A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 53 bank accounts belonging to Faisal Karim Masud, the main accused in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. The accounts contain a total of 6,550,246 taka. The order was issued on Wednesday, January 7, by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to the CID’s application, Sub-Inspector Abdul Latif, the investigating officer, sought to freeze the accounts as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering allegations linked to the murder. The case involves the shooting death of Hadi on Box Culvert Road in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. Authorities are also investigating other individuals and organizations suspected of involvement.

The court’s order marks a significant step in the financial investigation accompanying the murder case, as law enforcement continues to trace possible money laundering connections related to the accused and his associates.

Vote counting for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUSU) election is ongoing, with results from 23 of 39 centers officially announced by the Election Commission. According to the latest figures, Shibir-backed candidate Riazul Islam is leading the vice president race with 2,819 votes, while his rival, AKM Rakib from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, has received 2,691 votes. Shibir-supported candidates are also maintaining strong leads in the general secretary and assistant general secretary positions.

In the general secretary race, Shibir’s Arif has secured 2,980 votes, ahead of Khadijatul Kubra with 1,239 votes. For assistant general secretary, Shibir’s Masud has 2,656 votes, followed by Atikul Rahman Tanzil with 2,350 votes. The long-awaited JnUSU election was held on Tuesday after several postponements. Out of 16,445 registered voters, 66 percent cast their ballots across 39 centers and 178 booths.

The election included 190 candidates contesting for positions in both the central and hall unions, with 8,479 female and 8,170 male voters participating.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the maximum home loan limit for banks with low default rates. According to a circular issued on Tuesday, banks with classified loans below 5 percent can now lend up to Tk 4 crore for flat purchases. The previous uniform ceiling for all banks was Tk 2 crore. The revised policy takes immediate effect and replaces earlier directives, while other consumer loan guidelines remain unchanged.

The central bank stated that the revision aims to address rising housing and construction material costs and growing demand in the real estate sector. Under the new rules, banks with default loans between 5 and 10 percent may lend up to Tk 3 crore, and those with over 10 percent defaults will maintain the previous Tk 2 crore limit. The loan-to-equity ratio remains unchanged at 70:30, meaning borrowers must contribute 30 percent of the property value.

The last adjustment to the home loan ceiling occurred in 2019, when the limit was raised from Tk 1.2 crore to Tk 2 crore for all banks.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman held a meeting with leaders of Gulshan Thana BNP and its affiliated organizations on Wednesday afternoon at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting was part of his preparations to contest the upcoming 13th parliamentary election from the Dhaka-17 constituency.

The session was attended by key party figures including Dhaka-17 election coordinator Abdus Salam, BNP chairperson’s adviser Dr. Forhad Halim Donar, Jubo Dal president Abdul Monayem Munna, Dhaka North BNP joint convener Mostafizur Rahman Segun, Dhaka North Jubo Dal president Sharif Uddin Jewel, member secretary Sazzatul Miraj, Chhatra Dal general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, and Gulshan Thana BNP member secretary Md. Shahjahan. Leaders and activists from Gulshan Thana BNP and its associate bodies were also present.

The meeting focused on organizational coordination and election preparedness within the Dhaka-17 constituency, signaling the party’s early mobilization efforts for the upcoming national polls.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the government’s proposal for dialogue aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced the decision on Tuesday near Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains imprisoned. The statement was reported by Geo News.

Gohar Ali Khan said PTI never refused talks but questioned how discussions could proceed without meeting Imran Khan. He noted that party representatives visit every Tuesday but have been denied access to Khan for over a month. PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja stated that no dialogue could progress without the founder’s participation, while PTI leader Barrister Ali Zafar urged the government to create a suitable environment for talks. Earlier, the Prime Minister’s political adviser Rana Sanaullah said political progress was impossible without building trust at the highest level.

Imran Khan was ousted from power in April 2022 through a no-confidence motion and has been in jail since August 2023 facing multiple cases, including corruption and terrorism charges.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), said that fifteen years after the killing of Felani at the border, justice has still not been served. Speaking at a rally in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar-Paltan area on Wednesday, he alleged that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) killed 34 Bangladeshis in 2025 without accountability. He called for a firm response to such incidents, claiming that India’s border guards only understand the language of bullets.

Pradhan also criticized the Indian government for what he described as false allegations of Hindu persecution in Bangladesh and questioned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s relationship with Delhi. He urged voters to support Islamic and patriotic alliances in upcoming elections to end what he termed Indian dominance and aggression. The protest was organized by JAGPA to mark Felani Murder Day and was attended by party leaders including Iqbal Hossain, Asadur Rahman Khan, Syed Shafiqul Islam, and others.

The event reflected JAGPA’s continued opposition to Indian influence and its demand for stronger national policy on border security and sovereignty.

A week after former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s death on December 30, people from all walks of life continue to visit her grave to offer prayers and shed tears in silence. The report from January 7 describes a steady stream of visitors, including leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations, as well as ordinary citizens who came to pay floral tribute, recite from the Quran, and pray for her soul.

The scene at the gravesite reflects deep public affection and respect for Khaleda Zia, who is remembered as an uncompromising leader. Visitors recalled her role in anti-autocracy movements and her years of political struggle. Many described her as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, while others emphasized the enduring influence of the Zia family in Bangladesh’s politics. Organized prayers and Quran recitations were also held by various groups, including the Nationalist Ulema team and the Arafat Rahman Koko Sports Circle.

Speakers at the site described her death as an irreparable loss for Bangladesh and noted that her leadership transcended political divisions, uniting people in shared remembrance and respect.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has postponed the hearing on the formation of formal charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The new date for the hearing has been set for January 11. The two are accused of crimes against humanity, including shutting down the internet during the so-called July Revolution. The order was issued by tribunal member Shafiul Alam Mahmood, with Palak produced before the court from prison.

The hearing was originally scheduled for today but was delayed because the state-appointed lawyer for fugitive accused Joy had not yet received the necessary authorization letter. Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam, along with prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M.H. Tamim, represented the prosecution, while Liton Ahmed appeared for Palak. Earlier, on December 4, arrest warrants were issued against both accused, and Joy was later declared absconding after failing to appear.

The tribunal had previously appointed a state defense lawyer for Joy on December 17 after public notices failed to secure his appearance. The next hearing will determine whether formal charges will be framed against the two accused.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has dismissed reports by Indian media suggesting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued an ultimatum requiring Bangladesh to play the upcoming T20 World Cup matches in India. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the BCB stated that the ICC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Bangladesh’s full and uninterrupted participation in the tournament and expressed willingness to work closely with the board to address its concerns.

The BCB clarified that claims of receiving an ultimatum from the ICC were completely baseless and fabricated. It emphasized that the content of the ICC’s communication bore no resemblance to such reports. The board also reiterated that the ICC welcomed BCB’s input in the tournament’s detailed security planning and would give due consideration to its views.

According to the statement, the BCB remains firm in prioritizing the safety and security of the national team and players. It plans to continue constructive discussions with the ICC and relevant authorities to ensure a satisfactory and practical resolution for Bangladesh’s smooth participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Police recovered the body of an unidentified young man from a pond near Daulatpur Mosque in Kutubpur, under Narayanganj Sadar upazila, on Wednesday morning around 9 a.m. The body, believed to be of a man aged between 25 and 26 years, was found without any clothing, according to police reports.

Fatullah Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Milon Fakir stated that the body was recovered after receiving information from locals. No one in the area recognized the deceased. A bag containing clothes was found on the bank of the pond. The police prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the hospital for autopsy. Efforts are underway to identify the victim.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death, and police said the investigation will continue until the man’s identity and circumstances of death are confirmed.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has held a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) under the leadership of the party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. The discussion began on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, around 3:15 p.m. at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, inside the Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) conference room. The meeting was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin and attended by the full commission.

A six-member delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Dr. Taher, participated in the meeting. The delegation included several senior leaders of the party. The report did not specify the agenda or topics discussed during the session.

The meeting marks a formal engagement between the Election Commission and Jamaat-e-Islami leadership, though details of the outcomes or next steps were not disclosed in the source.

A report from Kurigram recalls the tragic killing of a 13 or 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl named Felani, who was shot dead by an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier while crossing the border near pillar 947 at Phulbari’s Uttar Anantapur area. The incident occurred as her father, Nurul Islam, attempted to bring her home from Delhi through brokers without valid travel documents. The girl, wearing a red sweater, was found hanging on the barbed wire fence after being struck by a bullet fired by BSF member Amiya Ghosh.

The article describes Felani’s background as the eldest daughter of a poor family who had gone to India to work and support her parents and siblings. After a year of labor in Delhi, she was returning home for marriage when the fatal shooting occurred. The report portrays the event as a symbol of border violence and human tragedy.

According to the report, fifteen years after the killing, no justice has been served, leaving the case unresolved and the memory of Felani’s death a painful reminder for border residents.

Mir Arshadul Haque, joint convener and chief coordinator of the Chattogram metropolitan unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The joining took place on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, where Haque met the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Later, he received the party’s primary membership from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

According to the report, Haque had earlier announced his resignation from the NCP on December 25 through a Facebook post. His move marks a shift from his previous political affiliation to one of Bangladesh’s major opposition parties.

The report did not mention any official statement from Haque or BNP leaders regarding the reasons for his switch or his future role within the party.

Iran’s army chief, General Amir Hatami, issued a warning on Wednesday that the country will not quietly accept threats from foreign powers. His statement came after the United States and Israel expressed support for anti-government protests in Iran and made strong remarks against Tehran. According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, Hatami said the Islamic Republic views the escalation of hostile rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not tolerate its continuation without response.

In recent days, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intervene in Iran if protesters were killed, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly voiced support for the demonstrations. Tehran’s reaction, delivered through its military leadership, signals a firm stance amid ongoing political unrest and growing international pressure.

The statement reflects Iran’s intent to resist external interference as tensions rise over domestic protests and foreign criticism, underscoring a potentially volatile phase in its relations with the US and Israel.

Human rights organization Odhikar has demanded justice for the killing of Felani by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and called for an end to border killings. The demand was made on Wednesday at a rally held at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark Felani Day and protest her death.

Odhikar’s director Nasir Uddin Elan stated that the manner in which Felani was killed at the border is known, yet justice has not been served. He described the killing of a woman at the border as a grave human rights violation and urged everyone to raise their voices against such incidents. Families of several victims of border killings were present at the event, along with Odhikar researcher Taskin Fahmin and other senior leaders of the organization.

The rally highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights violations along the Bangladesh-India border and renewed calls for accountability and justice for victims of cross-border violence.