A distinctive bird fair was held on January 31, 2026, at Rajshahi University’s Buddhijibi Chattar, featuring preserved bird specimens displayed through taxidermy. Organized by the university’s Bird Conservation Club with support from the Zoology Department and partners, the daylong event aimed to promote awareness under the theme “See birds, love birds, protect birds.” Visitors observed rare and extinct species, while school students participated in a drawing competition to engage with wildlife conservation themes.

The exhibition included various species such as pigeons, parrots, herons, and owls, along with detailed explanations of preservation methods. Former zoology student and taxidermist Md. Delowar Hossain shared insights into the scientific process of taxidermy and noted that such fairs are regularly held at Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar universities. Professor A.M. Saleh Reza, convener of the Bird Conservation Club, emphasized the importance of familiarizing students with native birds and fostering empathy toward wildlife.

Organizers highlighted that the fair serves as an educational platform to inspire responsible behavior toward migratory and local birds and to encourage scientific conservation practices.

The article explores the historical and philosophical evolution of the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and its renewed prominence in Bangladesh’s recent political landscape. It notes that during the July uprising against the Awami League government, the slogan gained popularity among young protesters and was later echoed at the launch of the National Citizens Party (NCP), where leaders concluded speeches with the same phrase. The slogan, meaning ‘Long Live the Revolution,’ symbolizes resistance against oppression and the pursuit of justice and freedom.

Tracing its origins, the report cites Indian historian Irfan Habib, who wrote that Maulana Hasrat Mohani first used the slogan in 1921, later popularized by Bhagat Singh during India’s independence movement. The piece also highlights the slogan’s philosophical depth, linking it to leftist ideals and its use in various anti-colonial and social movements across South Asia. In Bangladesh, figures such as activist Pinaki Bhattacharya and martyr Osman Hadi have helped revive its relevance.

Analyst Mohiuddin Ahmed clarifies that the NCP’s use of the slogan reflects a centrist rather than communist ideology, emphasizing continuity with the spirit of revolution rather than ideological alignment.

A travel narrative by Md. Sakhawat Hossain recounts a six-day journey through Ethiopia, beginning with the arrival at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport. The writer describes the capital as a blend of modernity and history, highlighting visits to the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the ancient fossil ‘Lucy,’ and the Entoto Hills, where the Entoto Maryam Church stands as a symbol of spiritual serenity.

The journey continues through Awash National Park’s rugged savanna, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela known as ‘Africa’s Jerusalem,’ and Bahir Dar’s tranquil Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. The traveler also visits the Blue Nile Falls and the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic cliffs and rare wildlife such as the Gelada baboon and Ethiopian wolf.

Reflecting on the experience, the author portrays Ethiopia as a living canvas of history, nature, and humanity, where every landscape and encounter reveals a deeper connection between people and their ancient land.

Two people were killed in a head-on collision between a motorcycle and an engine-run vehicle in Bogura district on Saturday morning. The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on a road in Dariapur Palpara village under Thaltamajhgram Union of Nandigram upazila. According to eyewitnesses, Sweet, 55, from Dariapur Uttar Mondolpara, was heading to irrigate his potato field on a motorcycle and picked up his neighbor Azizar, 55, along the way. When they reached Dariapur Palpara, a speeding engine-run vehicle from the opposite direction hit their motorcycle, throwing both riders onto the road. Azizar died on the spot, while Sweet was taken to Nandigram Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Nandigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said police were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the fatal accident. He added that legal procedures regarding the incident are underway.

The police investigation and legal process are continuing to determine the circumstances of the collision.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that his party aims to change what he described as a corrupt and destructive political culture that has persisted for 54 years. Speaking as the chief guest at an 11-party alliance election rally held at Nimsar Junab Ali Degree College field in Burichang upazila of Comilla at 1 p.m., he said they want to build a humane and dignified Bangladesh that stands proudly on the global stage.

Dr. Rahman stated that the youth had long aspired to resist fascism and had sacrificed for freedom and independence. He pledged that if the 11-party alliance is elected, they would never act unjustly toward the people. The rally was presided over by Advocate Mobarak Hossain, Jamaat’s candidate for Comilla-5, and attended by Assistant Secretary General A.T.M. Masum, former Daksu VP Sadiq Kayem, and Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central secretary Sigbatullah.

The event highlighted Jamaat’s call for political reform and its effort to mobilize support for the alliance ahead of upcoming elections.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser and chief coordinator of the party’s election committee for Dhaka-17, Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam, has warned that a wrong decision in the upcoming January 12 election could put Bangladesh’s independence at risk. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon during campaign activities and a meeting with former army officers in the capital’s Vashantek and Cantonment areas.

Salam said Bangladesh has faced crises before but is now going through an especially difficult period. Referring to the country’s past, he stated that if the nation had not gained independence in 1971 or if Ziaur Rahman had not taken charge after 1975, the country would have gone astray. He emphasized that this election is crucial for the nation’s future and urged everyone to act in the country’s interest.

He also alleged that a conspiracy has been ongoing since the Hasina administration to prevent the election from taking place. Former army officers and BNP leaders and activists from different levels were present at the event.

At least 12 Palestinians, half of them children, were killed early Saturday in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to reports. In the northwest of Khan Younis, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in the Al-Mawasi area, killing at least seven, including three children. Their bodies were taken to Nasser Medical Complex. In Gaza City, emergency services reported that another airstrike on an apartment building in the western Rimal neighborhood killed at least five people, including three children, while eight others were injured in a separate bombing in the Daraj area.

The attacks came a day before Israel announced it would reopen the Rafah crossing on Sunday. Gaza’s government media office stated that since a ceasefire brokered by the United States took effect on October 10, at least 524 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces.

The renewed strikes highlight ongoing tensions in Gaza despite the declared ceasefire, raising concerns about civilian safety and the fragile humanitarian situation.

Khaled Saifullah, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s candidate for Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, stated that his party fully believes in implementing Allah’s law. Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday morning at the Kamalnagar upazila office, he said a broader Islamic alliance could still form if Jamaat-e-Islami supports Sharia law, even a day before the election. However, he noted that Islami Andolan could not agree with Jamaat because it has not implemented Sharia law and has nominated a Hindu candidate under its party symbol.

Saifullah emphasized that to eliminate corruption, major offenders must first be brought under the law to set an example. He asserted that Islami Andolan Bangladesh is the only Islamic party with complete faith in divine law and that any group wishing to ally with them must be committed to building an Islamic state. Those seeking power without adhering to Sharia, he warned, would not be accepted by the Muslim state.

The event was attended by local Islami Andolan leaders, including Maulana Abdur Rahman Mahmudee and Mufti Shariful Islam.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas at the request of US President Donald Trump. The Kremlin announced on Friday that the pause will remain in effect until Sunday. According to reports from Kyiv, Trump made the personal appeal due to fears of a humanitarian crisis caused by an intense cold wave. The Kremlin said the request was part of US efforts to advance mediation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Continuous Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left many parts of Kyiv without heating. Weather forecasts predict temperatures could drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days, worsening the crisis. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump asked Putin to suspend attacks until February 1 to create a favorable environment for peace talks, though neither Moscow nor Washington specified when the request was made.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s announcement, saying Ukraine would refrain from retaliatory strikes if Russia halts attacks on its energy facilities. He added that the countdown for the one-week pause had already begun and that the next steps depend on Ukraine’s partners, particularly the United States.

Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), alleged that a neighboring country has been conspiring against Bangladesh for the past 54 years and interfering in every election. He made the remarks on Saturday at 11 a.m. while speaking as a special guest at an election rally of the 11-party alliance in Chauddagram, Cumilla. Islam claimed that the same foreign interference is being attempted again in the current election.

He described the ongoing election as a continuation of the July uprising, emphasizing that it was achieved through the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs. According to him, this election is not an isolated event but the result of a 17-year struggle. He warned that no conspiracy would be tolerated and asserted that only the people of Bangladesh would decide which party forms the government.

Islam urged citizens to vote for the 11-party alliance candidates, promising that their victory would ensure national independence, justice for the July uprising victims, and the establishment of a corruption-free and equitable state.

Iran announced on Sunday that it will conduct a two-day naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, including live-fire drills, amid ongoing tensions with the United States. The announcement prompted a stern warning from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which cautioned Tehran against any unsafe actions near American warships.

Washington stated that it would not tolerate any unsafe behavior such as Iranian drones or aircraft flying over US vessels or high-speed Iranian boats provoking collisions. The warning came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that his country was ready for a “fair and proper” negotiation but rejected President Trump’s main demands, making clear that Iran’s defense strategy and missile program were non-negotiable.

The exchange underscores the continuing strain between Tehran and Washington, with both sides signaling firmness over military and strategic issues in the Gulf region.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has issued a show-cause notice to BNP alliance candidate Nurul Haque Nur for alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct in the Patuakhali-3 (Dashmina–Galachipa) constituency. The order was issued by Civil Judge Sabbir Md Khalid based on a complaint filed by Advocate Enamul Haque with the Dashmina Upazila Assistant Returning Officer. The complaint accuses Nur of spreading false and misleading information on social media about independent candidate Hasan Mamun and of his supporters attacking Mamun’s campaign office on January 26, injuring several workers.

The committee directed Nur to appear in person or through a representative before the temporary office of the 13th National Parliamentary Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee in Dashmina on February 3 to submit a written explanation before further legal action is taken or the matter is referred to the Election Commission.

In response, Nur, who is also the president of Gana Adhikar Parishad and a former DUCSU vice president, told Amader Desh that he has not yet received any official legal notice but will appear and respond within the stipulated time once he does.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has warned that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would face renewed danger if it attempts to rehabilitate the Awami League. Speaking on Saturday, January 31, at a public rally organized by Jamaat-e-Islami at Rahim Uddin Degree College field in Adamdighi, Bogura, he cautioned that such a move could push the country toward a grave situation.

Asif Mahmud urged citizens to vote 'yes' in the upcoming referendum to prevent what he described as Awami fascism and said the referendum would reflect the people's true opinion. He also pledged to take all necessary initiatives for the development of Bogura district, which he said had long been neglected for political reasons.

During the same event, a rally was held in support of Jamaat candidate Nur Mohammad Abu Taher in the Bogura-3 constituency, with several local political figures attending. Asif emphasized that maintaining national stability required denying political space to those aligned with fascism.

The Ministry of Railways has issued directives to all concerned authorities to implement maximum precautionary measures to prevent damage to passengers, trains, and railway infrastructure. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary (Additional Duty) Fatema Tuz Johra, was released on Saturday in anticipation of the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum.

According to the ministry’s office order, there is a possibility that certain vested groups may attempt acts of sabotage or create instability surrounding the election period, potentially targeting rail transport. To counter such risks, officials have been instructed to determine necessary security actions, ensure their implementation, and submit progress reports to the ministry.

The order also urged the public to immediately inform nearby railway staff, gatekeepers, or railway police if any attempt of sabotage or damage is noticed. Citizens can also report incidents by calling Bangladesh Railway’s hotline number 131.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir president Nurul Islam Saddam said voters are eager to cast their ballots in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election scheduled after July. Speaking at an election rally on Saturday at Hasan Ali Government High School field in Chandpur-3 constituency, he urged people to vote for the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md. Shahjahan Mia, symbolized by the scales, to build a new democratic Bangladesh.

Saddam accused an unnamed political party of establishing a reign of terror and alleged widespread corruption and sexual violence. He said the public has suffered for 17 years through imprisonment, displacement, and hardship, and should now unite for change. He called on voters to respond through ballots on February 12, asserting that the people have awakened and will no longer allow deception.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Chandpur-3 candidate Md. Shahjahan Mia, Chandpur-4 candidate and district Jamaat chief Maulana Billal Hossain Miaji, and other leaders from the 11-party alliance were present at the event.