In Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj) constituency, Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Maulana Mobarak Hossain has withdrawn his nomination to support the National Citizen Party (NCP)-backed candidate.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.”

India has decided to recall the family members of its diplomats stationed in Bangladesh, citing security reasons. The country has also designated Bangladesh as a ‘non-family posting’ for its diplomatic staff. Despite this move, India’s High Commission in Dhaka and its Assistant High Commissions in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet will remain open and continue normal operations, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.

The report, quoting unnamed sources, stated that the decision had been under consideration for some time due to the overall security situation. As part of the process, officials working in the mentioned missions have been advised to send their families back to India. However, no specific timeline has been set for when the families will return, and details about the number of Indian diplomats currently serving in Bangladesh were not disclosed.

The move comes just weeks before Bangladesh’s national election, scheduled for February 12, 2026, suggesting heightened caution by India regarding the security environment in the neighboring country.

Iranian authorities have initiated the punishment process for individuals detained during recent anti-government protests across the country. Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei announced on January 19 that judicial operations have been intensified, warning that leniency toward those deemed undeserving would contradict justice. The government has also restricted internet access nationwide, citing security concerns, after briefly restoring partial connectivity the previous day.

Mohseni-Ejei met with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf before issuing a joint statement pledging strict action against what they called 'murderous and terrorist instigators.' However, they said protesters misled by foreign powers might receive 'Islamic compassion.' Iranian officials again accused the United States and Israel of funding and arming demonstrators. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that several thousand people were killed in the unrest but attributed the deaths to agents linked to foreign powers rather than state forces.

The protests began on December 28 in Tehran’s downtown commercial district and have led to the arrest or detention of more than 10,000 people, according to estimates cited in the report. Authorities continue to release new arrest data daily.

A senior BNP leader, Fazlul Haque Chumku, aged 52, died in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday night in Patiya upazila of Chattogram. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway near the Badamtal area. Chumku, a resident of Habilasdweep Union and son of the late Abul Hashem, lost control of his motorcycle while trying to save a homeless woman standing in the middle of the road. His friend Mustafa Morshed, who was riding with him, sustained minor injuries.

According to local and eyewitness accounts, Chumku appeared unhurt immediately after the crash and returned home around 8 p.m. Later, he suddenly felt unwell and began vomiting. Family members prepared to take him to the hospital, but he died around 9 p.m. before reaching there. Former Habilasdweep Union Parishad chairman Shafiqul Islam confirmed the sequence of events and described Chumku as a dedicated BNP activist despite holding no current party position.

The accident has drawn local attention due to the circumstances of Chumku’s death while attempting to prevent harm to another person.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) faces a major internal challenge as more than fifty rebel candidates continue to contest in various constituencies across the country. Despite the Election Commission’s Tuesday deadline for nomination withdrawal, these candidates did not withdraw, raising concerns about potential impacts on party unity and vote distribution.

According to party sources, many long-time BNP activists were angered after being denied nominations. Some have chosen to run as independents, while others have openly opposed party decisions. The BNP’s election management committee acknowledged that not all aspirants could be nominated due to political and strategic considerations. Although efforts were made to persuade rebels to withdraw, many refused. The party has already expelled several leaders for violating organizational discipline.

Reports from multiple districts show rebel candidates in constituencies such as Barishal-1, Jhalkathi-1, Naogaon-1 and 6, Bagerhat, Cumilla, Tangail, and Narayanganj, among others. Party insiders fear that the popularity of these local leaders could split BNP’s vote base in key areas.

Abul Kalam Azad, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday morning to surrender. He had been a fugitive since the tribunal handed down the death sentence on January 21, 2013, under the leadership of then-chairman Justice Obaidul Hassan.

According to a government order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Prisons-2 branch) on October 22 of the previous year, Azad’s sentence was suspended for one year on the condition that he surrender to the court and file an appeal. The order temporarily halted the execution of his punishment to allow for legal proceedings.

The tribunal’s acceptance of his surrender marks a significant development in a long-running war crimes case that had remained unresolved due to his fugitive status.