The United States has released two Russian crew members who were detained after their tanker was seized in the North Atlantic Ocean earlier this month. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the sailors have been freed and are returning home to Russia. However, the fate of the remaining crew members aboard the vessel remains unclear. U.S. authorities had detained the Russian-flagged tanker, alleging it was part of a 'shadow fleet' transporting oil from countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Washington has indicated that legal action could be taken against the crew, while Moscow has condemned such a move as unacceptable, accusing the U.S. of escalating tensions and endangering international maritime navigation. Earlier reports stated that the tanker was intercepted near Venezuela’s coast while under Russian naval escort. To prevent U.S. seizure during its operations against Venezuela, the vessel was reportedly reflagged and renamed under Russian jurisdiction.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Habibur Rahman, former chief engineer of the Civil Aviation Authority, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. An ACC source confirmed the arrest, which follows four corruption cases filed against him a year earlier. Rahman is accused of embezzling several thousand crore taka through irregularities in development projects at three international airports. According to ACC allegations, Rahman was involved in corruption and illegal wealth accumulation throughout his career. While serving as a supervising engineer, he was linked to major projects of the Civil Aviation Authority, allegedly earning large sums through bribery and misuse of authority. In the Cox’s Bazar airport expansion project, he reportedly delayed releasing a government payment of Tk 50 crore to pursue bribes, causing a threefold increase in compensation costs and a Tk 100 crore loss to the government. Investigations reportedly confirmed the allegations, but Rahman had previously avoided consequences by managing senior officials. His arrest marks a renewed effort by the ACC to address corruption in major infrastructure projects.

The 9th Bangladesh–United States Land Forces Talks 2026 concluded successfully at the Army Sports Control Board conference room in Dhaka Cantonment on January 27, following two days of discussions held from January 26 to 27. According to an ISPR press release issued on January 28, the meeting was a continuation of the earlier session held in the United States from September 8 to 10. Representatives from both armies participated in the talks aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. The Bangladeshi delegation, led by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Badrul Haque from the Army Training Directorate, comprised 22 members, while the U.S. side included four representatives led by Major Michael Jacob Oster from the U.S. Pacific Army Command’s Security Cooperation Division. Brigadier General Md Humayun Kabir, Director of the Army Training Directorate, attended the opening and closing sessions. Discussions focused on strengthening military collaboration, improving training exchanges, and expanding the use of advanced technology and equipment. Both sides emphasized joint exercises, innovative training methods, and coordinated disaster preparedness. They also agreed on the importance of technical cooperation to address global challenges and contribute to regional peace and security.

Police in Fatullah, Narayanganj arrested a man named Mainul Islam Pavel early Tuesday night with a foreign-made pistol and one round of ammunition. The arrest took place in the Shashangao area following a raid conducted by a team from Fatullah Model Police Station under the direction of Additional Superintendent of Police (K-Circle) Md. Hasinuzzaman and led by Officer-in-Charge Md. Abdul Mannan. Sub-Inspector Ashish and Assistant Sub-Inspector Hamid participated in the operation. Local sources identified Pavel as a close associate of Azmeri Osman, son of the late Narayanganj-5 Member of Parliament Nasim Osman. Allegations suggest that he was involved in various criminal activities in the BISIC industrial area and nearby locations during the previous government. Police stated that a case under the Arms Act is being processed against him. Authorities are verifying whether Pavel has any prior cases and are investigating the source of the recovered weapon as well as possible involvement of others in the incident.

Ala Uddin Shikdar, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate of the 10-party alliance for the Chattogram-3 (Sandwip) constituency, has been served a show-cause notice for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was issued on Wednesday by Md. Helal Uddin, chairman of the Election Inquiry and Adjudication Committee and Joint District and Sessions Judge. The action followed a written complaint filed by Md. Alomgir Hossain, chief agent of BNP candidate Mostafa Kamal Pasha. According to the notice, Shikdar used PVC-printed banners on campaign vehicles and installed more than 20 digital billboards, in addition to using 12 loudspeakers simultaneously during campaigning. Authorities stated that these actions constitute clear violations of sections 7(b) and 17(1) of the electoral code. The candidate has been asked to explain within a specified time why punitive measures should not be taken or a recommendation sent to the Election Commission. The Sandwip police officer-in-charge has been instructed to deliver the notice and submit a report, while copies have been sent to the Election Commission Secretariat, the district administrator, and the returning officer.

Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s new film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” centered on the Palestinian crisis, has secured a place in the final nominations for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September last year to record-breaking standing ovations, will compete in the Best International Feature Film category. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in California, with the final nominations announced on January 22. Alongside Tunisia’s entry, the category includes films from Brazil, France, Norway, and Spain. Despite submissions from seven African countries, Tunisia is the only one to reach the final list. This marks Ben Hania’s third Oscar nomination, following previous recognition for “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020) and “Four Daughters” (2023). She remains the only Tunisian filmmaker to receive multiple Oscar nominations. “The Voice of Hind Rajab” depicts the January 2024 Gaza attack that killed five-year-old Hind Rajab, her relatives, and paramedics. The film’s executive producers include Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer.

Bangladesh’s Adviser on Religious Affairs, Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, stated that all Hajj-related activities are advancing according to the official roadmap. He said the Ministry of Religious Affairs is working tirelessly to finalize one hundred percent of house rental agreements for pilgrims within the stipulated time. The statement came on Wednesday during a meeting at the Secretariat with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Jafar H. Bin Abiyah. The adviser noted that the process of securing accommodations for Bangladeshi pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah is being closely monitored. Agencies have been instructed to complete all rental agreements within the set deadlines, and a significant number of contracts have already been finalized. The Saudi ambassador expressed satisfaction with the overall progress of Bangladesh’s Hajj preparations and emphasized the importance of adhering to the roadmap for effective management. During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and mutual interests. The adviser also thanked the Saudi ambassador for his role in determining Bangladesh’s Hajj quota for this year.

A South Korean court has sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from officials of the Unification Church in exchange for political favors. She was found guilty of receiving a handbag and diamond earrings and was fined 12.8 million won. The court also ordered the confiscation of the necklace linked to the case. Kim has been in custody since August during the investigation. Kim, wife of ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol, was acquitted of separate charges related to stock manipulation and political funding violations but convicted in this bribery case. Prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling, while Kim’s lawyers said they will review the Seoul Central District Court’s decision before deciding on an appeal. The presiding judge noted that although the First Lady holds no official authority, the position carries symbolic responsibility and should not set a poor example for the public. Outside the courthouse, supporters of Yoon and Kim celebrated the verdict despite cold weather. The Unification Church denied expecting any benefit from the gifts, and its leader Han Hak-ja, also on trial, rejected allegations of offering bribes.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has announced the deployment of 38 platoons across Dhaka and three surrounding districts to ensure a free, fair, and neutral parliamentary election. The deployment, involving members of BGB’s 5th Battalion, will begin on Thursday. The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Taimur Hasan, commander of the battalion, during a press briefing at the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. According to the briefing, 11 platoons will be stationed in five constituencies under Dhaka North City Corporation, six in Savar and Dhamrai, 13 in four constituencies of Faridpur, and eight in three constituencies of Manikganj. Security measures include checkpoints at key entry points to the capital, deployment of K-9 dog squads, and use of body-worn cameras, night vision devices, armored personnel carriers, and advanced communication tools. A monitoring cell has been set up at the battalion headquarters for continuous oversight. BGB stated that there is no restriction from the Election Commission on entering polling centers. Personnel may enter if requested by presiding officers or in case of violence or suspected vote fraud.

The ‘MPO Teachers’ Nationalization Expectation Alliance’ has announced a series of protest programs demanding the issuance of the 9th national pay scale notification and the withdrawal of recent remarks by the energy adviser. According to a statement signed by the alliance’s member secretary, Principal Delwar Hossain Aziz, demonstrations will be held on 29 January at all MPO-affiliated educational institutions, followed by a rally in front of the National Press Club on 30 January. The alliance also warned that if the pay scale notification is not issued by 4 February, human chains will be organized across all districts on 5 February. The statement noted that since the formation of the National Pay Commission 2025, the cost of living has increased repeatedly, making it difficult for government employees to sustain their families without the new pay scale. The alliance questioned the purpose of forming the commission if the pay scale is not implemented, calling it a waste of public funds. The group expressed solidarity with the ‘Demand Implementation Unity Council,’ which has also called for protests on 28–29 January and a rally on 30 January. The alliance urged all MPO teachers and staff to participate actively in the upcoming demonstrations and rallies.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has published the results of the seventh special recruitment recommendation for teachers in MPO-listed private educational institutions. The results were officially released on Wednesday at the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division conference room. Through this special recruitment process, a total of 11,713 candidates have been recommended for appointment to vacant teaching positions. According to the NTRCA press release, the recommendations were made based on the merit order, preferences, and institutional requirements of registered applicants who applied under the seventh special recruitment circular published on January 4. The results are available on the NTRCA website under the “Seventh Recruitment Recommendation (Special)-2026” service box and at http://ngi.teletalk.com.bd. Selected candidates can view their results by logging in with their user ID and password, while institution heads can access information about selected teachers for their respective institutions using their own login credentials.

An independent delegation from the US Embassy in Dhaka will visit Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Khulna on election day to observe the voting process, according to Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The announcement followed a meeting between US Ambassador Brent Christensen and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in Dhaka on Wednesday. After the meeting, the ambassador stated that the United States would not take sides in the election. Akhtar Ahmed explained that the US Embassy team would not be formal observers but would visit polling areas to see the situation firsthand and later report to the US Senate. He added that the Election Commission had not given any instructions on how the team should conduct its observation, as it was beyond their jurisdiction. The embassy will provide a list of delegates, and the commission will facilitate their movement. The US ambassador also inquired about the election code of conduct, law and order situation, and travel arrangements during the meeting, according to the Election Commission official.

Bangladesh is preparing for its parliamentary election on February 12, the first since 2008 without Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. Many young voters, who led the 2024 July uprising, are eager to vote but disillusioned by the lack of new political alternatives. Reuters interviewed over 80 students under 30, most of whom expressed strong interest in voting yet disappointment with the candidates. The main contest is seen between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, while the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP) has lost credibility after allying with Jamaat. Analysts note that more than a quarter of Bangladesh’s 128 million voters are under 30, and their participation could shape the outcome. A concurrent referendum will address institutional reforms, including term limits for the prime minister and greater judicial and electoral independence. A youth leadership survey found 97% of voters aged 18–35 intend to vote, split nearly evenly between BNP and Jamaat supporters. Despite disillusionment, some young activists remain hopeful for long-term political renewal, emphasizing the need for a stable, democratically elected government.

Israel has shifted its stance on the Gaza ceasefire after recovering all hostages taken to the enclave. The Israeli government now insists that Hamas must fully disarm before any further progress can be made toward the next phase of the ceasefire. This marks a tougher position from Israel following the hostage recovery. Hamas has publicly refused to surrender its weapons. Two Hamas officials told Reuters that neither the United States nor mediators have presented any detailed or concrete disarmament proposal. Israeli minister and former intelligence chief Avi Dichter warned that disputes over disarmament could reignite conflict in Gaza, saying the issue might have to be resolved by Israeli forces through military means. A White House document released last week indicated that the Trump administration seeks the immediate elimination of heavy weapons in Gaza and a phased registration and removal of personal arms under an interim technocratic administration to ensure local security.

Former Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the walls of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence’s (DGFI) notorious detention cell known as 'Aynaghar' contained no mirrors. He made the statement on Wednesday during cross-examination by defense lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu, representing former DGFI director Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui. The case concerns allegations of abduction and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC), also referred to as Aynaghar, involving death-row convict Sheikh Hasina and twelve current and former army officers. During questioning, Hasinur clarified that 'Aynaghar' was merely a codename, not a literal description. He also discussed his army background, stating his BA number and course details, and mentioned that his service records were reportedly transferred to India, though he could not recall the source of that information. He denied claims that his testimony was coached by prosecutors and said he had not received a written summons but was verbally instructed to appear. Hasinur further stated he was held in enforced disappearance for 43 days and later visited DGFI premises only once after August 5, 2024, to assist in rescuing detainees.