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.

The United States has announced an expansion of its naval and air presence in the Persian Gulf region as tensions rise around Iran. President Donald Trump said a major naval fleet, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, is being deployed to monitor the situation. Military sources confirmed that the strike group, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missile–armed Arleigh Burke–class destroyers and Aegis combat systems, is en route to the Middle East from the South China Sea. The move follows earlier large-scale US military deployments and comes amid renewed friction after incidents involving Iran’s nuclear facilities. A US official said additional air defense systems may be deployed due to potential threats from Iran. Iran’s top military and Revolutionary Guard officials warned that any attack would make all US bases in the region legitimate targets, while its foreign minister threatened retaliation. The heightened tension has already affected air travel, with some European airlines suspending flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv. The US has also imposed new sanctions on nine ships and their owners for allegedly transporting Iranian oil, as the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning Iran’s crackdown on protests.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that three suspected militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan on Sunday, January 25. The ISPR stated that the operation targeted members of the group ‘Fitna al Hindustan,’ described as an Indian proxy organization. During the exchange of fire, local commander Farooq alias Soro, along with Adil and Wasim, were killed, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site. According to the ISPR statement, security forces have continued sanitization operations in the area to identify and arrest other suspects. The agency reaffirmed that under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy, operations against foreign-backed terrorism will persist across the country. Geo News noted that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, terrorist activities have increased in Pakistan’s border regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Earlier, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that in 2025, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations nationwide, resulting in the deaths of 2,597 militants.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that if his party comes to power, the new administrative division will be named Comilla. He made the statement on Sunday night, January 25, at a BNP election rally held at Suagazi Fultoli field in Comilla Sadar South upazila. Rahman also said that the party would initiate canal excavation projects in the region to support agricultural activities and involve local people in the work. During his speech, Tarique Rahman highlighted BNP’s past governance record, mentioning free education for women up to higher secondary level and interest waivers on agricultural loans. He defended the party’s family and farmer card programs, saying criticism from other parties would not deter their commitment to improving people’s lives. Rahman urged supporters to vote for the BNP’s symbol, promising to continue working for the welfare of ordinary citizens. Several senior BNP leaders, including Aminur Rashid Yasin, Monirul Haque Chowdhury, Zakaria Taher Suman, Ashiqur Rahman Wasim, Utbatul Bari Abu, and Yusuf Molla Tipu, attended the rally.

More than fifty workers at Dressman Fashion Wear Limited in Tongi, Gazipur, fell ill on Monday morning after experiencing breathing difficulties, vomiting, and convulsions. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. when a strong odor spread through the factory, causing panic among workers. The affected employees were taken to Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, where 21 were admitted for treatment. Factory official Abdur Rahman Ripon said the cause of the illness was still unknown, and the factory was closed for the day. Dr. Nafiya Sharmin from the hospital’s emergency department reported that most patients suffered from respiratory distress, while some experienced panic attacks, vomiting, and convulsions. Industrial Police Inspector Azad Rahman confirmed visiting the site and said the law and order situation remained normal. Authorities are investigating the source of the odor and the cause of the workers’ sudden illness, while the factory remains closed temporarily.

A Sylhet court has ordered eight officials of Sylhet Medical University to be sent to jail in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged irregularities in staff recruitment. On Sunday, January 25, 2026, Sylhet Metropolitan Sessions Judge Munshi Abdul Majid rejected their bail petitions and issued the order. ACC Public Prosecutor Mohammad Shafiul Alam confirmed the court’s decision. The accused include procurement officer Abdul Munim, section officer Rinku Das, Chowdhury Rumman Ahmed, Lokman Ahmed, administrative officer Suranjit Ranjan Talukder, Robiul Alam Bokul, Mohammad Rashedul Islam, and office assistant-cum-computer operator Ruhul Amin. The case stems from allegations of widespread corruption in recruitment at the university, which was established in 2018. Following complaints, the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched an investigation in 2023 and found evidence of abuse of power and financial irregularities by then Vice-Chancellor Morshed Ahmed Chowdhury and acting registrar Md. Naimul Haque Chowdhury. Based on the findings, the ACC’s Sylhet office filed a case on April 1, 2024, against 58 individuals, including the former vice-chancellor and registrar. Arrest warrants were issued on April 25, 2024, and several other officials had previously been denied bail in the same case.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced plans to introduce a 'family card' program aimed at mothers and homemakers, offering seven to ten days of monthly assistance in cash or food. He made the announcement during an election rally held late Sunday, January 25, in Kanchpur, Narayanganj. In his speech, Rahman emphasized ensuring safety for women and businesspeople, promising legal action against criminals. He also pledged to curb corruption and drug abuse, create employment opportunities for youth both at home and abroad, and address local waterlogging by re-excavating canals. Additionally, he mentioned plans to provide training and honoraria for mosque and madrasa clerics, and to rebuild damaged roads, schools, and culverts. Rahman urged supporters to remain united against conspiracies and to turn out in large numbers on election day, asserting that citizens must safeguard their own voting rights after years of what he called dummy elections.

A 20-year-old patient named Nazmin Akter died after jumping from the eighth floor of the new building of Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital on Sunday night, January 25. According to her family, the incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. when her mother went to the bathroom and her father stepped out to collect a report. Nazmin, who had been admitted a week earlier with kidney complications and other illnesses, reportedly jumped from the back side of the building. Nazmin was from Galachipa in Patuakhali and was the mother of a four-month-old child. Her father, Jalal Khondokar, said she married in 2021 to a farmer named Raihan. Family sources stated that Nazmin’s husband had not been in contact for a long time and did not contribute to her medical expenses. They believe prolonged illness and her husband’s neglect may have driven her to take her own life. Inspector Md. Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, said initial discussions with relatives suggest the death was a suicide. The hospital authorities and Shahbagh police have been informed.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan visited the grave of martyr Ismam at Darzipara cemetery in Lohagara, Chattogram, on Monday morning. He was accompanied by party leaders and activists. During the visit, he offered prayers for the martyr’s soul and paid deep respect to the family of the deceased. In his remarks, Asif Mahmud said that the sacrifices of the July martyrs made Bangladesh a free and sovereign nation. He emphasized that the nation can never repay the blood debt of heroes like Ismam, whose ideals and patriotism will continue to inspire future generations. He also expressed hope that the upcoming election and a successful “yes” vote in the referendum would help realize the desired reforms and the dream of the martyrs. Local political leaders, freedom fighter families, social and cultural representatives, and members of Ismam’s family were present at the event, where all participants prayed for the martyr’s peace.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced three former senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials to death for crimes against humanity in connection with the killing of six people, including Shahriar Khan Anas, during the July Revolution in the capital’s Chan Kharpul area. The verdict was delivered at 12:30 p.m. by a three-member panel led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. The tribunal also handed various prison terms to five other accused, bringing the total number of defendants in the case to eight. Those sentenced to death are former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, and former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam. Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Imrul received six years, Inspector Arshad Hossain four years, and constables Sujan, Imaje Hossain Iman, and Nasirul Islam three years each. Four of the accused are currently in custody, while the rest remain absconding. Prosecutor Gazi Tamim stated that the prosecution presented testimony from 26 witnesses along with extensive documentary, audio, video, and forensic evidence. He said the evidence proved the charges beyond doubt and requested confiscation of fugitive convicts’ properties to compensate victims’ families.

A violent attack took place on the night of January 24 in Fatullah, Narayanganj, when a group of 15 to 20 assailants vandalized and fired shots at the private office of S.K. Shahin, joint convener of the Fatullah Thana Volunteer Party. The incident occurred around 11:10 p.m. near ABC School in the Shibumarket Kayempur Bottola area. The attackers reportedly broke into the locked office, damaged furniture, CCTV cameras, and several vehicles parked outside before leaving the scene. According to Shahin, the attackers were working for an independent candidate expelled from the BNP, while he was campaigning for the BNP alliance candidate. Local residents, however, claimed that Shahin had been involved in extortion, land grabbing, and drug trade control in the area after a mass uprising, leading to a long-standing conflict with a known drug dealer named Robin from Kutub Ail. Police said an investigation is underway, and legal action is being taken to identify and arrest those involved. Shahin has filed a written complaint with Fatullah Model Police Station against 15 to 20 unidentified individuals.

The government of Bangladesh has issued the 'July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Ordinance, 2026', granting legal protection and immunity to students and citizens who took part in the July mass uprising. The ordinance was officially gazetted on Sunday night by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law. According to the ordinance, all civil and criminal cases, complaints, or proceedings filed against participants of the July uprising will be withdrawn under its provisions. Furthermore, no new civil or criminal cases, complaints, or proceedings can be legally initiated against those involved in the uprising. The ordinance aims to provide full legal immunity to individuals associated with the July movement, ensuring that no future legal actions can be taken against them for their participation.