Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen led a three-member delegation in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday, January 28. The meeting began at 11:50 a.m. and included senior officials from both sides.

According to Election Commission sources, the bilateral discussion likely covered the country’s current political situation, preparations for the upcoming national parliamentary elections, and arrangements for a possible referendum. The US delegation included embassy political officers David Mu and Firoz Ahmed, while Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed attended from the Bangladeshi side.

Brent Christensen arrived in Bangladesh on January 12 to assume his duties as the 19th US Ambassador to the country. The meeting marked one of his first official engagements since taking office.

The Calcutta High Court has issued a strict directive to the West Bengal government to expedite the construction of barbed wire fencing along the unprotected portions of the India–Bangladesh border. Emphasizing national security, the court set March 31 as the deadline for the state to hand over the required land to the Border Security Force (BSF). The bench, led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen, delivered the order on January 27.

The court noted that the central government had already provided funds for land acquisition covering about 180 kilometers of the border but accused the state of unnecessary delay in transferring the land. It rejected the state’s justification of prolonged “social impact assessment” procedures and described such inaction as concerning given the sensitivity of the international boundary. The court also directed both the central and state governments to file affidavits on whether emergency land acquisition could proceed in areas still awaiting cabinet approval.

The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for April 2.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque strongly condemned the attack on Nasiruddin Patwari, a candidate of the 11-party alliance, during a late-night rally in Bahubal, Habiganj. The event took place on Tuesday midnight following a day of assemblies in Sylhet. The rally was organized in support of Maulana Sirajul Islam Mirpuri, the alliance-backed candidate for the Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj-Bahubal) constituency, who is contesting under the ‘Rickshaw’ symbol.

In his speech, Mamunul Haque described the attack on Patwari as a disgraceful act, claiming it reflected the desperation of political opponents seeking to prevent their impending defeat through violence and intimidation. He emphasized that such tactics would no longer intimidate the people of Bangladesh, referencing the courage and resilience of the public in the current political climate.

Thousands of supporters reportedly attended the rally despite the late hour, expressing their backing for Mirpuri and calling for his victory in the upcoming election.

The Bangladesh Teachers’ Association’s Patharghata upazila branch has expelled its convener, former Jamaat leader Shamim Ahsan, following his objectionable remarks about the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). The decision was announced on Tuesday evening through a notice signed by senior joint convener Golam Kabir and member secretary Habibur Rahman. Golam Kabir, who is also the head teacher of Rupadhan Bandar Ameria Secondary School, confirmed the expulsion.

According to the notice, Shamim Ahsan made indecent and inappropriate comments about DUCSU during a Jamaat-e-Islami election rally on January 25 at Katakhali Bazar in Kakchira Union under Patharghata upazila, Barguna-2 constituency. The statement described his remarks as contrary to the ideals of teachers and the ethics of the teachers’ organization. Earlier, he had also been expelled from his positions as assistant secretary and member (rukun) of the Barguna district Jamaat.

The expulsion underscores the teachers’ association’s stance against conduct deemed inconsistent with professional and organizational values.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said the upcoming national election will strengthen Bangladesh’s democratic process. Speaking at an election rally on Tuesday evening at North Kakara Government Primary School field in Chakaria, he urged voters to freely exercise their voting rights in the February 12 national election and support the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.

Ahmed claimed that under the previous Awami League government, citizens lacked freedom of speech and could not vote safely. He said that after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina through a student and public uprising, people regained their rights. He called on all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to vote for the BNP to uphold democracy and national independence.

Addressing Hindu community members, Ahmed assured that BNP would ensure their safety and religious freedom during the election. The rally was chaired by Kakara Union BNP president M. Mohiuddin and attended by several local BNP and allied leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration is moving to reduce tensions in Minnesota following a second fatal shooting by federal immigration officers that killed American citizen Alex Pretty. The incident, which occurred during an ICE arrest attempt, reignited protests across the state and drew bipartisan criticism. Trump described the shootings as “horrible” in a Fox News interview and called Pretty’s death “very unfortunate.” Homeland Security reassigned Minnesota mission chief Gregory Bovino and deployed border czar Tom Homan to meet local officials.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretty was shot after pointing a gun, though local authorities claimed the weapon was legally registered and had been removed before the shooting. Witnesses disputed the DHS account, saying Pretty held a phone, not a gun. Republican leaders, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Senator Pete Ricketts, called for a transparent investigation. A federal judge barred DHS from altering evidence related to the case.

White House adviser Stephen Miller said DHS was instructed to use additional personnel as a buffer between arrest teams and protesters, while Trump maintained his immigration crackdown remains effective.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson and head of the election management committee of the National Citizens Party (NCP), is scheduled to attend a rally at the Sarail Shaheed Minar in Brahmanbaria today at 4 p.m. The event is part of the NCP and its 11-party alliance’s ongoing nationwide campaign in support of the ‘Yes’ vote, aimed at mobilizing public opinion ahead of upcoming political processes focused on state reform.

Party sources said the rally will feature central and local leaders of the alliance. Asif Mahmud is expected to emphasize the need for reforming the current state structure, restoring democratic rights, and highlighting the importance of public opinion. NCP candidate Maulana Ashraf Mahadi will also speak, asserting that genuine public freedom requires state reform and direct citizen participation in governance.

According to party leaders, the ‘Yes’ campaign has gained strong response across Sarail, Ashuganj, and Bijoynagar areas of Brahmanbaria-2. They expressed optimism that the rally will raise public awareness and positively influence voter sentiment.

Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Muslim lawmaker from Minnesota, was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, January 27, while criticizing former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and the role of the Department of Homeland Security. According to eyewitnesses, an unidentified man approached the stage and sprayed a clear liquid toward Omar’s podium before being detained by security. Omar was shaken but unharmed and resumed her speech shortly afterward, declaring she would not be silenced.

Following the incident, Omar posted on social media platform X that she was safe and that such provocations would not deter her from fulfilling her duties. Minneapolis police later arrested a 55-year-old man identified as Anthony James Kazmierczak in connection with the attack.

Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned the assault, saying such attacks have become disturbingly frequent, while the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described it as a result of racist and Islamophobic incitement. Omar, of Somali descent, has long been a vocal critic of Trump, who has previously used inflammatory language against her and the Somali community.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Cuba will soon collapse, citing the loss of economic and energy assistance from Venezuela. Speaking to reporters in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump described Cuba as a nation on the brink of failure, noting that it no longer receives oil supplies from Venezuela. His remarks were reported by the Anadolu news agency.

The comments came shortly after a U.S. military operation removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power on January 3. Following the operation, interim leader Rodríguez took charge in Venezuela. Trump warned that if Rodríguez’s government fails to meet Washington’s conditions, it could face the same fate as Maduro’s administration. Among those conditions is granting the United States access to Venezuela’s vast oil resources.

Trump’s statement links Cuba’s potential collapse to the disruption of oil supplies from Caracas, highlighting the geopolitical consequences of recent U.S. actions in Venezuela.

Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), inaugurated two new Border Observation Posts (BOPs) in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf and Saint Martin on Tuesday. The Saint Martin BOP and the newly built Sea Beach BOP in Teknaf’s Lengurbil were opened at separate times. Both facilities are equipped with modern amenities aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, morale, and operational capacity of BGB personnel.

According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman, commander of BGB-2 in Teknaf, the Saint Martin BOP includes modern soldier accommodations and is expected to enhance the island’s overall security management. The island, located about 16 kilometers south of Teknaf, was previously under Bangladesh Rifles until 1997, then handed to the Coast Guard, and BGB was redeployed there in April 2019.

The inauguration marks the full operational launch of the Saint Martin BOP, while the new Sea Beach BOP is expected to strengthen border security and support stationed personnel in the Teknaf area.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Syria, efforts surrounding the Gaza Peace Board, and a range of regional and global issues, according to TRT World. The two leaders also talked about advancing bilateral relations between their countries.

Erdoğan stated that Turkey would continue taking steps to strengthen cooperation with the United States in all areas for their mutual benefit. He emphasized the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire and unification agreement in neighboring Syria and said Ankara was closely monitoring the process in coordination with the U.S. and Syrian authorities. Erdoğan also expressed hope that the Gaza Peace Board would achieve its objectives, ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and paving the way for lasting peace through reconstruction.

Trump had announced the establishment of the Gaza Peace Board on January 15 as part of his broader plan for the region.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that the people will not allow any form of vote rigging in the upcoming February 12 election. He made the statement on Tuesday night at an election rally in Bhawal Rajbari field, Gazipur, while returning from Mymensingh to Dhaka. Rahman called on voters to reach polling centers early, perform morning prayers there, and remain alert to prevent any pre-poll manipulation. He emphasized that citizens must protect their voting rights, which he said had been violated over the past 15 to 16 years.

Highlighting Gazipur’s role in the 2024 movement, Rahman praised the city’s contribution to the struggle for democracy and independence. He recalled his childhood memories in Gazipur and urged residents to support the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. During the rally, he introduced BNP candidates for Gazipur’s five constituencies and sought votes for them.

Rahman also outlined development plans for Gazipur if BNP candidates win, including new industries, affordable housing for workers, family cards for women, daycare centers, flyover construction, canal excavation, and farmer cards. He concluded the day with another rally in Uttara, promising local infrastructure improvements.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen stated that the United States does not support any particular political party but stands with the people of Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Wednesday after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Christensen said the US is ready to work with whichever government is elected and expressed keen interest in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.

The ambassador emphasized that only the people of Bangladesh have the exclusive right to determine the outcome of their election. Referring to his meeting with the Chief Adviser last week, Christensen said he was assured that the election would be festive and that citizens would be able to exercise their voting rights freely. He expressed hope for a joyful and participatory election.

Christensen also appreciated the Election Commission’s preparations, describing them as commendable, and reaffirmed that Washington is committed to working with representatives who receive the people’s mandate.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the NCP’s southern region, stated that Mirza Abbas used to attend court wearing a burqa about one and a half years ago. He made this remark on the night of January 27 during an NCP yard meeting held at Gunai Ghar Shaktala in Debidwar, Comilla, where he was the chief guest.

During his speech, Abdullah also criticized those who, according to him, had remained silent despite sacrifices made by activists such as Abu Bakr and July martyr Mainuddin. He said that the reasons behind their struggles and the fight against fascism are no longer being discussed.

The remarks came during a protest meeting organized in response to an attack on NCP candidate Nasir Uddin Patowary in the Dhaka-8 constituency, highlighting ongoing political tensions surrounding the election campaign.

India’s Rajya Sabha has expressed condolences over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A condolence motion was introduced in the Indian Parliament on Wednesday to honor her long political career and contributions to South Asian politics.

According to parliamentary sources, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will pay tribute to Khaleda Zia, with members observing a brief moment of silence in recognition of her influence as a prominent Bangladeshi political leader. Khaleda Zia served multiple terms as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and played a significant role in shaping the country’s political structure over several decades.

The tribute in the Indian Parliament is described as part of a constitutional and cultural tradition of honoring influential leaders from neighboring countries whose political lives have had a meaningful impact on regional politics.