A condolence book has been opened at Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) to pay tribute to BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia following her death. The signing ceremony was inaugurated on Sunday morning by Professor Dr. Harun Al Rashid, president of the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and a former student of the college. The initiative was organized by former leaders of the Dhaka Medical College unit of the BNP’s student wing, with the book to remain open for seven days on the college premises.

The event was conducted by DAB’s central joint secretary Dr. Zafar Iqbal and attended by several DAB leaders, teachers, and physicians from Dhaka Medical College. During the program, newly appointed principal Professor Dr. Faruk Ahmed was also congratulated. Among those present were BNP’s Dhaka-7 candidate Hamidur Rahman Hamid, senior DAB officials, and faculty members from the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Medicine.

The condolence book provides an opportunity for medical professionals and students to express their respect and remembrance for Khaleda Zia over the coming week.

Independent parliamentary candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana for Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj) constituency said that political workers like Saddam, who supported leaders for 15 years, have been neglected by those same leaders. She made the remarks on Sunday evening, January 25, during an election meeting at Panishwar Union in Sarail upazila.

Rumin Farhana referred to Saddam, a Chhatra League activist whose wife killed their newborn child and then took her own life while Saddam was imprisoned. She criticized political leaders for failing to support such workers or their families, noting that Saddam was allowed only five minutes to see the bodies of his wife and child. She urged voters to be cautious when choosing leaders who ignore their followers in times of crisis.

Farhana also commented that many senior BNP figures had been unreachable for 15 years, leaving grassroots workers disconnected. She called for leadership accountability and warned that no party worker in Bangladesh should face a fate similar to Saddam’s.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to introduce an evening bus service exclusively for women if his party forms the government. He made the announcement on Sunday, January 25, during an election rally at Jatrabari in Dhaka. Rahman said the initiative aims to ensure safe and dignified travel for working women, particularly during peak hours in major cities including the capital.

He stated that women currently lack both security and respect in public spaces and workplaces. Rahman promised that his party would prioritize women’s safety and dignity at home, in transit, and at work. He also mentioned that the lower decks of government double-decker buses would be reserved for women to ease their travel difficulties.

Rahman emphasized that men should willingly make sacrifices to uphold the honor of women, describing mothers’ dignity as more valuable than life itself. He added that national progress requires equal participation of men and women, asserting that women have a rightful place in social and professional life.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that no parole application was submitted for Jewel Hasan Saddam, an inmate at Jashore Central Jail, following the deaths of his wife and child. The ministry issued a press statement on Sunday evening, signed by Public Relations Officer Faisal Hasan, addressing media reports on the matter.

According to the statement, Saddam’s family did not file any written request with the Jashore Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, or prison authorities for his temporary release. Instead, based on the family’s verbal request, arrangements were made for Saddam to view the bodies of his wife and child at the Jashore jail gate. The ministry said the Jashore district administration and prison authorities provided full cooperation on humanitarian grounds.

The Home Ministry also stated that reports circulating in various media and on social platforms claiming a parole application had been filed were inaccurate. It urged all media outlets to ensure factual and objective reporting to uphold the public’s right to accurate information.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have come into confrontation over allegations of extortion, vandalism, and eviction involving small and mobile shops on the Dhaka University campus. DUCSU presented video and audio evidence at a press conference held at Madhur Canteen, accusing several JCD leaders of demanding daily payments from shop owners. In response, JCD dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated, submitting a written complaint to the university proctor and warning of legal action against the accusers.

Following the dispute, the university administration formed a four-member investigation committee headed by Assistant Proctor Dr. Md. Miraj Kobad Chowdhury. The committee was instructed to submit its report promptly. DUCSU representatives said the evidence was gathered after inconsistencies were found between the statements of shop owners and the accused. JCD leaders countered that the circulated video was edited and called for legal measures if any of their members were proven guilty.

JCD also demanded a clear policy for managing small and mobile shops on campus and disciplinary action against any DUCSU representatives or officials found involved after investigation.

BNP candidate Shafiqul Islam Khan has expressed optimism about winning the Dhaka-15 parliamentary seat, where he is contesting against Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Speaking during a campaign event on Sunday morning in the capital’s West Shewrapara Technical area, Khan said many party chiefs in Bangladesh had previously lost to ordinary workers like him. He emphasized his confidence in securing victory despite facing a major political leader.

The Dhaka-15 constituency includes parts of Shewrapara, Kazipara, Kafrul, and Mirpur. Khan, a former acting general secretary of the BNP’s youth wing, said he was born and raised in the area and maintains strong ties with local residents. He pledged to prioritize repairing roads, resolving water and gas shortages, and addressing waterlogging if elected. He also promised to establish playgrounds to keep youth away from drugs.

Khan’s remarks highlight his grassroots campaign approach and his focus on local development issues as key elements of his electoral message.

The interim government of Bangladesh has announced that the Awami League will be held accountable for any violence or terrorist activities occurring before or on the day of the upcoming national election. The statement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, expressed concern that a recent public speech by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi contained incitement to engage in violent acts aimed at disrupting the election process.

The government expressed deep surprise and anger that India allowed Hasina to deliver such a speech, calling it contrary to the principles of good neighborly relations and non-interference in internal affairs. The statement accused Hasina of openly calling for the overthrow of the Bangladeshi government and urging her supporters to engage in violence to derail the election. It further stated that this incident represents a serious affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and a dangerous precedent for future Bangladesh-India relations.

The government also reiterated that repeated requests for Hasina’s extradition under a bilateral treaty have not been fulfilled by India, and that allowing her to make such remarks poses a grave threat to Bangladesh’s democratic transition, peace, and security.

The Bangladesh government has expressed deep shock and anger after fugitive Sheikh Hasina, convicted of crimes against humanity, was allowed to speak publicly in New Delhi. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 25, Hasina’s January 23 speech allegedly urged her followers and the public to engage in violent and terrorist acts to derail Bangladesh’s upcoming national election and overthrow the government.

Dhaka stated that it had repeatedly requested India to extradite Hasina under a bilateral treaty, but India had not acted on those requests. Instead, Bangladesh said, India permitted her to deliver an inflammatory speech that poses a serious threat to Bangladesh’s democratic progress, peace, and security. The government described the event’s approval as a violation of international norms of sovereignty, non-interference, and good-neighborly relations, calling it an insult to the Bangladeshi people and a dangerous precedent for future bilateral ties.

The statement further asserted that the interim government banned the Awami League due to such incitement and warned that the party would be held responsible for any election-related violence or terrorism.

The Khan A Sabur Smriti Sangsad organized a discussion and prayer meeting in Khulna on Sunday to mark the 44th death anniversary of Khan A Sabur, the founding president of the Bangladesh Muslim League and a key figure in the region’s development. The event took place at Sabur Lodge near the Circuit House, where speakers paid tribute to his contributions and recalled his political and developmental legacy.

Former Khulna University treasurer Mazharul Hannan, speaking as chief guest, said that during the 1947 partition, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira were initially included in India. Khan A Sabur appealed to the Boundary Commission and, through legal efforts, secured Khulna’s inclusion in Pakistan. Hannan also noted Sabur’s role as communications minister in 1962 under Ayub Khan, when he established industries, ports, and projects that transformed the local economy. He criticized attempts to erase Sabur’s name from history.

The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Zahidul Islam, with participation from Muslim League leaders, lawyers, journalists, and educators. The program began with Quran recitation and was conducted by Advocate Akhtar Jahan Ruku and Sirajuddin Sentu.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that a 'Yes' vote means freedom and a 'No' vote means slavery, urging supporters to ensure a 'Yes' victory. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at a rally in Dhupkhola Field, Old Dhaka, organized in support of Jamaat-nominated and 11-party-backed Dhaka-6 parliamentary candidate Dr. Abdul Mannan. Rahman also said the party would not provide unemployment allowances even if state funds were available, arguing that such payments increase joblessness. Instead, Jamaat would focus on creating employment opportunities and empowering youth.

Rahman criticized the country's leadership over the past 54 years, saying justice had not been established and young people had fallen into drugs and wrongdoing. He pledged to build a corruption-free and extortion-free nation if given responsibility. The rally also featured speeches from leaders of allied parties, including Islami Chhatra Shibir and the Liberal Democratic Party, who called for reform, honest politics, and an end to extortion.

At the event, Rahman handed party symbols to Dhaka-6 candidate Abdul Mannan and Dhaka-8 alliance candidate Nasiruddin Patwari, emphasizing vigilance against vote rigging.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday praised British soldiers as “very brave” and “warriors,” marking a reversal from his earlier remarks about NATO forces in Afghanistan. The shift came a day after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump’s previous comments “offensive and appalling.” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that British troops have always stood by the United States and described those killed or wounded in Afghanistan as among the greatest warriors.

Trump had earlier sparked outrage across Europe by claiming that European soldiers were not on the front lines in Afghanistan. His comments drew strong criticism from political and military circles in Britain and beyond. Afghanistan was Britain’s deadliest foreign conflict since the 1950s, with 457 British troops killed, many of them leading allied operations in Helmand province.

According to the British Prime Minister’s Office, Trump and Starmer spoke on Saturday about the issue. Starmer emphasized that the sacrifices of British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan must never be forgotten.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has warned that a new conspiracy similar to past ones has begun in Bangladesh, calling on citizens to remain alert. He made the remarks on Sunday during an election rally at the Polo Ground in Chattogram, where he urged people to safeguard their political and economic rights.

Rahman stated that, as in the past fifteen years when people's rights were taken away, a similar plot is now unfolding. He appealed to the public to stay vigilant so that no one can deprive them of their right to live. During the rally, he also pledged that if the BNP comes to power, the number of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Chattogram would be increased.

Additionally, Tarique Rahman promised that a BNP government would take strict measures against corruption, emphasizing the party’s commitment to economic development and integrity in governance.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin stated that there is no secrecy surrounding the upcoming national election. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon after a meeting with foreign diplomats at the Westin Hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting, organized by the Election Commission, aimed to brief ambassadors, high commissioners, and representatives from the European Union and the United Nations about the forthcoming parliamentary election and public voting process.

During a post-meeting briefing, the CEC emphasized the commission’s goal of holding an almost transparent and credible election. He said diplomats were pleased with the discussions. According to Nasir Uddin, diplomats raised questions about postal voting and the deployment of law enforcement personnel during the election period. He assured them that comprehensive security measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting.

The CEC added that members of the army, air force, navy, RAB, BGB, and Ansar would be deployed at polling centers. He reaffirmed that the Election Commission would make maximum efforts to ensure a safe environment for voters.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former reserved seat Member of Parliament Syeda Rubina Akter and her husband Mosharraf Hossain Sardar. The order was issued on Sunday, January 25, 2026, by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez, following separate petitions filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Rashedul Islam. The court move aims to support an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and misuse of power.

According to the ACC’s petitions, Rubina Akter allegedly amassed assets worth Tk 1.57 crore beyond known income sources and conducted suspicious transactions totaling Tk 139.35 crore through her and related bank accounts. The ACC filed a case against her on May 14 of the previous year. Her husband Mosharraf Hossain is accused of jointly acquiring Tk 1.26 crore in assets and engaging in suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 18.44 crore. The court directed that their full tax return records from the beginning to the latest fiscal year be seized for investigation.

The court’s decision enables investigators to examine the couple’s financial documents to verify the sources of their wealth and assess potential money laundering activities.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram has called on voters to support candidates of the 11-party alliance to, in his words, free Bangladesh from the influence of 'Delhi’s servants.' He made the appeal on Sunday afternoon at a campaign rally for the Dhaka-6 constituency, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South at Dhupkhola Field in Gendaria. Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest.

During his speech, Oli Ahmad criticized both the Awami League and BNP, saying that the country had long been governed by those he described as 'agents of India.' He recounted his role in the 1971 Liberation War and said the current struggle was to realize the dream of a just, corruption-free Bangladesh. He urged citizens to vote for candidates aligned with the August 5 movement, rejecting those he accused of serving foreign interests.

Oli Ahmad introduced Dr. Abdul Mannan for Dhaka-6 and Nasiruddin Patwari for Dhaka-8 as alliance candidates, urging voters to elect them to achieve what he termed a 'new Bangladesh' based on justice and independence.