A Dhaka court has scheduled February 9 for further hearings on the formation of sedition charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case was filed over allegations that participants in a December 19, 2024, online meeting of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade' conspired to overthrow the interim government and engage in anti-state activities. The hearing took place on January 21, 2026, before Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 9, presided over by Judge Md. Abdus Salam. Prosecutors argued for framing charges, while defense lawyers for several detained accused sought exemption.

According to the case documents, 259 of the 286 accused are fugitives, while 27, including former MP Sabina Akter Tuhin, are in custody. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed the case on March 27, 2025, after obtaining approval from the Home Ministry, and later submitted a charge sheet on August 14, 2025. The allegations stem from a virtual meeting where participants reportedly pledged to restore Hasina to power through armed conflict.

The upcoming February hearing will determine whether the court proceeds with the formal framing of charges against all accused individuals.

Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila has completed extensive preparations to welcome BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to address a public rally at Kuttapara playground on Thursday, January 22, 2026. This will be his first rally in the district since becoming party chief, and local BNP leaders expect a large turnout. The event follows his visit to Sylhet, where he will begin the party’s campaign for the 13th national election.

District and upazila BNP units have built a large stage, installed modern sound systems, lighting, and CCTV cameras, and decorated the area with banners and festoons. Senior BNP leaders, including district president Khaled Hossain Mahbub and alliance candidate Maulana Junayed Al Habib, have repeatedly inspected the venue. Law enforcement officials, led by the district police superintendent, are overseeing security arrangements.

Local leaders anticipate that between five and six lakh people may attend the rally. BNP representatives described the event as a historic moment for Brahmanbaria politics and expect it to influence the upcoming national election.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to visit Sylhet tonight, marking his first trip there in two decades. He will depart for Sylhet by air around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday and begin his election campaign on Thursday morning. At 11:30 a.m., he is scheduled to address a public rally at the historic Government Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet city. Later in the day, he will attend a series of election rallies in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj before returning to Dhaka at 10 p.m.

Before joining the rallies, Tarique Rahman will visit the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R.) in Sylhet. The BNP is beginning its formal campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from Sylhet, following its long-standing tradition. The city has taken on a festive atmosphere ahead of his arrival, with streets decorated with banners, festoons, and arches.

The visit signifies the official start of BNP’s nationwide election campaign, with Sylhet serving as the symbolic launch point for the party’s political activities.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing a major internal challenge as more than fifty rebel candidates continue to contest despite being expelled. According to the Election Commission’s schedule, Tuesday was the last day to withdraw nominations, but these expelled leaders did not withdraw. Party insiders fear the situation could significantly affect BNP’s unity and vote distribution across several constituencies.

Many long-time BNP leaders reportedly became frustrated after being denied party nominations. Some have chosen to run as independents, while others openly opposed party decisions. Most of these rebel candidates are locally popular figures, raising concerns about vote splits in key districts. The party expelled several leaders, including Saiful Alam (Dhaka-12), Rumin Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), Hasan Mamun (Patuakhali-3), Saiful Islam Firoz (Jhenaidah-4), and others, for violating party discipline.

BNP had earlier left several constituencies for allied parties under a joint movement strategy, but expelled leaders refused to step aside. Observers believe this internal discord could complicate BNP’s electoral prospects in multiple regions.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member Mobarak Hossain stated that the party seeks a peaceful election and will not tolerate any attempts at disorder. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning at a post-protest rally held on 60 Feet Road in the Barak Molla area of Mirpur, Dhaka. The rally followed a protest march organized in response to alleged attacks on Jamaat-Shibir activists and harassment of female party workers in the Jamaat Amir’s electoral area.

Hossain emphasized that the people of the country want to see Jamaat in power and that the party is fully prepared to face both the upcoming election and any acts of violence. He described Pirerbag as a stronghold of Jamaat-Shibir and warned that no terrorism would be tolerated there, promising a counter-response to any future attacks.

According to the report, Jamaat Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Ibn Sina Hospital in Kallyanpur to see party activists injured in the Mirpur attack.

In Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj) constituency, Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Maulana Mobarak Hossain has withdrawn his nomination to support the National Citizen Party (NCP)-backed candidate. He made the announcement on Tuesday, expressing loyalty to the ten-party alliance’s collective decision ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election.

Alliance leaders described Brahmanbaria-2 as one of the constituencies with high potential for political change. The alliance’s nominated candidate and NCP central joint convener, Maulana Ashraf Uddin Mahdi, said he was inspired by his grandfather Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini, who had previously been elected from this area in alliance with Begum Khaleda Zia. Mahdi stated that he aims to complete his grandfather’s unfinished work and called for politics free from violence, muscle power, and black money.

According to Mahdi, residents of Sarail and Ashuganj have responded positively to Mobarak Hossain’s decision to withdraw his nomination in favor of the alliance candidate.

Jamalpur University of Science and Technology (Jabiprabi) has decided to hold a referendum to rename its only male student dormitory. The decision was made on Tuesday, January 20, during a meeting between students and the university administration, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Rokonuzzaman and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Mosharaf Hossain. The vote will take place on Thursday, January 22, with results to be announced the same night.

According to university sources, the dormitory was originally named after Mirza Azam, a former ruling party member of parliament. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising in July, students demanded the removal of names associated with the former regime. Disagreement arose among students over the new name, with some proposing “Bijoy ’24” to commemorate the uprising, while others suggested naming it after the local saint Hazrat Shah Jamal (R.).

Hall Provost Dr. Muhammad Farhad Ali stated that the election committee and voter list will be announced on Wednesday, and the name receiving the highest votes will be officially adopted.

Jagannath University (JNU) unit of Chhatra Dal has condemned remarks made by Ibrahim Khalil, the organizational secretary of the university’s Shibir unit, describing them as fascist and an attempt to destabilize the campus. In a press release issued on the night of January 20, signed by office secretary Mozammel Mamun Deni, the organization alleged that Khalil called for blocking rail, road, and waterways on January 22 to obstruct a rally of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman in Sylhet.

The statement said such provocative and irresponsible comments reflect undemocratic behavior and mirror the repressive political culture of the past. It accused Shibir of trying to destroy the university’s stable environment and warned that such actions threaten students’ education and coexistence. The Chhatra Dal rejected the remarks with contempt and labeled them as contrary to democratic and free-expression values.

The organization demanded immediate withdrawal of the statement and an unconditional apology from Shibir. It also urged the university administration and authorities to take necessary measures to protect a healthy and democratic campus environment, warning that they would bear full responsibility for any resulting unrest.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Dhaka College unit has relieved fifteen of its leaders from their organizational posts due to negligence in duties. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, January 20, and signed by JCD spokesperson Md. Jahangir Alam, the decision was approved by the unit’s president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.

Those removed include joint conveners Yamin Rahman and Hannan Mia, along with thirteen members: Bulbul Ahmed, Hasib Chowdhury, Ratikul Islam, Ariful Babu, Shawon Khondaker, Sajjid Hossain, Rashikul Islam Sahil, Manjurul Islam Sujon, Sajib Mia, Mohammad Riad Ahmed, Masud Rana Onik, Tanoy Sharif, and Ashraful Islam Ashru. The announcement emphasized that the action was taken specifically for organizational negligence.

The press release did not mention any replacement appointments or further disciplinary measures, leaving the future structure of the Dhaka College JCD unit unclear.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-8 under the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance, has accused the Election Commission (EC) of failing to issue a show-cause notice to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman despite what he described as a direct violation of the electoral code of conduct. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after receiving his election symbol at the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s office, Patwari alleged that Rahman recently visited the Korail slum and promised to build flats for residents, which he said breached election laws.

Patwari claimed the EC was applying double standards, saying other candidates such as Nahid Islam had been show-caused for lesser actions while Rahman faced no consequences. He further alleged that the administration and BNP were working together, undermining the fairness of the Dhaka-8 election. Patwari also criticized the media for not covering such irregularities, claiming that many outlets were under political influence.

He warned that the EC’s inaction and perceived bias could lead to a repeat of past controversial commissions, raising concerns about the credibility of the upcoming election.

Former BNP joint secretary general Aslam Chowdhury has issued a written statement denying any involvement of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the killing of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) member in Sitakunda’s jungle area. He stated that reports and propaganda linking BNP to the incident are completely false, fabricated, baseless, and part of a deliberate political scheme.

In his statement, Chowdhury expressed deep sorrow over the killing, describing it as a brutal and heartbreaking act of violence. He extended condolences to the family of the slain RAB member and urged authorities to identify the perpetrators quickly and bring them to justice with exemplary punishment.

The statement comes amid media reports and discussions attempting to connect the opposition party to the incident, which Chowdhury dismissed as politically motivated misinformation.

The Zoology Department of Dhaka University is facing controversy over the recruitment of three lecturers in Parasitology, Fisheries, and Wildlife branches. According to administrative sources, candidate recommendations have been finalized following oral exams held on November 27, 2025, and the final approval awaits the university syndicate’s next meeting. Allegations have surfaced that several candidates were favored due to political connections and influence rather than merit.

Reports claim that Jannatun Nahar Jhinuk, recommended for Parasitology, is linked to former BUET Chhatra League leader Aminul Haque Palash, who allegedly used his influence from abroad to support her appointment. Professor Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, a member of the recruitment board, denied the allegations, asserting that Jhinuk was academically superior. In the Wildlife branch, candidate Ashiqur Rahman Sami, reportedly an aide to an interim government adviser, was recommended despite lower academic results. In Fisheries, Anika Tabassum, ranked fifth, was also nominated, prompting complaints from other candidates.

University officials stated that the recruitment process followed academic merit and that final approval depends on the syndicate’s decision.

Thousands of people across the United States protested on Tuesday against President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. The demonstrations were organized by labor unions, leftist groups, and civic organizations, taking place in cities and university campuses nationwide. The protests followed weeks of unrest sparked by the fatal shooting of a man by a federal agent in Minneapolis. Hundreds gathered in Washington, while smaller cities such as Asheville, North Carolina, also saw rallies.

Protesters voiced opposition to federal immigration enforcement, chanting slogans against ICE and other agencies. The Trump administration defended its deportation policy as part of its electoral mandate. However, recent opinion polls cited in the report indicated that most Americans oppose the use of force by immigration and federal officers against undocumented immigrants.

Students from several universities joined the demonstrations, with participants in Cleveland, Ohio, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, walking out of classes to attend rallies. Additional gatherings were planned in cities including San Francisco and Seattle.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has finalized 1,967 candidates to contest in 300 parliamentary constituencies after 305 individuals withdrew their nominations on Tuesday, the last day for withdrawal. The final list includes 290 candidates from the BNP, 216 from Jamaat-e-Islami, 30 from the National Citizens Party (NCP), 259 from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, 196 from Jatiya Party, and 92 from Gano Adhikar Parishad. More than 300 independent candidates will also compete, including over 50 described as BNP rebels and former minister Abdul Latif Siddique, who is running independently.

According to the Election Commission, returning officers will allocate election symbols to candidates on Wednesday. Registered political parties will receive their official symbols, while independent candidates will choose from a list of approved symbols. If multiple candidates select the same symbol, allocation will be decided by lottery.

With symbol distribution set for today, the official campaign period begins tomorrow, marking the start of the final phase of election preparations across the country.

Three senior leaders of the US Catholic Church have issued a joint statement sharply criticizing the Trump administration’s foreign policy, questioning America’s moral role in global politics. The Archbishops of Washington, Newark, and Chicago—Cardinals Robert McElroy, Joseph Tobin, and Blase Cupich—expressed deep concern over the ethical justification for the use of military power in recent events involving Venezuela, Ukraine, and Greenland. They stated that military action should be a last resort in extreme circumstances, not a routine tool of national policy.

The cardinals avoided partisan analysis but their remarks were seen as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction within the Church toward national leadership under Trump. Their statement referenced controversies surrounding threats to seize Greenland, naval operations against Venezuela, and the detention of President Nicolás Maduro without congressional approval. Pope Leo XIV also urged respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and emphasized dialogue over violence, while warning that Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine could alter transatlantic alliances.

Cardinal Cupich further noted concern over the decision to dismantle USAID, a long-standing humanitarian agency. The cardinals warned that force-based global systems undermine nations’ sovereignty, calling the administration’s moral outlook “Darwinian.”