The Sirajganj Press Club organized a protest and human chain on Wednesday morning following a petrol bomb attack on the home of Shariful Islam Inna, the district correspondent of the daily Amar Desh and general secretary of the Sirajganj Press Club. The event took place at the press club premises, where speakers including club president Harun-or-Rashid Khan Hasan and office secretary Enamul Haque condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved.

According to the report, the attack occurred on Saturday night, January 10, around 9 p.m., in the Diyar Dhangora area of Sirajganj municipality. Three youths reportedly arrived on a motorcycle and threw two petrol bombs at Inna’s residence before fleeing. The explosion caused a fire that spread panic among family members, but it was quickly brought under control with water. A complaint has been filed with the local police station.

Members of the Sirajganj Press Club’s executive committee, including several current and former office bearers, attended the protest to express solidarity and demand justice for the attack.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has filed an appeal in a US court against an order to sell its American subsidiary, Citgo. Company representatives said on Tuesday that they have requested the cancellation of the court-directed sale, which was initiated to repay outstanding debts. Multiple creditors have long sought to recover more than 20 billion dollars owed by Venezuela, with Citgo being a key target for repayment claims.

According to AFP, a court in Delaware approved the sale of Citgo in late November last year as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged legal dispute. Citgo’s board has also petitioned to halt the sale, arguing that the US foreclosure process involves a serious conflict of interest that could harm the company’s economic value. The board estimates Citgo’s current worth at around 10 billion dollars.

The appeal marks the latest development in a complex legal battle over Venezuela’s unpaid debts and the future of one of its most valuable foreign assets.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has clarified the island’s stance on its political alignment, stating that if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, Greenland would choose Denmark. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, according to BBC reports.

The statement follows comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting that the United States should acquire ownership of Greenland to counter Russia and China. The White House reportedly discussed the possibility of purchasing the island and did not entirely rule out the use of force. In response, Denmark’s Prime Minister described the US approach as “completely unacceptable pressure” from a close ally and warned that the situation could become more difficult.

Nielsen emphasized that Greenland faces a “geopolitical crisis” but firmly rejected any notion of US ownership or governance, reiterating that Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Dhaka on the morning of January 14, 2026, as part of its global tour. The golden trophy was flown in by a special aircraft to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, accompanied by Brazilian football legend and 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal received the trophy at the airport, joined by national team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, BIDA Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

Following its arrival, the trophy was taken to the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital. Only selected winners of Coca-Cola’s “Under the Cap” campaign were allowed to view and photograph the trophy between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The event was kept limited, with no public display, due to overall national circumstances. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June and July.

The brief visit marked a rare opportunity for Bangladeshi football fans to witness the iconic trophy up close, even under restricted arrangements.

More than one hundred garment workers became ill with vomiting and convulsions on Wednesday morning at two separate factories in Tongi, Gazipur. The incidents occurred at Garments Export Village, owned by MTranet Group, and Bravo Apparels Ltd. in Alom Tower on Meghna Road. Factory authorities arranged treatment for the affected workers at Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital in Tongi and Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur. Twelve workers were admitted to the Tongi hospital.

Workers from Bravo Apparels reported that a strong odor spread through the fifth floor shortly after work began, causing many to vomit and faint. Employees at Garments Export Village said similar sickness had occurred two days earlier, prompting temporary closure of several floors. When operations resumed, more workers again fell ill. Hospital doctor Nahida Sultana said most patients suffered panic attacks, with some experiencing breathing difficulties and weakness. Factory authorities declined to comment to the media.

Industrial police inspector Azad Rahman confirmed visiting the sites and said additional police were deployed. Authorities are investigating the cause, and both factories have been temporarily closed.

On the fifth day of appeals against returning officers’ decisions for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, the Election Commission heard 36 appeals in the first hour. Of these, 28 were approved, five were rejected, one was kept pending until 4:30 p.m., and two appellants were absent. The hearings began at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Among the rejected appeals, independent candidates from Rajshahi-1, Manikganj-1, and Sirajganj-6 lost their nominations due to unverifiable voter lists submitted with their applications. In Chattogram-13, a candidate from Gano Adhikar Parishad was disqualified over loan default. Meanwhile, in Cumilla-2, the commission upheld the nomination of independent and BNP leader Abdul Matin, rejecting an appeal by BNP’s nominated candidate Principal Md. Selim Bhuiyan.

The appeal process continues as part of the Election Commission’s review of nomination disputes ahead of the 13th national election.

A joint operation by law enforcement agencies in Kararchar and Jangaila areas of Shibpur upazila, Narsingdi, led to the recovery of a large quantity of weapons and drugs and the arrest of seven individuals. The operation was conducted at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Shamim Rahman, PSC Sigs of the 9 Signal Battalion. The detainees and seized items have been handed over to Shibpur Model Police Station.

Among the recovered items were one firearm with two cartridges, three pistol magazines, 1,600 yaba tablets, cash amounting to Tk 15,40,100, 17 mobile phones (13 smartphones and 4 button phones), two samurai swords, six bottles of phensedyl, nine bottles of foreign liquor, two fake pistols, two machetes, and one laptop. The officer-in-charge of Shibpur Model Police Station, Mohammad Kohinur Mia, confirmed the incident.

The arrests include individuals from Kararchar, Shahapur, and Jangaila areas, among them a local figure identified as Jamal Uddin Khoka and his associates. The seized materials are now under police custody for further investigation.

Italy has summoned Iran’s ambassador in protest against the Iranian government’s violent suppression of ongoing demonstrations. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he called in Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sabouri to express Italy’s condemnation of the use of force against protesters. Tajani stated that repression of citizens is unacceptable and emphasized that dialogue cannot justify violence against civilians.

According to the report, large-scale anti-government protests have been taking place in Iran since December 28, triggered by a severe economic crisis and the devaluation of the national currency. The Iranian government has accused the United States and Israel of instigating the unrest. Iran has also officially acknowledged for the first time that around 2,000 people have died in the security forces’ crackdown on the protests.

The diplomatic move by Italy adds to growing international concern over Iran’s handling of the demonstrations, highlighting tensions between Tehran and Western governments over human rights and internal repression.

Students from Kabi Nazrul Government College and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College staged a road blockade at Tantibazar intersection in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding the final ordinance for Dhaka Central University be issued. The demonstration began around 11:30 a.m. from their college premises, moving through Ray Saheb Bazar before reaching Tantibazar, where they occupied the road. The blockade continued until about 2:30 p.m., causing severe traffic congestion in the area. Later, the students began marching toward Science Lab, where they planned to announce their next program.

Participants said they had repeatedly approached the Ministry of Education but received no satisfactory response, prompting them to take to the streets. They vowed to continue their movement until the ordinance is approved and published as a gazette through the president. One student noted that the prolonged delay by authorities has severely disrupted their academic life.

The students’ demand centers on the swift presentation of the Dhaka Central University ordinance to the cabinet for final approval and gazette publication.

Iran may carry out the death sentence of Erfan Soltani today, a 26-year-old arrested last week in Karaj for alleged involvement in ongoing anti-government protests. Soltani was among thousands detained during the demonstrations. Within less than a week, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, according to The Guardian.

Amnesty International expressed concern over Soltani’s case, warning that Iranian authorities might again be using rapid trials and executions to suppress dissent. The organization said officials informed Soltani’s family of his sentence on January 11. Due to widespread protests and internet shutdowns, Soltani has reportedly been unable to contact his loved ones.

Observers note that Iran is the world’s second-highest executor after China. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization reported that at least 1,500 people were executed in Iran last year, highlighting the country’s extensive use of capital punishment.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 17 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, into Bangladesh through the Charaldanga border in Gomastapur upazila of Chapainawabganj on Tuesday night. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained them early Wednesday near Shibnagar Bazar, about three kilometers from the border. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of BGB’s 16th Battalion, confirmed the incident.

According to BGB, the group—comprising eight men, five women, and four children—are residents of Khulna and Jashore. They had previously entered India illegally and were arrested by Indian police. The detainees served three years in Agra jail before being released upon completion of their sentences. After their release, Indian police handed them over to BSF, which then pushed them back into Bangladesh.

Following their detention, BGB handed the 17 individuals over to Gomastapur police for further legal procedures.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Member Secretary A S M Suza Uddin has warned that the ongoing multifront war in neighboring Myanmar could become increasingly severe. In a short article shared in the NCP’s Cox’s Bazar district WhatsApp-based media group, he emphasized that ensuring the safety of citizens in Bangladesh’s border areas is the government’s primary responsibility. Suza Uddin, nominated by the NCP for the Bandarban-300 hill constituency and a resident of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar, called for an urgent meeting involving all political stakeholders.

He suggested forming a strong collaborative force comprising government, administration, and local representatives to operate effectively in the Ghumdhum area of Bandarban and the Ukhiya-Teknaf region. He also stressed the need for maximum caution so that no innocent Bangladeshi becomes a victim amid the Rohingya crisis. According to him, Bangladesh is simultaneously facing multiple internal challenges, including elections, fascist tendencies, and international pressures.

Suza Uddin’s remarks highlight growing concern over cross-border instability and the need for coordinated national preparedness in response to Myanmar’s escalating conflict.

Venezuela’s new interim government has begun releasing American citizens imprisoned in the country starting Tuesday, according to a U.S. official who confirmed and welcomed the move. The official, speaking anonymously, said multiple detainees had been freed but did not disclose the total number or further details. The releases were ordered by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under ousted leader Nicolás Maduro, following a request from the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the initiative, announcing that he had canceled a planned attack on Venezuela in response to the country’s cooperation. The development follows years of political turmoil after Maduro was declared winner of the disputed 2024 presidential election, which triggered mass protests and a harsh government crackdown that led to thousands of arrests.

Earlier, Venezuela had also released Spanish and Italian citizens from detention. The United States has long considered the release of its citizens held abroad a top diplomatic priority.

Reports from Assam’s Nagaon district describe repeated forced deportations of Bengali-origin Muslims to Bangladesh. A 31-year-old resident, Hasan Ali, told media outlet The Scroll that his father, 58-year-old farmer Taher Ali, was pushed across the border three times in eight months after being declared a ‘foreigner’ by Assam’s Foreigners Tribunal. The tribunal, which has stripped thousands of residents of citizenship, often issued unilateral rulings without hearing the accused. Since May last year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam has allegedly bypassed legal deportation procedures, using the 1950 law to expel declared foreigners at gunpoint during the night.

Bangladesh has refused to accept these individuals, leaving many trapped in a cycle of pushback and return. At least seven residents were reportedly forced across the border in December, only to be denied entry and later detained by Bangladeshi authorities. Legal experts and observers told The Scroll that Assam’s policy violates both constitutional and international norms. An Oxford researcher described the situation as the creation of statelessness, with people being treated like ‘tennis balls’ between two nations.

The Indian Border Security Force and Home Ministry did not respond to inquiries about the legality or nationality verification process behind these expulsions.

Police in Cumilla’s Burichang upazila arrested three suspects accused of killing a pregnant woman, Fahima Akter Akhi, following a dispute over diaper disposal. The arrests took place near the Kasba border area as the suspects allegedly prepared to flee to India. Burichang police, acting on a tip-off, conducted a joint operation with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and detained the accused just before they could cross the border.

The arrested individuals were identified as Md. Saidur Rahman, 24, Shafiul Jannat alias Siam, 19, and Shahariar Nazim Joy, 19. Saidur and Siam are residents of Jagatpur (Nagarbari) in Burichang, while Joy is from Bashmangal village under Cumilla Kotwali police station. According to the Burichang police officer-in-charge, the detainees are the first, second, and fourth named accused in the murder case.

The incident occurred on January 11 in Jagatpur village, where a trivial dispute over waste disposal escalated into violence. Fahima Akter Akhi was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon, and three others were seriously injured. Police said multiple sections of the penal code have been invoked, and further legal action is underway.