Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched extensive reforms under the interim government to modernize revenue management, expand the tax base, and enhance transparency. According to an official statement, the government issued the Revenue Policy and Management Ordinance 2025 to separate policy formulation from implementation, marking a major milestone in NBR’s structural reform. Between July and December 2025, NBR collected Tk 1,85,223 crore in revenue, Tk 23,000 crore higher than the same period last year. The reforms include a ten-year Medium and Long-Term Revenue Strategy to strengthen revenue-GDP ratio and a World Bank–funded digitalization project worth nearly Tk 1,000 crore. NBR has also introduced online tax filing, e-payment, and refund systems, while establishing a Security Operations Center to protect customs data. Construction of new tax and customs facilities in Chattogram and Khulna is underway, and new VAT and customs laws have been published in authentic English versions to improve investor confidence. Additional measures include tax exemptions for Hajj travelers and metro rail services, reduced tariffs on essential goods and mobile phones, and new traveler-friendly baggage rules. These initiatives aim to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainable revenue growth.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has said that his party will prioritize the rule of law and adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, land grabbing, and violence if it forms the next government. Speaking early Monday at a BNP election rally in Kanchpur Balur Math, Sonargaon, Narayanganj, he pledged to ensure justice for all crimes under existing laws and to bring major reforms in development, agriculture, and employment sectors. Rahman described corruption and drugs as the main enemies of society, vowing to curb the spread of narcotics in Narayanganj and surrounding areas. He outlined plans to reduce youth unemployment through language education and modern technical training to prepare young people for jobs at home and abroad. He also promised special training and income opportunities for imams, khatibs, and madrasa teachers. For the agricultural sector, Rahman announced the revival of the canal excavation program introduced during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman to restore water bodies and improve irrigation. He further assured the repair of damaged roads and educational institutions across the country.

A powerful snowstorm has paralyzed large parts of the United States, leaving at least 10 people dead and causing widespread disruption from Texas to New England. The storm forced the closure of schools and roads nationwide, canceled thousands of flights, and left millions without electricity. The U.S. National Weather Service said conditions were unlikely to improve before Monday morning and urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. According to reports, two people in Louisiana died from hypothermia, while one person died in Texas. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said five deaths occurred over the weekend, though it was unclear if they were weather-related. Major U.S. media outlets, citing the National Weather Service, reported that heavy snow covered most of 15 states, including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. Freezing rain also hit the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic states, placing about 185 million people under winter weather alerts. Airlines canceled around 11,000 flights scheduled for Sunday, and more than 900,000 customers lost power, including 250,000 in Tennessee.

Police in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari sent six online casino gamblers to jail on Monday afternoon following their arrest on Sunday evening. The arrests took place in Mushrut Paniyal Pukur Balapara village, where officers seized Android mobile phones containing casino gaming apps from each suspect. The detainees were identified as Rakib Mia, Nur Hossain, Riju Islam Ratul, Shahin Alam, Abdul Aziz, and Manik Mia, all residents of the local area. Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman of Kishoreganj Police Station stated that the detainees were sent to jail through the court in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act for engaging in online casino gambling. The police action highlights enforcement efforts against illegal online gambling activities in the region. The case marks a continuation of local authorities’ attempts to curb cyber-related offenses, with the seized devices expected to serve as evidence in the ongoing legal process.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called on voters to reject those who betrayed the nation during the 1971 Liberation War and to vote for the BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol in support of democracy. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon during two separate campaign meetings at Paikpara and Purba Begunbari BT School grounds in Begunbari Union of Thakurgaon-1 constituency. During his speeches, Mirza Fakhrul said that if BNP comes to power, it will ensure merit-based recruitment without bribery, unlike previous authoritarian governments. He emphasized that the votes given to BNP are a sacred trust from the people, which the party pledges to protect. He also alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had fled to Delhi, leaving behind her party and the democratic process in crisis. Addressing the Hindu community, Fakhrul urged them to remain courageous and assured that BNP would stand by them if anyone tried to obstruct their right to vote. Local BNP leaders, including Abdul Hamid and Obaidullah Masud, were present at the events.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated that only Bengali-speaking Muslim migrants are being evicted from the state. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he said that any Muslim migrant living in the hills around Guwahati would receive an eviction notice. According to The Hindu, Sarma emphasized that the evictions target only those referred to locally as 'Miyas', a term often used pejoratively for Bengali-speaking Muslims. Sarma accused sections of the media of spreading rumors about possible evictions in the Guwahati hills. He said that no eviction would take place until the election, and residents would then realize that the media had unnecessarily alarmed them. The Chief Minister added that the government is working to grant land rights to hill residents but maintained that Muslim migrants in those areas would still face eviction notices. He also accused the Congress party of appeasing Muslim voters, claiming that out of 750 applications for party tickets, 600 were from 'Miyas' and only 120 to 130 from Hindus.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others in connection with two separate murder cases filed at Mohammadpur Police Station. The order was given on Monday by Metropolitan Magistrate Jamshed Alam after the court accepted charge sheets against 64 accused in the killings of truck driver Md. Hossain and CNG driver Sabuj during the July 2024 movement. Prosecutor Harun-or-Rashid confirmed the court’s decision. According to case details, Hossain was shot dead on July 19, 2024, during protests in Mohammadpur, and his mother filed a case naming Hasina and 15 others. Police later charged 34 people, including Hasina, with 20 still absconding. In the Sabuj murder case, filed on September 1, 2024, after he was shot on August 4, investigators later included Hasina and 29 others in the charge sheet, with 21 fugitives. Among the accused are former ministers Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasan Mahmud, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and others. The court’s order marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the July 2024 movement violence.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUSU) member Sarmitra Chakma announced his resignation on Monday, January 26, 2026, through a Facebook post. He stated that he had been elected by students with high expectations and had worked to improve campus safety, including proposals to regulate vehicles and introduce registered rickshaws. He cited security issues at the university’s central field, where incidents of harassment and theft had occurred, as part of his motivation for strict measures. Chakma explained that his controversial action—making teenagers perform squats while holding their ears—occurred last month amid rising theft and mugging incidents. He admitted his approach was wrong but said he acted out of concern for campus safety amid administrative inaction. He added that enforcing security sometimes required actions beyond legal limits, which had affected his mental state and led to his decision to step down. A video showing the incident spread widely on social media, sparking public criticism and discussions about his conduct. Many users expressed anger and disapproval after the footage went viral.

The Singapore dollar has reached its highest level in nearly ten years against the US dollar, reflecting growing investor confidence in Asian markets. The currency strengthened by 0.3 percent to 1.2684 per US dollar, marking its strongest position since October 2014. The rise occurred amid expectations that Singapore’s central bank will maintain its current policy stance, while global pressure on the US dollar increased due to potential currency interventions by Japan and signals from the United States. Analysts noted that the US dollar came under pressure following the New York Federal Reserve’s interest rate review on January 23, which also led to a 1.2 percent rise in the Japanese yen. Other Asian currencies benefited as well, with Malaysia’s ringgit reaching its highest level since 2018 and South Korea’s won hitting a three-week peak. Experts highlighted that Singapore’s monetary authority focuses more on exchange rate management than interest rates, supported by stable economic policies, a strong stock market, and a reliable government bond market. Over the past year, the Singapore dollar has gained about 6 percent against the US dollar. Analysts believe that Singapore’s consistent and stable policies could help sustain the currency’s strength despite global uncertainties.

Police in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha arrested six Awami League leaders following an attack on officers during an operation to detain former union parishad chairman and local Awami League publicity secretary Zobayer Hasan Shafik Mahmud Golap. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday when police surrounded Golap’s residence to execute the arrest. Supporters of Golap, numbering about 50 to 60, allegedly launched a sudden assault on the police, injuring three officers who were later hospitalized at Gobindaganj Upazila Health Complex. Following the attack, Sub-Inspector Akhtaruzzaman filed a case naming 18 individuals and including 50 to 60 unidentified persons. Police subsequently conducted a night raid and detained six named suspects from the area. Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque confirmed that the detainees were sent to district jail through the court on Monday. Authorities stated that the law and order situation in the area remains stable, with continued police surveillance to prevent further unrest.

The Bangladesh government has given policy approval to offer cash incentives to non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) who help attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. The decision was made at a meeting of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) governing board held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. According to BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, NRBs who facilitate equity investment in Bangladesh will receive a 1.25 percent cash incentive on the investment amount. He explained that the initiative aims to use the global networks of expatriate Bangladeshis to promote the country as an investment destination. The proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Finance for final approval before implementation. BIDA also announced plans to open overseas offices, starting in China, followed by South Korea and a European Union country, to attract more investment. Additionally, the government approved a roadmap to merge six investment-related agencies under a single structure called the “Single Umbrella” framework to improve coordination and decision-making. Legal and structural implementation will proceed under the next government.

Students of the Al-Quran and Islamic Studies Department at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia staged a human chain on Monday, January 26, demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the murder of student Sajid Abdullah. The protest took place at noon in front of the university’s administration building, marking six months and nine days since the killing. Leaders from the university’s student wings, including the Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir, joined the demonstration in solidarity. During the event, students expressed frustration that the university administration had yet to identify the killers, accusing officials of negligence and delay. Speakers warned that if justice was not delivered, they would escalate their movement. Chhatra Dal’s convener Sahed Ahmed demanded the resignation of the university proctor by 4 p.m. Tuesday, threatening to besiege the vice-chancellor’s office on Wednesday if the demand was ignored. The protest reflects growing anger among students over the lack of progress in the investigation and signals possible intensified demonstrations if authorities fail to act promptly.

The United States has announced that citizens of Bangladesh and several other countries will now be eligible for single-entry visas valid for up to three months under a new visa bond pilot program. The US Embassy in Dhaka released details of the program on Monday, explaining that applicants deemed eligible after their visa interview will be instructed to pay a refundable bond through pay.gov within 30 days of visa approval. According to the embassy, the program requires travelers to enter the US through designated airports—Boston Logan, John F. Kennedy, or Washington Dulles—and comply with all visa conditions, including not working and leaving the country on time. Failure to meet these conditions could result in forfeiture of the bond, which may be as high as 15,000 US dollars. The US State Department previously suspended immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, on January 7, and added Bangladesh to the visa bond list. Analysts cited in the report noted that the new rule could make obtaining a US visa more expensive and complicated for Bangladeshi travelers.

A preparatory meeting was held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Baliadi Zamindar Bari in Kaliakair upazila to ensure the success of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s upcoming rally in Gazipur scheduled for Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by Mahmud Sarkar, convener of Kaliakair Municipality BNP, with Md. Nurul Islam Sikder, convener of Kaliakair Upazila BNP, serving as the chief speaker. The session was conducted by Upazila BNP member secretary M. Anwar Hossain. Speakers emphasized the need to make the Gazipur rally a complete success under the direction of Barrister Ishraq Ahmed Siddiqui, member secretary of the district BNP. They highlighted the importance of strengthening organizational readiness, increasing public engagement, and ensuring active and united participation of party leaders and activists. The meeting reflected the local BNP’s focus on mobilizing support and coordination ahead of the major political gathering in Gazipur.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed all commercial bank branches across the country to conduct awareness campaigns for the upcoming referendum on constitutional reform proposals recorded in the July National Charter 2025. The directive was issued through a circular released by the central bank on Monday, advising each branch and sub-branch to display two special vertical banners to promote public awareness about the referendum. Earlier, on January 5, the Chief Adviser’s Office had sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank requesting campaign support in favor of the referendum. Following that, the central bank governor held meetings with banks and gave verbal instructions to promote a ‘yes’ vote, also directing them to use funds from their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets for the campaign. State-owned banks began implementing the campaign, but many private banks refrained, citing the absence of an official circular as the reason. With the new circular now in place, all commercial banks are expected to participate in the awareness campaign as instructed by the central bank.