Police have arrested Shah Jalal Ahmed Shawon, the general secretary of the banned Narsingdi district unit of Chhatra League, while he was attempting to leave the country for Dubai. The arrest took place at around 10 a.m. on Saturday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka with the assistance of immigration police. His family confirmed the arrest. According to police, Shawon faces six separate cases related to attacks, shootings, and killings during an anti-discrimination student movement. His brother, Imran Mahmud, stated that Shawon was traveling to Dubai for family business purposes when he was detained, and the family has demanded his unconditional release. Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sujan Chandra Sarkar said they had received preliminary information about the arrest and were verifying details with immigration police. Police sources added that Shawon had been in hiding since August 5, 2024. He was elected general secretary of the Narsingdi district Chhatra League on July 31, 2022, and previously held joint secretary positions in both the district and Narsingdi Government College units.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has expressed the country’s policy-level interest in joining an international stabilization force in Gaza. The announcement came through a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Saturday, January 10, following Rahman’s meetings in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapoor. Hooker responded that the United States is willing to work with Bangladesh on this important issue. The discussions took place against the backdrop of a United Nations Security Council resolution passed in November supporting a U.S.-backed 20-point plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end the Israel-Gaza war. One clause of that plan called for the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee and secure a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. During the meetings, Rahman also briefed U.S. officials on Bangladesh’s upcoming general election preparations and thanked them for their support of the interim government. Both sides discussed trade, the Rohingya crisis, and regional issues. Rahman emphasized expanding bilateral trade, easing U.S. visa bond requirements for Bangladeshi business travelers, and sought U.S. development finance access for semiconductor initiatives in Bangladesh.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that Bangladesh can no longer return to the situation before August 5. He made the remarks on Saturday at a meeting with editors of newspapers, television, and online media at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka. Rahman said that after returning to the country, he visited several places including Savar and felt that the new generation is seeking guidance and hope. Referring to the movements of 1971, 1990, and 2024, he emphasized working for the country and its independence to achieve the right goals. During the discussion, Rahman addressed concerns raised about the safety of a female journalist, saying that both men and women have the right to security. He called for maintaining the democratic process and ensuring accountability despite political differences. He also announced that from January 22, the party would present its plans to the public and seek feedback to help solve national problems. The meeting was attended by editors from major national newspapers and senior BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the party’s standing committee.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar undertook a 670-kilometer road journey to New York during his visit to the United States in September last year. According to a newly released report by the U.S. Department of State, American security officials arranged the road trip because commercial air travel was suspended due to a federal government shutdown. The report, prepared by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), was made public on January 8, 2026. The DSS organized the journey from the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge on the Canada–U.S. border to Manhattan, a trip lasting about seven hours. A total of 27 agents from the DSS’s Dignitary Protection Division and its New York and Buffalo field offices participated. Some agents drove separately to strengthen local security. The convoy passed through rural and remote areas of New York State under harsh winter conditions, with drivers rotated to ensure safety. U.S. officials said the operation ensured that Jaishankar’s scheduled United Nations meeting proceeded as planned despite the shutdown. The DSS, under the State Department, is responsible for protecting U.S. diplomats and visiting foreign dignitaries.

The United States has approved the 'Russian Sanctions Bill', which proposes tariffs of up to 500% on countries importing oil from Russia. Although the bill has not yet been voted on, it signals potential pressure on nations such as India and China to halt purchases of discounted Russian crude. The move comes amid an unfinished US-India trade agreement, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting delays were linked to a lack of direct communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. India, a major buyer of Russian oil, has already reduced imports following earlier US tariff threats. Experts warn that if the bill passes, India could face severe export losses, with $87.4 billion in trade with the US at risk. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said the bill’s passage is unlikely but urged India to clarify its oil policy. Former trade secretary Ajay Dua described the measure as weaponizing trade. Analysts note the bill could primarily target India while sparing China, potentially straining India-US relations further. The US has also withdrawn from the India-led International Solar Alliance, adding to diplomatic friction.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States needs ownership of Greenland to prevent Russia and China from taking control of the territory. Speaking to reporters in Washington, he argued that countries must have ownership rather than lease agreements, adding that the U.S. would act to protect Greenland “the easy way or the hard way.” The White House recently confirmed that it is considering purchasing the semi-autonomous Danish territory, though it has not ruled out other means of integration. Denmark and Greenland have both reiterated that the island is not for sale, warning that any military action could end the NATO alliance. European Union members and Canada have expressed support for Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing that only those two parties can decide their relationship. They also called for upholding the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Greenland’s leaders, including opposition parties, urged the U.S. to stop disregarding their autonomy, asserting that Greenland’s future should be determined by its own people. The U.S. Secretary of State is expected to discuss the issue with Denmark next week.

A massive fire broke out early Friday night in three jute warehouses in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj, burning around 1,800 maunds of jute and causing an estimated loss of Tk 1 crore. The blaze started around 2:30 a.m. near the Muksudpur government T&T office and quickly spread to adjacent warehouses. Fire service units from Muksudpur and Kashiani, led by Station Master Mehedi Hasan, worked for hours to bring the fire under control. According to reports, jute traders Sunil Saha, Nirmal Saha, and Ikram Mia lost approximately 1,300, 175, and 300 maunds of jute respectively. The affected traders said they had closed their warehouses as usual the previous evening and were unaware of how the fire started. Station Officer Mehedi Hasan stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown but may have originated from wooden debris behind one of the warehouses. An investigation will determine the exact cause. Authorities have not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage or announced any compensation measures for the affected traders.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States and Israel of instigating violence in ongoing protests across Iran. Speaking at a press conference in Beirut after meeting Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Araghchi claimed that both countries had openly admitted to interfering in the demonstrations. He said their involvement turned what began as peaceful protests into violent confrontations. Araghchi also dismissed the possibility of a US-Israeli military intervention in Iran, saying previous attempts had failed and any repetition would meet the same fate. The protests began on December 28 over rising living costs and quickly spread to nearly all cities and towns across Iran’s 31 provinces. The government has deployed security forces nationwide to suppress the unrest. On Friday, authorities cut off internet and mobile connections in most parts of the country to control the situation. Araghchi referenced a 12-day war from the previous June while warning against foreign interference, emphasizing that Iran would respond firmly to any external aggression.

In Dhaka-20 (Dhamrai) constituency, BNP candidate Md. Tamiz Uddin has been identified as the wealthiest contender for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to his affidavit, he holds deposits exceeding Tk 85 crore in various financial institutions, along with nearly Tk 1.49 crore in cash and over Tk 47 lakh under his wife’s name. His immovable assets are valued at more than Tk 5.6 crore, including multiple buildings in Dhamrai and Dhaka. He also has loans of about Tk 85 crore from Islami Bank and an annual business income of Tk 48 lakh. Tamiz Uddin, president of Dhamrai Upazila BNP, has been acquitted in 15 cases and currently faces four criminal cases filed during the previous government. In contrast, Khelafat Majlis candidate Md. Ashraf Ali, symbolized by a wall clock, declared the smallest amount of assets. His affidavit shows around Tk 26 lakh in movable assets and about 85 decimals of land, with teaching as his main source of income. On January 3, the Dhamrai Upazila Executive Officer confirmed that all six candidates’ nominations for Dhaka-20 were declared valid after scrutiny.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has declared the nomination of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad as valid. The decision came on Saturday, January 10, following a hearing on his appeal. Azad is contesting in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency, which includes Maheshkhali and Kutubdia. Earlier, on January 2, the returning officer and district commissioner Md. A. Mannan had canceled Azad’s nomination due to complications related to case information provided in his affidavit. Following the cancellation, Azad appealed to the Election Commission seeking reinstatement of his candidacy. After reviewing the appeal, the EC restored his eligibility to contest in the election. The decision marks the return of the former member of parliament and senior Jamaat leader to the electoral race for Cox’s Bazar-2, clearing previous procedural obstacles to his participation.

The Election Commission has declared the nomination of Tasnim Zara as valid for the upcoming national parliamentary election. She is contesting as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-9 constituency. The decision was made during a hearing that began on Saturday morning, following her appeal against the earlier cancellation of her nomination. Tasnim Zara had submitted an appeal to the Election Commission last Monday after her nomination was initially rejected. Speaking to journalists after the decision, she confirmed that her appeal had been accepted and her candidacy approved. She expressed gratitude to supporters at home and abroad who had extended their good wishes and prayers during the past week. Zara also announced that she would apply for the football symbol as her preferred election mark, reaffirming her commitment to continue her campaign as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-9 race.

Turkey is in advanced discussions to join the strategic defense agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to a Geo News report. The talks have reportedly progressed significantly, and a formal agreement could follow. The existing pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stipulates that an attack on one will be considered an attack on both nations. The report suggests that Turkey’s potential inclusion could pave the way for a new security alliance, potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. The discussions come at a time when questions have been raised about the reliability of the United States as a security partner. Pakistan and Turkey already share a long-standing military relationship, collaborating on several defense projects. Ankara has supplied corvette warships to Pakistan’s navy and is working with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on drone technology and a fifth-generation fighter jet program. The original Pakistan-Saudi agreement, known as the SMDA, was signed on September 17 of the previous year during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan’s security forces killed 11 militants allegedly backed by India during two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday. The operations were conducted last Thursday in North Waziristan and Kurram districts, where the militants, identified as members of the group Fitna al-Kharij, were reportedly engaged in armed clashes with the military. ISPR stated that six militants were killed in North Waziristan following an exchange of heavy gunfire, while five others were killed in Kurram. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the dead militants. The statement described the group as being involved in numerous attacks against security forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians. The ISPR described the militants as India-supported proxies, though no independent verification of the claim was mentioned in the report.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that Bangladesh now has an opportunity to establish a truly liberal democratic system. He made the remarks on Saturday at a views-exchange meeting with editors of newspapers, television, and online media at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was present on the stage during the event, which also included greetings exchanged between him and media representatives. In his speech, Fakhrul paid tribute to the late Begum Khaleda Zia, the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, and those who died in the 2024 student and public movement. He said Khaleda Zia had fought throughout her life to free Bangladesh’s democracy and that the 2024 mass uprising had created a historic opportunity to build a democratic Bangladesh. Fakhrul added that the nation was now hopeful following Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. Editors from several major national newspapers and media outlets attended the meeting, along with senior BNP leaders. A prayer was also held for the soul of Khaleda Zia.

At least 50 activists were injured in a series of clashes between BNP and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) supporters in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola on Friday. According to BDP’s parliamentary candidate Nizamul Haque Nayeem, the violence began around 11 a.m. in Ramaganj Union’s Ward 6 when female activists of Jamaat, supporting BDP, faced verbal abuse and harassment from a local man named Rubel. The situation escalated after Rubel allegedly attacked a local businessman, leading to further confrontations between the two political groups. Nayeem claimed that despite informing the administration, BNP leaders and activists gathered at the scene, intensifying the tension. He reported that 15 of his supporters were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex. Meanwhile, BNP’s upazila general secretary Shafiqul Islam Babul accused BDP activists of trying to disrupt local peace with Jamaat’s help and alleged that Awami League and Jamaat-linked cadres attacked BNP and Jubo Dal members after evening prayers. Lalmohan police officer-in-charge Oliul Islam said police and naval forces remained deployed until 11 p.m. to control the situation. BDP has filed a written complaint, while BNP has not yet submitted one.