The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is confronting internal unrest in Comilla, a district long considered one of its strongholds, as the upcoming parliamentary election approaches. The party has announced candidates for all eleven constituencies in the district, but protests have erupted in five—Comilla-2, Comilla-6, Comilla-7, Comilla-9, and Comilla-10—after several leaders were denied nominations. These demonstrations by excluded aspirants and their supporters have exposed divisions within the party’s local ranks.

Historically, BNP dominated Comilla, winning eight of twelve seats in 1991 and eleven in 2001 as part of an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, before dropping to two seats in 2008. Analysts cited in the report suggest that the political landscape shifted after August 5, 2024, with the emergence of rebel and independent candidates weakening BNP’s position and potentially benefiting Jamaat. In several constituencies, including Comilla-1 through Comilla-5, multiple parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are fielding active campaigns.

Local observers believe that unless BNP resolves its internal divisions, it risks losing up to six seats in Comilla to rival or allied groups.

A hearing on the formation of formal charges against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak is scheduled to take place today. The charges relate to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The hearing is set to be held before the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

Earlier, on December 4, the tribunal issued arrest warrants for both accused and ordered them to appear before the court by December 10. Joy did not appear, prompting a public notice for his appearance. Palak, who was already under arrest in another case, was produced before the court and shown arrested in this case. After Joy failed to appear following the notice, the court appointed a state defense lawyer for him on December 17 and set today for the charge formation hearing.

The tribunal’s proceedings mark a continuation of legal actions linked to alleged offenses during the July Revolution period.

The United States has announced a new update to its visa bond list, adding Bangladesh among 38 countries whose citizens may now be required to deposit a financial bond when applying for a U.S. visa. The updated list was released by the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, and the new rule will take effect from January 21. Under the policy, applicants from these countries may need to pay between 5,000 and 15,000 U.S. dollars as a visa bond.

According to the announcement, most of the countries included in the list are from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The visa bond system is designed to discourage visa overstays by requiring a refundable financial guarantee from applicants. The measure is expected to make obtaining U.S. visas more difficult for many citizens of the listed countries.

The newly added countries include Bangladesh, Algeria, Angola, Antigua, Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

On January 7, 2026, fifteen years passed since the killing of 14-year-old Felani Khatun, whose body was found hanging on the barbed wire fence along the Bangladesh-India border in Kurigram. Despite the global outrage that followed the 2011 shooting by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) member Amiya Ghosh, her family has yet to see justice. Felani’s father, Nurul Islam, continues to seek accountability through Indian courts, expressing frustration that the case remains unresolved.

The BSF court in Cooch Behar acquitted Amiya Ghosh twice, in 2013 and 2015. Following these verdicts, Nurul Islam and Indian human rights activist Kirity Roy filed a petition with the Indian Supreme Court, but repeated delays have stalled the case. Nurul Islam said the trial has not progressed since a change in government and appealed for his daughter’s killer to be punished.

Felani’s parents, Nurul Islam and Jahanara Begum, continue to struggle financially while raising their remaining five children. They have appealed to the government for educational support and renewed calls for justice, saying that only a fair verdict can prevent future border killings.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of imitating his dance moves and labeled him a violent leader responsible for millions of deaths. Speaking before Republican lawmakers at the Kennedy Arts Center in Washington, Trump claimed Maduro tried to mimic his dance on stage. He also alleged that a torture center once operated in central Caracas but offered no further details.

Trump’s remarks followed a New York Times report suggesting that Maduro’s public dancing despite U.S. threats signaled to White House officials that it was time for tougher action on Venezuela. The Venezuelan leader had been seen dancing to a techno version of the slogan “No war, yes peace” during U.S. troop deployments in the Caribbean in late 2025, while Trump is known for dancing to the disco song “YMCA” at his rallies.

Although Trump praised a recent U.S. special forces operation to detain Maduro and his wife, he did not outline any clear plan for managing Venezuela after Maduro’s fall. Much of his speech focused on preparations for the 2026 midterm elections and his political priorities.

In Matlab North of Chandpur, a contractor demolished a fragile culvert during canal excavation and then disappeared, leaving 19 landless families stranded for one and a half years. The culvert, located over a Water Development Board canal in Dubgi village of Gazra Union, was the only access route for residents of a government-funded housing project built in 2019 between Kolakanda and Palalokdi villages. Since its destruction, the families have faced severe hardship, crossing the canal daily using a precariously placed palm tree.

Residents report multiple injuries from falls while attempting to cross, including a woman who broke her leg. A representative from the contractor’s firm, speaking anonymously, claimed their company was not responsible for rebuilding the culvert. Matlab North Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Chengarchar municipal administrator Mahmuda Kulsum Moni said she learned of the issue through the media and promised that the matter would be addressed urgently through the relevant department.

Local authorities have indicated that a new culvert will likely be constructed soon to restore safe access for the affected families.

In the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JCSU) election, results from eight of the 39 polling centers have been announced. According to the official declaration made by the JCSU Election Commission at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Shibir-backed vice president (VP) candidate Riazul Islam received 810 votes, while Chhatra Dal-backed candidate A.K.M. Rakib secured 804 votes, leaving Riazul ahead by six votes.

Departmental results show varying leads between the two panels. In the Microbiology Department, Riazul received 87 votes against Rakib’s 46, while in the Finance Department, Rakib led with 231 votes to Riazul’s 138. Other departments, including Computer Science, Genetic Engineering, Geography, Anthropology, Public Administration, and Pharmacy, reported mixed outcomes across VP, GS, and AGS positions.

Vote counting was temporarily halted on Tuesday night at 9:20 p.m. due to a technical fault in the counting machine. The process resumed after the issue was resolved, and results were later released following a long interruption.

Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez stated on Tuesday that no foreign power governs her country. Speaking on national television, she emphasized that Venezuela is under its own government’s authority and not directed by any external force. Her remarks came amid heightened tensions following a U.S. military operation in the country.

Venezuela’s Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab called for the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, describing the U.S. military action as an illegal armed aggression lacking a declaration of war or United Nations Security Council authorization. The Venezuelan government released a list of 24 soldiers killed in the operation, while Cuba reported the deaths of 32 of its military members. Rodríguez declared seven days of national mourning in their memory.

Since Maduro’s detention from his residence, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has not clarified its plans for Venezuela. Trump said the United States would run the country, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that U.S. officials would provide guidance on how it should be governed.

The long-awaited Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall elections concluded peacefully on Tuesday after several postponements. Despite scattered allegations of bias among candidates, voting took place smoothly under tight security and administrative oversight. Voter turnout was lower than expected, with 65 percent casting ballots for the central union and 77 percent for hall councils. However, counting faced delays due to mechanical faults in the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines, preventing the election commission from starting tallying for over six hours.

Vote counting began around 6:15 p.m. but was suspended due to crowding and later halted again when machines produced inconsistent results. The commission and university administration held meetings with candidates and faculty representatives to resolve the issue. Election Commissioner Professor Kaniz Fatema Kakli said a manual count of 300 votes would be cross-checked with two OMR machines to determine which device matched manual results, and counting would proceed accordingly.

The election featured four panels representing different student political affiliations, with 157 candidates competing for 36 positions across the central and hall unions.

The Commission of Inquiry on enforced disappearances submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 4, 2026, concluding that abductions and secret detentions in Bangladesh were not isolated incidents but part of a planned, coordinated, and sustained state system within the military and security structure. The report states that responsibility extends beyond field-level soldiers to operational units, mid-level commanders, intelligence leadership, and top decision-makers.

According to the commission, field officers executed blindfolded abductions and illegal detentions without formal arrest records, while mid-level commanders and intelligence units maintained and coordinated these operations. The report cites evidence of systematic cooperation among units, including the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). It also rejects claims by senior officers that they were unaware of such activities, noting that detention cells were located near commanding offices and that senior officials regularly inspected them.

The commission concludes that enforced disappearances were used as a political control mechanism rather than for national security. It criticizes the use of military law to avoid accountability, noting that enforced disappearance is not recognized as a crime under that framework.

China has announced the suspension of exports of dual-use goods to Japan following heightened bilateral tensions triggered by Japan’s comments on the Taiwan issue. In a statement issued on Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said the restriction applies to products usable in both civilian and military sectors. The ban covers items such as drones and certain rare earth materials used in semiconductor production. Exports to Japanese military users or for purposes that could enhance Japan’s military capability are prohibited. The ministry also warned that individuals or entities violating the restrictions would face legal action.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protested the decision, calling it “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.” Tokyo accused Beijing of violating international norms and targeting Japan specifically. Japan has urged China to immediately withdraw the export suspension.

The move underscores escalating friction between the two Asian powers, with trade and security dimensions now intersecting over the sensitive Taiwan issue.

A severe cold wave has gripped Naogaon, where the country’s lowest temperature of the season—6.7 degrees Celsius—was recorded on Wednesday, January 7, according to the local agricultural meteorological observatory. The temperature, measured at 6 a.m., marks the coldest point in Bangladesh so far this winter.

Despite relatively low fog density, chilly winds have intensified the cold, paralyzing daily life across both urban and rural areas. The cold weather has disrupted seasonal paddy planting and caused hardship for the homeless population. Residents have been enduring similar conditions for the past three days.

Mizanur Rahman, acting officer of the Badalgachhi Weather Observatory, said that adverse weather has affected public life for three consecutive weeks and that a moderate cold wave is currently sweeping the district. Temperatures may drop further in the coming days, he added.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reaffirmed its decision not to send the national team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing concerns over national dignity and player safety. The board stated that even if the International Cricket Council (ICC) guarantees maximum security, Bangladesh will not participate in matches held in India. BCB directors confirmed that they have sent two letters to the ICC requesting relocation of Bangladesh’s matches to co-host Sri Lanka but have yet to receive any response.

The dispute follows the removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League after threats from extremist political groups in India. The BCB considers this incident an insult to Bangladesh’s national pride and questions India’s ability to ensure safety for the entire team, journalists, and supporters. The board believes the ICC is reconsidering its plans, as no official decision has been communicated yet.

If the ICC declines to move the matches, the BCB is prepared to boycott the tournament, despite potential financial losses and forfeiture of points. The board expects the ICC to decide soon on venue adjustments and scheduling challenges involving other teams.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over a recent dramatic operation by the United States in Venezuela, warning that it constitutes a clear violation of a fundamental principle of international law. The statement was reported from Geneva on Tuesday by AFP, where the UN said the incident raises serious concerns about international law and state sovereignty.

At a press conference in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, stated that any threat or use of force by one state against another’s territorial integrity or political independence is contrary to international law. She added that such actions could undermine global stability and the international law-based order.

The UN’s remarks highlight growing apprehension about the implications of unilateral military or coercive actions, emphasizing the need to uphold international legal norms and respect for national sovereignty.

Local residents in Ramgarh, Khagrachhari, have accused contractors of indiscriminately cutting hills to fill land for a land port project built primarily to serve India’s interests. Despite visible environmental destruction, they claim the administration has taken no effective action. Soil from at least three nearby hills was reportedly used to fill about 10 acres of land, violating tender conditions that required sand. The project, initiated under the former Awami League government, resumed full-scale construction after a brief slowdown following the 2024 uprising and government change.

Officials and experts have acknowledged the issue, with the local administration confirming limited fines and ongoing investigations. Engineers warn that using hill soil instead of river sand could compromise the project’s durability, risking subsidence and structural damage. The Tk 161 crore project includes customs, passenger, and warehouse facilities, with contractors blaming subcontractors for the violations.

Security analysts have also raised concerns that the port’s location near the Indian border could pose strategic risks for Bangladesh. The interim government has announced a review of the project’s costs and benefits, while construction nears completion.