Election campaigning has begun in the Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency for the 13th parliamentary elections, but voters report little excitement. Unlike previous elections, the area remains free of posters, with only limited use of microphones and festoons in the afternoons. Candidates from several parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, JSD, Islami Andolon, and Gana Odhikar Parishad, are contesting the seat. Field observations show empty campaign spaces with few visible materials. Candidates are relying on hand microphones and leaflets to reach voters, while posters—traditionally a key campaign tool—are absent. Locals, including educators and residents, note that although posters often clutter the environment, they also help create electoral enthusiasm, which is missing this time. According to Election Commission official Abdul Wadud Suman, the commission has introduced new restrictions: campaign microphones may operate only between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., festoon use is limited, and posters are completely banned. Digital and social media campaigning is permitted under the new rules.

Amir Hamza, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Kushtia Sadar parliamentary seat, has claimed that certain groups are engaged in a deep conspiracy against the country. He issued this warning to citizens through a post on his verified Facebook page at around 11 p.m. on Sunday, urging everyone to remain alert and not to believe in rumors. In his message, Hamza called on the public to stay vigilant, keep their eyes and ears open, and avoid spreading or reacting to unverified information. He suggested that if people remain cautious, those spreading rumors would be frustrated. The post was intended as an advance warning to the nation, emphasizing unity and awareness among citizens. The statement comes amid his ongoing campaign activities in Kushtia Sadar, where he continues to use social media to communicate directly with supporters and the broader public.

At least 11 people were killed and 12 others injured in an armed attack at a football field in Salamanca, a city in Mexico’s central Guanajuato state, on Sunday. Local authorities confirmed the incident and said that security forces were working to bring the situation under control. According to a statement from the mayor’s office, an operation has been launched to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack. News agency AFP reported that details of the assault have not yet been released. Authorities stated that an investigation is ongoing and more information will be shared once available. The incident has prompted heightened security measures in the area as officials continue efforts to restore order and determine the motive behind the attack.

Maulana Mojibur Rahman, the Khelafat Majlis candidate for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, has withdrawn from the election to support Hasnat Abdullah, the 11-party alliance candidate led by Jamaat-e-Islami and the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region. On Sunday, January 25, he joined Hasnat Abdullah’s campaign in several villages of Debidwar, urging voters to support the alliance’s symbol, the Shapla Koli. Mojibur Rahman stated that although he did not officially withdraw his candidacy earlier, he is now working in the field according to his party’s decision to ensure the victory of the alliance candidate. He expressed confidence that the Shapla Koli symbol would secure victory for the coalition. Earlier, on January 20, the final day for candidate withdrawal, Mojibur Rahman had announced his intention to continue contesting. However, he later aligned with the alliance’s decision and began active campaigning for Hasnat Abdullah.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Feni on Friday, January 30, to attend an election rally of the 11-party alliance. The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Feni Government Pilot High School field, where he will deliver the keynote speech as the chief guest. The information was confirmed by the party’s Feni district Ameer, Mufti Abdul Hannan. According to party sources, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union Vice President Sadiq Kayem, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, and Chittagong University Central Students’ Union Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Rony are also expected to speak at the rally. The gathering will call on supporters to unite behind alliance candidates in Feni-1, Feni-2, and Feni-3 constituencies and to support a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. Leaders from other alliance parties at various levels will also address the event. The visit has generated enthusiasm among alliance activists, with preparations underway for a large turnout. Dr. Rahman last visited Feni on February 3 of the previous year for humanitarian and commemorative activities.

Incidents of violence against women and children have increased across Bangladesh, with police records showing between 1,440 and 2,097 complaints filed monthly in 2025. Over a ten-month period, around 19,000 cases were recorded nationwide. Many victims reportedly avoid filing cases due to fear of social stigma, threats from influential individuals, or the risk of being humiliated through leaked videos. The Police Headquarters reported that 80 percent of the cases involve domestic violence, while others relate to dowry, rape, and sexual harassment. Police officials stated that all incidents are being investigated and legal action is being taken, emphasizing that no one is above the law. A senior police officer noted that increased police activity and proper legal procedures could help reduce such crimes. Surveys by BBS and UNFPA revealed that 8.3 percent of women and girls have faced gender-based cyber violence, including sexual exploitation, defamation, and online harassment, which are harming their real lives and progress. Authorities acknowledged that social instability and the rise of technology-driven abuse are changing the nature of violence, prompting calls for stronger preventive measures and legal enforcement.

A powerful snowstorm has struck across the United States, leaving at least three people dead and causing widespread disruption. As of Sunday afternoon local time, around 900,000 customers were without electricity, and more than 10,000 flights had been canceled nationwide, according to a BBC report. The National Weather Service said adverse conditions extended from Texas to New England, forcing the closure of schools and roads across multiple states. Two people in Louisiana reportedly died from hypothermia, while another fatality occurred in Texas. The storm brought heavy snowfall, sleet, and freezing rain that could persist for several days, potentially affecting more than half of the country’s population. Meteorologist Allison Santorelli from the National Weather Service told CBS News that melting would be slow, hindering snow removal efforts. Authorities warned that the hazardous weather could continue to disrupt transportation and power services in the coming days as cleanup operations face delays due to persistent cold and ice.

A report alleges that 153 officials appointed to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) during the past 15 years under the Awami League government remain in their positions despite questions about their legality. Many were reportedly hired without proper qualifications, competitive exams, or within the legal age limits, often through political recommendations. The appointments allegedly violated government recruitment rules and the 2001 Telecommunications Act. A 2023 compliance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General raised objections over these irregularities, but no corrective action has been taken. Sources cited in the report claim that after the July uprising and the formation of the caretaker government, other sectors saw promotions for long-deprived officials, but BTRC did not. Over one-third of its 355 permanent staff are said to hold illegal appointments, while more than 50 positions remain vacant. Some of the disputed appointees are reportedly lobbying for promotions. A three-member committee was formed to investigate, but it has yet to submit a report. The report suggests that political influence and administrative irregularities have hindered BTRC’s intended role as an independent regulator of the telecommunications sector.

Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, in an article published on January 26, 2026, reflects on Bangladesh’s 2024 mass uprising, which he says cost thousands of lives and injuries but did not bring structural change. He writes that despite the public’s demand for accountability and balance of power, the state’s core machinery remained intact, with only faces changing in government. The author identifies a persistent 'deep state'—a network of military and civilian bureaucracy, security agencies, economic oligarchs, foreign-linked lobbies, and media influence—that operates beyond elected authority. According to Haque, this deep state neutralized the uprising through delay tactics, narrative control, and preservation of administrative continuity. Promised reforms, investigations, and rehabilitation remained largely declarative, while the same bureaucratic and security structures continued to dominate. He argues that no meaningful accountability, electoral reform, or economic transparency followed the movement. The article concludes that real transformation requires dismantling entrenched power habits through transparency, decentralization, and institutional reform. Without such change, Haque warns, future uprisings will repeat the same cycle of sacrifice without systemic progress.

BNP-nominated candidate Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury carried out a mass outreach campaign in Patuakhali municipality on Monday night, January 25. Representing the Patuakhali-1 constituency, which includes Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj, and Dumki, he began the campaign from Suraiya Villa on Sher-e-Bangla Road, accompanied by district BNP leaders and a large number of activists. The team distributed leaflets starting from New Market and marched through the main streets of the town before holding a brief street meeting at the local launch terminal area. District BNP President Snehangshu Sarkar Kuti, General Secretary Advocate Md. Mojibur Rahman Toton, and Election Steering Committee Coordinator Maksud Ahmed Bayezid Panna were among those present. Several other district leaders and activists also joined the campaign, which aimed to strengthen BNP’s presence in the constituency. The event marked a formal start to Altaf Hossain Chowdhury’s local campaign activities in the area as part of BNP’s broader electoral efforts in Patuakhali.

An opinion piece by Dr. Wazed Khan highlights growing public concern over the neutrality of Bangladesh’s Election Commission ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The article stresses that a fair and impartial commission is essential to ensure credible elections and maintain public trust. It warns that the upcoming vote, which coincides with a national referendum, will determine the future of the July Charter and must be conducted transparently. The author reviews past elections, alleging that commissions over the past two decades failed to demonstrate neutrality and competence. He cites reports of manipulation in the 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, claiming these were engineered to secure victories for the ruling party. The piece also notes that the current commission led by Nasiruddin faces allegations of bias and public skepticism, particularly regarding issues of loan default and dual citizenship among candidates. The commentary concludes that the commission and interim government must prioritize accountability to the people over loyalty to any political group, warning that failure to uphold neutrality could further damage Bangladesh’s democratic institutions.

Following the cancellation of Afsana Begum’s appointment as director of Bangladesh’s National Book Centre, a heated debate has emerged within the country’s cultural and literary circles. The article alleges that a group of pro-Awami League and left-leaning cultural figures have strongly criticized the Ministry of Culture and adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, while Afsana herself publicly defended her position and condemned the decision to revoke her appointment. The report claims that the National Book Centre’s book selection committee for the 2024–25 fiscal year displayed conflicts of interest, with some committee members including their own works in the purchase list. It further alleges that the list favored writers and publishers aligned with a particular ideological group, while excluding authors critical of past Awami League governments or supportive of the July uprising. The article also links Afsana’s appointment to recommendations from individuals associated with the newspaper Prothom Alo. The author argues that the controversy exposes entrenched favoritism and ideological bias in state-funded cultural institutions, raising concerns about transparency and inclusivity in Bangladesh’s literary policy.

A ferry carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members sank early Monday, January 26, 2026, off the coast of Basilan province in the southern Philippines. According to reports cited by Al Jazeera, at least 15 bodies have been recovered while 43 people remain missing. Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard rescued 138 passengers alive, and 18 of them are currently receiving hospital treatment. The incident occurred shortly after the vessel, named Trisha Kerstin 3, departed from Zamboanga City en route to Jolo Island in Mindanao. Local authorities, including Basilan Mayor Arsina Laja Kathing Nanoh and the provincial branch of the Coast Guard, confirmed the rescue operations. Disaster management spokesperson Ronalin Perez said the focus remains on saving passengers and ensuring their safety. Joint efforts are underway with the Mindanao provincial administration to accelerate the rescue mission. The exact cause of the sinking has not yet been determined, and officials continue to investigate while prioritizing ongoing search and rescue operations.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, reportedly under the influence of India. The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has expressed concern over the move, calling it a threat to unity in world cricket. WCA chief executive Tom Moffat said the exclusion of Bangladesh, a full ICC member and a major cricketing nation, signals internal problems within the governing body. He urged the ICC to act impartially and work with all stakeholders to prevent division in the sport. The decision follows Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns after Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL by Kolkata Knight Riders on Indian board instructions. Despite weeks of discussions, the ICC upheld its decision, prompting widespread criticism. Pakistan’s former cricketer Rashid Latif warned that Pakistan might withdraw in protest, arguing that such exclusions would damage the World Cup’s credibility. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi also accused the ICC of double standards compared to India’s past refusal to play in Pakistan. Observers now await whether the ICC will respond to Moffat’s call for unity or remain under India’s dominance.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has organized a preparatory meeting on Monday afternoon at the Eidgah ground in Uttara Sector 6 to ensure the success of a public rally scheduled for Tuesday in Dhaka, where party chairman Tareq Rahman is expected to appear. The meeting, set for 3 p.m., aims to finalize arrangements for stage construction, security, discipline, and crowd management. BNP candidate for Dhaka-18 constituency, S M Jahangir Hossain, along with leaders and activists from Dhaka North BNP and its affiliated organizations, will attend the session. Hossain stated that residents of Uttara are united under Tareq Rahman’s leadership in the movement to restore democracy and that the upcoming rally will be a massive gathering of people. He added that the preparatory meeting will complete all necessary arrangements. The event marks part of BNP’s broader campaign activities in Dhaka, with local leaders emphasizing peaceful and orderly participation in the rally.