Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah has announced that Bangladeshi expatriates will be able to cast proxy votes if their names are listed in the voter database. Discussions with political parties will be held regarding the process, and a workshop will be organized to test the system before implementation.

The decision to revoke Ziaur Rahman’s Independence Award from 2003 has been reversed. At the same time, the list of individuals selected for the ‘Independence Award 2025’ has been announced. This year, seven distinguished individuals will be awarded the ‘Independence Award 2025’. The recipients are: Professor Jamal Nazrul Islam (posthumous) for Science and Technology, Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (posthumous) for Literature, Novira Ahmed (posthumous) for Culture, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (posthumous) for Social Service, Mohammad Mahbubul Haq Khan (posthumous) for Liberation War and Culture, Badaruddin Mohammad Omar for Education and Research, and Abrar Fahad (posthumous) for Defiant Youth.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has stated that several hundred million dollars in laundered funds could be recovered within this year. Following a meeting of the Advisory Council, he explained that the government is actively working to bring back illicit funds transferred abroad. Identifying those responsible and navigating international legal procedures will take time, but the process is underway. Investigations are also being conducted into money laundering disguised as foreign education expenses.

Professor Dr. A.K.M. Riazul Hasan, Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), has stated that Rakhal Raha and Gazi Salauddin Ahmed Tanvir have no involvement in the procurement of paper for printing textbooks.

Addressing recent allegations, he dismissed claims that Rakhal Raha was engaged in a Tk 400 crore commission business related to textbook paper procurement, calling it baseless propaganda. “The total paper purchase amounted to approximately Tk 102 crore. The claim of a Tk 400 crore commission is completely illogical,” he said.

He further clarified that reports accusing NCTB of commission-based trading in paper procurement are false and misleading. Additionally, he emphasized that textbook revisions were carried out as a collaborative effort, not by a single individual.

A court has ordered the seizure of assets, including Sudha Sadan, the private residence of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, along with properties owned by her family members. The decision was made following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The court has also issued travel bans on Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed (Joy), daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and Rehana’s children, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq, and Radwan Mujib Siddiq.

A young man, identified as Abdur Razzak Fahim, launched a sudden attack inside a police station in Dhaka, injuring Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nazrul Islam and two other officers. According to OC Islam, Fahim entered the station around 2 AM, claiming that a murder had taken place nearby. When the OC stated he had no knowledge of such an incident, Fahim accused the police of hiding information. As officers attempted to verify his identity, Fahim suddenly started punching and injuring them. Assistant Sub-Inspector Nasir suffered a broken finger, while Second Officer Shariful Islam sustained a head injury.

Gambia’s Foreign Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara is set to arrive in Dhaka tonight for a three-day official visit. During his stay, he will meet with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and hold discussions with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin. One of the key agreements to be signed during the visit is a visa exemption deal for diplomatic and official passport holders of both countries.

The condition of the 8-year-old girl who was raped while visiting her sister’s house in Magura has deteriorated further. A member of the medical board stated that while the child’s condition showed slight improvement on Monday, her brain has now become unresponsive. The doctor explained that during the assault, the girl was strangled, leading to oxygen deprivation in her brain. She was left untreated for hours before being taken to the hospital the next day, causing severe brain damage. Her Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, which briefly improved to 5 yesterday, has now dropped back to 3, far below the normal level of 15.

Advisor Mahfuz Alam has claimed that external forces are pushing for a swift change of government in Bangladesh, citing the country’s ongoing structural reforms, trials for genocide and corruption, and efforts to revitalize institutions. He assured that the upcoming elections would take place on schedule and that visible progress in state reforms would occur before then. Alam emphasized a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and extremism but warned that internal conflicts among bureaucrats, business elites, and media interests, along with resistance from anti-uprising forces, are creating challenges for the government.

A massive fire broke out at the power grid in Amin Bazar, Savar, early Tuesday morning. The fire service deployed nine units to control the blaze. According to officials, they received the emergency alert at 7:15 AM, with the first unit reaching the scene by 7:20 AM, followed by additional reinforcements. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unknown, but as of the latest reports, the situation is under control.

Ahead of their crucial third-round Asian Cup qualifier against India, Italy-based forward Fahamedul Islam has joined the Bangladesh national football team’s training camp. The Bangladesh Football Federation had previously confirmed his inclusion in the special training camp in Saudi Arabia. On Monday night, it was officially announced that the 18-year-old Olbia Calcio forward has joined the squad. Bangladesh, under head coach Cabrera, will face India in Shillong on March 25.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has accused a new political party of taking advantage of its position within the government, stating that this cannot be considered a democratic practice. He further claimed that a faction was spreading lies and propaganda under the name of the BNP for their own gain. According to Haque, individuals who have defected from the corrupt Awami League and are now posing as new members of BNP are responsible for various misconducts and conspiracies in the country. He emphasized that the Awami League is an authoritarian party that has conspired against the people of Bangladesh and committed atrocities, even burning people alive. He further asserted that those involved in looting and corruption could not be true members of the BNP.

The family of firefighter Swanur Zaman Noyon (24), who tragically lost his life on duty after being struck by a truck during a fire incident at the Secretariat, has received an additional financial aid of 5 lakh Taka from the Ministry of Home Affairs. On January 6th, Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam handed over the sum to Noyon’s parents. In total, the Ministry has provided 10 lakh Taka in financial support to Noyon’s family. Additionally, the Fire Service had previously offered one lakh Taka in cash and 50 thousand Taka for funeral expenses to the family on December 26th of last year.

A fire broke out at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana on Monday night. Five fire service units brought the blaze under control. Four individuals, including two women and two children, suffered from smoke inhalation and were admitted to the BGB hospital. Fire Service Duty Officer Shahjahan Hossain reported that the fire originated on the eighth floor of a 10-story residential building at 9:25 PM. Initially, two units from Palashi Fire Station responded, followed by three more from Siddique Bazar Fire Station. The fire was fully contained by 9:58 PM.

Professor Dr. Amirul Islam, the Special Assistant at the Ministry of Education (with the rank of a State Minister) in the interim government, has officially resigned. On Monday, the Cabinet Division issued a notification confirming that the resignation was accepted by the President. Dr. Islam stepped down from his advisory position on the same day, as confirmed by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.