Interior Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury vowed to resign if those involved in former President Abdul Hamid’s clandestine departure from the country are not held accountable. Speaking at a meeting in Dinajpur, he reassured that the nation’s borders are secure and that there is no threat to farmers or public safety.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam observed that while the government is held accountable for national affairs, real power often lies with other centers of influence within the establishment—especially in the judiciary, administration, and police. He warned that student representation is being systematically reduced, with only two student reps in a body of thirty. Mahfuz called for unity, honesty, and idealism among students, and stressed the need to eliminate outdated political actors to ensure fair student participation in state affairs.

In an interview with The Wall, musician Kabir Suman voiced strong opposition to war, regardless of the reasons or actors involved. “I’ve always been anti-war. My songs have called for peace. True patriotism must include love for humanity,” he said, criticizing nationalism that excludes compassion for people and animals.

Following the fall of the Awami League government, former President Abdul Hamid was permitted to leave the country for medical treatment. Immigration authorities confirmed there was no travel ban against him. However, at least one murder case was filed against him on January 14 at Kishoreganj Sadar Police Station. That case also named Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Saima Wazed Putul, and Obaidul Quader.

Nine months after the mass uprising, former President Abdul Hamid left the country on Wednesday midnight. Accompanied by his son Riyad Ahmed and brother-in-law Dr. A.M. Naushad, he boarded Thai Airways Flight TG 340 at 3:05 AM en route to Bangkok. According to airport sources, Hamid faced no travel restrictions, and there were no formal complaints against him at the time of departure.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP leader Tareque Rahman, is poised to be reinstated in her government job, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Health. Having returned to Bangladesh on Tuesday, a formal order for her reappointment is expected soon. A graduate of Dhaka Medical College and a postgraduate in medicine from Imperial College London, she topped the BCS exams in 1995 and joined as a medical officer. After leaving the country during the 2007-08 political crisis, her leave application was denied, and she was dismissed.

In a targeted immigration raid dubbed "Operation Targeted Strike," Malaysian authorities arrested 162 undocumented migrants, including 107 Bangladeshis. The operation took place at a construction site in a condominium complex in Jalan Kuching, Kuala Lumpur. Officials screened around 200 workers, detaining individuals under the Immigration Act of 1959/63. Detainees also include nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, and India.

Student leaders of Bangladesh’s polytechnic institutes have decided to temporarily relax their ongoing full shutdown protest program. The decision came following a joint meeting on Wednesday at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, organized by the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB). Attending the meeting were IDEB leaders, polytechnic teachers’ associations, principals, and faculty representatives. All parties collectively urged students to return to classrooms in the interest of technical education. In response to this “respectful appeal,” students announced a temporary suspension of the shutdown, effective immediately. However, they warned that if there is no significant progress on their six-point demand, the movement will resume with greater intensity.

Five members of a notorious robbery gang were arrested for blocking the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway in Munshiganj’s Srinagar and carrying out a robbery at gunpoint. The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the heist went viral on social media. Police recovered three locally-made firearms from the suspects during a late-night operation in Keraniganj and South Keraniganj. The arrestees are: Md. Kamal alias ‘CNG Kamal’ (40), Md. Ismail Haldar (38), Md. Ramzan Bepari (27), Md. Russell Molla (24), and Md. Limon Matobbar (20).

Authorities in Madaripur have formed a three-member investigation committee, led by a forest officer, after a century-old banyan tree was cut down by local religious leaders who deemed the tree's veneration as 'shirk' (idolatry). The committee has been instructed to submit its report within five days. For some time, people had been lighting candles, incense sticks, and leaving offerings such as cloth and sweets at the tree’s base, believing it fulfilled wishes. On Monday, religious leaders felled the tree, citing its use in non-Islamic practices as justification.

CNN, citing a top French intelligence official, reported that Pakistan shot down at least one Indian Rafale fighter jet—the first confirmed downing of this advanced French aircraft in a conflict. Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian aircraft so far, including three Rafales. India, however, denies losing any jets. Debris from a crashed aircraft displaying markings from the French manufacturer has been found in Indian-controlled Kashmir, but its origin has yet to be confirmed.

Chief Information Officer Md. Nezamul Kabir has called misinformation one of the biggest challenges of our time. He emphasized the need for information officers to enhance their fact-checking capabilities. "A certain group is deliberately spreading rumors and misinformation to disrupt social harmony," he warned. Kabir stressed the importance of public awareness to combat the harmful effects of fake news on individuals, society, and the state. He noted that the Information Department’s Rumor Prevention and Awareness Committee is actively monitoring misinformation on media and social platforms and producing regular text and video content to counter false narratives.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed concern over the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to cease hostilities immediately. He offered U.S. assistance in resolving the dispute. In an earlier reaction following the airstrikes, Trump called the attack "shameful."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has expressed deep concern over the escalating tension between India and Pakistan following recent military strikes. Speaking on Wednesday, he condemned any provocative attacks targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. He emphasized the urgency of de-escalation and expressed support for Pakistan’s call for an investigation into the Pahalgam incident. Fidan also held a phone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during which he warned that the attacks, which appeared to deliberately target civilians, have dangerously pushed the region closer to full-scale war.

In two separate notifications, the government has reassigned 15 high-ranking officials within the Bangladesh Police. Three Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) have been given acting responsibilities as Additional Inspectors General of Police (Addl. IGP). According to the notice, Mohammad Shibgat Ullah of the Industrial Police has been appointed acting Addl. IGP and Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Gazi Jashim Uddin, previously at CID, has been transferred to Industrial Police in the same acting rank. DIG A.K.M. Awlad Hossain of the Dhaka Range has been posted to Police Telecom, and Addl. IGP Mohammad Tawfiq Mahbub Chowdhury has been appointed Principal of the Police Academy in Rajshahi's Sardah.