The Trump administration has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Thailand, citing high rates of welfare claims by migrants. The decision has upended the plans of many Thais, such as 27-year-old Khaochat Mankong, who had been preparing to move to California with her American husband. The freeze affects EB-class employment visas and K-class spousal and dependent visas, leaving families and workers uncertain about their futures.

Thailand’s government has voiced disappointment at being grouped with poorer, conflict-affected nations like Afghanistan and Haiti. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with US Charge D’Affairs Elizabeth J Konick to seek clarification, questioning the logic of the inclusion given Thailand’s long-standing alliance and economic contributions to the United States. The move comes amid already strained relations between Washington and Bangkok, worsened by US tariffs and stalled trade talks.

While some Thais support the policy as a measure to curb welfare misuse, others view it as unfair and damaging to bilateral ties. Analysts suggest the suspension reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to sharply restrict legal immigration.

United States President Donald Trump has faced sharp criticism from British politicians after claiming that NATO forces stayed away from the front lines during the war in Afghanistan. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the US had “never needed” NATO and suggested that allied forces were “a little off the front lines.” He also questioned whether NATO members would come to Washington’s aid if requested.

The comments triggered a backlash across the UK political spectrum, with critics citing the heavy losses suffered by NATO allies during the 20-year conflict. The United Kingdom lost 457 service personnel, while Canada, France, and Denmark also recorded significant casualties. Junior British minister Stephen Kinnock called Trump’s remarks “deeply disappointing,” emphasizing that European forces had paid a heavy price supporting US-led missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also reminded that NATO allies rallied behind the US after the September 11 attacks when Article 5 was invoked.

Other UK politicians, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, criticized Trump’s comments by pointing to his history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War, calling his questioning of NATO sacrifices unacceptable.

At least seven people have been confirmed dead and dozens remain missing after a landslide struck Pasirlangu village in West Bandung, Indonesia’s West Java province, early Saturday morning. The disaster occurred around 2am local time when water and loose soil from Mount Burangrang swept through the area, destroying about 30 homes while residents were asleep. Rescue teams from Indonesia’s armed forces, disaster management agencies, volunteers, and local communities are continuing search and rescue operations, according to officials.

Local authorities have ordered evacuations in landslide-prone areas to prevent further casualties. The affected zone covers roughly 30 hectares. The landslide was accompanied by flash flooding, and residents reported hearing a loud rumbling sound before the collapse. Indonesia’s weather agency had warned of extreme weather and heavy rainfall across West Java for a week starting Friday.

The incident follows a series of deadly floods and landslides last month that killed more than 1,170 people in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. The government has filed lawsuits against six companies for environmental degradation believed to have worsened such disasters, amid growing concerns over deforestation, climate change, and rising sea levels.

The curtain has fallen on the Bangladesh Premier League 2026, with Rajshahi Warriors defeating Chattogram Royals in the final to claim the championship. Despite the title win, no Rajshahi player topped the batting or bowling charts. Sylhet Titans’ Parvez Hossain Imon emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 395 runs in 12 matches, followed by Rangpur’s Towhid Hridoy with 382 runs. Rajshahi’s Tanzid Hasan Tamim ranked third with 356 runs, including a century in the final.

Among bowlers, Chattogram Royals’ Shariful Islam set a new record by taking 26 wickets in 12 matches, surpassing the previous mark of 25. Nasum Ahmed followed with 18 wickets, while Rajshahi’s Ripon Mondol claimed 17. Hasan Mahmud of Noakhali Express and Binura Fernando of Rajshahi each took 16 wickets. Rangpur’s Mustafizur Rahman also finished with 16 wickets, while Mehedi Hasan and Amir Jamal of Chattogram shared fifth place with 15 wickets each.

The season concluded with record-breaking bowling performances and consistent batting displays across multiple teams.

Dhaka’s neighborhoods and alleys were filled with campaign activities on Friday as candidates from various political parties and independents reached out to voters ahead of the upcoming election. Taking advantage of the weekend, contenders began their outreach from early morning, visiting tea stalls, street corners, and homes to exchange greetings and listen to voter concerns. The day saw processions and small rallies featuring symbols such as the paddy sheaf, scale, water lily, hand fan, football, and duck.

Candidates from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and other alliances conducted door-to-door campaigns across constituencies including Dhaka-4, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-16, and Dhaka-18. Jamaat-led ten-party alliance candidates also held meetings and courtyard gatherings, while Islami Andolon’s leader, the Charmonai Pir, joined a rally in support of his party’s candidate in Dhaka-5. Independent candidates were similarly active, meeting voters in several constituencies.

The day’s activities reflected a renewed vibrancy in Dhaka’s election atmosphere, with streets and communities abuzz with campaigners and supporters engaging directly with residents.

Chuadanga district is experiencing severe cold weather, with temperatures recorded at 10.5 degrees Celsius at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The humidity level stood at 94 percent, while at 6 a.m. the temperature was 10.7 degrees Celsius with 96 percent humidity. The cold intensified overnight, disrupting normal life across the district as people struggled to cope with the biting chill and cold northern winds.

Low-income residents were seen lighting straw fires at street corners and tea stalls to stay warm. The cold wave has caused significant hardship for day laborers and outdoor workers. Hospitals in the district have reported an increase in cold-related illnesses, with elderly people and children suffering from pneumonia and diarrhea.

According to the acting officer of the Chuadanga first-class observatory, the temperature and humidity levels confirm the persistence of severe winter conditions in the region.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has become a focal point of global attention due to its vast mineral wealth and strategic Arctic location. Following renewed threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to seize the island, Denmark has deployed additional troops there. Despite Trump later withdrawing a tariff threat against eight European nations opposing his stance, tensions between the United States and Europe over Greenland remain high. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to meet Danish and Greenlandic officials, while China and Russia are closely monitoring the situation.

A 2023 survey found that 25 of the 34 critical raw materials listed by the European Commission exist in Greenland, including one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits in the southern Gardar province. These minerals are vital for green energy technologies and defense industries. However, environmental restrictions, bureaucratic hurdles, and opposition from indigenous communities have slowed development. Greenland’s mineral potential positions it as a key player in global supply chains for electric vehicles and renewable energy, but sustainable extraction and careful governance will be essential to avoid social and ecological conflict.

A Washington Post report published on January 22 revealed that the United States seeks a ‘friendship’ with Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami, a once-banned Islamist party. The report cited a U.S. diplomat expressing conditional support, suggesting economic pressure could be used if the party pursued hardline policies. The article argues that this approach reflects strategic calculation rather than unconditional partnership. It also notes that Jamaat, once suppressed, has re-emerged as a key political force following Sheikh Hasina’s fall, with U.S. diplomats predicting its strongest electoral performance in the February 12 election.

The report highlights concerns that U.S. engagement with Jamaat could strain India–U.S. relations and deepen regional tensions. India views Jamaat as a security concern, while Bangladesh faces a test of democratic credibility amid foreign interest. Interim leader Dr. Yunus has promised a fair election, but questions remain about equal opportunity among parties.

A separate Al Jazeera report described how Bangladesh’s election has shifted online, with TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube becoming central campaign arenas. Digital platforms now shape political narratives, especially among young voters, signaling a transformation in how democracy is contested.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has dismissed allegations that party chairman Tarique Rahman violated the electoral code of conduct, describing them as completely false and part of a hyper propaganda campaign. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, after visiting the grave of the late Arafat Rahman Koko in Banani, Dhaka, on his death anniversary.

The allegations were raised by the National Citizen Party (NCP), whose Election Steering Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan claimed that Tarique Rahman used loudspeakers for campaign activities past the permitted time of 8 p.m., continuing until midnight. Bhuiyan also accused the administration and Election Commission of favoring a particular political party and warned that their credibility would be damaged if no action was taken.

Rizvi countered that Tarique Rahman had postponed his northern region tour at the Election Commission’s request and later conducted campaign activities in accordance with its regulations.

A severe cold wave has intensified in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, where the minimum temperature dropped to 10 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. The biting cold and dense fog have disrupted normal life in both urban and rural areas, affecting daily activities and mobility. The Sreemangal Weather Observation Center recorded the temperature between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

According to the center’s acting officer, Anisur Rahman, the cold conditions are expected to persist for the next few days. The ongoing chill has led to a rise in cold-related illnesses, with tea garden workers, children, and the elderly suffering the most. The situation has particularly affected laborers who depend on outdoor work for their livelihood.

Local residents are struggling to cope with the cold, and health concerns are mounting as the temperature remains low. Authorities have not yet indicated any immediate relief measures, while forecasts suggest the cold spell may continue.

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Canada for opposing the proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system in Greenland, warning that Beijing could 'devour' Canada within a year. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said Canada was rejecting U.S. security in favor of closer business ties with China. He argued that the Golden Dome would protect Canada and accused Ottawa of benefiting from U.S. defense without gratitude.

Trump’s comments came amid rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump reiterated that Canada survives because of U.S. protection, while Carney rejected the claim, asserting that Canada’s success stems from its own people.

The dispute highlights growing friction between the two neighbors over defense cooperation and trade alignment, as Canada continues to balance its economic relationships with both the United States and China.

A growing military alignment among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey has evolved beyond diplomatic statements into tangible cooperation involving joint exercises, defense technology exchange, and financial investment. Pakistan’s large active force, Saudi Arabia’s high defense spending, and Turkey’s advanced defense industry have together created a developing security framework that India views with concern. New joint drills and drone technology transfers are seen as enhancing Pakistan’s capabilities, prompting India to reassess its strategic calculations.

India’s defense establishment is particularly alert to Turkey’s political stance on Kashmir and its close ties with Pakistan, which have stalled India-Turkey defense dialogues. While maintaining strong economic and energy links with Saudi Arabia, India seeks to ensure that Riyadh’s cooperation with Islamabad and Ankara does not evolve into an anti-India platform.

For Bangladesh, the article argues, joining any military bloc could undermine its balanced foreign policy and peacekeeping reputation. The author concludes that maintaining restraint, neutrality, and strategic autonomy best serves Bangladesh’s long-term national and regional interests.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced his plan to transform northern Bangladesh into the capital of agro-based industries during a series of election rallies on Friday, January 23, 2026. Speaking at a large gathering in Panchagarh’s sugar mill field, he said closed sugar mills would be reopened and workers reinstated. The event marked his first election rally outside Dhaka, followed by similar meetings in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur, which drew enthusiastic participation from party supporters.

Dr. Rahman accused successive governments of deliberately keeping northern Bangladesh impoverished and pledged to change the region’s economic landscape within five years. He promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, recover embezzled funds allegedly laundered abroad, and eliminate corruption and extortion. In Dinajpur, he vowed to build agro-industries and storage facilities for potatoes and lychees, while in Thakurgaon he promised to upgrade Saidpur Airport to international standards and ensure fair prices for farmers.

In Rangpur, Dr. Rahman said his alliance would implement the Teesta Master Plan and create employment instead of unemployment benefits. He urged voters to support the ten-party alliance and mark “yes” in the upcoming referendum.

Iran has warned that any attack against it will be treated as an all-out war. The statement came from a senior Iranian official in response to the movement of a large US naval fleet toward the Gulf region. The unnamed official said Iran is fully prepared for any situation and remains on maximum alert.

The warning followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who told reporters aboard Air Force One that a massive naval fleet was advancing toward the Gulf to monitor Iran. The Iranian official expressed hope that the deployment was not intended to provoke conflict but emphasized that the Iranian military was ready for the worst-case scenario.

The official added that any violation of Iran’s sovereignty or territorial integrity by the United States would be met with a strong response. He declined to specify what form that response might take but said Iran would use maximum force to repel any attack.

Former state minister for education and BNP candidate for Chandpur-1 constituency, Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, has accused a rival political party of deceiving the public by claiming that voting for them would guarantee entry to heaven. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at the inauguration of his election campaign in Nayakandi village under Sacher Union of Kachua, Chandpur.

Milon said that if people could attain heaven simply by voting, they would abandon religious practices. Highlighting his previous tenure as state minister, he claimed to have made examinations free from cheating, stopped the killing of juvenile hilsa fish, and relocated the Chandpur launch terminal to reduce passenger suffering and accidents. He pledged that, if re-elected in the February 12 election, he would transform Kachua into the country's leading education hub.

The event was chaired by Kachua Upazila Jubo Dal president Md. Mohiuddin Majumdar and attended by local BNP and affiliated organization leaders, including members of the Bangladesh Olama Dal.