A massive crowd gathered at the Kajla Bridge area in Jatrabari on Sunday for an election rally organized by the 10-party alliance in support of its parliamentary candidates for Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies. The rally venue was filled to capacity even before the event began at 11 a.m. The event was chaired by Abdus Sabur Fakir, with speeches delivered by alliance-nominated candidates Mohammad Kamal Hossain for Dhaka-5 and Syed Zainul Abedin for Dhaka-4, along with several central and local leaders.

Speakers at the rally declared their opposition to foreign dominance in Bangladesh and called for boycotting what they described as agents of India and extortionists. They also urged the public to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman was present on stage and was scheduled to address the gathering shortly.

The rally reflected the 10-party alliance’s efforts to mobilize public support ahead of the election, with participation from both central and grassroots leaders.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman called on young people to move beyond blame-based politics and contribute ideas for national development. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the 'Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman' held at the Radisson Blu Bay View Hotel in Chattogram. Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh currently has a strong youth workforce that will remain an advantage for the next 15 to 20 years, and he sought input from the next generation on how they envision leading the country.

During his address, Rahman outlined several policy ideas, including a student loan program to assist Bangladeshi students studying abroad who face financial difficulties. He also announced a plan to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals nationwide to reduce waterlogging and increase groundwater reserves if his party comes to power. He stressed that political promises must be backed by implementation to earn public trust.

Rahman further stated that strengthening law enforcement and curbing corruption are essential for any development plan to succeed, adding that a government’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption could significantly reduce related crimes.

A decorated freedom fighter, Harunur Rashid of Dakchai village in Ishania Union under Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur, formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The joining took place during a courtyard meeting in his village, attended by AKM Afzalul Anam, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Dinajpur-2 constituency and a district working committee member.

During the event, Harunur Rashid stated that he had not been affiliated with any political party before and decided to join Jamaat-e-Islami in the later stage of his life, expressing his belief that the party respects freedom fighters. He pledged to follow the party’s rules and principles.

Bochaganj upazila Jamaat secretary Mahbub Alam welcomed Rashid’s decision, noting that several other freedom fighters had previously joined the party out of respect. Local leaders including Aminul Haque and Abdul Baten were also present at the event.

Iraq’s dominant Shia coalition, known as the Coordination Framework, has endorsed former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the country’s next prime minister. The announcement was made in a statement on Saturday, according to AFP reports from Baghdad. The coalition, which maintains close ties with Iran, said the decision was unanimous and that al-Maliki was chosen as the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc due to its majority position.

The statement highlighted al-Maliki’s extensive political experience, administrative skills, and leadership capacity. Aged 75, al-Maliki previously served two consecutive terms as Iraq’s prime minister from 2006 to 2014, following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ended Saddam Hussein’s rule. Under Iraq’s political convention, the prime minister is typically selected from the Shia community, while the parliamentary speaker and president come from the Sunni and Kurdish communities respectively.

Following last November’s general election, the Coordination Framework was formed by al-Maliki’s party and other Shia groups. With a new parliamentary speaker already chosen, the next session will elect a president, who is expected to appoint al-Maliki to replace current prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The United States Department of Defense has announced a major shift in its strategic priorities under the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS), released on Friday. According to the document, China will no longer be considered the top defense priority for the U.S. military. The Pentagon plans to focus more on defending U.S. territory and the Indo-Pacific region while reducing the scope of military cooperation with allies in Europe and other regions. Partner nations are expected to take primary responsibility for their own defense, with the U.S. providing limited but strategically important support.

The 34-page report marks a significant departure from the 2018 NDS, which identified China as the primary long-term challenge and Russia as a severe threat. The new strategy describes Russia’s security risk as “steady but manageable” and emphasizes building a “respectful relationship” with Beijing based on strength rather than confrontation. Notably, the report omits any mention of Taiwan. It also highlights border security as a national priority, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

The revised strategy signals a more inward-looking U.S. defense posture, emphasizing domestic security and selective global engagement.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced plans to introduce student loans and simplify Bangladesh’s complex bank lending process during a youth policy event in Chattogram. Speaking on Sunday at the 'Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman' held at Hotel Radisson, he outlined the initiative before 340 students from 50 universities. Rahman said many young Bangladeshis wish to study abroad but cannot afford visa and related expenses, and the proposed student loan program aims to address that challenge.

He also criticized previous governments for prioritizing so-called development at the cost of environmental damage. The BNP’s future plans include nationwide canal excavation to reduce waterlogging and planting 500 million trees within five years. Responding to a student’s question on extortion, Rahman said the BNP distinguishes between professional and seasonal criminals, adding that firm government messaging against crime and corruption could reduce such incidents by 30 percent. He pledged that a BNP government would ensure safety for both men and women.

Senior BNP leaders, young students, and entrepreneurs attended the event, which focused on youth engagement and policy priorities.

The Maharashtra state government in India, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has appointed Manoj Yadav, a non-Muslim government official, as the head of the state’s Hajj Committee on January 14. The decision has drawn strong criticism from Indian Muslims, who argue that a religious body overseeing Hajj affairs should be led by a Muslim.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which oversees Muslim family law matters, announced plans to challenge the appointment in the Bombay High Court. Muslim leaders in Maharashtra stated that the Hajj Committee manages all aspects of the pilgrimage for the state’s Muslims, and therefore its leadership should remain within the community. They expressed concern that the appointment signals government interference in religious matters.

Maharashtra’s Muslim leaders have also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and central government officials, warning that appointing a non-Muslim to such a religiously sensitive position could deepen mistrust between the government and the Muslim community.

On January 25, 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established a one-party system in Bangladesh known as BAKSAL, according to the article by Dr. Tuhin Malik. The report states that within eleven minutes, the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution was enacted, abolishing the parliamentary system and declaring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as president for life. The change centralized executive, legislative, and judicial powers under his control.

The article describes that the move dissolved all existing political parties, including the Awami League, and replaced them with a single entity called the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as its chairman. It further claims that freedom of speech, press, and the judiciary were curtailed, and only four state-managed newspapers were allowed to operate temporarily.

The piece marks January 25 as both the day the Awami League was banned and the day BAKSAL was formed, portraying it as a turning point that concentrated total authority in the hands of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began its election rally at the Chattogram Polo Ground on Sunday morning ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. The rally started at 10 a.m., with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman scheduled to arrive at 11:30 a.m. Thousands of party leaders, activists, and supporters from different city wards and nearby districts gathered at the venue, filling the field completely.

Participants from BNP’s affiliated organizations, including Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Mohila Dal, and Krishak Dal, arrived on foot from various parts of the city, chanting slogans in support of the party’s election symbol. Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain and BNP candidates from 16 constituencies were present. A large number of volunteers managed discipline under the guidance of city BNP leaders.

Law enforcement agencies, including the army, police, and Rapid Action Battalion, maintained strict security around the venue. Vehicle movement was restricted in several areas, with complete closure in CRB. Security checks were enforced at two entry gates, and red and yellow zones were established for crowd control.

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Chief Coordinator of the referendum awareness campaign, emphasized the crucial role of imams in establishing a just, equal, and humane society. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, at the Sylhet Divisional Imam Conference held at the Mendibag Sports Complex, organized by the Divisional Commissioner’s Office and the Islamic Foundation. Special Assistant Monir Haider attended as a special guest.

In his address, Ali Riaz said Bangladesh had been in darkness for 16 years under a fascist regime that dismantled constitutional structures. He stated that the upcoming referendum, based on the July Charter formulated by consensus among political parties after the fall of fascism, is essential to uphold freedom of expression. He urged all to ensure a “Yes” victory in the vote.

Monir Haider recalled that religious scholars once faced discrimination and fear under the previous regime. He called the referendum a moral and faith-based duty to permanently eradicate fascism. The event was chaired by Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi and attended by senior officials and religious leaders.

Following the December killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, millions attended his funeral in central Dhaka, reflecting a wave of national grief that has yet to subside. Hadi, a former university student from a modest background, had become a prominent voice after the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s long rule. His death, unlike earlier political martyrs, remains unresolved and continues to stir public emotion, now described as the ‘Hadi Effect’.

Hadi’s rise came through social media and televised debates where he challenged remnants of the Awami League’s cultural dominance. He criticized what he saw as elitist secular nationalism and promoted a faith-based cultural identity resonating with Bangladesh’s Muslim majority. Through his ‘Inqilab Cultural Center,’ he sought to build an alternative cultural framework grounded in Islamic values and local expression.

His decision to contest a Dhaka parliamentary seat without party backing turned him into a symbol of grassroots defiance. His assassination has left many feeling deprived of a rare, honest voice, and the emotional momentum surrounding his legacy continues to influence the national political atmosphere.

Yusuf Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a government adviser, has urged an end to the nationwide internet shutdown that has lasted for weeks. In a Telegram post published by the state news agency IRNA on Saturday, he warned that keeping the internet blocked for more than two weeks would increase public dissatisfaction with the government. He argued that the harm caused by the shutdown outweighs the risk of renewed protests once access is restored.

Iran has been facing widespread protests since early January, leading authorities to cut off internet access for nearly 90 million people since January 8. Human rights groups report that many have been killed in security crackdowns, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization claiming the death toll may exceed 25,000. The Iranian government, however, reports 3,117 deaths, including 2,427 identified as “martyrs,” and labels others as rioters influenced by the United States and Israel.

Yusuf Pezeshkian criticized the justification for the shutdown, saying that fear of protest videos being shared is not a valid reason. He acknowledged possible mistakes by security forces and called for accountability.

Since the start of the national election campaign three days ago, at least 52 clashes have been reported across Bangladesh, leaving over 300 political activists injured. Mobile courts have fined at least 45 candidates and supporters for violating the electoral code of conduct. Reports indicate frequent use of banned colored posters, loudspeakers beyond permitted hours, and motorcades displaying muscle power. Despite these incidents, the Election Commission (EC) has so far limited its actions to issuing show-cause notices and fines.

Observers note that similar violations occurred before the campaign officially began, with the EC’s leniency allowing candidates to act with impunity. Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that executive magistrates are active in the field and that tougher measures will be taken if necessary. Election expert Munira Khan criticized the EC’s limited enforcement, urging stronger legal action.

Separate incidents include a supporter’s killing in Mymensingh, clashes in Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria, and vandalism in Sylhet. The EC reports that 1,981 candidates are contesting across 300 constituencies and claims to have intensified field monitoring to ensure compliance.

Greece’s Ministry of Migration has submitted a new bill to parliament aimed at tightening penalties for migrant smuggling. The proposed law includes provisions for life imprisonment for convicted smugglers and allows for the deportation of migrants involved in such crimes. It also criminalizes assistance by legally residing migrants to irregular migrants. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, formerly linked to a far-right party, is leading the proposal, which is scheduled for parliamentary review next week.

According to the ministry, the bill seeks to strengthen punishment at all levels of illegal migrant trafficking. It also extends penalties to NGO workers accused of smuggling, including potential prison terms. However, 56 NGOs, including the Greek branches of Doctors of the World and Doctors Without Borders, have expressed concern over several clauses, calling for their immediate withdrawal. They argue that the bill grants excessive power to the ministry, enabling it to suspend an organization’s registration even before guilt is proven.

The bill also introduces measures to promote legal migration, such as simplifying recruitment from third countries, launching new visas for high-tech workers, and granting residence permits to students from developing nations. It further proposes vocational training programs to integrate asylum seekers and refugees into labor-short sectors like construction, agriculture, and tourism.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Chattogram on Saturday evening, January 24, 2026, marking his first visit to the city in 21 years. He landed at Shah Amanat International Airport at 7:15 p.m., where senior BNP leaders including Salahuddin Ahmed and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury welcomed him. Rahman traveled from his residence in Gulshan to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport earlier that evening before flying to Chattogram.

According to BNP Political Adviser and Election Committee Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Rahman will attend six campaign rallies across four districts on Sunday as part of the party’s nationwide campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. His first rally will be held at Chattogram’s Polo Ground at 11:30 a.m., followed by events in Feni, Comilla, and Narayanganj later in the day. The Comilla visit marks his first political appearance there in 24 years.

The tour follows the launch of Rahman’s election campaign in Sylhet on January 22, where he held rallies in seven districts before returning to Dhaka.