BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. According to a source, they shared dinner together following an invitation from Dr. Yunus. The meeting marked Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Jamuna since returning to Bangladesh in late December after years abroad.

The source indicated that discussions might have included the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the country’s current political situation, though neither the Chief Adviser’s press wing nor the BNP confirmed any details. Press wing officials said the dinner involved an exchange of greetings in a cordial atmosphere.

This was the third meeting between Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman since June of the previous year, when they first met in London after Yunus became Chief Adviser. Their earlier meetings included a private discussion in London and a brief encounter during Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer at the National Parliament premises.

Saudi Arabia has launched a diplomatic initiative with Qatar and Oman aimed at preventing a potential US military attack on Iran. The move follows Washington’s call for its Gulf allies to prepare for possible conflict, which has raised deep concern across regional capitals. Riyadh fears that any escalation could severely damage its economy and provoke domestic unrest, particularly if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to be killed in such an attack.

Gulf states are also worried about the security of oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway crucial to global energy transport. About one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass through this strait, which separates Iran from its Arab neighbors. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have warned the White House that any attempt to overthrow Iran’s government could destabilize oil markets and ultimately harm the US economy.

According to reports cited from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Riyadh has assured Tehran it will not participate in any conflict and has refused to allow US forces to use its airspace for attacks. Gulf nations have also cautioned Washington against pursuing regime change in Tehran, warning it could trigger long-term regional instability.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday night, January 15, 2026, at the Jamuna State Guesthouse in Dhaka. Rahman left his Gulshan office at 6:42 p.m., visited his residence briefly, and then departed for Jamuna at 6:52 p.m. Security measures were visibly tightened in the Jamuna area ahead of his arrival.

The meeting marked the first formal discussion between the two since Rahman’s return to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after 17 years abroad. Upon arrival, he had spoken with the Chief Adviser by phone. They had also met briefly at the funeral of late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on December 31. Previously, on June 13, 2024, Rahman and Yunus held a meeting in London, after which their representatives issued a joint statement.

The renewed engagement between the BNP leader and the Chief Adviser follows a series of high-level contacts since Rahman’s return, suggesting continued political dialogue at the national level.

Dhaka University’s Sada Dal, a group of teachers aligned with Bangladeshi nationalism, has expressed deep concern and astonishment over the current activities and direction of the National Pay Commission. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s convenor Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan and joint convenors Professor Dr. Abdus Salam and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar said the commission has failed to reflect the expectations it was formed to meet.

The statement noted that the commission’s current working methods and decision-making process have disappointed the teaching community. The group praised Professor Dr. Md. Maksudur Rahman Sarkar, a Dhaka University teacher, for resigning from the commission, calling his decision a principled stance that highlights the lack of a healthy and objective environment within the body. The Sada Dal said it had earlier presented specific demands to the commission’s chairman, who had promised to consider them, but no visible action has followed.

The group demanded that the commission urgently correct its current shortcomings and submit recommendations that uphold the dignity and interests of university teachers, warning that any pay structure undermining teachers’ status would be unacceptable.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been indefinitely suspended after players boycotted matches in protest against comments made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam. The boycott led to the cancellation of scheduled matches, including Chattogram Royals versus Noakhali Express and Sylhet Titans versus Rajshahi Warriors. Despite BCB relieving Nazmul Islam of his duties, players did not return to the field, prompting the suspension.

The dispute began when players, through their association, demanded Nazmul Islam’s resignation following his controversial remarks. The BCB later announced his removal in an official statement, citing the board’s interests and confirming that the decision complied with Article 31 of its constitution. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul will temporarily oversee the finance committee.

The indefinite suspension leaves the future of the ongoing BPL season uncertain, as players have yet to signal a return despite the administrative action taken by the board.

Five leaders of the banned Chhatra League were arrested in Cox’s Bazar while visiting the beach area. The group included presidents and general secretaries of the organization’s upazila units in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi and Pakundia. They were detained by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members on Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m. near the Cox’s Bazar airport area, based on secret information. On Thursday afternoon, the detainees were taken into police custody and transferred to the relevant police station.

The arrested individuals were identified as Sheikh Samrat Alamgir, president of Katiadi Upazila Chhatra League; Md. Roni Khan Shuvo, general secretary; Habibur Rahman Rakib, joint general secretary; Samad Ullah; and Tofayel Ahmed Tuhin, general secretary of Pakundia Upazila Chhatra League. Although RAB-15 in Cox’s Bazar did not confirm the arrests, Katiadi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman verified the detention and transfer of the five leaders.

The report did not mention the specific reasons behind the arrests or any subsequent legal actions following their transfer to Katiadi police custody.

A case has been filed in a Dhaka court against five individuals, including three officials of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL). The case was lodged by Muha. Tajul Islam, adviser to the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology (USET), before Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Hasan Shahadat’s court. The court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the allegations and submit a report.

According to the case, USET, located in Narayanganj’s Signboard area, manages two websites—www.uset.ac.bd and www.uset.edu.bd. The university had requested BTCL not to share the admin panel password in April 2025. Later, BTCL raised objections regarding the domain and demanded Tk 23,000 and related documents by November 30, 2025. Although the university submitted the payment and documents, BTCL allegedly refused to accept them, citing an expired deadline.

The complaint further states that after legal notices and a High Court petition, the accused shut down both university domains on January 11, causing significant damage. The court has ordered CID to probe the matter and report its findings.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has expressed optimism about maintaining an electoral alliance under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, despite internal disagreements. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of top alliance leaders at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Thursday, he said efforts would continue to keep the coalition united and that the process of forming the alliance would move forward regardless of differing opinions.

Nahid Islam stated that the alliance reflects public aspirations and that the upcoming election is expected to be competitive. He added that a participatory contest would help advance democracy. According to him, the short time available for forming the alliance has led to some differences, but these are expected to be resolved soon.

He further announced that there would be no individual party candidates in the 300 parliamentary constituencies, as all candidates would represent the alliance, with each party supporting the others.

Inqilab Manch has rejected the charge sheet filed in the murder case of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, accusing the state of severe negligence and non-cooperation in the investigation. The organization made the allegation during an emergency press conference held Thursday afternoon in front of Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, following a court hearing on the charge sheet review. Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber stated that the group expressed formal dissatisfaction with the investigation report and charge sheet during the hearing.

Jaber questioned the conduct of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, citing contradictory statements about the suspect’s whereabouts and the failure to provide him, as the complainant, with a copy of the case. He described the charge sheet as vague and incomplete, claiming it omitted the names of key planners and downplayed the involvement of an organized group. He also alleged that Hadi had filed a general diary before his death reporting death threats, which police initially denied.

Inqilab Manch announced nationwide sit-ins and protest rallies on Friday, vowing to continue demonstrations until justice for Osman Hadi’s murder is ensured.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged irregularities and bias in the handling of postal ballots, claiming that the process favored a particular political party. He made the remarks on Thursday, January 15, after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) secretary at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. Ahmed said complaints had emerged regarding the preparation, dispatch, and use of postal ballots, which he argued undermined the transparency of the electoral process.

He noted that this was Bangladesh’s first initiative to allow expatriates to exercise their voting rights, which might explain some procedural errors. However, he pointed to social media posts showing large numbers of ballots found in private homes, reports of ballot seizures, and instances of ballots being received by individuals other than the intended voters. Ahmed demanded clear explanations from the EC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on how ballots were sent abroad, how expatriates were to vote, and who would be accountable for any irregularities.

The EC reportedly assured that it would review the issues and might provide an explanation later the same day.

Germany announced it will deploy troops to Greenland this week as part of a joint exploratory mission with other European nations. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to seize control of Greenland, according to a Reuters report. The German Defense Ministry said a 13-member Bundeswehr reconnaissance team will be stationed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, from Thursday at Denmark’s invitation.

Denmark’s Defense Ministry stated it is increasing its military presence in Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies. Sweden and Norway also confirmed they will send military personnel to the region. The mission, running from Thursday to Saturday, aims to assess potential military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring regional security.

France, the European Union’s only nuclear power, has also confirmed troop deployment to Greenland. The decision came after a high-level meeting in Washington involving officials from the United States, Denmark, and Greenland.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy call on Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting covered progress on issuing Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 displaced Rohingyas living in Saudi Arabia, manpower export, trade expansion, preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, and an invitation for Bangladesh to join the World Defense Show in Riyadh.

The adviser described Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as close friends, noting the deep emotional and economic ties between the two nations through over 3.2 million Bangladeshi expatriate workers. He requested increased manpower recruitment from Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador inquired about the Rohingya passport process, and the adviser said significant progress had been made, with special teams sent to accelerate the work despite low enrollment attendance.

The adviser also briefed the ambassador on election security preparations, including training for law enforcement and ongoing operations to recover illegal weapons. He declined to attend the February 2026 World Defense Show due to the national election but confirmed that Bangladesh would send a representative.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum supporting the July Charter. Speaking as chief guest at an Imam Conference held at Chattogram District Stadium on Thursday, he said the charter was prepared through nine months of open discussions with political parties and aims to ensure accountability, judicial independence, and balanced governance. He emphasized that the referendum’s symbol is a tick mark and that it seeks public consent for the foundational document guiding the country’s future.

Riaz criticized past concentration of power in one individual’s hands and alleged misuse of presidential pardon powers and partisan appointments in key institutions such as the Election Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission. He said the July Charter proposes parliamentary reforms, including opposition leadership in three committees, financial transparency, and representation for smaller parties. He also rejected misinformation claiming the charter would remove references to religion or the 1971 Liberation War.

He urged religious leaders and citizens to campaign for the 'Yes' vote, asserting that the charter reflects the sacrifices of ordinary people and must not fail.

The Indian government has closed a medical college in Kashmir after right-wing Hindu groups protested the high number of Muslim students admitted. According to Al Jazeera, the National Medical Commission (NMC) on January 6 revoked the accreditation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute in Reasi district, Jammu division. The college’s first MBBS batch, launched in November last year, had 50 students—42 of them Muslim, seven Hindu, and one Sikh. The institution was founded by a Hindu religious trust and partially funded by the government.

The protests began when news spread that most of the admitted students were Muslim. Hindu organizations demanded the cancellation of their admissions, arguing that the college was funded by donations from devotees of the Vaishno Devi temple. The agitation continued for weeks, with daily demonstrations outside the college gates. Several lawmakers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party also urged the Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to restrict admissions to Hindu students only.

The NMC cited faculty shortages, low hospital bed usage, and inadequate facilities as reasons for the withdrawal of approval. Critics described the closure as a capitulation to hardline Hindu groups.

Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Masum Mostafa has regained his candidacy for the Netrakona-5 (Purbadhala) constituency after an appeal to the Election Commission. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a hearing at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin with other commissioners present. Earlier, on January 4, the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman had canceled his nomination.

According to the district returning office, Masum Mostafa had provided incorrect information regarding a court verdict in his nomination papers, which led to the cancellation under election law. Masum stated that the error was unintentional and expressed gratitude to the Election Commission and his constituency voters after his appeal restored his candidacy.

Previously, the district returning officer had validated the nominations of BNP candidate Abu Taher Talukder and Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Nurul Islam for the same constituency, which has a total of 290,117 registered voters, including two from the third gender.