The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema has started on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Gazipur. The event began after Maghrib prayers on January 30 with a sermon by Indian scholar Maulana Ibrahim Dewla. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers have gathered, with the grand Jummah prayer scheduled for January 31, led by Maulana Muhammad Zubair. The Ijtema will be held in two phases, with 41 districts participating in the first and 22 districts in the second. Strict security measures are in place.

Sajjad Sharif, a jury member of the Bangla Academy Literary Award, resigned citing moral reasons after the institution’s integrity was compromised. Earlier, another jury member, Morshed Shafiul Hasan, stepped down. The controversy began when cultural adviser Mustafa Sarwar Faruqi criticized the absence of female writers in the award list, leading to the suspension of the awards. A new list of awardees was announced on January 29, and the awards will be presented on February 1 at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

The crescent moon of Shaban 1446 Hijri was not sighted in Bangladesh on January 30. As a result, the month of Shaban will begin on February 1, and Shab-e-Barat will be observed on the night of February 14. This decision was made during a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at Baitul Mukarram Mosque. The committee reviewed reports from various authorities, confirming the absence of moon sightings. Hence, Rajab will complete 30 days, and Shaban will start accordingly.

A Dhaka court sentenced former Awami League MP Mizanur Rahman to eight years in prison for acquiring wealth beyond known sources. However, as the sentences will run concurrently, he will serve a maximum of five years. The court also ordered the confiscation of Tk 14.45 million. Mizanur was arrested after his bail was revoked. His lawyer claims the case was politically motivated and vows to appeal. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in 2019, and the court recorded testimony from 11 witnesses.

US President Donald Trump has launched a “deferred resignation” program, offering up to 2 million federal employees eight months of pay if they resign by September. The plan aims to significantly shrink the government and enforce strict in-office work policies. Critics, including labor unions and Democratic lawmakers, warn of disruption and legal challenges. The White House calls it a generous offer but hints at future layoffs. This move is part of Trump’s broader agenda to cut government spending and regulations.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan shared his experience of facing religious discrimination when trying to buy a house in Juhu, Mumbai. Despite searching for homes in the area, he was informed that due to his different community, he wouldn’t be able to purchase a property there. Saif, who has married non-Muslims, expressed that while he has never faced religious intolerance abroad, his own country questioned his religion, leaving him deeply insulted by the experience.

Evaly’s Managing Director Mohammad Russell and Chairperson Shamima Nasrin have been sentenced to two years of imprisonment without labor for fraud. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 taka each, with an additional two months in jail for non-payment. They absconded, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants. The case stemmed from a transaction where the plaintiff paid for bikes but never received them, despite multiple promises and attempts for repayment.

A court in Sirajganj has directed the registration of a case against six police officers, including former officers-in-charge (OCs) of Ullapara and Solonga police stations, over the alleged torture of truck driver Rokon Molla. Molla claims he was shot and disabled by former OC Asif Mohammad Siddikul Islam and was wrongfully imprisoned in false cases. The accused deny the charges, claiming Molla is a criminal leader with numerous cases against him. The case registration process is underway.

The Appellate Division has temporarily lifted the High Court’s stay on the recruitment of 3,173 Junior Instructors under the Directorate of Technical Education. This allows them to join their positions despite previous allegations of question paper leaks in the 2022 recruitment exam. The High Court had suspended the process, but the government appealed. The PSC had finalized the results in November 2023, and appointment notices were issued in January 2024. The CID is still investigating the alleged ₹12.5 billion transaction linked to the leak.

The admission process for the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University has encountered complexities after the university’s decision to stop admissions under its affiliation starting this academic year. While applications for undergraduate admissions are ongoing, the jurisdiction for entrance exams remains unclear. The government has proposed establishing a new university for these colleges, but due to the time-consuming process of law-making, uncertainty surrounds the timeline. Students are demanding clarity and quick actions regarding the establishment of the new university.

The government has canceled the passports of nine individuals, including Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam, former Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), over allegations of involvement in a stock market scandal. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also imposed a travel ban. The accused, including former BSEC officials, are suspected of assisting in market manipulation and accumulating illegal wealth. Shibli Rubaiyat resigned following the political upheaval in August 2023, and his departure from the country is now restricted.

Shahbagh police inspector Md. Arshad Hossain, involved in pressing a student’s face during the anti-discrimination student movement, has been sent to jail by the International Criminal Tribunal. He was one of three police officers arrested for crimes related to genocide and humanity during July-August. The incident, which went viral on social media, led to his temporary suspension on August 18 for unprofessional conduct that damaged the police’s image. The tribunal ordered his imprisonment after reviewing the prosecution’s appeal.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that all unequal agreements made with India during the Awami League government’s tenure will be reviewed. He made this announcement at a press conference held at the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 29. The event was centered around the border conference between the Director Generals of Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The discussions aim to address existing concerns and ensure fair agreements in future bilateral relations.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that security has been strengthened at Bishwa Ijtema to prevent any disorder. Around 7,000 law enforcement officers and 10,000 volunteers will oversee security. The entire Ijtema ground is monitored by 335 CCTV cameras, drones, and RAB helicopters. Naval police will patrol the Turag River with speedboats, while 20 checkpoints and watchtowers will enhance surveillance. Plainclothes officers will be deployed within the grounds. Law enforcement remains on high alert to ensure a peaceful event.

Six more individuals injured in the July Revolution are being taken to Bangkok, Thailand, for advanced medical care. A flight carrying them will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday (January 29) at 11:20 AM. Among them, three were undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), while the other three were at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. This move follows the interim government’s previous efforts, where 22 injured individuals were sent abroad at different times for better treatment.