Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has alleged that Bangladesh experienced extensive money laundering and looting through accounting manipulation and corruption over the past 15 years. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 17, at the ‘SAFA International Conference’ held at a hotel in Dhaka.

Hossain stated that a lack of transparency and weaknesses in financial accounting have hindered both foreign investment and the proper use of domestic resources. He said the burden of financial mismanagement ultimately falls on ordinary citizens, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure professional ethics and competence. He also urged South Asian countries to work together to address global instability.

The adviser added that the next generation of professionals—including accountants, auditors, and economic analysts—will play a vital role in restoring the economy through integrity, accountability, and innovation, helping to strengthen Bangladesh’s position amid global challenges.

Tahmina Zaman Shraboni, wife of BNP candidate and former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, has withdrawn her independent candidacy from the Netrakona-4 (Madan–Mohanganj–Khaliajuri) constituency. On Saturday morning, her supporter Mirza Mukul formally submitted the withdrawal application at the Netrakona district returning officer’s office. District Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Saifur Rahman confirmed that the application was accepted as it was submitted within the stipulated time.

Shraboni had previously contested the 2018 national election from the same constituency and secured a notable number of votes. In the current election, she initially filed as an independent candidate but later decided to withdraw. Other candidates contesting in Netrakona-4 include Lutfozzaman Babar, Al Helal Talukdar of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mokhlesur Rahman of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Jolly Talukdar of the Communist Party of Bangladesh.

The withdrawal narrows the field in Netrakona-4, potentially reshaping the competition among the remaining candidates in the constituency.

Mufti Amir Hamza, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Kushtia-3, has apologized after an old video of his remarks about late Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former president Ziaur Rahman, resurfaced on Facebook and drew criticism. The video showed Hamza making a derogatory comparison involving Koko’s name during a religious gathering. Following renewed backlash, Hamza posted an apology on Facebook late Friday night.

In his post, Hamza stated that the controversial speech was made in 2023 and that he had already expressed regret at that time for using an inappropriate example. He reiterated his apology, saying he again feels remorse for the incident. Hamza also alleged that some individuals were deliberately circulating the old video during the election period to serve political interests, accusing them of exploiting even a deceased leader from their own party.

He concluded his statement by praying for Arafat Rahman Koko’s eternal peace, asking that he be granted a place in Jannatul Ferdous.

Police in Dhaka recovered the bodies of four women from separate locations in Badda, Mirpur, Demra, and Jatrabari between Friday night, January 16, and Saturday morning, January 17, 2026. The bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. Authorities initially suspect suicide in all four cases, but the exact causes of death will be confirmed after post-mortem reports.

In Jatrabari’s Konapara Adarshabagh area, Asha Akter, 29, was found dead after reportedly hanging herself. In Demra’s Purbo Boxnagar, police recovered the body of Kohinur, 36, around 3 a.m. In Mirpur’s Sector 10, Sanjida Islam Mim, 19, was declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being found hanging early Saturday. In Badda’s Aftabnagar Baghapur area, Suborna Khatun, 30, a domestic worker, was found dead following an alleged family dispute.

Police are awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact causes of death in all four cases.

Bangladesh’s leading industrial group RFL, through its subsidiary Rangpur Metal Industries Limited, has signed an agreement with Japanese tech-based startup Glafit Bangladesh Limited to jointly establish electric vehicle charging stations across the country. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at RFL Group’s headquarters in Badda, Dhaka, where RFL Managing Director RN Paul and Glafit Bangladesh Managing Director Tomoyaki Furuoka signed on behalf of their respective companies.

RN Paul stated that the use of eco-friendly vehicles such as scooters is growing among the country’s youth, and RFL recently launched its ‘Raido’ brand of electric scooters. However, the lack of fast-charging facilities remains a major obstacle for the sector. The company plans to set up charging and battery-swapping stations nationwide with Glafit providing technical support. Initial installations will focus on areas with higher electric vehicle usage, later expanding based on demand.

Furuoka added that Glafit’s mobile app will allow users to connect with the ecosystem, locate nearby charging points, monitor battery status, and track usage details.

United States President Donald Trump has invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to join his proposed “board of peace” to oversee Gaza’s post-war transition. The invitations were confirmed by authorities in Ankara and Cairo, with Erdogan receiving his on Friday and Egypt’s foreign minister saying Cairo was reviewing a similar offer. The board, part of Trump’s plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza, is expected to supervise temporary governance in the territory.

The White House announced that Trump will chair a “founding executive board” including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Additional members include World Bank President Ajay Banga and UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who will serve as high representative for Gaza. A UN Security Council resolution in November authorised the board and an international stabilisation force under US command.

Reactions have been mixed. Rights experts criticised the plan as resembling a colonial structure, while Palestinians in Gaza voiced concern that the board’s members could prioritise control over justice and reconstruction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the board’s composition, saying it was not coordinated with Israel.

Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 26, triggered immediate condemnation from Somalia and across Africa and the Middle East. Yemen’s Houthi movement warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target. The tensions deepened when Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland this month, including the strategic port city of Berbera, and discussed security cooperation. Somaliland officials signalled openness to hosting Israeli military assets, placing Israel directly across the Gulf of Aden from Houthi-controlled areas.

Analysts say Israel’s move reflects a strategic shift toward engaging non-traditional partners amid growing threats from Iran-backed groups. Experts cited Somaliland’s location as a potential intelligence and operational base against the Houthis, who have targeted Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Somaliland, facing diplomatic isolation and internal pressure from Somalia, views Israel’s recognition as a crucial breakthrough. Somalia’s government, however, urged renewed dialogue, warning that recognition could only come through negotiations with Mogadishu.

Both Israel and Somaliland appear to be testing the new partnership’s limits, with analysts noting that the relationship remains nascent and its long-term trajectory uncertain.

Manchester United surprised rivals Manchester City with a 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby, ending a difficult spell for the Red Devils. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed the win, dealing a major blow to City’s English Premier League title hopes. The match also marked a strong start for interim coach Michael Carrick in his second stint in charge.

In Spain, Real Madrid bounced back after consecutive defeats to Barcelona and Albacete by defeating Levante 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu. The win helped the capital club regain momentum in La Liga after a brief slump. Elsewhere in the English league, Burnley held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw, while Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Brentford.

The results reshaped the weekend’s football narrative, with Manchester United’s resurgence and Real Madrid’s recovery standing out as key storylines across Europe’s top leagues.

West Bengal Opposition Leader and BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari filed a defamation case worth 100 crore rupees against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, January 16, at the Alipore court. The case follows Banerjee’s public remarks linking Adhikari and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an alleged coal scam. Adhikari stated that if he wins the case, the compensation will be donated to public welfare services.

Before filing the case, Adhikari had sent a legal notice to Banerjee through his lawyer, demanding evidence within 72 hours to support her allegations made on January 8 and 9. After she failed to provide proof, he proceeded with the defamation suit. On his X handle, Adhikari shared a copy of the case and accused Banerjee of misleading the public and remaining silent on the defamation notice.

The case marks an escalation in the political confrontation between the West Bengal Chief Minister and the state’s main opposition leader, centering on allegations of corruption and accountability in the coal sector.

A man named Rafiqul Islam, aged 45, was critically injured after jumping under a moving train in Goaland, Rajbari, on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near the Goaland Bazar rail crossing when a shuttle train from Daulatdia Ghat to Kushtia–Poradah was passing. Witnesses said Rafiqul suddenly jumped under the train, resulting in both his legs being completely severed. Fire service personnel rescued him in critical condition and took him to the Upazila Health Complex.

Family sources said Rafiqul had been suffering from mental health issues for a long time and was the father of three sons. The attending doctor at the health complex confirmed that both of his legs were fully detached and referred him to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

According to the Goaland Ghat Railway Police outpost in-charge, the injured man was rescued through the fire service and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for further care.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a two-day program to commemorate the 90th birth anniversary of late President Ziaur Rahman. The announcement was made by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan on Saturday, January 17, 2026. According to the schedule, events will take place across the country on January 19 and 20.

On January 19, BNP leaders and activists will place floral wreaths and offer prayers at Ziaur Rahman’s mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11 a.m., with party chairman Tarique Rahman expected to attend. The same day, discussion meetings and special prayers will be held at BNP offices nationwide. On January 20, a discussion meeting will be organized at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, featuring senior party leaders, intellectuals, and civil society representatives.

Rizvi described Ziaur Rahman as the architect of modern Bangladesh and the initiator of multiparty democracy. He added that BNP’s affiliated and associate organizations will also hold discussions and prayer sessions at district and metropolitan levels.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that the party’s activists did not disguise themselves under any strategic pretense during their political movement. He made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, during a meeting with families of victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture allegedly under the Awami League government. Rahman emphasized that BNP leaders and activists have remained uncompromising against injustice and that no conspiracy or propaganda can suppress the party.

He reflected on the party’s long struggle against what he called fascism, noting that despite years of disappearances, killings, abductions, and false cases, BNP members have continued their movement. Rahman said the days of fear and violence have ended and that Bangladesh is now moving toward democracy. He expressed sympathy for families who lost loved ones and said the state must not forget their sacrifices.

Rahman added that BNP has plans to honor the memory of those who disappeared or were killed, including naming roads and institutions after them if the party forms the government in the future.

In Lalmonirhat’s Kaliganj upazila, Executive Officer (UNO) Shamima Akter Jahan became the focus of public debate after a verbal dispute with an event organizer over being addressed as “Apu.” The incident occurred during a phone call late at night following a picnic organized by the Royal Football Academy to mark its 10th anniversary. When the academy’s vice president Meherban Mithu explained the delay and addressed her as “Apu,” the UNO reportedly reacted angrily. A portion of the call later circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention.

Mithu said he used the term respectfully and apologized when the UNO expressed displeasure, after which the event was stopped. Shamima Akter Jahan denied reacting out of anger, stating that she only intervened because the event continued past midnight. The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some arguing that “Apu” is a polite form of address and others emphasizing the importance of administrative discipline and official decorum.

The report also noted that Shamima Akter Jahan had previously faced controversy over alleged irregularities in development projects and unilateral decisions in education policy during her earlier postings.

A commotion broke out on Saturday at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, during an appeal hearing concerning the validity of dual citizenship for parliamentary candidates. The incident occurred while the EC was hearing appeals related to the cancellation of nominations. Law enforcement intervened to restore order after tensions escalated among participants.

Witnesses said the disruption began when the commission paused the hearing for half an hour during legal explanations on dual citizenship. After the Chief Election Commissioner and other members left the stage, lawyers from opposing sides engaged in heated arguments. The situation intensified when BNP candidate Abdul Awal Mintoo from Feni-3 expressed anger, prompting objections from NCP candidate Abul Hasnat from Comilla-4. Mintoo was escorted away by lawyers, while his son Tabith Awal attempted to calm Hasnat.

Following the break, Hasnat lodged a complaint with the commission, alleging that Mintoo used abusive language and attempted physical aggression. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud described the incident as undesirable and advised filing a complaint with the election investigation committee.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, has called for an end to unnecessary honking to control noise pollution. She made the remarks while inaugurating a motor rally against honking, jointly organized by the Department of Environment and Dhaka Metropolitan Police under the ‘Integrated and Participatory Project for Noise Pollution Control’. The event took place in Dhaka, where the adviser emphasized that both legal measures and behavioral change are needed to address the issue.

Hasan noted that the ‘Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2025’ have been gazetted, assigning responsibilities to both the Department of Environment and the police to take immediate action against offenders. Several areas in Dhaka have already been declared silent zones, and monitoring will be strengthened there. She identified honking and fireworks as major sources of noise pollution and suggested designating specific areas for New Year fireworks. The adviser urged media professionals to promote awareness and called on youth to build a social movement against noise pollution.

The rally, themed “No more noise pollution, let healthy life prevail,” concluded a ten-day mobile court and campaign held at ten key points in Dhaka since January 5, supported by Green Voice volunteers.