Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar has called for transforming educational institutions into centers of democratic and inclusive practice through the creativity, ideas, and active participation of young people. He made the remarks on Saturday at a discussion marking International Education Day 2026, held at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium and organized by the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO.

Dr. Abrar emphasized that education should not be confined to textbook learning but should foster citizenship, values, and social responsibility. He urged that youth participation must be genuine and effective rather than symbolic, stressing that sustainable change is impossible without their engagement. Referring to the upcoming election and the vision of a new Bangladesh, he said young people must be actively involved in institutional reform and represented in national structures, including parliament.

He further highlighted the need for supportive environments in educational institutions to nurture students’ talents and civic awareness through clubs and cultural activities. He also underscored inclusive representation for ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups through coordinated policy and continuous dialogue.

Police in Chattogram uncovered a gruesome murder after two severed human hands were found in a black plastic bag near Shahidnagar, Bayezid Bostami area, early on January 21. Officers from Bayezid Bostami Police Station arrived at the scene and sent the hands to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Fingerprint analysis through the national ID database identified the victim as Md. Anis, 38, from Rauzan’s Chikdair union, who had been missing since January 20.

Following the identification, investigators traced the case to Sufia Akter, 39, who had a long-standing relationship and recent disputes with Anis. She was arrested from Pathanpara in the early hours of January 22. During interrogation, Sufia confessed to killing Anis at her home on January 20 and dismembering the body with the help of accomplices. The body parts were packed in black plastic bags and dumped across different locations.

Police later recovered the remaining body parts based on Sufia’s information. Officials confirmed the killing was premeditated and solved swiftly using technology and field operations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has stated that former Volunteer Party leader Md. Azizur Rahman Musabbir was murdered in a planned attack linked to control over extortion in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area. At a press briefing on January 24, DB Additional Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam said the killing was carried out by hired shooters under the direction of underworld figure Binash Dada, also known as Dilip, who is currently abroad. Two shooters, Jinnat and Rahim, were directly involved, with Rahim recently arrested in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area. Weapons used in the killing were recovered, and Rahim faces a separate arms case.

DB reported that CCTV footage and other technical evidence confirmed the shooters’ involvement. Musabbir, a former general secretary of the BNP-affiliated Volunteer Party’s Dhaka North unit, was shot dead on January 7 in Tejgaon. His wife filed a murder case naming unidentified suspects. With Rahim’s arrest, five suspects have now been detained, and Jinnat has given a confessional statement under Section 164.

DB said operations to recover illegal firearms and curb extortion are being intensified ahead of the upcoming national election.

Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aslam Molla has called on imams to advocate for a 'Yes' vote and include supportive messages in mosque sermons. He made the appeal on Saturday at the Imam Conference held at the Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila Model Mosque and Cultural Center. The DC said the referendum, scheduled alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election on February 12, aims to validate the July Charter following the success of the July movement.

Aslam Molla explained that the Election Commission and the state have proposed reforms to transition the country toward a democratic system, reflecting the aspirations of ordinary citizens. He noted that political parties have reached consensus on 30 issues outlined in the July Charter. The event, chaired by Abu Bakar Siddique, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation in Kishoreganj, was attended by Press Club President Nasim Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mizabe Rahmat, and around 700 imams from across the district.

The DC emphasized that a 'Yes' vote would help restore the state’s democratic order, linking the referendum to the broader reform process initiated after the July movement.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. According to a Cricbuzz report, the decision followed Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India due to security concerns. Despite repeated pressure and an ultimatum from the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, maintained its stance and did not respond within the deadline, prompting the ICC to include Scotland instead.

Bangladesh had earlier requested that all its matches be held in co-host Sri Lanka, but the ICC did not approve the proposal. England and West Indies, who were in the same group, also declined to travel to Sri Lanka, and a proposed group swap with Ireland failed after Ireland rejected the ICC’s offer. Reports suggest the Indian cricket board influenced Ireland’s decision with financial incentives and bilateral series promises. Pakistan’s cricket board supported Bangladesh’s position and urged the ICC to relocate matches to Sri Lanka or Pakistan, but the appeal was ignored.

Scotland will now join Group C and play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal.

Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara has announced her election manifesto for Dhaka-9 ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. She published the manifesto on Facebook on Saturday, outlining her priorities under the slogan of equality in services and accountability in governance. Jara, a doctor by profession, pledged to end what she described as years of neglect toward the constituency and to ensure fair access to utilities, healthcare, education, and safety for residents.

Her manifesto includes six major sections: improving gas supply, roads, and drainage; strengthening healthcare through better hospital management and community clinics; enhancing public safety by combating drug syndicates and improving street lighting; reforming education with modern labs and AI learning; promoting economic inclusion through startup funds and daycare centers; and ensuring parliamentary accountability through a local office and digital complaint dashboard. Jara emphasized that she is not a career politician but a local resident seeking to bring transparent, service-oriented politics to Dhaka-9.

She urged voters to support her independent campaign symbolized by the football mark, promising to represent their voices and fight for equal rights and services in the constituency.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared a zero-tolerance stance against corruption during a district election rally at Altafunnesa field in Bogura on Saturday afternoon. He pledged that if given the opportunity to govern, his party would eliminate corruption at all levels and build a clean administration. Rahman also vowed that no extortion or misuse of public money would be tolerated across Bangladesh’s 56,000 square miles.

Presided over by district Jamaat chief Abdul Haque, the event featured Rahman’s announcement of seven Jamaat candidates for Bogura constituencies, each symbolically handed the party’s scale emblem. He further promised to upgrade Bogura into a city corporation and establish a public university if Jamaat came to power. The rally drew a large crowd of party activists and local residents.

Central leaders including Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Maulana Abdul Halim, along with JAGPA president Rashed Pradhan and local alliance representatives, also addressed the gathering. Before and after the Bogura event, Rahman attended several other rallies in Mokamtala, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Ullapara, and Pabna.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party would work to make primary school teachers more qualified and skilled to ensure proper education for children if they come to power. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, at a ‘Meet and Greet with Tarique Rahman’ event held at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, where his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, was also present. During the event, Rahman answered questions from participants.

Responding to a question about education, Rahman emphasized the importance of teaching social values in schools and said that the BNP aims to strengthen primary education. He explained that teacher training would include academic, social, and religious value-based components to help children learn moral principles. Addressing cyberbullying, he added that teaching children right from wrong from an early age would help them develop a clear sense of justice.

The event highlighted the BNP leader’s focus on education reform and moral development as part of his broader vision for improving the country’s primary education system.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman engaged in a discussion with young people at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon. The meeting began around 2:30 p.m., where Rahman responded to various questions from the youth and shared his vision for building a new Bangladesh. His daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, also attended the event and took part in answering questions from participants.

The gathering focused on direct interaction between the BNP leadership and young citizens, emphasizing dialogue and exchange of ideas. The event was organized in an open setting at the park, allowing attendees to express their views and seek responses from the party leadership. Both Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman were seen engaging actively with the audience.

The session highlighted the BNP’s effort to connect with younger generations and encourage their participation in discussions about the country’s future direction.

Nine Indian officials working at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat, operated by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), left Bangladesh without official permission. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when the officials were found missing during breakfast. Later, it was confirmed that they had crossed into India through the Bhomra land port. The plant authorities immediately informed the Power Development Board and relevant ministries, expressing deep concern over the unauthorized departure.

According to plant sources, the officials left citing security concerns, though the area is under four layers of security involving the army, police, and Ansar. The project director, Ramanath Pujari, confirmed their departure and the stated reason. However, officials noted that none of the individuals had previously reported any security issues or complaints. The sudden and unexplained exit has been described as mysterious by plant authorities.

The plant’s Deputy General Manager (Public Relations), Anwarul Azim, said the matter is being investigated seriously to determine the reasons behind their departure.

Two people were killed and at least 30 others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a brick-laden truck on the Faridpur-Barishal highway at Nawpara area of Bhanga upazila on Saturday, January 24, 2026, around 11 a.m. The deceased were identified as truck driver Rashed Sheikh, 28, and his helper Nabin Sheikh, 22, both from Kamalapur Dhlar Mor under Faridpur Sadar Kotwali police station. Police and fire service personnel conducted a one-hour rescue operation, recovering the bodies and sending the injured to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex.

According to Bhanga Highway Police Sub-Inspector Mamun, the accident occurred when the Faridpur-bound bus and the Bhanga-bound truck collided head-on. The crash caused a several-kilometer traffic jam on both sides of the highway, which was later cleared after the damaged vehicles were removed. Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Alim said legal procedures were underway to hand over the bodies to the victims’ families.

A surviving truck helper named Rahman said they were driving the truck themselves as the main driver was delayed, and the accident occurred on their way to unload bricks in Bhanga.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that if his party is elected, Bogura will be upgraded to a city corporation. He made the statement on Saturday afternoon while addressing an election rally organized by the Ten-Party Alliance at Alfatunnesa Field in Bogura, where he served as the chief guest. Rahman also pledged to restore Bogura’s past reputation as a city of education and prosperity and to prevent extortion.

During his speech, the Jamaat chief emphasized that his party would not engage in or allow extortion, money laundering, or terrorism. He highlighted the importance of protecting mothers and ensuring women’s safety and employment according to their qualifications. Rahman further stated that the government must guarantee women’s dignity and security.

Addressing the youth, Rahman said his party aims to provide skills and employment rather than unemployment allowances. He urged voters to support the Ten-Party Alliance candidates and vote for the scale symbol to build a corruption-free and just Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Meherpur for the first time on January 26 as part of the party’s national election campaign. He will attend an election rally as the chief guest at the Meherpur Government High School field, where he is expected to deliver a speech. Local Jamaat leaders have completed preparations for the event, including stage setup and field arrangements.

The Meherpur district branch of Jamaat, led by district Ameer Maulana Taj Uddin Khan, Secretary Iqbal Hossain, and business division president Saiful Islam, has inspected the venue. The city is reportedly in a festive mood ahead of the visit. According to the report, Dr. Rahman has gained popularity across political and social lines, and his arrival has generated excitement among residents.

Party activists expect that his visit will bring renewed attention to the region’s challenges in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and inspire efforts to advance this agriculturally dependent area.

A total of 4,838 voters have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots in the Sylhet-2 constituency (Osmani Nagar–Bishwanath) ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. According to the Election Commission (EC), 4,098 of the registrants are men and 740 are women. Of these, 4,809 registrations have been approved, while 29 applications remain pending. Registration was completed through the EC’s ‘Postal Vote BD’ app.

The EC reported that expatriate Bangladeshis, election officials, and government employees stationed outside their home constituencies have registered through the app. Ballot papers will be sent by mail to approved voters, with separate symbol-marked ballots for the parliamentary election and pink-colored ballots for the referendum. Voters must return their completed ballots by mail to the designated returning officer within the specified timeframe.

The counting of postal ballots will take place at 4:30 p.m. on February 12 at the returning officer’s office in the presence of candidates’ agents. Election officials believe the postal voting system will enhance participation among expatriates and those away for work, strengthening the democratic process.

An Awami League leader accused in a murder case, Salauddin Ahmed Majumdar, delivered a speech at an election rally of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher in Comilla-11 (Chouddagram). The event took place at Sufua Bazar in Kalikapur Union, where Taher formally launched his campaign. A 1-minute-6-second video of Salauddin’s speech went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism online. During his remarks, Salauddin urged voters to make informed decisions and requested prayers for Taher’s health.

Local sources said Salauddin, president of Kalikapur Union Awami League and former union chairman, attended the rally held near his home. Police confirmed he is the 11th accused in a 2015 petrol bomb attack case that killed eight people. Opposition figures, including BNP candidate Kamrul Huda, alleged that Taher was rehabilitating Awami League members and accused criminals in his campaign. Jamaat’s local secretary stated that Salauddin’s presence was due to his long acquaintance with Taher’s family.

Attempts to reach Taher for comment were unsuccessful, and the viral video continues to draw public attention in Chouddagram.