India has raised concerns over Bangladesh’s reported plan to reopen Lalmonirhat Airport, which has been abandoned for 54 years. Indian media outlet NDTV claims that the airport, located just 20 kilometers from India’s border and close to the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, is being revived with Chinese assistance. However, Google Maps shows the actual distance is approximately 160 kilometers. In response, India is reportedly planning to reopen Kailashahar Airport in Tripura, which was closed in the 1990s but played a significant role during the 1971 war. Bangladesh Army recently confirmed its interest in operationalizing Lalmonirhat Airport.

The Government of Bangladesh has instructed its Ambassador to Myanmar, Md. Monwar Hossain, to return to Dhaka and relinquish his post immediately. A foreign ministry source confirmed the directive but did not disclose the reason behind the recall. The move comes shortly after National Security Adviser Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem Khalilur Rahman revealed Bangladesh’s communications with the Arakan Army, prompting a formal protest from Myanmar’s junta regime.

The body of Moshiar Rahman, a young convert to Islam who had been missing, was found hanging in Kishoreganj, Nilphamari. His father, Sirajul Islam, stated that their entire family had recently embraced Islam after converting from Hinduism. Moshiar went missing Monday evening, and his mobile phone was later found switched off. Officer-in-Charge Ashraful Islam confirmed the incident and said the body has been sent to the district morgue. The cause of death remains unknown.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman recently visited the Dhanmondi office of Suravi, a non-profit organization founded by Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, which has been working tirelessly for 47 years to educate underprivileged children and adolescents. She praised the organization for empowering street children and the destitute through education. Suravi’s students excel in Quran recitation, interpretation, poetry, public speaking, singing, dancing, and other cultural activities. Dr. Zubaida also noted Suravi's extensive humanitarian work, including rapid disaster response and various social service initiatives across the country.

The government expects to secure $1 billion in support from Japan, with $500 million earmarked for direct budgetary assistance, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. He confirmed that the Chief Adviser is set to visit Japan, where he will meet with around 300 Japanese investors. Discussions will focus on boosting Japanese investments in Bangladesh’s economic zones. Shafiqul also mentioned that the proposed Maheshkhali-Matarbari development plan would require around $140 billion in investments, featuring six port terminals capable of handling the world's largest ships and contributing to the development of Cox’s Bazar.

BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has called on the government to promptly swear in Ishraq Hossain as the new mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), following a court order and official gazette notification. Despite the court’s decision, the government has yet to arrange his oath-taking. In protest, Ishraq’s supporters blocked the road in front of the Nagar Bhaban and halted services inside the city corporation office.

In its verdict acquitting ATM Azharul Islam, the Appellate Division observed that his previous conviction ignored core principles of criminal justice and amounted to a severe miscarriage of justice. The court admitted that the original judgment failed to properly assess the broader context of alleged crimes against humanity and overlooked weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. The court stressed that such a significant criminal trial lacked the due diligence and fairness required by law, leading to the overturning of Azhar’s conviction and sentence.

According to BIDA, Bangladesh received $756 million in net foreign direct investment (FDI) between October last year and March this year. During this period, BIDA registered 739 industrial projects, including 66 wholly foreign-owned and 61 joint ventures. Additionally, BEZA signed land lease agreements with 16 firms—6 of which are fully foreign-owned and 3 joint ventures. This report comes amid recent claims from some industry players that no investment had arrived in the past eight months.

Subrata Bain, once listed among 23 top criminals during the BNP-led coalition government, has been arrested along with an associate in a secret three-hour joint operation led by the military in Kushtia. He had been on the run for years. Earlier in January, his disciple Molla Masud was arrested in Murshidabad, India, by Kolkata police. Indian authorities discreetly informed Bangladeshi intelligence about the arrest. Masud faces over 30 criminal cases, including the high-profile murders of BNP leader Kamal Majumder's nephew Mamun and Old Dhaka's infamous 'Murgi Milon', as well as numerous extortion charges.

BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain slammed the recent statement by the Advisory Council—which suggested the government would take necessary steps if foreign conspiracies made governance impossible—as unclear and misleading. He argued that the government’s claim of disruption is self-inflicted and demanded general elections by December along with the resignation of controversial advisers.

At a street rally in Chattogram’s Chawkbazar, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah urged voters to choose capable leaders in the next election. “If you don’t find qualified candidates from the NCP, don’t vote for us,” he said. “Don’t vote for party symbols; vote for those who will serve everyone.” He called for internal accountability, saying, “If we are honest in our own conduct, our leaders cannot be corrupt. If we sell our votes again, we will suffer for five years.” He stressed that the fight against corruption must begin at home.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has asked for unconditional forgiveness from anyone hurt or wronged by the actions or behavior of the party or its members. “We do not claim to be above mistakes,” he said, adding that despite their best efforts to support victims, martyrs’ families, and injured party members, they were unable to fulfill all responsibilities due to various limitations. He also alleged that during the trial of Azhar, “safe homes” were created to detain leaders under duress and produce false witnesses.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated that the acquittal of ATM Azhar is a triumph for the right to a fair trial. He emphasized that no citizen should lose their life through a mockery of justice rooted in political rivalry. He accused courts under the Hasina administration of engaging in judicial killings by denying fair trials to dissenters. Akhtar demanded that the current International Crimes Tribunal must align its proceedings with genuine international legal standards. He also criticized the government's approach of pushing reforms aside under the pretext of election concerns.

Following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the court has imposed a travel ban on Tuhin, the former Personal Secretary (PS) to the Health Adviser, current PS Mahmudul Hasan, and NCP leader Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir. They face allegations of large-scale corruption, tender manipulation, and illegal accumulation of wealth amounting to hundreds of crores of taka. The ACC expressed concern that the accused might attempt to flee the country.

Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman has been acquitted in a case involving a conspiracy to abduct and murder Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In his reaction, he thanked BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for advocating for his release in various forums and encouraging lawyers to support him. Rehman also expressed deep gratitude and respect for the "July revolutionaries"—those who were killed, injured, or fought for justice—saying their sacrifices have led to this moment of truth. He also thanked his legal team and his son, concluding, “The judiciary is now truly independent.”