Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said that the public often misunderstands police actions taken in accordance with the law. Speaking to journalists on Saturday at the Rangpur District Police Lines School field, he noted that people question why police under the current government make arrests or control traffic. He emphasized that without public cooperation, it will not be possible to hold a fair election.

The IGP stated that he raised these concerns during a meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting that political interference hampers law enforcement decisions. He identified fear and hesitation among police officers as major challenges. Alam urged the media and citizens to criticize any police misconduct, acknowledging that while total crime control is impossible, the force strives to reduce it within its limitations.

Regarding the upcoming election, Alam said maintaining national stability is a collective responsibility. He added that alongside police, a large number of other law enforcement personnel will be deployed on election day. He also mentioned ongoing investigations into the death of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and several murder cases in Khulna.

The three-day 9th Non-Fiction Book Fair began on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Faculty of Business Studies premises of Dhaka University. The event is jointly organized by the Faculty of Business Studies and the newspaper Bonik Barta. Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha inaugurated the fair as the chief guest. She highlighted the fair’s role in promoting reading, knowledge creation, and social engagement between the university and the wider community.

Professor Bidisha expressed hope that such initiatives would encourage students to develop reading habits and analytical skills. Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Literary and Cultural Secretary Mosaddik Ali Ibn Mohammad remarked that the fair was a welcome initiative, especially as the annual international book fair would be delayed due to upcoming elections. Several other academic and publishing figures also spoke at the opening ceremony.

The fair features 39 publishing houses, including Dhaka University Press, and will remain open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until January 12, 2026.

The Pakistan Navy has successfully conducted a live test of a surface-to-air missile during a military exercise in the North Arabian Sea, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released on Saturday. The test involved the long-range LY-80(H) missile launched from a modern vertical launch system, observed by the Commander of the Pakistan Fleet. The missile hit and destroyed a designated aerial target, demonstrating the navy’s air defense capabilities.

The ISPR statement said the exercise showcased both conventional and unmanned operational capabilities aligned with modern naval warfare requirements. It also included the use of loitering munitions to strike surface targets, highlighting the navy’s precision strike capacity. The exercise further demonstrated advanced tactical maneuvers, accurate navigation, and operational effectiveness under adverse weather conditions.

The successful test validated the Pakistan Navy’s readiness and technological competence in air defense and precision engagement, as emphasized in the ISPR’s briefing.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur announced that at least two large and strong Islamic banks are expected to emerge in the country in the future. Speaking on Saturday at the second day of the International Islamic Finance and Banking Conference at the University of Dhaka, he said these banks would ensure healthy competition and better returns for depositors. The conference was jointly organized by the Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh and the university’s finance department.

Mansur noted that although a significant portion of the banking sector operates under Shariah principles, investment opportunities for Islamic banks remain limited, creating liquidity management challenges. He emphasized the need to develop a Shariah-compliant bond or sukuk market to ease liquidity pressure and strengthen the sector. Currently, about one-fourth of the country’s total banking assets are under Islamic management, but the corresponding investment avenues have not developed proportionately.

The governor added that the government’s initiative to establish a sukuk market would reduce financing costs and help Islamic banks manage liquidity more effectively, leading to greater stability in the overall financial system.

North Korea has claimed that it shot down a South Korean drone that entered about eight kilometers into its airspace, describing the incident as a violation of its sovereignty. The state news agency KCNA reported on Saturday, January 4, that the drone took off from an island near Incheon, South Korea, and was destroyed by North Korean forces. KCNA said the drone carried surveillance cameras intended to photograph ‘important’ facilities inside North Korea, and released images showing wreckage and aerial photos allegedly taken by the drone.

The report comes as North Korea prepares for a key party congress to set its five-year policy direction. According to an analyst cited in the report, the timing reinforces leader Kim Jong Un’s narrative portraying South Korea as a foreign and hostile state. KCNA also recalled a similar incident in September when another South Korean drone was shot down.

KCNA, as cited by Reuters, accused South Korea of continuing ‘provocative acts’ near the border despite a change in government, labeling it the country’s ‘most hostile enemy.’ Since taking office last June, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s attempts to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang have been rejected.

Bangladesh’s Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that it is not possible to reduce bank interest rates at this time. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 10, at an event organized by Banking Almanac at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, where he attended as the chief guest. Ahmed emphasized that given the current realities, lowering loan interest rates is not feasible.

He noted that the banking sector has become relatively stable but cautioned that reducing interest rates remains difficult. The adviser also mentioned that controlling inflation cannot be achieved by the government alone without the cooperation of the business community and the broader society. He expressed hope that he would not fail in his role as economic adviser and that moving Bangladesh forward remains a major challenge.

The comments highlight the government’s cautious stance on monetary policy adjustments amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the financial sector and manage inflationary pressures.

Exiled opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, praised the ongoing protests in Iran on Friday and called for larger demonstrations over the weekend. In a social media video message, he urged Iranians to move beyond street rallies and organize to seize and hold city centers. Pahlavi said he was preparing to return to Iran, believing that change was now very close.

Human rights activists warned that the Iranian government might shut down the internet to conceal its crackdown. According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization, at least 51 people have been killed so far. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi cautioned that security forces could prepare for mass killings under communication blackouts.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced the protesters as vandals and insisted the Islamic Republic would not retreat, blaming the United States for the unrest. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned possible new military actions against Iran, further heightening tensions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a hardline stance against the ongoing nationwide protests, declaring the protection of national security and the 1979 Islamic Revolution’s achievements as a “red line” that cannot be crossed. In a statement broadcast on state television on Saturday, the IRGC accused “terrorists and rioters” of attacking military and law enforcement bases, setting fire to public and government property, and killing several security personnel and civilians. The Iranian army, operating separately under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also vowed to use maximum force to defend national interests and infrastructure.

The protests, spreading for two weeks across Iranian cities, began over inflation and economic hardship but quickly turned political, with demonstrators calling for an end to religious rule. State media reported arson at a municipal building in Karaj and funerals for slain security members in Shiraz, Qom, and Hamedan. Human rights group HRANA said at least 65 people, including 50 protesters and 15 security forces, have been killed, while over 2,500 have been arrested.

US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iranian leaders, expressing support for the “brave people of Iran.” Leaders of France, Britain, and Germany jointly condemned the killings and urged Iranian authorities to refrain from violence.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, stated that a large portion of Bangladesh’s media failed to support persecuted journalists over the past 16–17 years due to fear, pressure, and opportunism. He made the remarks on Saturday at a meeting in Banani, Dhaka, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met with editors and journalists. Mahmudur Rahman said he would not deliver a long speech but would instead mention names of journalists who, in his view, suffered injustice.

He cited the late journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi, who was imprisoned while suffering from cancer and denied treatment, and senior editor Abul Asad, who was jailed for years and unable to be with his wife during her illness. He also described the harsh prison conditions faced by 80-year-old Shafik Rehman and the imprisonment of journalist Kanak Sarwar for broadcasting Tarique Rahman’s speech live. Mahmudur Rahman said mainstream media remained silent in all these cases.

In his closing remarks, he addressed Tarique Rahman, asserting that the true history of Bangladesh’s media and liberation war had been distorted and promising to present a detailed account in the future.

Assistant Professor Hasan Mohammad Roman Shuvo of Chittagong University’s Law Department was detained on Saturday by representatives of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU). He was accused of maintaining regular contact with leaders of the banned Chhatra League, including its current branch president Rubel and secretary Iqbal Hossain Tipu. Information retrieved from his phone reportedly showed frequent communication and messages exchanged in November and December 2025. Roman was also alleged to have ties with Chhatra League leader Abrar Shahriar, who had previously made divisive statements about the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Student leaders from various organizations expressed anger over the incident. ChakSU’s Law and Human Rights Secretary Fazle Rabbi Tawhid questioned whether Roman was conspiring to destabilize the university ahead of elections. Leaders from the Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir criticized the administration for failing to act against those who supported the July uprising’s violence.

University Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md. Kamal Uddin confirmed that Roman’s salary had been suspended following an earlier investigation and that a second inquiry was nearing completion. Further action would be coordinated with the proctor’s office.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of independent candidate Syed A.K. Ekramuzzaman for the Brahmanbaria-1 (Nasirnagar) constituency invalid. The decision was made during a hearing held on Saturday at the EC headquarters in Agargaon. Ekramuzzaman, formerly an adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Managing Director of RAK Ceramics, had submitted his candidacy as an independent.

Ekramuzzaman was expelled from the BNP after defying party decisions to contest the 12th National Parliamentary Election independently. He had previously contested the 9th and 11th parliamentary elections as a BNP candidate but was defeated. In the 12th election held on January 7, 2024, he won the seat as an independent candidate with 89,424 votes under the ‘Banana Stem’ symbol.

Later in 2024, Ekramuzzaman joined the Awami League and was appointed as an adviser to the Brahmanbaria District Awami League committee. The constituency has historically been dominated by the Awami League, with BNP never winning there. This time, BNP’s Nasirnagar Upazila President Abdul Hannan is contesting the seat.

RFL Group has introduced its electric scooter brand 'Raido' at the Dhaka International Trade Fair 2026, marking its first appearance with affordable and eco-friendly models. The company is showcasing nine scooter models at Pavilion 23 of the main exhibition building. The highlight of the stall is the Raido Leaf model, priced at Tk 49,000 after a Tk 6,000 discount from its regular price of Tk 55,000, which has drawn strong interest from young visitors.

According to Raido’s Head of Marketing, Shariful Islam, the brand’s 'Raido DITF Fest' campaign features scooters ranging from Tk 55,000 to Tk 145,000, catering to different budgets and needs. The company is offering discounts up to Tk 14,000, exclusive gifts, and surprise coupons, alongside pre-booking opportunities. The BRTA-approved scooters feature modern designs, powerful motors, long-lasting batteries, and can operate at a cost of 11 paisa per kilometer.

RFL’s Marketing Director Kamruzzaman Kamal said electric scooters have gained global popularity as affordable, eco-friendly vehicles, and the Raido series aims to make urban and rural commuting in Bangladesh more convenient and sustainable.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, has sharply criticized BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, saying that he has been away from Bangladesh for 17 years and does not know what has happened in the country during that time. He made these remarks on Saturday, January 10, at a meeting and greeting event organized by the BNP with editors and senior journalists at a hotel in Banani, Dhaka.

In his speech, Mahmudur Rahman also referred to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, claiming that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not involved in the Liberation War and did not try to learn about it after returning to the country. According to him, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman relied on what Awami League members and the Indian side told him, which led to his failure.

Mahmudur Rahman warned Tarique Rahman that he was relying only on what his associates and new media allies were telling him, and that the real history of Bangladesh’s past 17 years was different. He said he would describe that history if invited to a future event.

A passenger bus crashed into the wall of a mosque in Simantabazar area of Kazipur upazila, Sirajganj, on Saturday before noon while overtaking a stationary truck. The bus, operated by Priyo Enterprise, hit a van carrying sanitary goods before breaking through the wall of the Uttar Jame Mosque. Van driver Farid sustained serious injuries to his shoulder, arm, and head, and was taken to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital. The mosque’s wall, windows, floor, and roof were also damaged in the incident.

The bus was reportedly being driven by Mannan, a helper who had taken the wheel for the trip from Kazipur to Sirajganj. He also suffered head injuries requiring several stitches. The bus owner, Arju, stated that accidents are inevitable when helpers drive vehicles. Police collected evidence from the site, and the Kazipur police investigation officer said legal action would follow if a complaint is filed.

Local witnesses confirmed that the van’s goods were heavily damaged, and the bus’s front portion was wrecked in the collision.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for anti-government protesters in Iran on Saturday through a post on the microblogging platform X, stating that the United States stands with the Iranian people. His statement followed a warning from President Donald Trump on Friday directed at Iran’s leaders, cautioning them against initiating violence.

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Iran have intensified tensions across the country. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) indicated that it may take strict measures if necessary to restore order, asserting that the current instability would not be allowed to persist. Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said that the government would not hesitate to act against those involved in destructive activities, a remark that sparked renewed debate over the role of security forces.

The combination of US statements and Iran’s internal warnings underscores a deepening standoff, with both domestic and international attention focused on how Tehran will respond to the protests.