The central leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expelled three of its Gopalganj district leaders on Wednesday night for engaging in activities deemed contrary to party discipline. The expelled members include former district BNP president and current convening committee member M H Khan Monju, former president and committee member Sirajul Islam Siraj, and committee member Habibur Rahman Habib. All three were removed from their primary membership and all party positions.

According to the report, the expulsions followed the leaders’ decision to contest the upcoming election as independent candidates despite the party’s directive. Monju and Siraj are contesting from Gopalganj-2 constituency, while Habib is running from Gopalganj-3. The decision was made after they failed to withdraw their nomination papers by the final withdrawal date.

The BNP stated that the expulsions were necessary to uphold party discipline and maintain organizational unity ahead of the election.

BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi is set to file an appeal with the Appellate Division on Thursday, challenging the High Court’s order that upheld the Election Commission’s decision to cancel his nomination for the Cumilla-4 constituency. His lawyer, Advocate Saifullah Al Mamun, confirmed the move, describing it as Munshi’s final legal recourse to regain candidacy.

On Wednesday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam dismissed Munshi’s writ petition that sought to overturn the Election Commission’s January 17 decision to reject his nomination. Following the dismissal, lawyers stated that Munshi is now ineligible to contest the election.

After the ruling, Hasnat Abdullah’s lawyer, Mohammad Hossain Lipu, said the court maintained the cancellation due to alleged concealment of loan default information. The upcoming appeal will determine whether Munshi can re-enter the electoral race for Cumilla-4.

An emotional atmosphere marked the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) first election rally in Sylhet, held on Thursday at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground, as party members carried banners and festoons bearing images of missing leader M Ilias Ali. Participants from across the Sylhet division joined processions chanting slogans demanding justice for his disappearance and his return. According to party sources, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was scheduled to address the gathering.

Outside the venue, attention centered on the Sylhet-2 constituency (Bishwanath–Osmaninagar), where Ilias Ali’s wife, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, is contesting the election under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Supporters displayed posters and banners endorsing her candidacy. Several BNP activists described Ilias Ali as a national leader whose popularity had unsettled the ruling government.

Ilias Ali, a former MP and BNP’s then central organizing secretary, went missing with his driver from Dhaka’s Banani area on April 17, 2012. BNP leaders allege that the then Awami League government was responsible. Thirteen years later, his name continues to resonate in Sylhet’s political movements and election campaigns.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has begun its national election campaign ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls with a large rally at the historic Government Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet city. The event, which started at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, was attended by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Thousands of party leaders and activists from Sylhet, Sunamganj, and nearby districts gathered at the venue, filling the field and surrounding streets. Local BNP leaders addressed the crowd as banners, flags, and posters featuring the party symbol and Rahman’s image filled the area.

The rally marks the formal start of BNP’s nationwide campaign activities. It is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Sylhet in nearly two decades, generating significant enthusiasm among supporters. Senior party leaders expect him to introduce BNP candidates from Sylhet and Sunamganj constituencies and provide strategic guidance for the upcoming election. Strict security measures were enforced across the city, with police and other law enforcement agencies deployed.

Following the Sylhet rally, Rahman is scheduled to travel by road to Dhaka, holding additional campaign events in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts along the way.

U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, which was set to take effect on February 1. The decision followed his meeting with the NATO Secretary-General during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump announced on Truth Social that they had developed a framework for a future agreement concerning Greenland and that, based on this understanding, he would not proceed with the tariffs.

Trump described the meeting as highly productive and said the potential agreement would benefit both the United States and all NATO members. He added that discussions regarding an initiative called “The Golden Dome” related to Greenland are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff involved in the talks.

Despite the announcement, questions remain about the future U.S. role in Greenland. Trump had previously expressed interest in Greenland’s ownership due to increasing Russian and Chinese presence, a stance opposed by several European nations.

Iran has officially released the death toll from recent anti-government protests for the first time. According to a report by state television Press TV on Wednesday, citing the Interior Ministry, a total of 3,117 people were killed across the country. The Martyrs Foundation stated that among the dead were 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces. Tehran described the protests as 'foreign-backed terrorist activities.'

Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, told Press TV that those who engaged in violence, including attacks on government and military facilities, were classified as 'terrorist-rioters.' Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported a higher death toll of 4,560 since the protests began.

The demonstrations started on December 28 in response to rising living costs and severe inflation, spreading across the country in the following weeks.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former caretaker government adviser and prominent civil society figure M Hafiz Uddin Khan. In a condolence message issued on Wednesday, Yunus recalled Khan’s long career dedicated to the welfare of the state and its people, describing him as an honest, wise, and responsible public servant whose integrity and moral stance remain exemplary.

Professor Yunus also noted his personal connection with Khan, calling him a classmate and close friend whose wisdom, humanity, and candor enriched his life. He said Khan’s honesty, dedication, and competence in public service, along with his later contributions to promoting good governance, would be remembered with respect by the nation.

Hafiz Uddin Khan passed away on Wednesday evening due to old age. He had served as secretary in the ministries of Posts, Telecommunications, and others, and as adviser to the caretaker government in 2001 overseeing finance, planning, and several other ministries.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Hamas would be wiped out if it did not disarm within the next few weeks. He made the statement on Wednesday during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to the Times of Israel. Trump claimed that Hamas had agreed to lay down its weapons, though the Palestinian group has not publicly confirmed any such decision.

Trump said disarming would be difficult for Hamas but insisted the group was willing to do so, adding that the situation would become clear within two to three days or at most three weeks. He also stated that 59 countries had expressed interest in joining an international stabilization force in Gaza aimed at eliminating Hamas. However, many nations were reportedly reluctant to send troops, and Azerbaijan had already declined participation.

According to Trump’s Gaza peace plan, the second phase involves gradual disarmament, technology-based governance, and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed anger over U.S. plans to include Turkey and Qatar in Gaza’s administration, declaring that no forces from those countries would be allowed to enter Gaza.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has finalized campaign guidelines for candidates in the 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled in 20 days. Returning officers completed symbol allocations on Wednesday, and official campaigning began Thursday, continuing until 10 February at 7:30 a.m. The EC urged all candidates and parties to strictly follow the code of conduct to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election.

Under the new rules, candidates are prohibited from using posters for the first time in the country’s election history. Campaign materials must be black and white, with strict size limits for banners, leaflets, handbills, and festoons. The use of polythene, rexine, or any non-biodegradable material is banned. Candidates may use up to 20 billboards per constituency, and only their own portrait or the party leader’s image may appear on campaign materials. Public rallies require 24-hour prior notice to authorities and must not obstruct public movement.

The EC also restricted the use of vehicles, torches, and aircraft in campaigns and introduced penalties for spreading false or AI-generated misinformation. Violations may result in fines, imprisonment, or even cancellation of candidacy.

The United Kingdom’s House of Lords voted on Wednesday in favor of banning social media use for children under 16. The amendment, introduced by Conservative lawmaker John Nash and supported by members of the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, passed with 261 votes to 150. The decision increases pressure on the government to adopt stricter measures similar to those implemented in Australia. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier that he would not rule out any options for child protection but prefers to await the outcome of an ongoing consultation process before legislating.

The proposal will now move to the Labour-controlled House of Commons, where over 60 Labour MPs have urged the prime minister to support the ban. Public sentiment appears strongly in favor, with a December YouGov poll showing 74 percent of Britons supporting such restrictions. Actor Hugh Grant and other public figures have also called on the government to back the measure, arguing that parents alone cannot shield children from social media’s harmful effects.

Some child protection groups, however, warned that a blanket ban could create a false sense of security among parents and society. The Online Safety Act already mandates strict age verification for harmful online content.

India has been accused of turning cricket from a tool of soft power into an instrument of regional dominance, particularly against Bangladesh. The controversy began after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly instructed an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, citing political concerns over attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested to move its upcoming T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka and the government banned IPL broadcasts, escalating the dispute.

The article describes how this sports-related conflict follows a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, marked by reciprocal ambassador summons and attacks on diplomatic missions. Analysts suggest that India’s coercive cricket diplomacy risks alienating a key regional partner and undermining its “Neighbourhood First” policy. The move could push Bangladesh closer to China and Pakistan, both of which are expanding their strategic presence in the region.

The report warns that India’s use of cricket as a political weapon contradicts its long-term strategic interests and may deepen regional isolation rather than strengthen influence.

According to the report, multiple diplomatic and political sources claim that India has intensified anti-Bangladesh activities in New Delhi just weeks before Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election. These include press conferences by exiled Awami League leaders, the withdrawal of Indian diplomats from Dhaka, and seminars portraying a supposed rise of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh. A major event is scheduled in Delhi where Sheikh Hasina, described as convicted of crimes against humanity, is expected to appear publicly for the first time since taking refuge in India in August 2024.

Analysts cited in the report argue that Indian policymakers are unwilling to accept an election without the Awami League and are concerned about the growing popularity of Islamic parties. They view Delhi’s actions as attempts to label Bangladesh as fundamentalist and undermine the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The Bangladeshi government has reportedly protested these activities, but the Modi administration has ignored the objections.

Experts warn that the situation could escalate as the election nears, urging vigilance against provocations and calling the developments a serious diplomatic concern.

Akhter Hossen, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has called for public cooperation in his campaign for the Rangpur-4 (Kaunia–Pirgacha) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, he urged citizens to contribute through prayers, donations, and active participation as formal election campaigning begins.

Hossen emphasized that community involvement is vital for his campaign’s success, inviting supporters to assist with logistics such as leaflets, banners, rallies, and social media promotion. He also shared details for financial contributions through bank and mobile payment channels, encouraging even small donations. Additionally, he invited volunteers to join a WhatsApp group to help with online campaigning, including video editing and content creation.

The NCP candidate expressed optimism about his connection with local voters and called on residents of Kaunia–Pirgacha, well-wishers across the country, and expatriates to stand by him in his electoral efforts.

In Rangpur, political leaders, freedom fighters, and local residents have demanded the arrest of Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader and a ban on his party after he publicly supported the 'No' vote in the upcoming national referendum. The demand followed Quader’s Tuesday press conference at the party’s central office, where he declared his position against the referendum. On Wednesday, leaders from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and local groups expressed strong reactions, accusing the Jatiya Party of long-standing support for the Awami League and benefiting from past authoritarian regimes.

Local figures, including business leaders and political activists, criticized the Election Commission for allowing the Jatiya Party to participate in the election, calling it a betrayal of the nation. They alleged that the party opposed the July student and public movement and acted in favor of fascism. Regional coordinators and opposition leaders reiterated that Quader’s stance destabilizes the country and urged the interim government to take legal action against him and his party.

Jatiya Party Co-Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa confirmed that the party would continue to campaign for the 'No' vote in the referendum.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formally begins its campaign for the 13th parliamentary election today, Thursday, January 22, 2026. Party chairman Tareq Rahman is leading the launch from Sylhet, where he will address a mass rally at 11 a.m. at the historic Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground. Before the rally, he will meet young people at the Grand Sylhet Hotel and Resort. Tareq Rahman arrived in Sylhet on Wednesday night with his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and senior BNP leaders, marking his first visit to his in-laws’ home in 21 years.

The city of Sylhet has been decorated with banners, festoons, and a large stage for the event, while law enforcement has implemented a six-tier security plan. During his stay, Rahman visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R), as well as the grave of Liberation War commander M.A.G. Osmani. BNP sources said the campaign will emphasize positive politics and counter misinformation. Following the Sylhet rally, Rahman will attend several election meetings across Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj before returning to Dhaka tonight.