US President Donald Trump has launched a “deferred resignation” program, offering up to 2 million federal employees eight months of pay if they resign by September. The plan aims to significantly shrink the government and enforce strict in-office work policies. Critics, including labor unions and Democratic lawmakers, warn of disruption and legal challenges. The White House calls it a generous offer but hints at future layoffs. This move is part of Trump’s broader agenda to cut government spending and regulations.

Dismissed police officers and their families staged a protest in front of the Education Building in Dhaka, blocking the road to demand reinstatement. The demonstration began at noon on January 20, after they were stopped by police while marching from the Police Headquarters to the Secretariat. The protesters claim they lost their jobs due to political vendetta under the Awami League government. They warned of stricter movements if they are not reinstated through an executive order.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed optimism about reaching a political consensus on the July Declaration soon. The government expects this to happen by next week. The declaration, originally set for announcement on December 31 by student and civic groups, is now being finalized by the government. An all-party dialogue was held on January 16, and stakeholders were invited to submit opinions by January 23. The government aims to conclude discussions by early February.

A passenger plane crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport after colliding with a U.S. military helicopter. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has raised fears of multiple casualties. The plane had at least 64 passengers on board. Rescue operations are ongoing, with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Park Police and D.C. Fire and Emergency Services, involved. A surveillance camera captured the moment of impact. In response, all flights at the airport have been temporarily suspended.

Israel will release 110 Palestinian prisoners on January 30 as part of the third phase of a ceasefire agreement. In return, Hamas will free three Israeli and five Thai hostages. The Palestinian Prisoners Club reports that 30 of the detainees are minors, 32 are serving life sentences, and 48 have varying prison terms, with 20 being sent into exile. Previous exchanges saw 290 Palestinian prisoners freed for seven Israeli hostages. Another swap is planned for Saturday, releasing three Israeli men.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that expelling Palestinians from Gaza would be “unacceptable.” Scholz reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution, stating that the Palestinian Authority should assume responsibility for Gaza. He emphasized that peace is only achievable through self-governance in Gaza, and that attempts to achieve peace without West Bank and Gaza autonomy are unlikely to succeed.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan shared his experience of facing religious discrimination when trying to buy a house in Juhu, Mumbai. Despite searching for homes in the area, he was informed that due to his different community, he wouldn’t be able to purchase a property there. Saif, who has married non-Muslims, expressed that while he has never faced religious intolerance abroad, his own country questioned his religion, leaving him deeply insulted by the experience.

Evaly’s Managing Director Mohammad Russell and Chairperson Shamima Nasrin have been sentenced to two years of imprisonment without labor for fraud. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 taka each, with an additional two months in jail for non-payment. They absconded, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants. The case stemmed from a transaction where the plaintiff paid for bikes but never received them, despite multiple promises and attempts for repayment.

A court in Sirajganj has directed the registration of a case against six police officers, including former officers-in-charge (OCs) of Ullapara and Solonga police stations, over the alleged torture of truck driver Rokon Molla. Molla claims he was shot and disabled by former OC Asif Mohammad Siddikul Islam and was wrongfully imprisoned in false cases. The accused deny the charges, claiming Molla is a criminal leader with numerous cases against him. The case registration process is underway.

The Appellate Division has temporarily lifted the High Court’s stay on the recruitment of 3,173 Junior Instructors under the Directorate of Technical Education. This allows them to join their positions despite previous allegations of question paper leaks in the 2022 recruitment exam. The High Court had suspended the process, but the government appealed. The PSC had finalized the results in November 2023, and appointment notices were issued in January 2024. The CID is still investigating the alleged ₹12.5 billion transaction linked to the leak.

BNP is set to finalize the revised July Revolution Declaration, originally drafted by students, emphasizing the Liberation War as Bangladesh’s foundation. The party aims to modify and discuss the document with allies before presenting it to the government. Additionally, BNP plans February programs to reduce commodity prices ahead of Ramadan and demand electoral reforms. The party is pushing for early elections by July-August 2025, rejecting the government’s proposed timeline of December 2025-June 2026, considering it too long.

The Bangladeshi government is imposing a nine-month ban on tourist travel to Saint Martin Island starting February 1, as per the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Previously, visitors were allowed until March 31, but this year, access is restricted from February. Overnight stays were banned in November, and a 2,000-tourist limit was enforced in December and January. Only the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin route remains operational. Tourism businesses fear financial losses due to the shortened travel period and restrictions.

The admission process for the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University has encountered complexities after the university’s decision to stop admissions under its affiliation starting this academic year. While applications for undergraduate admissions are ongoing, the jurisdiction for entrance exams remains unclear. The government has proposed establishing a new university for these colleges, but due to the time-consuming process of law-making, uncertainty surrounds the timeline. Students are demanding clarity and quick actions regarding the establishment of the new university.

The government has canceled the passports of nine individuals, including Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam, former Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), over allegations of involvement in a stock market scandal. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also imposed a travel ban. The accused, including former BSEC officials, are suspected of assisting in market manipulation and accumulating illegal wealth. Shibli Rubaiyat resigned following the political upheaval in August 2023, and his departure from the country is now restricted.

Shahbagh police inspector Md. Arshad Hossain, involved in pressing a student’s face during the anti-discrimination student movement, has been sent to jail by the International Criminal Tribunal. He was one of three police officers arrested for crimes related to genocide and humanity during July-August. The incident, which went viral on social media, led to his temporary suspension on August 18 for unprofessional conduct that damaged the police’s image. The tribunal ordered his imprisonment after reviewing the prosecution’s appeal.