On the second day of election campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, BNP’s Dhaka-16 candidate and former national football team captain Aminul Haque called on voters to remain alert against data fraud, religious exploitation, and conspiracies. Speaking at a street rally in front of Mirpur’s Pallabi Station on Friday, he warned that some groups were misusing religion to gain votes and deceiving devout citizens. Haque reiterated that only Allah can grant salvation and no political symbol or individual holds such power. He emphasized that BNP believes in religious and Islamic values but never uses religion as a political shield. He also alleged that a vested group was collecting voters’ national ID and mobile banking information, which he feared could be part of a larger fraud or fake voting scheme. He urged citizens not to share sensitive personal data with anyone. Referring to foreign interference, Haque claimed that certain political forces were attempting to undermine the election with external support. He affirmed that BNP would not engage in any conspiracy and would respect the people’s verdict.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said he came not to deliver a speech but to bear witness, asserting that North Bengal had been deliberately kept poor since the country’s independence. Speaking as the chief guest at a rally organized by the 10-party electoral alliance at the Panchagarh sugar mill field on Friday afternoon, he pledged to transform the region within five years through collective effort and faith. Dr. Rahman emphasized creating employment for all citizens and eliminating youth unemployment in the northern districts. He promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, including Panchagarh, and to recover embezzled funds allegedly siphoned abroad. He also vowed to reopen closed sugar mills and turn North Bengal into the industrial capital of Bangladesh. Calling the people his true strength, he urged vigilance against the return of corrupt elements in new forms. Other speakers at the rally included Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, National Citizens Party coordinator Sarjis Alam, and National Democratic Party vice president Rashed Pradhan.

A United States delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss President Donald Trump’s draft plan aimed at ending the Ukraine war. According to a Kremlin statement released on Friday, the meeting lasted more than three hours. The delegation included Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks as realistic and constructive, noting that discussions covered not only Ukraine but also the peace board, the Greenland issue, and bilateral relations. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the draft plan was nearly finalized and that he had reached an understanding with Trump on post-war security guarantees. Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and demands full control of the eastern Donbas region. Kyiv has warned that no peace deal can involve surrendering territory, arguing that such concessions would only encourage further Russian aggression.

In the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Gopalganj-1 constituency (covering parts of Muksudpur and Kashiani) has drawn attention for featuring two imprisoned candidates. Independent contender Md. Ashraful Alam Shimul, currently held at Keraniganj Central Jail, is running with the ‘football’ symbol and faces four cases. Gono Odhikar Parishad nominee Kabir Mia, detained in Kashimpur Jail and facing seven cases, is contesting with the ‘truck’ symbol. Both regained candidacy after High Court rulings overturned earlier disqualifications, creating a rare “prison versus field” electoral scenario. Family members of both candidates said supporters will campaign on their behalf if bail is not granted before the polls. Local voters are reportedly intrigued by this unusual contest, which analysts say has added a new dimension to the constituency’s political dynamics. The returning officer, Md. Arif-uz-Zaman, confirmed that all nomination matters are being reviewed according to law and court directives. Under election law, individuals not yet convicted with at least two years’ imprisonment remain eligible to contest, allowing both candidates to legally stay in the race.

Uttara West Thana Ameer Mazharul Islam has stated that the Shapla Koli symbol represents the Dhoripalla in Dhaka-18 constituency. He made the remarks on Friday while presiding over a rally and mass contact program organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ward 51 unit in support of Ariful Islam Adib, the Dhaka-18 candidate nominated by a ten-party alliance and senior joint convener of the NCP. During his speech, Mazharul Islam urged voters to cast their ballots for Adib under the Shapla Koli symbol to ensure victory, emphasizing that the symbol embodies justice and unity. He also called on supporters to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum. Ariful Islam Adib, speaking as the chief guest, echoed the call, urging voters to support Shapla Koli and the “yes” vote for the establishment of justice. The event was attended by several Jamaat leaders, including Turag Central Thana Ameer Gazi Monir Hossain, Nayebe Ameer Kamrul Hasan, Uttara West Thana Secretary Firoz Alam, and Turag Central Thana Secretary Muhibullah Bacchu.

European leaders have expressed doubts about the effectiveness and objectives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed Peace Board. Following a summit in Brussels on Friday, European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU is ready to work with the United States and the new board to establish peace in Gaza, but raised concerns about the board’s scope, governance, and alignment with the United Nations Charter. The Peace Board was launched on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where leaders and representatives from 19 countries signed its charter. Trump announced that countries seeking permanent membership must contribute one billion dollars. Although the board was initially intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, its charter extends authority beyond Palestinian territories, prompting speculation that it aims to rival the United Nations. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his country declined an invitation to join the board. France and the United Kingdom, both close U.S. allies, also voiced skepticism, with London expressing concern over the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin. France stated that the board’s current framework conflicts with its international commitments and UN membership obligations.

US billionaire Elon Musk joked that President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Peace Board’ should have been named the ‘Piece Board’ instead. Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, Switzerland, alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Musk made the remark while discussing Trump’s initiative. His comment drew laughter from the audience, and he added that what he truly wanted was peace. Musk, known as a Trump ally, had previously experienced a rift in their relationship before reconciling. His latest comment came after that reconciliation, suggesting a lighthearted jab rather than a serious criticism. Earlier, Musk had described the Davos conference as “boring” in a post on social media platform X. The exchange highlighted Musk’s continued prominence at global economic events and his willingness to make provocative remarks about political figures, even those with whom he shares a generally friendly relationship.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced plans to turn North Bengal into the capital of the agricultural industry during an election campaign rally organized by the ten-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday. He said the party aims to reopen closed sugar mills and shift the national slogan from “Teknaf to Tetulia” to “Tetulia to Teknaf.” Rahman emphasized that the alliance does not rely on membership cards but on the people’s support. In his address, Rahman stated that North Bengal had been deliberately kept poor since Bangladesh’s independence and vowed to create employment opportunities in the region. He criticized the drying up of four rivers and questioned the government’s responsibility. He also pledged to establish 64 medical colleges across the country and recover Tk 28,000 crore allegedly laundered abroad. Rahman further promised to curb corruption, extortion, and money laundering if given the chance to govern. The rally was part of the ten-party alliance’s election campaign, where Rahman called for unity and urged voters to bring change through the upcoming election scheduled for January 12.

NCP’s northern regional coordinator Sargis Alam has called for a boycott of occupiers, extortionists, and drug traders in the upcoming election. Speaking at a campaign rally organized by the 10-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday, he urged people to reject those who publicly oppose drugs by day but profit from drug sales at night. He announced that the boycott should take place on February 12. Alam stated that the 2026 election would determine whether the country moves forward or returns to corruption and extortion. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, he said that one stage of struggle had already been completed and emphasized the need to build an extortion-free Bangladesh. During his speech, he led slogans calling for justice, equality, and people’s power. He also urged voters to ensure the victory of the 10-party alliance as a step toward creating a new Bangladesh, linking the election outcome to the nation’s direction and moral integrity.

The High Court has directed the allocation of an election symbol to independent candidate Zakir Hossain Pradhania in the Chandpur-5 (Hajiganj-Shahrasti) constituency. His nomination had previously been canceled during scrutiny due to insufficient attachment of one percent of the voter list. Following the cancellation, Pradhania filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking reinstatement of his nomination. After hearing the writ petition on Thursday, the High Court bench annulled the earlier cancellation order and instructed the district returning officer to allocate an election symbol to Pradhania. The independent candidate confirmed the court’s directive himself. With this decision, all nominations in the Chandpur-5 constituency have been declared valid, and a total of seven candidates will now contest in the upcoming election.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said that the upcoming national election on February 12 will set a benchmark for all future elections in Bangladesh. He stated that the government is fully prepared to hold a free, fair, and participatory vote. Yunus made the remarks on Thursday during a courtesy meeting with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Brent Christensen at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka. During the meeting, both sides discussed the upcoming election, major labor law reforms, the proposed Bangladesh–U.S. tariff agreement, and the Rohingya crisis. Yunus said the election would be transparent and festive, with a large number of European Union observers expected. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s initiatives to join ASEAN and to revitalize SAARC for stronger regional cooperation. Ambassador Christensen expressed willingness to work with whoever wins the February election and praised the interim government’s reforms and Yunus’s leadership. The two also discussed trade progress, U.S. humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees, and recent U.S. visa restrictions affecting 75 countries.

According to data released by the UK Home Office, 901 migrants crossed the English Channel and entered the United Kingdom between January 14 and 21, 2026. The crossings took place in 14 small boats, as reported by Middle East Monitor. Earlier, on January 5, a small boat carrying 32 people reached the UK, marking the first such crossing of the new year. On the following Saturday, 317 migrants arrived in five small boats, the highest single-day total so far in 2026. The report notes that in 2025, a total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats, about 5,000 more than in 2024. Despite measures taken by the UK government to curb illegal migration, the number of crossings continues to rise. The data highlights the ongoing challenge for UK authorities in managing irregular migration across the Channel, as numbers show an upward trend despite enforcement efforts.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized illegal fishing nets valued at approximately Tk 75 crore during a combing operation in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The operation was conducted throughout Wednesday by the Coast Guard’s Maheshkhali station in coordination with the Department of Fisheries. The seizure was confirmed on Friday, January 23, 2026, by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit. According to the Coast Guard, the special operation took place near the fishing communities of Maheshkhali, where around 50 lakh meters of banned fishing nets were confiscated. No arrests were made as the fishermen reportedly fled upon sensing the presence of the Coast Guard. The seized nets were later destroyed in the presence of the Maheshkhali upazila fisheries officer. Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit stated that the Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to protect the country’s fisheries resources.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said the current government is the outcome of the July uprising and that a referendum is essential to implement the July Charter. Speaking to journalists in Rangpur on Friday during a two-day visit, he emphasized that the government seeks a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum and called on all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, as well as the administration, to work in favor of the 'Yes' campaign. He stated that only defeated forces and collaborators of fascism could oppose the referendum, asserting that fascism must never be allowed to return. Adilur made these remarks after placing a floral wreath at the memorial built in honor of the martyrs of the July uprising. During his visit, he also inspected the RDA and Talghat Zamindar Bari and later planned to visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed before departing for Bogura. Senior administrative officials, including the district commissioner Enamul Ahsan, were present at the event.

The film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the movie recounts the true story of Hind Rajab, who was shot dead by Israeli forces in January 2024 while fleeing Gaza City with her family. According to the report, Hind and her relatives were attacked while trying to escape Israeli bombardment. All passengers in the car, including her cousins and aunt and uncle, were killed. During the incident, Hind contacted Gaza’s Red Crescent volunteers for help. The film incorporates the real audio of her prolonged phone call with rescuers, who tried to comfort her as she remained trapped among her family’s bodies. Two rescuers later sent to save her were also killed by Israeli fire. Earlier, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, marking international recognition for its portrayal of the Gaza tragedy.