Maulana Yasin Arafat, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Comilla-10 constituency and former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, pledged to eliminate corruption, extortion, and drug trading if elected. Speaking on Saturday afternoon at a campaign rally near the main gate of Nangalkot Government College, he said his party would end the politics of revenge, grouping, and killings in Nangalkot and ensure that no one is persecuted for political or ideological reasons.

Arafat emphasized that the future direction of Bangladesh and the next generation’s path depend on bringing the ten-party alliance to power. He urged voters to support the alliance’s symbol, the balance scale, to establish justice and welfare in the country. The rally was presided over by Maulana Jamal Uddin, Jamaat’s Nangalkot upazila amir, and attended by several local leaders and guests including banker Dr. Delwar Hossain and Maulana Golam Kabir Bhuiyan.

The event reflected Jamaat’s campaign focus on unity, justice, and moral governance ahead of the upcoming election in Comilla-10.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Feni on Sunday to address a district BNP rally at Feni Pilot School field. During the event, he will meet families of eight people killed and several injured in the August 4, 2024, anti-discrimination student movement, which turned violent following attacks and shootings allegedly by Awami League activists. The BNP has formed a special team to ensure the safe transport, seating, and hospitality of the victims’ families and July movement participants.

Family members of the deceased have expressed their intention to demand justice from Tarique Rahman. Mahfuza Akter, mother of martyr Wakil Ahmed Shihab, said she would urge swift trials and ensure no accused are dropped from charge sheets. Nesar Ahmed, father of martyr Ishtiaq Ahmed Shraban, plans to ask what role the BNP would play in ensuring maximum punishment if it comes to power. Other families, including that of martyr Zakir Hossain, echoed similar demands for justice.

Lawyer Mejbah Uddin Bhuiyan, representing plaintiffs in 22 related cases, said all plaintiffs seek fair trials and have resisted attempts to exclude accused individuals from the cases.

In Saghata upazila of Gaibandha, several illegal brick kilns have been established in violation of national regulations, severely affecting the lives of residents in five nearby villages. Two unlicensed kilns, MSB Bricks and TAB Bricks, operate side by side in the Kathaltali area, producing thick black smoke that damages farmland, roads, and the local environment. Residents report that around 30 tractors and power trolleys transport topsoil from fertile fields to the kilns, causing road collapse and soil degradation.

Farmers and villagers from Satitola, Kathaltali, Baraikandi, Nashirarpra, and Gargaria complain of declining crop yields, damaged roads, and worsening air quality. The kilns operate within densely populated and agricultural zones, despite the 1989 Brick Burning Control Act (amended 2013) prohibiting such activity within one kilometer of farmland or residential areas. None of the kilns have environmental clearance.

Local agricultural officials confirm that crop yields, including Boro rice, are decreasing due to the kilns’ pollution. The Saghata Upazila Executive Officer stated that legal action will be taken once formal requisition is received from the Department of Environment.

Supporters of independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad were attacked on Friday night, November 23, in the Kochua and Padumshahar areas of Saghata upazila, Gaibandha-5 constituency. Witnesses said the assault occurred around 9:30 p.m. while Nishad’s campaign workers were having tea after distributing election leaflets. A group of people reportedly attacked them with sticks, injuring several and damaging seven motorcycles. The injured were taken to Saghata Upazila Health Complex.

At nearly the same time, another group of Nishad’s supporters was holding a campaign meeting in a house in Padumshahar, where five motorcycles parked outside were completely vandalized, though no injuries were reported. Nishad, a former BNP district vice-president, alleged that BNP candidate Faruk Alam’s supporters, led by Saghata BNP member secretary Tulip, carried out the planned attack. He said he would file written complaints with Saghata police and the returning officer.

Judge Tanzir Hossain, responsible for the election inquiry and judicial committee of Gaibandha-5, confirmed awareness of the incident and said action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

The Citizen Coalition has expressed concern over the participation of dual citizens in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. In a statement signed by co-coordinator Fahim Mashroor on Saturday, the platform demanded that the Election Commission cancel the nominations of candidates found to hold dual citizenship after investigation. The group also urged the suspension of elections in constituencies where such allegations have newly emerged until inquiries are completed.

According to the statement, the coalition believes that proper, impartial, and strict enforcement of election laws is essential for a fair election. It cited a January 22 Transparency International press conference that revealed several candidates allegedly concealed information about foreign citizenship and overseas assets in their affidavits, which the coalition described as a clear violation of election law. Despite these allegations, the Election Commission reportedly approved their candidacies.

The Citizen Coalition warned that ignoring these issues could undermine the democratic progress achieved through national sacrifices and urged the Election Commission to act responsibly to preserve electoral integrity.

Police in Dhamrai, Dhaka, have arrested four men after a robbery case was filed by Abdur Razzak, the alleged husband of the victim in a previously reported gang-rape and robbery incident. The case was lodged after investigators found no evidence supporting the rape allegation. The arrests were made in Ramraban village of Balia Union, and the suspects were identified as Jios Chandra Moni Das, Shree Charan Moni Das, Shuvon Chandra Moni Das, and Dipu Chandra Moni Das. Police recovered a total of 8,630 taka from them during the operation.

According to Dhamrai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Huda Khan, the case was accepted as a robbery complaint (Case No. 41) and the suspects will be presented to court for remand. One of the accused, Shree Charan Moni Das, also faces a prior drug case. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of January 13 at the home of Shanti Moni Das in Ramraban village.

Local sources said the woman involved has gone into hiding due to social stigma, and uncertainty remains over whether she is indeed Razzak’s wife or the nature of the alleged assault.

Public health experts in Bangladesh are assessing the potential impact after the United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO). The move, completed under President Donald Trump, follows earlier US withdrawals from the UN Population Fund and 66 other international bodies. Specialists say WHO has played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s health achievements, but even before the US exit was finalized, WHO activities in the country had begun to shrink.

Former health director Be-Nazir Ahmed and public health expert Mushtaq Hossain warned that reduced WHO funding could affect key programs such as immunization, disease control, emergency response, and laboratory support. They urged political parties to ensure alternative financing and increased domestic allocations to prevent disruptions. WHO has long supported Bangladesh in eliminating diseases like polio and kala-azar, and in vaccine distribution, maternal health, and pandemic preparedness.

The WHO chief has acknowledged that the organization faces a funding crisis following the US withdrawal. Analysts fear that if Bangladesh loses WHO support, public health services and disease eradication efforts could face serious setbacks.

Hasan Molla, general secretary of the Hazratpur Union unit of the BNP, died on Saturday, January 24, 2026, while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He had been critically injured in a gun attack by unidentified assailants on the night of January 22 in the Jagannathpur area of Keraniganj’s Hazratpur Union. According to his brother-in-law Nazim Uddin, who is also vice president of the Keraniganj Model Thana BNP, Molla succumbed to his injuries around 4 p.m.

Local residents said that on the night of the attack, unknown gunmen arrived on motorcycles and fired three to four rounds in front of the BNP office in Ward 5 before fleeing. The attackers had covered their faces with cloths, preventing identification. Molla was rescued in a bloodied state and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where his condition worsened, leading to his transfer to the ICU.

Additional Superintendent of Police Jahangir Alam stated that Molla’s family had not yet filed a case, and further action would follow once a complaint is lodged.

Bangladesh has withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) rejected the ICC’s ultimatum to participate. In response, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi strongly criticized the ICC’s decision, calling it unjust and accusing the organization of maintaining double standards.

Speaking in Lahore, Naqvi said that Bangladesh was being treated unfairly and questioned why a special ‘hybrid model’ arrangement could exist for India and Pakistan but not for Bangladesh. The controversy began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following threats from extremist groups. This incident heightened BCB’s security concerns, leading to Bangladesh’s refusal to send its team to India.

Following the withdrawal, Bangladesh’s Information Ministry also ordered a suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcasts in the country, further escalating the cricketing tensions between the two nations.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced 238 campaign candidates across the country to promote a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum on election day reform. The announcement was made on Friday night at the party’s temporary central office by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, chairman of the election management committee and party spokesperson. He said the candidates will campaign in districts and sub-districts alongside the Shapla Koli symbol and the 10-party electoral alliance, advocating for the 'Yes' position in the referendum. Although these candidates will not contest in the election, they will visit households to raise awareness about the referendum.

The NCP also declared a 12-day electoral march as part of its campaign strategy. The list of campaign candidates covers all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Chattogram. The initiative aims to mobilize grassroots support for the referendum and strengthen coordination with allied parties under the 10-party electoral alliance.

The announcement marks a significant organizational effort by the NCP to influence public opinion on the proposed election day reform through direct voter engagement.

East West University organized a colorful orientation program for new students of the Spring 2026 semester on January 22, 2026, at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium in Aftabnagar, Dhaka. The event aimed to familiarize newcomers with the university’s code of conduct, rules, and available facilities. Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, attended as the chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shams Rahman presided over the ceremony.

Speakers highlighted the university’s mission and values, emphasizing the importance of developing skilled, ethical, and responsible leadership among students. They urged the new students to focus on both academic excellence and personal development to become capable human resources and contribute positively to national progress. The event was also attended by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Ashik Mosaddik and Treasurer Air Commodore (Retd.) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury.

To make the event more engaging, the Student Welfare Department organized a ‘Club Fair’ featuring 23 student-run clubs. Each club showcased its activities and initiatives to encourage new students to participate in co-curricular and creative endeavors alongside their studies.

Three suspects have been arrested by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-11 in connection with the killing of college student Ashraful Islam in Raipur, Lakshmipur. The arrests were made late Friday night in Bhulta Gausia area of Rupganj, Narayanganj, and announced on Saturday by RAB-11 Noakhali Camp Commander Md. Muhit Kabir Serniabat. The detainees are Shakil Bepari, 23, Sohag Bepari, 19, and Moktar Patwari, 20, all residents of Charbanshi village under North Charbanshi Union in Raipur.

According to RAB, Ashraful, a final-year degree student at Raipur Rustam Ali College, was attacked on January 14 by local drug users and teenage gang members led by Nahid Bepari and Shahin Bepari. He was severely injured and later died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. His father, Azizul Haque, filed a murder case on January 16 naming 11 accused and 16 unidentified persons. The attack reportedly stemmed from Shahin’s suspicion that Ashraful had informed police about his earlier drug arrest.

RAB stated that the arrested suspects have been handed over to Raipur police, and operations are continuing to capture others involved in the killing.

Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko in Banani, Dhaka, on the occasion of Koko’s 11th death anniversary. He was accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman, and several party leaders and activists. The visit was confirmed through a post with photographs on the BNP’s official Facebook page on Saturday afternoon.

Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, died of cardiac arrest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 24, 2015. Born on August 12, 1969, Koko served as a member of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s advisory council from 2003 to 2005 and also chaired the Old DOHS Club.

He was arrested along with his mother in 2007 during the army-backed caretaker government and later went abroad for medical treatment. Koko lived in Malaysia with his family until his death, leaving behind his wife and two daughters.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has accused the BNP alliance of using so-called 'family cards' and 'farmer cards' as a strategy to buy votes. Speaking to journalists during his campaign in Shahjadpur on Saturday, he claimed that these cards were part of a deceptive process aimed at misleading voters. He added that people were not responding positively to such promises, as they had heard similar false assurances before.

Nihad Islam further alleged that BNP alliance candidates were violating the electoral code of conduct by hanging posters on electric wires and obstructing the campaigns of the 10-party alliance. He said NCP leaders were show-caused by the Election Commission for referendum campaigning, while no action was taken against BNP candidates for similar violations. He also pledged to address water, gas, and drug-related problems in Dhaka-11 if elected.

He urged young voters to guard polling centers and warned that if the Election Commission failed to remain neutral, his party would take strong action against it.

The Bangladesh Navy conducted a special operation early Saturday, January 24, 2026, in the Naytongpara area of Teknaf municipality, Cox’s Bazar, recovering crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) valued at Tk 6 crore, along with firearms and ammunition. Two individuals, identified as Junaid alias Munna and his Rohingya associate Hamid Ullah, were arrested on charges of involvement in drug trafficking. The Navy’s media cell confirmed the operation later that day.

According to a Navy statement, the raid was part of ongoing security and anti-crime operations ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Acting on a tip-off, a specialized naval team searched the suspects’ homes, seizing 1,250 grams of crystal meth, 126 yaba tablets, one single-barrel gun, two walkie-talkies, eight local weapons, and 47 rounds of live ammunition. The detainees reportedly admitted that the items were stored for sale through Rohingya intermediaries.

Following the operation, the seized drugs and weapons, along with the arrested suspects, were handed over to Teknaf Police Station for legal action. The Navy continues intensified patrols in coastal and border areas to ensure election-time security.