Former Bangladesh cricket captain Aminul Haque has claimed that pacer Mustafizur Rahman was a victim of a religiously motivated conspiracy after being dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The franchise reportedly acted on a special directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following protests by hardline Hindu groups demanding Mustafizur’s removal. The Bangladesh star had been signed by KKR for 92 million rupees, the highest price ever for a Bangladeshi player in the IPL.

Aminul expressed anger over the decision and urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to investigate whether any group was involved in creating a religious controversy. He warned that such incidents could strain Bangladesh-India relations and voiced concern about the safety of Bangladeshi players during the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Aminul called on both the BCB and the Bangladesh government to address the issue through dialogue and ensure player security.

He further stated that although Mustafizur might face financial loss, his national respect would remain intact, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the matter.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a group will assume control of Venezuela until a safe and fair transfer of power is ensured. When asked who would be part of this group, Trump said his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had been in contact with Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Vice President under Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez became the first Venezuelan official to speak publicly after the U.S. attack, urging Washington to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife.

During a press conference, Trump stated that Rodríguez expressed willingness to do whatever the United States wants. Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, have long been strong supporters of Maduro’s government. However, it is suggested that Rodríguez may have agreed to cooperate with the Trump administration to ensure her own safety.

The situation marks a significant shift in Venezuela’s internal power dynamics following the U.S. intervention, with uncertainty surrounding the future leadership structure and the fate of Maduro.

More than 150 academics, doctors, human rights activists, journalists, and legal experts from home and abroad have expressed concern and protest over what they described as false accusations and defamation against Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, they said that following the December 18 news of the death of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July Revolution, attacks and arson took place at two newspaper offices in Dhaka, and Mahmudur Rahman was unfairly implicated in those incidents.

The signatories stated that the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were attempts to silence the media and restrict freedom of expression. They condemned the social media campaign linking Rahman to the violence as a disgraceful act and an obstacle to independent journalism. They urged the state to identify those responsible for both the attacks and the defamatory campaign and ensure justice through legal means.

The statement further alleged that writers AFM Rashedul Haque Mallik (Maruf Mallik) and AKM Wahiduzzaman Apollo committed criminal offenses by spreading false and defamatory claims, calling for their public apology and legal accountability.

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will temporarily administer Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a military operation. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump said the operation took place overnight, disabling much of Caracas’s power supply and rendering Venezuela’s military capacity ineffective. He confirmed that no US troops were killed and no equipment was damaged, adding that helicopters, fighter jets, and a large number of soldiers participated, supported by the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.

Trump stated that Venezuela would remain under US control until a safe and prudent power transition is completed. He warned of a possible second strike if necessary but said it was unlikely after the successful mission. Maduro faces drug and weapons charges, while Caracas accused Washington of seeking to seize oil and mineral resources. The US hinted at no further action against Caracas, though Venezuela declared a state of emergency.

The United Kingdom denied involvement in the attack, and Russia condemned the operation. Reports cited BBC, Al Jazeera, and Fox News as sources.

Youth and Sports and Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has urged the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to suspend the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Saturday night, he said the move came after the Indian cricket board allegedly instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman under pressure from extremist communal groups. Nazrul condemned the decision and termed it an insult to Bangladesh and its cricketers.

He stated that, as the minister in charge of the sports ministry, he had directed the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board to formally explain the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). He also instructed the board to inform the ICC that if a Bangladeshi player cannot play in India despite having a contract, the national team might not feel safe participating in the World Cup there. Nazrul further said he had advised the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead.

Nazrul reiterated that Bangladesh would not tolerate any insult to its cricket or cricketers and declared that the days of subservience were over.

US military forces have carried out a large-scale operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to the United States. The raid, led by the elite Delta Force unit, marks the first direct US military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Following the operation, questions have emerged over who will assume control of Venezuela’s leadership.

In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump said his administration is considering whether to support opposition leader María Corina Machado, currently in Norway, as Venezuela’s new leader. Trump described Maduro’s election as disgraceful and said the arrest sends a clear message that the United States will no longer bow to pressure. Washington has indicated no further action will be taken against Caracas, while the Venezuelan government has accused the US of seeking to seize its oil and mineral resources.

The United Kingdom stated it was not involved in the operation, and Russia condemned the US military action. A state of emergency has been declared across Venezuela following the raid.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul commented on the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped the player from their upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. Speaking in Sylhet after inaugurating a regional cricket center, Bulbul said he had limited information and could not make detailed comments yet. He confirmed that BCB had not received any official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the franchise.

According to the report, KKR removed Mustafizur following threats from several Hindu nationalist groups and India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The decision was reportedly made under BCCI’s instruction. The issue has raised concerns ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, where Bangladesh is scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Threats have also been issued against these matches, including warnings about damaging the Eden Gardens pitch.

BCB media committee chairman Amjad Hossain said the board had just learned of the situation and would prioritize player safety in discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He noted that ICC safety guidelines would determine the final venue decisions.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to hold a hearing today on the charge framing against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan in a case involving crimes against humanity. The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder with members Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will hear the prosecution’s submission. Ziaul Ahsan was produced before the tribunal on December 23, after which he was shown arrested and sent to jail pending the hearing.

The prosecution had filed formal charges against Ziaul Ahsan on December 17, accusing him of involvement in enforced disappearances and killings. The tribunal issued a production warrant and accepted the charges for hearing. The case includes three specific allegations: the killing of detainees taken from the RAB headquarters in 2011, executions in Barguna’s coastal areas under a code-named operation, and staged “gunfights” in the Sundarbans under operations such as Nishankhali, Mora Bhola, and Kotka. The prosecution claims at least 100 people were killed in these incidents.

Ziaul Ahsan, a former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre, was arrested in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area after August 5 last year and remains in custody.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) announced that it registered 131,000 previously unregistered businesses for Value Added Tax (VAT) during a special campaign conducted across Bangladesh in December. According to an NBR press release issued on Saturday, the campaign was carried out by 12 VAT commissionerates, which worked daily, including holidays, to identify and register new entities. Before the interim government took office, the number of VAT-registered businesses stood at 516,000, which has now risen to 775,000.

NBR’s public relations officer Md. Al Amin Sheikh said the campaign coincided with VAT Day on December 10 and VAT Week from December 10 to 15, followed by a special registration drive from December 10 to 31. He noted that VAT contributes the largest share of total revenue, accounting for 38 percent last year. To expand the VAT base, the government has amended the VAT law, lowering the annual turnover threshold for mandatory registration from 30 million to 5 million taka.

NBR has also introduced measures to simplify VAT registration and payment, including online submission of VAT returns and automated refunds directly to bank accounts.

During the state-run Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2, aimed at preventing possible sabotage and violence ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, joint forces continued special drives across Bangladesh. In Chuadanga’s Darshana area, police arrested two local Jubo League figures—Begumpur Union Jubo League General Secretary Shahin Ahmed and former leader Saiful Azam Mintu—on January 1 during a special raid at the Hijolgari camp.

Police sources said both detainees were known as active leaders of the ruling party’s youth wing and had been involved in local influence and alleged subversive activities. However, on January 2, while Shahin was sent to court, Saiful was released by police. The release sparked widespread criticism and human chains in Darshana.

Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that both men were brought in for questioning, but Saiful was freed because he held no current organizational post. Locals have questioned whether a police officer alone has the authority to release a political figure under such circumstances, fueling debate in Begumpur and Darshana.

Sharaf Uddin Azad Sohel, vice president of Ramgati Upazila Awami League, has submitted his nomination to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election for the Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency. His candidacy has sparked strong reactions among local groups, particularly the July Movement’s student and citizen activists, who questioned his eligibility and past conduct.

Leaders of the July Movement and local BNP activists accused Sohel of past involvement in violence, vote manipulation, and misuse of political influence during his tenure as upazila chairman. They alleged that he maintained a private armed group that intimidated opponents and attacked BNP offices. The groups demanded the cancellation of his nomination and his immediate arrest, citing multiple reports of misconduct that authorities allegedly ignored.

Assistant Returning Officer Nilufa Yasmin Nipa confirmed that Sohel collected his nomination papers from Ramgati but submitted them at the district office. Attempts to contact the district returning officer for comment reportedly went unanswered.

Bangladesh Shooting Sports Federation has temporarily suspended national shooter Kamrun Nahar Koli. The decision was communicated on January 1 to her employer, the Bangladesh Navy, through a letter signed by federation general secretary Ferdous Ara Begum. The letter cited violations of sections 5, 12, 13, and 14 of the federation’s code of conduct, accusing Koli of speaking to the media without permission, discouraging fellow shooters, and engaging in politics and grouping. She was asked to respond within three working days explaining why the suspension should not be made permanent.

Koli had earlier accused the federation’s joint general secretary, G.M. Haider Sajjad, of sexual harassment and filed a general diary at Gulshan Police Station on November 26. Several other shooters also protested the alleged misconduct. Sajjad was later relieved of his duties by the National Sports Council on the same day Koli received her suspension letter. Koli claimed she was targeted for raising her voice against harassment and alleged that the federation acted under Sajjad’s influence.

The suspension puts Koli’s participation in national and international competitions in doubt, threatening the career of Bangladesh’s first female World Cup shooting finalist.

A mild cold wave has swept across Kurigram district, located near the Himalayas, severely disrupting daily life. The district recorded a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius with 99 percent humidity on January 3, according to the local agricultural meteorological office. Dense fog and cold winds have reduced visibility, halting agricultural work, slowing long-distance transport, and causing frequent accidents. Boat passengers in riverine areas have faced severe hardship as fog causes boats to lose direction.

Kurigram, home to about 2.5 million people, has a poverty rate of 71 percent. Many low-income residents are struggling to buy warm clothes, relying instead on cheap roadside garments. The Civil Surgeon’s Office reported that in December alone, 1,400 people were hospitalized with diarrhea and about 3,000 with fever, cold, and pneumonia, mostly children and the elderly. Authorities have advised special care for vulnerable groups.

District relief officials said 27,000 blankets have been distributed and each of the nine upazilas received six lakh taka in aid. The cold wave is expected to intensify in the coming days.

An analysis of affidavits submitted to the returning officer’s office in Chattogram reveals that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates possess significantly greater wealth than their rivals, while Jamaat-e-Islami nominees hold higher educational qualifications. The review, covering 15 constituencies, shows BNP contenders leading by 10 to 12 times in income, assets, and cash holdings compared to Jamaat candidates. In contrast, most Jamaat nominees rely on salaried jobs, professional services, tuition, or small businesses for income.

The data also indicate that Jamaat candidates are generally more educated, with a higher number of doctors, master’s degree holders, MPhil graduates, and individuals with advanced Islamic studies credentials. In several constituencies, BNP candidates reported multimillion-taka assets, while Jamaat contenders often declared modest financial positions. The findings highlight a consistent pattern of economic dominance by BNP candidates and academic advantage among Jamaat nominees.

The affidavit-based comparison underscores a sharp socio-economic and educational divide between the two parties’ candidates in Chattogram ahead of the upcoming election.

Three people were killed on Monday when an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon’s Sidon district, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA and local media reports cited by Anadolu. The attack occurred on the Aktonit–Quneitra road and is being viewed as a potential violation of a recently signed peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel has not yet commented on the incident.

Tensions have been escalating in southern Lebanon for weeks, with Israeli forces reportedly conducting near-daily airstrikes targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure. The two countries had reached a peace agreement in November 2024 following more than a year of cross-border attacks linked to the Gaza war, which left over 4,000 dead and 17,000 injured.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli troops were expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January, but they have only partially done so and continue to maintain a military presence at five border posts.