Newspaper Standards Committee to ensure news quality. He also noted that journalists with additional professional skills can work more independently. Media Reform Commission chief Kamal Ahmed criticized the government for failing to enact the promised Journalist Protection Act despite prior commitments by two former information advisers. Editors’ Council president Nurul Kabir stressed the importance of maintaining diversity of opinion and warned against attempts to undermine democratic values. Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman called for unity among journalists, while Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam highlighted journalism’s role in democracy and social service. Leaders from NOAB, the Editors’ Council, and various journalist associations across Bangladesh attended the event, underscoring a collective call for ethical and independent journalism.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has cancelled work orders for three bridge and culvert construction projects in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet after the contractor failed to start work within the stipulated time. The same contractor, Messrs Fahad Construction of Amberkhana, Sylhet, had been awarded a single tender covering five structures across Osmaninagar and Bishwanath upazilas, but only began work on two culverts in Bishwanath. The DDM also decided to forfeit the contractor’s security deposit and take necessary legal action. According to a letter signed by Project Director and Joint Secretary Md Parvezul Islam, the project period runs until 30 June 2026, and all construction must be completed within that time to qualify for payment. Despite repeated requests, including a final notice to begin work by 31 December 2025, no progress was made in Osmaninagar. The DDM deemed this a clear violation of contract terms and issued cancellation notices to relevant authorities. Local officials confirmed that recommendations have been sent to the ministry to formalize the cancellation process, while the contractor’s local representative cited internal management issues for the delay.

The final day of campaigning for the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Student Union (SACSU) and hall union elections took place on January 18, 2026. With the university closed, candidates focused their last efforts on reaching voters in residential halls and messes. According to the election schedule, voting will be held on January 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all campaigning must end by 10 p.m. on January 18 in line with election conduct rules. Candidates complained that an Election Commission circular issued on January 12 disrupted their campaigns for three days, particularly affecting independent candidates who lack party support. Some requested an extension of the campaign period, arguing that limited time and campus closure hindered their outreach. Vice President candidate Md Mostakim Billah from the “Combined SUSTian Unity” panel and independent General Secretary candidate Junaid Hasan both urged for more time. However, SACSU Election Commission spokesperson Professor Dr. Md Nazrul Islam confirmed that no extension would be granted, citing national commission directives to avoid any violation of the election code. The upcoming vote marks the first SACSU election in nearly three decades.