Police in Comilla’s Debidwar upazila have arrested Union Parishad chairman Haji Jalal Uddin Bhuiyan, 63, an accused named in the murder case of volunteer leader Shaheed Abdur Razzak Rubel. The arrest took place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Bhuiyan’s home in Surjapur village under Bhani Union. Police said the operation was conducted based on a court-issued arrest warrant related to Rubel’s killing during the anti-discrimination student movement. After his arrest, Bhuiyan was presented before a Comilla court and sent to jail by court order.

According to case records, Rubel, a municipal volunteer leader, was shot dead on August 4, 2024, amid clashes between protesters and others during the nationwide anti-discrimination movement. Two separate murder cases were filed over the incident—one by BNP leader Abul Kashem in Comilla court and another by Rubel’s mother, Hosneara Begum, at Debidwar police station. Police stated that Bhuiyan is also named in several other cases filed over violence and attacks during the same movement.

Debidwar police said Bhuiyan had been absconding for a long time before his arrest and was later sent to jail following court proceedings.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. At a press conference held at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka on Thursday night, the alliance announced a list of candidates for 253 constituencies. Under the agreement, the National Citizens Party (NCP) will contest in 30 constituencies. Representatives from Islami Andolon Bangladesh were not present at the event.

According to the announced distribution, Jamaat-e-Islami received 179 seats, NCP 30, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 20, Khelafat Majlis 10, LDP 7, AB Party 3, Nezame Islami Party 2, and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) 2. The remaining 47 constituencies have been reserved for Islami Andolon Bangladesh.

The finalization of this seat-sharing deal marks a significant step in the alliance’s preparation for the national election, clarifying the internal distribution of constituencies among its member parties.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that it will contest 179 constituencies in the upcoming national parliamentary election as part of an 11-party electoral alliance. The final declaration of the coalition was made on Thursday night at a press conference held at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, where a total list of 253 candidates was unveiled by the participating parties.

According to the announcement, Jamaat-e-Islami will field candidates in 179 seats, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest 30, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish 20, Khelafat Majlish 10, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 7, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) 3, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party 2, and Bangladesh Development Party 2. Representatives from Islami Andolan Bangladesh were not present at the press conference.

The declaration marks the formalization of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the national polls, signaling coordinated participation across multiple constituencies.

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reaffirmed that the country will not send its cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Thursday, he said there is no scope to change this decision. Nazrul emphasized that Bangladesh remains eager to participate in the World Cup but wants the matches to be held in Sri Lanka, which he believes is a feasible alternative.

The dispute began after Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League following directives from the Indian cricket board. The move came amid tensions in India over reports of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. In response, Bangladesh suspended IPL broadcasts and later decided not to send its team to India for the World Cup, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board formally informed the ICC and requested that its matches be relocated outside India.

An ICC delegation has arrived in Dhaka to discuss the issue, but Nazrul reiterated that Bangladesh’s stance remains unchanged and that the team wishes to play in Sri Lanka instead.

The July Shaheed Smriti Foundation (JSSF) has announced that it needs an additional Tk 2.38 billion to fulfill its commitments to the families of martyrs and injured fighters of the July uprising. The foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Kamal Akbar, made the statement at a press conference held on Thursday in front of the JSSF stall at the International Trade Fair in Purbachal. He said the foundation’s goal is to ensure dignity, security, and a sustainable future for those who sacrificed their lives or were injured during the July movement.

According to Kamal Akbar, JSSF has already distributed Tk 1.1621 billion out of Tk 1.1998 billion received from the Chief Adviser’s Fund and public contributions. The funds have reached 829 martyr families and 6,471 injured fighters, while 7,769 injured fighters are still awaiting financial assistance. He added that 7,082 injured fighters have applied for rehabilitation, with 25 percent seeking training, 20 percent employment, and 54 percent self-employment opportunities. So far, 82 injured fighters have been sustainably rehabilitated through the foundation.

Kamal Akbar emphasized that sustainable rehabilitation and proper recognition of the July fighters are essential for the nation’s long-term progress, calling for coordinated support from the media, society, and the state.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against the two children of former Narayanganj-4 Member of Parliament Shamim Osman for not submitting their wealth statements within the stipulated period. The announcement was made by ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain at a press conference held at the commission’s headquarters on Thursday at 3 p.m.

According to the ACC, notices were issued on August 26 last year to Shamim Osman’s son Imtinan Osman and daughter Labiba Zoha Angna, instructing them to submit their wealth statements within a specified time. However, neither of them applied for an extension nor submitted the required statements within the deadline.

As a result, the ACC filed two separate cases against Imtinan Osman and Labiba Zoha Angna under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

Police in Damudya upazila of Shariatpur arrested Abu Taher Bepari, a 36-year-old Youth Dal activist, on January 15, 2026, in connection with an extortion case. The case, filed under sections 143, 447, 385, and 506, was registered at Damudya Police Station as case number 11. According to the complaint, filed by Md. Lutfar Rahman of Char Malgaon Bishwaskandi village, Taher allegedly occupied his land for six months and demanded Tk 20 lakh to return it.

Sub-inspector Narayan Sarkar of Damudya Police Station confirmed the arrest, stating that legal action would follow after investigation. The complaint alleged that Taher threatened not to return the land unless the money was paid, prompting the victim to seek police help.

Upazila Youth Dal general secretary Mosaddeq Hossain Mehedi said Taher was a supporter of the organization but emphasized that the party respects the law and would take internal action if the allegations are proven.

Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and parliamentary candidate for Narayanganj-4, has filed a general diary (GD) at Fatullah Model Police Station citing security concerns. The GD was recorded on Thursday, January 15, 2026, according to Inspector (Investigation) Anwar Hossain. The filing followed an attempted attack on Al Amin in the Bashmuli area of Kashipur Union, Sadar upazila, on Wednesday evening.

In his GD, Al Amin stated that an unidentified caller had threatened to kill him and verbally abused him. He also reported that his party’s leaders and activists were receiving threats from various phone numbers. Al Amin said he and his family were living in fear due to these threats.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police, have confirmed the detention of two individuals allegedly involved in the attempted attack on Al Amin.

The Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, has warned that the use of unnecessary antibiotics in Bangladesh’s fish farming sector is increasing at an alarming rate. Speaking on Thursday at a discussion meeting titled “Stopping Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in Fisheries,” held at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute auditorium in Mymensingh, he said that using antibiotics without expert advice may bring short-term benefits but poses serious long-term risks to public health, food safety, and the environment.

The meeting, chaired by Mymensingh Divisional Director Nripendra Nath Biswas, was attended by senior officials, fish farmers, hatchery owners, feed producers, and other stakeholders. Speakers noted that many farmers use excessive antibiotics to prevent disease and boost growth, especially in closed water bodies, leaving harmful residues in fish that can increase antibiotic resistance in humans. Officials said inexperienced farmers often apply antibiotics without departmental guidance, sometimes encouraged by drug company representatives and local feed traders.

Participants emphasized the need to ban antibiotic sales and use without expert consultation and called for stricter monitoring and awareness campaigns to protect public health and the aquatic environment.

National Film Award-winning actress Dolly Zahur is returning to the big screen after a 13-year hiatus. Having stepped away from films in 2011 while continuing to act in television dramas, she is now working on two new projects. Shooting has been completed in Dhaka and Gazipur for Yamin Ilan’s family drama ‘Jhamela’, produced under the Diya Productions banner. The director stated that the story is entirely original and not adapted from any foreign film. Initially hesitant, Zahur agreed to join after hearing the story.

The director expressed hope that audiences would connect with the film’s storyline. The cast includes Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Huraira Tanvir, Saberi Alam, and several others. The final phase of shooting began on Thursday, with plans to release the film during an upcoming Eid. Zahur also appears in Redoan Rony’s ‘Dom’, playing Afran Nisho’s mother in a survival story inspired by true events, featuring Chanchal Chowdhury and Pooja Cherry. Filming took place partly in Pabna and Kazakhstan, with a release planned for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Zahur said she had not intended to return to films but was drawn by the stories and creative process of these two projects, which also feature many of her regular television co-actors.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced that the four additional metro rail trips planned for Friday will not operate following the cancellation of Thursday’s scheduled Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match. The information was confirmed by Md. Ahsan Ullah Sharifi, Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) of MRT Line-6, on January 15, 2026.

According to Sharifi, DMTCL had planned to run four extra trips daily from January 15 to 23 to accommodate passengers traveling to and from Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur during BPL match days. However, the plan has been temporarily suspended due to the match cancellation.

Officials stated that decisions regarding additional trips for upcoming match days will be made based on the evolving situation and future schedules.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against journalist and part-time teacher Anisur Rahman Alamgir, also known as Anis Alamgir, on charges of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources and money laundering. The case was lodged under Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, by Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman at the commission’s headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The ACC’s Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain disclosed the information at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

According to the ACC, Alamgir possesses immovable assets worth Tk 2.5 million and movable assets worth Tk 38.46 million, totaling Tk 40.97 million. Including family and other expenses of Tk 1.59 million, his total wealth amounts to Tk 42.55 million. The commission calculated his legitimate income at Tk 9.9 million, derived from savings, talk shows, consultancy, plot sales, and bank interest. The ACC stated that Tk 32.64 million, or about 77 percent of his total assets, could not be explained by known income sources.

The report also noted that Alamgir had made controversial remarks on social media following the July uprising, criticizing student groups and the current government.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday, marking his formal assumption of duties in Dhaka. According to the US Embassy, Christensen said the United States is proud to call Bangladesh a friend and expressed honor in presenting his credentials to the President.

Christensen highlighted that for over 50 years, the two nations have worked together to enhance regional stability, promote economic growth beneficial to both peoples, and strengthen mutual respect for sovereignty. He stated his eagerness to continue this collaboration and deepen bilateral ties. Senior officials from the President’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the ceremony.

Christensen arrived in Dhaka on Monday evening as the 19th US Ambassador to Bangladesh. He later met with senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to working closely with Dhaka to advance regional peace and prosperity.

Two men were arrested with a pistol and three locally made weapons during a special army operation in Dhunat upazila of Bogura on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The detainees were identified as Raihan Ali Rana, 40, son of Ijar Uddin of Khanna Omar Dighi village, and Firoz Poddar, 38, son of Jamal Poddar of Shakpala village. The operation was conducted in a rented house at Bererbari Babur Bazar area under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir Ahmed Tamal from the Youth Development Camp near Bogura Tinmatha Railgate.

According to police sources, the two men had been living in a rented house owned by Khokon Mia in Babur Bazar area. Acting on a tip-off, army personnel raided the house and recovered one pistol and three machetes. Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam confirmed the arrests and said the detainees would be handed over to the police for further action.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the purpose of the weapons or the suspects’ possible affiliations.

Journalist Akram Hossain, the Manikganj district representative of the daily Amar Desh, has filed a general diary at Manikganj Sadar Police Station after allegedly receiving threats over a published news report. According to the diary, on the night of January 14 around 8:19 p.m., he received a phone call from a foreign number. The unidentified caller used offensive language about the news and its caption and issued multiple threats.

The caller reportedly warned that if Akram Hossain or his family faced any harm, even a local MP candidate from Manikganj-3 would not be able to help him. When the journalist asked for the caller’s identity, the person hung up. The diary states that Akram and his family have been living in fear since the incident.

Manikganj Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sarwar Alam said the matter is being taken seriously and that necessary legal action will follow after investigation.