The National Citizen Party (NCP) has appointed writer, journalist, presenter, and young politician Muhammad Asadullah as the 'Yes' vote ambassador for Pabna-2 constituency (Sujanagar and part of Bera) ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. The announcement was made by Faridul Haque, head of the party’s referendum subcommittee, following a directive from NCP’s election management committee chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who had earlier declared that one ambassador would be assigned to each constituency.

Asadullah, who serves as joint convener of NCP’s youth wing Jatiya Juboshokti and holds responsibilities in the party’s press wing and media subcommittee, will campaign in favor of the 'Yes' vote until the election. Expressing gratitude for his appointment, he described the referendum as crucial for determining Bangladesh’s political direction for the next century and pledged to ensure strong local support for the 'Yes' campaign.

Asadullah has been active in writing and journalism for 15 years, authored seven books, and worked with several national media outlets. He is also known for his role in social movements and his long association with the NCP since its founding.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8, alleged that BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas would top any ranking of criminals in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Wednesday while campaigning in his constituency. Patwari accused Abbas of controlling several educational institutions and claimed that Abbas had previously served as president of the Habibullah Bahar College unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

Patwari further alleged that Abbas oversees corruption and extortion within college committees and exerts influence over institutions such as Viqarunnisa and Siddheswari Girls. He described these matters as open secrets known to residents of Dhaka-8. Patwari also claimed that Abbas attacked his supporters the previous day and criticized BNP leader Tarique Rahman for sheltering such figures within the party’s leadership.

In his remarks, Patwari contrasted himself with other BNP candidates, asserting that he had no record of corruption or extortion. He warned Abbas not to provoke conflict, saying he would not tolerate attempts to intimidate him through alleged gangs or muscle power.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that he was “playing with fire” after Frey reiterated that the city would not enforce federal immigration laws. Trump made the remark in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, claiming he had previously had a positive conversation with Frey. He urged the mayor’s associates to advise him that such a stance could constitute a serious legal violation.

Responding on social media platform X, Frey said local police are responsible for ensuring public safety, not enforcing immigration laws. He cited the case of Ecuadorian asylum seeker Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January, as an example of why local enforcement should focus on community safety. Frey also said he had a productive meeting with “border czar” Tom Homan, emphasizing that Minneapolis would continue prioritizing neighborhood security over federal immigration operations.

The exchange came amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration officers, which sparked protests. The White House said Homan would oversee ICE field operations to continue arresting “the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants.”

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman met with the Czech Republic’s non-resident ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Eliska Zigova, and her delegation at the Army Headquarters on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The courtesy meeting was confirmed through a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on further strengthening the existing friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Czech Republic. Ambassador Zigova highlighted potential areas for enhanced cooperation in the defense sector, particularly in government-to-government technology transfer, joint ventures, and the development of the defense industry.

The ISPR statement emphasized the mutual interest in expanding defense collaboration and fostering long-term partnership opportunities between the two countries.

The Election Commission (EC) has approved a budget of Tk 3,100 crore to organize the upcoming referendum and the 13th national parliamentary election. The decision was made during a commission meeting held on Wednesday, January 28, according to officials. Of the approved amount, Tk 1,200 crore has been allocated for election management, Tk 1,400 crore for law enforcement, and Tk 500 crore for referendum, postal ballots, and related expenses. The EC noted that allocations for these sectors may increase if necessary.

The previous 12th national election cost Tk 2,276 crore in total. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed explained that the inclusion of referendum and postal ballot voting this time has naturally raised the overall expenditure. The 13th national parliamentary election is scheduled to take place on February 12.

The EC’s approval marks a significant increase in election spending compared to the previous cycle, reflecting expanded voting processes and security measures.

Nurul Haque Nur, the Ganadhikar Parishad candidate backed by the BNP alliance for the Patuakhali-3 (Dashmina-Galachipa) constituency, said on Wednesday that he had shown restraint despite alleged attacks on his supporters. Speaking at a joint BNP and Ganadhikar Parishad election rally at Alipur Secondary School field in Dashmina, he claimed that if he had given the order, the attackers would have been severely dealt with, but he preferred patience and rejected revenge.

Nur alleged that on Tuesday, supporters of independent candidate Hasan Mamun obstructed a procession bearing the truck symbol in Bakulbariya Union of Galachipa and attacked his workers, even as police were present. He emphasized that the BNP had no separate candidate in the constituency and that he was jointly nominated by the BNP and Ganadhikar Parishad.

Referring to BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Nur said that development in the area would suffer if Rahman’s nominated candidate did not win. His remarks have sparked new discussion in the constituency, where a large number of BNP and Ganadhikar Parishad supporters attended the rally.

Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yusuf S.W.Y. Ramadan, paid a courtesy visit to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his office in Bashundhara, Dhaka, on Wednesday morning. Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, was also present during the meeting.

According to Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. During the discussion, Dr. Rahman reiterated the deep and historic relationship between Bangladesh and Palestine, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh, regardless of political affiliation, would always stand by the just struggle of the Palestinian people. He urged the United Nations, the OIC, and the international community to take effective measures to stop Israel’s occupation and forced eviction plans in Gaza.

The Palestinian ambassador expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Palestinian people for Bangladesh’s sincere support and solidarity, expressing hope that this cooperation would continue in the future.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 candidate Akhtar Hossain has alleged that incidents of harassment against women during election campaigns reflect a repetition of the Awami League’s past actions. Speaking at a courtyard meeting in Taiyab village of Pirgacha upazila on Wednesday morning, he said that reports of women’s hijabs being pulled off and indecent remarks during campaign activities have spread across media and social platforms.

Hossain stated that those harassing women are repeating what he called the Awami League’s shameful history, recalling a 2018 incident in Noakhali’s Subarnachar. He urged the government and administration to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in such acts, regardless of political affiliation. He also expressed concern over the law and order situation and said that such incidents undermine both personal freedom and the right to political participation.

Referring to repeated attacks in Dhaka-8 constituency, Hossain condemned the violence and claimed that recent events confirm fears about the lack of a level playing field in the upcoming 13th national election.

India’s upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, adopted a condolence motion on Wednesday mourning the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. The motion was presented in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and members stood in silence to pay tribute to Zia. The session also included condolence motions for former Rajya Sabha members L. Ganesan and Suresh Kalnadi.

Before the submission of official documents, Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan read out the condolence messages for the deceased, followed by a one-minute silence observed by all members. The session began with the President’s address, attended by Modi, cabinet ministers, and other members of the upper house.

Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier visited Dhaka to pay his last respects.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that many countries are refusing to accept Bangladeshi passports because of widespread forgery. Speaking at the inauguration of the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 and the launch of the Bangladesh Innovation Challenge website and logo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he described Bangladesh as a “factory of fraud.” He said fake visas, passports, and certificates have damaged the country’s reputation abroad.

Yunus shared an account of a discussion with a Middle Eastern minister who explained that his country and several others have barred entry to Bangladeshis after discovering forged educational and professional certificates. He cited an example of a woman who presented a fake medical certificate to work abroad. Yunus urged that technology should not be used for deceit and called for moral reform and honesty in innovation.

He emphasized that Bangladesh must correct its foundations, eliminate fraudulent practices, and empower youth to become ethical entrepreneurs so that the nation can stand proudly on the global stage.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has alleged that there is no level playing field in the ongoing election campaign. Speaking to journalists in Badda on Wednesday afternoon after a day of campaigning, he said that when candidates or their supporters are attacked or harassed and the administration takes no action, the situation cannot be described as fair. He urged voters to support his Shapla Koli symbol and to vote 'yes' in the referendum.

Nahid Islam claimed that since Tuesday, the election environment has been disrupted across the country, with female activists of the 11-party alliance facing harassment and attacks. He alleged that NCP candidates in Dhaka-18 and Dhaka-8 were also assaulted. Pointing toward the BNP, he accused the party of using muscle power and creating an atmosphere of intimidation to obstruct the election process. He said complaints had been submitted to the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies but no remedy had been provided.

He warned that if such conditions persist, the election could become one-sided and fail to reflect the people’s true verdict. He pledged to work for reform and a corruption-free, equitable state if elected.

At an election rally in Rangpur’s Badarganj upazila on Wednesday evening, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 constituency candidate ATM Azharul Islam alleged that the Awami League government had arranged false witnesses through its own tribunal to sentence him to death. He said divine mercy and public support helped him regain freedom after years of imprisonment, asserting that no one can harm those protected by God.

Azharul Islam stated that he was too young to fight in 1971 but was falsely branded a war criminal because of his advocacy for Islam. He claimed witnesses in his trial gave contradictory testimonies, saying they saw alleged killings from distances of three to nine kilometers. According to him, the tribunal’s fabricated evidence led to his 14-year imprisonment and torture.

He further alleged that after his release, some witnesses admitted they were pressured and enticed by the Awami League government to testify falsely. Urging voters to reject corruption, he called for support for the 11-party alliance’s “scales” symbol and a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum on February 12.

The election field in Pabna-1 constituency has grown increasingly heated following the allocation of symbols for the upcoming national election. Tensions escalated further after former state minister and Awami League leader Professor Abu Sayeed joined the BNP, withdrawing his independent candidacy and pledging full support to BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, son of the late party chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, accused the BNP of conspiring to restore fascism by bringing Abu Sayeed into the party. He warned that such activities would be resisted. After receiving his election symbol, Momen alleged that BNP was attempting to disrupt the electoral environment and cautioned that administrative inaction could provoke public outrage.

BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman rejected the allegations, stating that Abu Sayeed was not fascist and had long distanced himself from such politics. He said Abu Sayeed joined BNP through a proper process, strengthening the party’s position in the constituency.

Asif Mahmud, chairman of the NCP Election Steering Committee, warned that any attempt to seize polling centers by force would be met with counter-resistance. Speaking on Wednesday at a public rally during the NCP’s election march at the Shaheed Minar grounds in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, he said the party would also resist attacks on women and uphold justice in future governance.

Mahmud highlighted Brahmanbaria’s history of participation in democratic movements from the anti-British struggle to the July uprising. He criticized the current government for failing to deliver development in the district and pledged that the Eleven-Party Alliance would ensure fair budget allocations for all regions if it came to power. He also mentioned that more than 30 alliance activists were injured in an attack on their candidate in Sherpur.

At the same event, alliance candidate Maulana Ashraf Uddin vowed to establish a just Bangladesh, ensure transparency in governance, and resist foreign dominance if elected.

Palestinian-supporting US Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday. According to Reuters, an unidentified man sprayed an unknown dark-colored liquid on her while she was calling for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Police arrested the assailant on third-degree assault charges. Authorities have not yet disclosed details about the substance used, though Omar was not injured.

C-SPAN footage showed the attacker rushing the stage as Omar demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Omar later said the liquid had a terrible smell but confirmed she was fine and planned to undergo a medical checkup. Returning to the stage, she reaffirmed her resilience, saying Minnesota remained strong despite such acts. She also posted on X that she would not be intimidated.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Republican Representative Nancy Mace condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in political discourse. Omar, a Somali-American and former refugee, has long faced opposition from conservatives for her progressive stances on immigration and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.