A legal notice has been issued against Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Daksu) member Sormitra Chakma over allegations of making defamatory statements and spreading misinformation. The notice was sent by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Nazmus Shakib on behalf of Nurul Gani Sagir, vice president of the Dhaka University unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti. The announcement was made at a press conference held on Saturday, January 31, at Madhur Canteen on the university campus. According to Sagir, the dispute began after a Facebook post on January 24 about illegal shops on campus, which allegedly led to false extortion claims against him. He held a press conference on January 25, giving the accuser 12 hours to present evidence, but no proof was provided within the set time. As a result, he decided to pursue the matter legally. The notice claims that Chakma’s social media post and subsequent remarks falsely portrayed Sagir as involved in extortion, damaging his personal, social, and political reputation. It demands that Chakma withdraw the allegations, delete the posts, and issue an unconditional apology within ten hours, or face legal action.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Dr. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, chairman of the Bangladesh Union Member Organization (BISSS), warned that thousands, including July fighters, would face execution if the 'Yes' side fails in the upcoming national referendum. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while presiding over a seminar titled 'Vote Yes in the Referendum' at the National Press Club’s Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall in Dhaka. Sarwardy described the referendum as a struggle for existence and citizens’ rights, asserting that the nation’s future depends on the ballot outcome. He urged local representatives to act responsibly to ensure a 'Yes' victory, warning that a 'No' win could lead to a return of fascism and mass executions. He also called on citizens to protect Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence from foreign domination. The seminar was attended by Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Md. Helal Uddin, former diplomat Sakib Ali, and former state minister for education Golam Sarwar Milon, who serves as BISSS’s chief coordinator and spokesperson.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that women’s economic empowerment would be ensured if his party forms the next government. He made the statement on Saturday, January 31, at an election rally held at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj. Rahman also said that initiatives would be taken to promote the export of Sirajganj’s traditional handloom products if BNP comes to power. During his speech, Rahman referred to those who protested against the loss of political and voting rights, mentioning that many, including a woman named Mary, faced persecution for their activism. He urged supporters to respond through the ballot on the 12th by voting for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, to reclaim their rights. He emphasized that BNP believes in peace and unity among all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity. Rahman concluded by stating that the fall of autocracy has already occurred and called on everyone to work together to rebuild the country.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Taher urged voters to choose candidates who would benefit the entire country. Speaking as chair at a 11-party election rally held at the Pilot High School field in Chauddagram, Cumilla, on Saturday noon, he asked supporters to vote for him under the party’s scale symbol if they believed he would stand by them. Taher said he had worked to end political violence and bloodshed in Chauddagram during his tenure and focused on the area’s development. He recalled that after a mass uprising, his first call was to Chauddagram, instructing that there be no vandalism, bloodshed, or arson, and that no one should act out of revenge. Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, speaking as chief guest, stated that if Jamaat came to power, Taher would serve as a senior member of the cabinet. Other speakers included NCP convener Nahid Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, and several leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The rally reflected Jamaat’s effort to project unity among allied Islamist parties ahead of upcoming elections.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman and former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz emphasized the ethical application of knowledge and wisdom during the 6th convocation of the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) held at its Kumira permanent campus on Saturday. Serving as the convocation chair and the President’s representative, he described convocation as a national academic tradition symbolizing both pride and responsibility for graduates and their families. Professor Faiz noted Bangladesh’s significant progress in higher education over the past decade, crediting universities for empowering youth to contribute to national development. He reaffirmed IIUC’s commitment to producing competent, honest, and morally conscious citizens, stressing that quality education is essential for sustainable progress and social inclusion. Convocation speaker Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib of Rajshahi University highlighted the need for moral leadership in a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, robotics, and data mining. He urged graduates to integrate ethical values with professional skills and use knowledge for global welfare rather than personal gain.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey is ready to act as a mediator to reduce escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. He made the statement during a telephone conversation on Friday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. According to the Turkish Presidential Directorate of Communications, both leaders discussed the growing military tensions in the region and emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation to maintain stability. Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to constructive diplomacy and expressed readiness to serve as a bridge between Tehran and Washington. In a statement published on the Iranian president’s official website, Pezeshkian said Iran’s policy is based on dignity-oriented diplomacy within the framework of international law. He stressed that Iran’s approach is grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and a win-win principle, rejecting threats and coercion. Pezeshkian added that mutual trust is essential for launching an effective diplomatic process and that all parties must demonstrate goodwill and halt warlike and threatening activities across the region. In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that a large naval fleet led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was moving toward Iran, warning that Tehran’s time to reach an understanding with Washington was running out.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said that the fall of autocracy has been achieved through movement and now the nation must unite to rebuild the country. He made the remarks on Saturday at 4 p.m. during an election rally at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj. Rahman emphasized the need for collective effort to support farmers and youth, noting that farmers endure great hardship and deserve assistance. He called on everyone to stand beside them and the younger generation to ensure national progress. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists from different upazilas of Sirajganj and Pabna gathered at the rally venue from the morning to see Tarique Rahman. By noon, the area and surrounding roads were filled with participants. Rahman traveled from Bogura to Sirajganj by road to attend the event.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that the visa application process for 2026 Hajj pilgrims will begin on February 8 and continue until March 20. The ministry issued a circular on January 29 confirming the schedule and outlining the necessary steps for applicants. According to the circular, all pilgrims registered under both government and private arrangements must complete health examinations at government hospitals, as the process is already underway. In line with Saudi government directives, pilgrims must complete health checks, receive required vaccinations, and obtain a fitness certificate before applying for a visa through the Saudi Nusuk platform between February 8 and March 20. The ministry emphasized that no pilgrim will be allowed to perform Hajj without a valid fitness certificate. Registered expatriate Bangladeshis are also required to follow the same procedure and complete their visa applications within the specified timeframe.

BNP candidate GK Gaus declared that a nationwide wave of support has formed for the party’s electoral symbol, the 'Sheaf of Paddy'. He made the statement on Saturday at a roadside rally in Kadamtali Bazar, Shayestaganj upazila, within the Habiganj-3 constituency. Gaus said that after 17 years of what he described as the Awami League’s suppression of democratic rights, the people are now ready to vote for their preferred candidates. He emphasized that the 'Sheaf of Paddy' represents development, democracy, prosperity, Islamic values, communal harmony, peace, and public trust. Gaus urged citizens to vote for this symbol in the upcoming election. The event was presided over by ward BNP president Dudon Mia and conducted by upazila Jubo Dal convener Mizanur Rahman Sumon. Other local BNP leaders, including former upazila BNP president and union parishad chairman Golam Kibria Chowdhury Belal, acting president Fazlul Karim, and vice presidents Abdul Hai and Abdus Shahid, also spoke at the gathering. The rally reflected BNP’s efforts to mobilize grassroots support in Habiganj-3 ahead of the election.

A woman and her five-year-old child were killed in a road accident on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Chandina, Cumilla, on Saturday morning, January 31, 2026. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near the Iliotganj-Muradnagar road junction at the border of Daudkandi and Chandina upazilas. According to local and police sources, the unidentified woman had just stepped off a local bus named 'Papia Service' with her child when a speeding bus named 'Nilachal' ran them over. The Nilachal bus then collided with a parked mini covered van, severely damaging its rear section. Police confirmed that the woman died at the scene, while the injured child was first taken to a local hospital and later transferred to Daudkandi’s Gauripur Health Complex, where doctors declared the child dead. Iliotganj Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin said the involved buses and the damaged van were seized and taken to the station. Efforts are underway to identify the victims, and legal procedures are in progress.

A powerful explosion struck an eight-story residential building on Moallem Boulevard in Bandar Abbas, Iran, causing severe structural damage and widespread panic. Rescue teams, firefighters, and emergency personnel rushed to the scene to assist residents, assess the extent of the destruction, and provide medical support. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blast and have launched an investigation. Two floors of the building were destroyed, and nearby shops and vehicles suffered heavy damage. Residents were evacuated as a precaution, and local businesses reported significant losses. Officials confirmed that no specific individuals were targeted, and Iranian media dismissed reports linking the incident to a Revolutionary Guards commander. The government has pledged assistance for affected families. Emergency teams continue search and rescue operations while engineers evaluate the building’s stability. Authorities are urging residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions as investigations proceed to identify the cause and prevent future incidents.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Iran will not compromise on its defense capabilities. He made the statement on Friday during a joint press conference in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to The Dawn. Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s missile and defense programs will never be subjects of negotiation. Turkey has expressed interest in mediating between Iran and the United States to resolve ongoing tensions. The Pentagon stated that the U.S. military is ready to implement any decision by President Trump regarding Iran. However, Trump recently softened his tone, suggesting that an Iranian attack might not be necessary and that dialogue remains possible. Araghchi welcomed the possibility of dialogue but reiterated Iran’s firm stance on national defense. He said Iran is ready for fair and balanced talks with the United States but insisted that no discussions can take place under threats.

French authorities rescued more than 6,000 migrants attempting to reach the United Kingdom by small boats in 2025, according to a report from France’s maritime prefecture released on Friday. The report confirmed that at least 25 people died and two remained missing during these perilous journeys across the English Channel. The annual report stated that despite the risks, attempts to cross the Channel increased compared to previous years. France has long served as a main departure point for migrants seeking better lives in the UK. In 2025, about 50,000 people tried to make the crossing in 795 boats, with 6,177 rescued alive. Based on French and British data, AFP estimated the death toll could be at least 29. The prefecture warned that human traffickers are putting migrants in greater danger, noting that the average number of passengers per boat rose from 26 in 2021 to 63 in 2025. The report also mentioned continued use of so-called “taxi boats,” which secretly depart nearly empty and later pick up dozens of migrants in shallow waters.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) announced that it will not use lethal weapons while maintaining law and order during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The statement was made by Colonel S M Abul Ehsan, Dhaka Sector Commander of BGB, at a press conference held at the temporary base camp of the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur on Saturday morning. He said BGB has taken extensive preparations across the country to ensure overall security ahead of the national election and referendum. The goal is to allow voters to exercise their voting rights in a safe and peaceful environment. More than 37,000 BGB members will be deployed nationwide while keeping the 4,427-kilometer border fully secured. According to the announcement, BGB will perform election duties in 489 out of 495 upazilas, and in 61 border upazilas it will act independently. Considering risk levels, BGB will operate as both mobile and static forces in all 300 parliamentary constituencies, with two to four platoons stationed per upazila.

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Albania’s capital, Tirana, protesting Prime Minister Edi Rama’s recent visit to Israel from January 25 to 27. The protesters gathered in front of the parliament building on Friday, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the visit as unrepresentative of public opinion. The demonstration was organized by various civil society groups, according to Anadolu Agency. Participants carried banners reading “Not in my name,” “Do not shake hands with oppression and barbarism,” and “Stop bombing Gaza.” Organizer Florjar Arapi said Albanians stand for peace and justice, not genocide or war crimes, calling Rama’s visit a shame and disgrace for the nation. He criticized Rama for aligning Albania with injustice and violence at a time when many countries have distanced themselves from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Protester Sidorela Vatnikaj said Albanians, having experienced genocide in Kosovo, oppose any association with alleged war crimes. She and others expressed anger over Rama’s invitation to Israeli companies to invest in Albania, describing it as colonialism rather than partnership.