The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) presented a four-month performance report on Monday at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen. General Secretary S M Farhad detailed that DUCSU, which assumed office on September 14, completed 225 initiatives across 33 sectors for student welfare. Two commemorative books titled “Activities of DUCSU in the First Four Months” and “Representative Conference 2025” were also launched at the event. Vice President Sadiq Kayem stated that despite budget constraints and administrative non-cooperation, DUCSU continued its work through collaboration with alumni, donors, and resource persons. Key achievements include proposing the inclusion of DUCSU elections in the academic calendar, canceling an unauthorized resolution on lifetime membership, mosque renovations, medical center upgrades, and discussions with the Chinese ambassador on a new dormitory project. DUCSU also introduced electric shuttles, expanded transport services, and organized health, cultural, and educational programs. The report emphasized transparency and accountability, with detailed information on all initiatives published on DUCSU’s website and in printed booklets.

Bangladesh Under-19 team were eliminated from the Super Six stage after a decisive loss to England in Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club. Batting first, Bangladesh collapsed for 136 runs in 38.1 overs, with only Rifat Beg (31), captain Azizul Hakim (20), and wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah (25) reaching double figures. England chased down the target comfortably, scoring 137 for 3 in 24.1 overs, led by captain Rue’s unbeaten 59. The result confirmed Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament. Bangladesh had entered the Super Six with only one point, while India and England started with four points each in Group 2. This left Bangladesh needing a win to keep their semifinal hopes alive, but the team failed to handle the pressure. The defeat marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive Under-19 World Cup exit before the semifinals since their 2020 championship. Despite the elimination, Bangladesh still have one remaining match scheduled against Zimbabwe on June 31 in Harare.

Brazilian forward Endrick, once hailed as a prodigy and the next Pelé, has reignited his career in France after a difficult spell at Real Madrid. On loan to Lyon in Ligue 1, the 19-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over Metz, helping his team climb to fourth place in the standings with 36 points from 19 matches. The remaining goals came from Ruben Kluivert and Tyler Morton, while PSG lead the table with 45 points. Endrick opened the scoring in the 11th minute, added a second in first-half stoppage time, and completed his hat-trick with an 87th-minute penalty. At 19 years and 188 days, he became the youngest player in Lyon and Ligue 1 history to score a hat-trick, breaking Bernard Lacombe’s record of 19 years and 196 days. Endrick has now scored four goals and provided one assist in his first three matches for Lyon. After the match, Endrick expressed happiness at returning to form, saying he felt comfortable and grateful to his teammates and staff for their support.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called on party leaders, activists, and voters to remain at polling centers on election day to ensure proper vote counting. Speaking virtually at an election rally in Hatiya, Noakhali, on Monday, he emphasized that voters should not leave after casting their ballots but stay to monitor the process closely. Rahman alleged that there were conspiracies to obstruct the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and urged everyone to stay alert. He said that the people’s right to vote and freedom of speech had previously been taken away, and although those responsible had left the country, new groups were attempting to disrupt the election. He called for vigilance to protect the electoral process. He further stressed unity among all citizens, regardless of religion, to build the nation through collective effort, describing Bangladesh as the shared home and ultimate destination for all its people.

A delegation from the Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF), led by its chairman Khaja Shahriar, met with the chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Monday, January 26, at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon. The meeting focused on the calculation of excise duty on trade facility loans and investment services, highlighting differences between conventional and Islamic banking practices. NBR officials, including Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, listened attentively to the delegation’s concerns and assured that necessary steps would be taken within the existing legal framework to resolve the issue. Senior NBR members such as AKM Badiul Alam, Ahsan Habib, and Md. Mashiur Rahman were present at the meeting. The IBCF delegation included senior representatives from several Islamic and commercial banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Standard Bank, and Prime Bank. The discussion aimed to ensure fair excise duty treatment for Islamic banking operations under current regulations.

Former joint secretary of the UK BNP, Azmal Hossain Chowdhury Javed, was seriously injured in an attack on Sunday evening while returning from an election campaign in support of BNP candidate Nasir Uddin Chowdhury for the Sunamganj-2 constituency. The incident occurred on the way back to Dirai when activists from another BNP faction allegedly attacked him. Eyewitnesses said 15–20 supporters of rival nomination aspirant Tahir Raihan Chowdhury Pavel, including Mohiuddin Milad, Abu Hasan Chowdhury Saju, and Faisal, carried out the assault. Javed sustained severe eye injuries and was first treated at Dirai Upazila Health Complex before being referred to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for advanced care. Local sources indicated that tension had long persisted between the Nasir and Pavel groups in Dirai. Javed, once a nomination aspirant himself, had accepted the party’s decision to nominate Nasir Uddin Chowdhury and had been actively campaigning for him following instructions from the BNP high command. The attack underscores ongoing internal conflicts within the BNP’s local leadership in Sunamganj-2 ahead of the election.

The High Court has granted six months’ bail to Jewel Hasan Saddam, president of the banned Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Chhatra League. The order was issued on Monday by a division bench of the High Court’s criminal division after hearing his bail petition. According to the report, the decision was made primarily on humanitarian grounds. Lawyers informed that Saddam recently lost his wife and nine-month-old child, which influenced the court’s consideration in granting bail. The report did not specify the charges against him or the details of the case but emphasized the compassionate reasoning behind the court’s decision. The ruling provides temporary relief to Saddam for six months, though further legal proceedings are expected following the expiration of the bail period.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned the attack on National Citizens Party (NCP) candidate Ariful Islam Adib in Dhaka-18 constituency. The party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, issued a statement to the media on Monday expressing protest over the incident. According to the statement, the attack occurred on the morning of January 26 when Adib and his supporters were conducting campaign activities in Dumni Nurpara under Khilkhet Police Station. Jamaat alleged that activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) carried out the sudden assault, injuring several NCP workers. Zubair described the attack as an unjust and terrorist act, calling it a severe violation of democratic and political norms. He urged authorities to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice and emphasized that ensuring a peaceful election environment is the responsibility of the administration and the Election Commission. The statement warned that the public would not tolerate any negligence in this regard.

Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP has issued a 24-hour show-cause notice to Didar Ahmed Molla, accused of attacking Ariful Islam Abid, the 11-party alliance (NCP) candidate for Dhaka-18. The incident occurred on Monday morning in Dumni Nurpara under Khilkhet Police Station during Abid’s election campaign. BNP candidate S M Jahangir Hossain disclosed the party’s action to reporters at a preparatory meeting in Uttara’s Eidgah ground, held ahead of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s visit. Hossain said he informed the party after hearing about the incident and that the accused had been formally asked to explain his actions. He stated that BNP believes in peaceful coexistence and will not engage in provocation. He added that the party is not involved in the attack and that a probe committee will be formed. If anyone is found guilty, disciplinary measures will follow. Hossain also assured that there would be no conflict over votes and that both candidates could campaign together before the public. He further noted that BNP is a large organization and that any allegations arising within the party will be investigated and addressed accordingly.

Iran’s Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei has declared that those who instigated the country’s recent violent protests will face punishment without leniency. Speaking on January 26, 2026, he said that the judiciary will bring the instigators to justice as soon as possible, responding to public demands for accountability. According to Geo News, Ejei emphasized that those involved in inciting riots, terrorism, and violence during the anti-government demonstrations would be prosecuted swiftly. He added that investigations have already begun to identify individuals who provoked unrest, engaged in armed attacks, killings, arson, and destruction. The chief justice stated that the judicial process would proceed without any flexibility toward those responsible for such acts. The protests began on December 28 in response to rising living costs and unbearable inflation across Iran. Ejei also noted that the Iranian government has managed to calm tensions following the unrest, indicating a partial restoration of stability after weeks of demonstrations.

The July Revolutionary Student Mass staged a protest march in Nilphamari on Monday, January 26, demanding the arrest of individuals they described as Awami League-linked terrorists. The demonstration began at the town’s Bara Bazar area, moved through major streets, and concluded with a brief rally at the DC intersection. Speakers at the rally included district leaders from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Youth Power. They alleged that those accused in a murder case and in the August 4 attack on anti-discrimination activists were moving freely despite being members of the banned Awami League and its affiliates. The student leaders warned that these individuals could create unrest ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election and urged authorities to arrest them immediately. The protest reflected ongoing tensions in Nilphamari over accountability for past violence and concerns about potential election-related disorder.

A Dhaka court has granted a four-day remand for Salman F Rahman, former trade adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the embezzlement and laundering of Tk 136.98 crore from Janata Bank. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez, following a five-day remand request from the investigating officer. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision. According to the case documents, Rahman allegedly abused his power to create fake loans and accommodation bills under the name of a company called Skynet Apparels, transferring large sums abroad. The ACC claimed that his son and nephew’s Dubai-based company was linked to the fraudulent transactions. Rahman is currently in jail in connection with another case. The ACC’s public prosecutor, Tarikul Islam, said the remand was sought to interrogate Rahman about financial fraud and the creation of fake institutions to secure loans. The case was filed on November 3 last year by ACC Assistant Director Md Mahbub Morshed against Rahman and 21 others.

The prosecution has expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict in the Chankharpul six-murder case, where the court found the accused guilty but imposed what it described as limited sentences. Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tazul Islam, announced on Monday afternoon that the state will appeal the ruling, arguing that the punishment does not align with the gravity of the proven crimes. Following the verdict, Tazul Islam stated that one of the convicts, constable Sujon, had shown enthusiasm during the shooting but was given a limited sentence because he acted under superior orders. The court also ordered the confiscation of the properties of those sentenced to death. The chief prosecutor emphasized that the judgment sends a message that government officials are not obliged to follow illegal orders and will not be exempt from accountability if they do. The prosecution’s decision to appeal indicates ongoing legal proceedings and potential review of the sentencing by a higher court.

At least 18 people were killed and 24 remain missing after a ferry carrying more than 350 passengers sank early Monday off the southern coast of the Philippines. The vessel, named MV Trisha Kerstin-3, sent a distress signal at 1:50 a.m. local time, about four hours after departing from Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island. The three-deck ferry went down roughly five kilometers east of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province. The Philippine Coast Guard reported rescuing at least 317 people, while search and rescue operations continue. Videos released by the Basilan governor showed survivors being carried on stretchers and wrapped in blankets, while bodies were removed in body bags. Coast Guard spokesperson Noemi Cayabyab said the sea was extremely rough at the time of the accident. Local rescue officials reported manpower shortages as they treated the injured, with at least 18 people hospitalized. The Coast Guard has ordered a maritime investigation but said rescue efforts remain the top priority. The ferry was owned by Aleson Shipping Lines, which also operated a vessel that caught fire on the same route in 2023, killing 31 people. The company said it is coordinating with authorities and expressed concern for all aboard.

U.S. President Donald Trump invited India to join his newly launched ‘Peace Board’, but New Delhi has yet to formally participate. The board was inaugurated during the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and 20 other world leaders signed the founding charter. India’s absence drew attention, with analysts suggesting that concerns over internationalizing the Kashmir issue are driving its hesitation. According to reports from The Dawn and BBC Hindi, Indian policymakers fear that joining the board could increase global scrutiny over Indian-administered Kashmir. Trump said the board’s initial goal is to secure a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee an interim administration. However, some Indian commentators worry that Trump aims to position the board as an alternative to the United Nations, potentially bringing disputed regions like Kashmir under its purview. Former Indian diplomats noted that while the UN Security Council approved the board’s mandate until December 2027, Trump’s broader peace plan has no fixed duration and could expand beyond Gaza, complicating India’s decision-making.