A views-exchange meeting was held in Dhamrai, Dhaka, where Mufti Ashraf Ali was nominated as the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish candidate for the Dhaka-20 constituency under the ten-party alliance ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. The event took place on Thursday at the Munno Community Center near the Dhaka-Aricha highway and was presided over by Mufti Ashraf Ali, president of the Dhaka district Khelafat Majlish. Senior leaders including Professor Abdul Jalil, Maulana Nurul Haque, Amir Ali, Maulana Firoz Ahmed, Professor Saifuddin, and Rayhan Ali attended the meeting. Speakers expressed grief over the killing of Jamaat secretary Rezaul Karim in Jhenaigati, Sherpur, and called for an Islamic governance system to end injustice and oppression across Bangladesh. During the meeting, Mufti Ashraf Ali vowed that if elected to parliament, he would end abduction, murder, and injustice in Dhamrai and work to make the area free from extortion, terrorism, and drugs.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi on Thursday to attend an election rally at the city’s historic Madrasa Maidan. From early morning, BNP leaders and activists from various upazilas and nearby districts gathered at the venue to see him and hear his speech. He reached Rajshahi by air from Dhaka around 12:30 p.m. and first visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) before joining the rally. According to party sources, Tarique Rahman is expected to seek votes for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, and present the party’s plans for public welfare and governance. After completing his Rajshahi program, he will travel by road to Bogura, addressing another rally at ATM Field in Naogaon on the way, and later attend a public meeting at Altafunnesa Field in Bogura at night. Party leaders expressed hope that Tarique Rahman’s visit will energize BNP’s election campaign in northern Bangladesh and boost enthusiasm among grassroots activists.

The United Kingdom has issued a travel advisory for its citizens regarding visits to Bangladesh. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released the warning on Thursday, January 29, urging British nationals to plan their trips carefully and follow local authorities’ guidance. The advisory cites potential risks of political violence and extremist attacks linked to the upcoming national election. According to the FCDO notice, travelers who ignore the advisory may face cancellation of their travel insurance. The office recommended avoiding all but essential travel to several parts of the country, particularly the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It noted that reports of violence and criminal activity are frequent in remote areas, and attacks targeting political gatherings or polling centers could occur during the election period. Bangladesh’s national election is scheduled for February 12, with campaigning having started on January 22.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Noakhali on Friday, January 30, 2026, to attend a public rally at Noakhali Zilla School field. The event is being organized by the 11-party alliance as part of its campaign activities ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. District Jamaat Ameer Khondaker Ishaq confirmed the visit during a meeting at the party office in Maijdee on Monday night. According to district Jamaat publicity secretary Dr. Borhan Uddin, extensive preparations are underway at both district and upazila levels to welcome the party chief. The rally will feature speeches from alliance leaders and candidates from Noakhali’s six constituencies. Party activists have reportedly shown renewed enthusiasm surrounding the visit, which is expected to focus on the current political situation. Local leaders believe the Ameer’s visit and his address will play a significant role in shaping the alliance’s campaign momentum in the district ahead of the national election.

A show-cause notice has been issued to Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Keramat Ali and another individual in Chapainawabganj-1 (Shibganj) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was issued by the constituency’s Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee, chaired by Joint District and Sessions Judge Md. Uzzal Mahmud. The action followed a written complaint from Tosikul Alam, the chief election agent of Shibganj Upazila BNP. According to the complaint, the accused installed replicas of the party’s scale symbol made of plastic and non-degradable materials at key intersections and road dividers in Shibganj and decorated them with lights. The inquiry committee conducted an on-site investigation and confirmed the allegations, deeming the act a clear breach of the electoral code. The notice requires the accused to appear in person and submit a written explanation by February 1, explaining why legal action should not be recommended to the Election Commission. The Shibganj police officer-in-charge has been instructed to serve the notice promptly and report back to the committee.

The prosecution has formally filed charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and seven others in connection with the 2016 Kalyanpur 'Jahazbari' incident in Dhaka, where nine people were allegedly killed in a staged militant operation. The charges were submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal at 11 a.m. on Thursday. According to the prosecution, the accused include former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Inspector General of Police A.K.M. Shahidul Hoque, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman, and former Special Branch Chief Monirul Islam. The case centers on allegations that the 2016 operation was orchestrated as a fabricated militant drama leading to multiple deaths. The tribunal proceedings mark a significant legal development involving several high-profile former government and law enforcement officials, though further details on the next steps in the case were not provided in the report.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that strengthening relations between the United Kingdom and China is 'absolutely essential'. He made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Starmer emphasized that China is a major global power and that it is vital for the UK to build a mature and pragmatic relationship that allows for cooperation while maintaining meaningful dialogue on areas of disagreement. According to analysts cited in the report, the meeting signals a renewed activation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The discussion is seen as particularly significant for advancing cooperation in trade, climate change, and global security issues. The meeting marks an important step in re-engaging bilateral dialogue between London and Beijing, with potential implications for future collaboration on key international challenges.

Hasanat Abdullah, chief organizer of the NCP’s southern region, criticized BNP leader Mirza Abbas during an election courtyard meeting in Gunai Ghar Shaktala, Debidwar, Cumilla, on Tuesday night. He claimed that only a year and a half ago, Abbas appeared in court wearing a burqa, yet now displays arrogance. Abdullah made the remarks while responding to a BNP leader’s statement about women removing veils. During his speech, Abdullah stood beside Abu Bakar, whom he described as a 'July fighter' who lost his voice while resisting fascism. He lamented that such activists, including Abu Bakar, have been neglected and that few now speak about their sacrifices. Abdullah also referred to July martyr Mainuddin, saying that the causes for which they fought and died are now met with silence. The meeting was organized to protest an attack on NCP candidate Nasiruddin Patwari in Dhaka-8 constituency, where Abdullah emphasized the need to remember those who fought against fascism.

Comilla University (CoU) will begin its 2025–26 undergraduate admission process on Friday with the ‘A’ unit examination under the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The test will be held simultaneously at Comilla University and Rajshahi University centers from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. A total of 46,336 candidates have applied for 300 seats, meaning more than 154 applicants will compete for each seat. Of them, 29,821 will sit for the exam at the Comilla center and 16,515 at the Rajshahi center. The one-hour multiple-choice test carries 100 marks, with a 0.25 mark deduction for each wrong answer and a minimum pass mark of 33. The university administration issued detailed instructions on January 28 to ensure a fair and peaceful examination. Candidates are prohibited from bringing any electronic devices, papers, or bags into the exam hall and must follow strict identification and procedural rules. Additional police, intelligence agencies, RAB, BNCC, and Rover Scouts will be deployed for security. Only candidates will be allowed inside the Comilla center, while guardians must remain outside. The ‘B’ and ‘C’ unit exams will take place on January 31 under the same guidelines.

Multiple major sporting events will be broadcast live today across various channels. The first T20 match between Pakistan and Australia will air at 5:00 p.m. on Sony Sports and Sony Liv. South Africa will face West Indies in the second T20 at 10:00 p.m. on Sports 18 and Jio Hotstar. In the ICC Under-19 World Cup Super Six stage, South Africa will play Sri Lanka at 1:30 p.m. on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar. Football fans can watch several UEFA Europa League matches live at 2:00 a.m., including Stuttgart vs Young Boys, Porto vs Rangers, Aston Villa vs Salzburg, Olympique Lyon vs PAOK, Real Betis vs Feyenoord, and Lille vs Freiburg. These matches will be available on Sony Ten channels, Sony Liv, and Tapmad. Tennis coverage continues with the Australian Open semifinals airing live at 2:30 p.m. on Sony Sports 2 and 5. The day’s lineup offers a packed schedule for cricket, football, and tennis enthusiasts, with live coverage across multiple global tournaments.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced an emergency press conference to protest incidents of violence that occurred in Sherpur and other parts of the country surrounding the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The event is scheduled for Thursday at 12 p.m. at the party’s central office. The announcement was made through a message sent to the media by Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of the Central Media and Publicity Department. According to the message, central leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami will be present at the press conference. The party’s move comes amid reports of unrest linked to the upcoming national election, which has drawn attention across various regions. The announcement emphasizes the party’s protest against the recent violent incidents. Further details about the agenda or statements expected at the press conference were not provided in the announcement.

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong ultimatum to Iran, warning that time is running out for reaching an agreement on its nuclear program. In a post on his Truth Social account on January 28, Trump said a large US naval fleet is moving toward Iran and is ready for rapid operations. He cautioned that if negotiations fail to progress, future attacks on Iran would be far more devastating than before. Iran rejected the US threat outright. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran would not bow to American pressure and that its armed forces are fully prepared for any situation. He added that Iran is open to fair and equal negotiations without coercion. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed Iran’s government is at its weakest point and its economy in deep crisis. In response, Araghchi warned that any US aggression would be met with immediate and severe retaliation. Iran’s mission to the United Nations also indicated willingness for fair talks but warned that any attempt to impose terms would trigger unprecedented countermeasures.

A protest rally and gathering were held in Dhaka on Wednesday night in response to an attack on Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kazi Maria Islam Baby. The incident occurred earlier that afternoon in Ward 52 of the capital’s Kadamtali area, where she was reportedly injured by members of the Jubo Dal while conducting campaign activities in the Dhaka-4 constituency. The protest, organized by the Kadamtali unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, began at Muradpur Zero Point and concluded after marching through key roads. Leaders and activists from the Dhaka South Jamaat, including Ashraful Alam Imon, participated in the demonstration. The Dhaka South Jamaat and Dhaka-4 candidate Syed Zainul Abedin strongly condemned and protested the attack. Kazi Maria Islam Baby is identified as a Rukon and women’s leader of Jamaat-e-Islami. The protest reflected growing political tension in the area following the attack, with party leaders emphasizing their opposition to violence against political activists.

In a detailed commentary published on January 29, 2026, researcher and journalist Amir Khasru analyzed the evolution of state security and defense concepts, emphasizing Bangladesh’s need to adapt to changing global realities. He traced the historical roots of defense thinking from ancient civilizations to modern times, arguing that defense and security should not be equated with warfare. Khasru highlighted that small and weaker states must ensure participatory national defense arrangements to safeguard sovereignty. The article discussed how colonial and neo-colonial influences created psychological dependency among smaller nations, weakening their defense outlook. It examined theories from Harold Nicolson, Hans Morgenthau, and Stephen Walt to explain how diplomacy, realism, and the balance of threat shape modern international relations. Khasru also warned against “fake narrative theories” used by dominant powers to manipulate perceptions and undermine sovereign defense systems. He concluded that Bangladesh must remain alert to global shifts where defense diplomacy and threat balancing increasingly define alliances, citing examples such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey’s recent defense cooperation.

After beginning his second term as U.S. president in early 2025, Donald Trump issued a wave of executive orders reversing 78 of his predecessor Joe Biden’s directives. He withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, lifted restrictions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and tightened border security. Trump’s administration also imposed sweeping tariffs, including a 10 percent levy on all imports and up to 50 percent on goods from 57 countries, triggering global economic turmoil. Trump’s foreign policy actions have further heightened tensions worldwide. He attempted to end the Russia-Ukraine war, intervened in Gaza to broker a ceasefire, and launched attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In early 2026, he ordered the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and threatened Iran’s leadership. He also expressed intentions to acquire Greenland, even considering military force before retracting the idea. At the Davos Economic Forum, Trump announced the creation of a new organization called the “Board of Peace” to rebuild Gaza, which many observers viewed as an attempt to undermine the United Nations and reshape global governance under U.S. influence.