The United Nations reported that water production in Gaza City has dropped by about 70 percent because of Israel’s blockade. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a press conference on Wednesday that restrictions on the entry of so-called dual-use materials have prevented the repair of damaged water supply lines, severely disrupting the city’s water output. According to Haq, the main supply line runs from Israel into Gaza and lies before the so-called “yellow line,” where Israeli forces are deployed. He explained that a steel pipe needed to fix the damaged line is unavailable in Gaza because Israel bans its entry as a dual-use item. Israel has also rejected a UN partner request to repair one of Gaza’s key water wells. Haq added that UN partners are now seeking alternative water sources and increasing water transport to maintain safe water supplies for residents amid the ongoing blockade.

Three people were killed when a passenger bus collided with a container truck in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh early Wednesday at around 1:30 a.m. The collision caused both vehicles to catch fire, resulting in the deaths of the bus driver, truck driver, and truck cleaner. The bus was traveling from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad in Telangana when its right-side tire suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control and crash over the road divider into the oncoming truck carrying motorcycles. The fire spread quickly, creating panic among passengers. Local residents, along with the bus conductor and cleaner, broke windows to rescue trapped passengers. Many passengers escaped by jumping through the windows. Fire service and police teams arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze after extensive efforts, but both vehicles were completely burned. All 36 passengers on the bus survived the accident, according to the report.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the commencement of trial against suspended Awami League General Secretary and former Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader along with six other accused in a case over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. The three-member panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, rejected the defendants’ discharge petitions and set February 17 for opening statements and the first witness testimony. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M.H. Tamim argued on January 18 that the accused bore individual responsibility, reading out three charges against Quader and alleging that all seven had incited and directed killings of protesters between July and August. Defense lawyers Lokman Hawlader and Ishrat Jahan denied any involvement of their clients and sought dismissal of the charges for lack of evidence. The tribunal fixed January 22 for its ruling after hearing both sides. The other accused, including senior Awami League and affiliated organization leaders, remain absconding. The tribunal appointed state defense lawyers for them after they failed to surrender on January 8 despite arrest warrants issued earlier.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is set to begin his election campaign in his Dhaka-15 constituency with a public rally at Mirpur 10’s Adarsha School ground on Thursday afternoon. The event, scheduled to start after 2 p.m., will feature Dr. Rahman as the chief guest. Preparations for the rally, including stage construction, have been completed, and party leaders and activists have started gathering at the venue. According to the party’s central publicity department, leaders from various parties within the 10-party electoral alliance will attend the Mirpur rally as special guests. The rally marks the beginning of Dr. Rahman’s four-day campaign program, which includes public meetings across northern districts on Friday and Saturday. He is expected to return to Dhaka on January 25 to continue campaign activities in several constituencies. Separately, Jamaat’s candidate for Dhaka-6, Dr. Abdul Mannan, will conduct an election outreach program on Thursday afternoon at Kaptan Bazar and in front of the Suhrawardy Mosque, joined by local leaders.

A case has been filed naming top criminal Md. Yasin as the prime accused along with 28 others, and 150 to 200 unidentified individuals, in connection with the killing of RAB-7 Deputy Director Abdul Motaleb in Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur area of Chattogram. The case was lodged on Thursday morning by a RAB-7 officer at Sitakunda Police Station, confirmed by Officer-in-Charge Mohinul Islam. According to police sources, the case accuses the suspects of murdering the RAB officer during a raid on Monday afternoon, when Motaleb was killed in an attack by armed criminals. Two other RAB members were injured and remain hospitalized. The filing came on the fourth day after the incident. Police reported that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the deadly assault.

An allegation has surfaced that campaign banners of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nurul Islam Bulbul were vandalized and set on fire in Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar) constituency. The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Ward No. 3 of Srirampur village under Baliyadanga Union. It remains unclear who was responsible for the arson. Local sources said miscreants deliberately set fire to festoons placed in different parts of the village, completely burning several of them. Candidate Nurul Islam Bulbul described the incident as a deliberate and condemnable act aimed at disrupting the democratic environment. He also termed it a threat to the area’s peace and order. In response, Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Maruf Afzal Rajan stated that police had been sent to the scene after receiving a verbal complaint, and law enforcement agencies were investigating the matter. Five candidates are contesting in the Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, representing BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, JSD, Islami Andolan, and Gano Adhikar Parishad respectively.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has appointed Advocate Md. Tariqul Islam, a member of its executive council and convener of the National Youth Force, as the chief coordinator of its election management committee. The announcement was made on Wednesday night through a statement signed by NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akter Hossain. The committee will be chaired by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, with Monira Sharmin serving as secretary. According to the statement, leaders from NCP, Youth Force, Student Force, and Workers Force at both central and metropolitan levels will work together in the committee. The appointment aims to make the committee’s activities more dynamic, effective, and well-coordinated ahead of upcoming electoral activities. Following the announcement, the National Youth Force congratulated Tariqul Islam and expressed hope that he would carry out his responsibilities with dedication in coordinating the overall election management process.

Bangladesh’s political parties have intensified their online campaigns ahead of the February 12 national election, with viral songs, short dramas, and emotional voter interviews dominating social media platforms. A song supporting Jamaat-e-Islami, released in November, sparked a wave of digital campaign music from rival parties including the BNP and the National Citizen Party. The online battle began weeks before physical campaigning started on January 22, as parties sought to attract young voters who played a key role in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Analysts say the surge in digital campaigning reflects Bangladesh’s massive online population, with about 130 million internet users and over 60 million on Facebook alone. Nearly 44 percent of voters are aged 18 to 37, many voting for the first time after years of disputed elections. BNP’s online content focuses on policy promises such as a proposed “family card” program, while Jamaat-linked materials often criticize both BNP and India. The interim government and the NCP are also running online drives supporting a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum. Experts note that online campaigning now rivals traditional rallies, shaping offline discussions and voter sentiment nationwide.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced a temporary suspension of its Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route, effective from March 1, 2026. The airline cited fleet shortages, operational pressure, and economic inefficiency as the main reasons behind the decision. According to a press release issued on Thursday, the Manchester route is currently not profitable, and the long-haul flights occupy aircraft for several days, creating additional strain on fleet management. The airline explained that during the Hajj season, it must operate extra flights to transport large numbers of passengers within a limited time, requiring adjustments to other routes. Due to high demand on Middle Eastern routes, particularly from expatriate workers and Umrah travelers, Biman decided to allocate its limited wide-body Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft to more viable destinations. Routine maintenance, engine overhauls, and a global crew shortage have further intensified operational challenges. To ease passenger inconvenience, Biman has increased London route frequency to five flights per week and offered ticket refunds or rerouting via London without extra charges. The airline stated that new aircraft procurement and crew recruitment are underway, and the Manchester route may resume once capacity improves.

The central leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expelled three of its Gopalganj district leaders on Wednesday night for engaging in activities deemed contrary to party discipline. The expelled members include former district BNP president and current convening committee member M H Khan Monju, former president and committee member Sirajul Islam Siraj, and committee member Habibur Rahman Habib. All three were removed from their primary membership and all party positions. According to the report, the expulsions followed the leaders’ decision to contest the upcoming election as independent candidates despite the party’s directive. Monju and Siraj are contesting from Gopalganj-2 constituency, while Habib is running from Gopalganj-3. The decision was made after they failed to withdraw their nomination papers by the final withdrawal date. The BNP stated that the expulsions were necessary to uphold party discipline and maintain organizational unity ahead of the election.

BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi is set to file an appeal with the Appellate Division on Thursday, challenging the High Court’s order that upheld the Election Commission’s decision to cancel his nomination for the Cumilla-4 constituency. His lawyer, Advocate Saifullah Al Mamun, confirmed the move, describing it as Munshi’s final legal recourse to regain candidacy. On Wednesday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam dismissed Munshi’s writ petition that sought to overturn the Election Commission’s January 17 decision to reject his nomination. Following the dismissal, lawyers stated that Munshi is now ineligible to contest the election. After the ruling, Hasnat Abdullah’s lawyer, Mohammad Hossain Lipu, said the court maintained the cancellation due to alleged concealment of loan default information. The upcoming appeal will determine whether Munshi can re-enter the electoral race for Cumilla-4.

Two people were killed across Greece on Wednesday as heavy rain and strong winds swept through the country, causing widespread flooding and transport disruptions. According to Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias, a coastguard officer died after being struck by waves while on duty in the coastal town of Astros in eastern Peloponnese. In another incident, a woman was killed in the Athens suburb of Glyfada when her car was swept away by floodwaters. Authorities suspended ferry services and closed several roads due to the severe weather. Wind speeds exceeded 100 kilometers per hour, prompting school closures in Athens and parts of western and southern Greece. Meteorologists reported that some areas of the capital received six weeks’ worth of rainfall in a single day. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis postponed his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, due to the situation. Experts have repeatedly warned that deadly floods in recent years have been worsened by rapid urbanization and blocked waterways, urging infrastructure improvements, particularly in the greater Athens region.

An emotional atmosphere marked the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) first election rally in Sylhet, held on Thursday at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground, as party members carried banners and festoons bearing images of missing leader M Ilias Ali. Participants from across the Sylhet division joined processions chanting slogans demanding justice for his disappearance and his return. According to party sources, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was scheduled to address the gathering. Outside the venue, attention centered on the Sylhet-2 constituency (Bishwanath–Osmaninagar), where Ilias Ali’s wife, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, is contesting the election under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Supporters displayed posters and banners endorsing her candidacy. Several BNP activists described Ilias Ali as a national leader whose popularity had unsettled the ruling government. Ilias Ali, a former MP and BNP’s then central organizing secretary, went missing with his driver from Dhaka’s Banani area on April 17, 2012. BNP leaders allege that the then Awami League government was responsible. Thirteen years later, his name continues to resonate in Sylhet’s political movements and election campaigns.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has begun its national election campaign ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls with a large rally at the historic Government Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet city. The event, which started at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, was attended by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Thousands of party leaders and activists from Sylhet, Sunamganj, and nearby districts gathered at the venue, filling the field and surrounding streets. Local BNP leaders addressed the crowd as banners, flags, and posters featuring the party symbol and Rahman’s image filled the area. The rally marks the formal start of BNP’s nationwide campaign activities. It is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Sylhet in nearly two decades, generating significant enthusiasm among supporters. Senior party leaders expect him to introduce BNP candidates from Sylhet and Sunamganj constituencies and provide strategic guidance for the upcoming election. Strict security measures were enforced across the city, with police and other law enforcement agencies deployed. Following the Sylhet rally, Rahman is scheduled to travel by road to Dhaka, holding additional campaign events in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts along the way.

U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, which was set to take effect on February 1. The decision followed his meeting with the NATO Secretary-General during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump announced on Truth Social that they had developed a framework for a future agreement concerning Greenland and that, based on this understanding, he would not proceed with the tariffs. Trump described the meeting as highly productive and said the potential agreement would benefit both the United States and all NATO members. He added that discussions regarding an initiative called “The Golden Dome” related to Greenland are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff involved in the talks. Despite the announcement, questions remain about the future U.S. role in Greenland. Trump had previously expressed interest in Greenland’s ownership due to increasing Russian and Chinese presence, a stance opposed by several European nations.