BNP Standing Committee member and Bhola-3 parliamentary candidate Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram said that the next Bangladesh will be a country of communal harmony and strong democracy. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon at a meeting with the Hindu community held in the courtyard of the Sri Sri Madan Mohan Jiu Temple in Lalmohan municipality of Bhola. During the event, Major Hafiz criticized the Awami League’s 16-year rule, alleging that elections during that period were a mockery. He stated that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for February 12, would firmly establish democracy in Bangladesh. He urged all citizens to go to the polling centers and vote for candidates who would lead the country toward happiness and prosperity. The meeting was presided over by temple president Nirab Kumar Dey and attended by local BNP leaders, including the presidents and general secretaries of the Lalmohan upazila and municipal BNP units, along with party activists.

Spain’s largest train drivers’ union, SEMAF, has announced a nationwide strike following a series of train derailments that have shaken the country. The latest incident occurred near Barcelona on Tuesday when heavy rain caused a retaining wall to collapse onto the tracks, derailing a commuter train. The train’s driver was killed and four passengers were seriously injured, according to Reuters. Rail operator Adif reported a third derailment in the same regional network during the storm, though no casualties were reported. Just two days earlier, a high-speed train derailed near Adamuz in Córdoba province, about 360 kilometers south of Madrid, colliding with another train and killing at least 42 people, including the driver. The back-to-back accidents have sparked nationwide concern over railway safety. In a statement, SEMAF said it would seek criminal accountability for those responsible for ensuring railway infrastructure safety. The union had previously warned Adif in August about severe track deterioration, citing potholes, bumps, and power line imbalances causing frequent mechanical failures across several high-speed lines.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that Bangladesh’s national parliamentary election will be held on February 12 across all 300 constituencies. He made the statement at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on January 21. The Election Commission confirmed that complexities regarding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies have been resolved, allowing voting in all seats. Ballot paper printing is scheduled to begin at midnight on January 21. According to the press secretary, the government held a high-level emergency meeting led by the Chief Adviser to review election security. The Chief Adviser instructed authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during voting and to recover stolen weapons. Law enforcement will use 25,500 body-worn cameras linked to a security app for quick response. Around 150,000 police, 100,000 army personnel, and members from other forces including Navy, Air Force, Ansar, BGB, RAB, and Fire Service will be deployed, along with 500 drones. A total of 1,842 valid candidates will contest the election. Sixty-nine returning officers, 657 judicial magistrates, and 1,047 executive magistrates will oversee the process, coordinated through the “Election Security” app.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 21 individuals, including 12 former members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and a former secretary, for allegedly appointing six candidates to cadre positions under a fake freedom fighter quota. The appointments were made six months after the publication of the 29th BCS results, despite the candidates not applying under that quota. The accused include officials currently serving as deputy secretaries, a police superintendent, and others in key government roles. According to the ACC, the irregularities stem from the 29th BCS examination held in 2008. After a 16-year investigation, the commission found serious discrepancies in the recruitment process. The accused have been charged under sections 420, 467, 468, 471, and 109 of the Penal Code, as well as section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The ACC’s findings indicate that the six appointed officials are currently holding important positions, and the case highlights long-standing procedural flaws in the recruitment system.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest march in Feni on Wednesday to oppose the suspension of the ShakSU election. The demonstration, arranged by the organization’s Feni city branch, began in front of the central Jame Mosque and proceeded through Doel Square on Trunk Road and the Model Police Station area before concluding with a gathering at the Shaheed Minar. During the event, leaders from the district and city branches of Chhatra Shibir delivered brief speeches. They demanded the immediate implementation of the ShakSU election, expressing dissatisfaction over its postponement. The protest reflected the organization’s continued call for student representation through the ShakSU body, though no official response to their demand was mentioned in the report.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against five officials of Unilever Bangladesh Limited, including Managing Director Naharul Islam Molla, in connection with a fraud case. The order was given on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, by Metropolitan Magistrate Mehedi Hasan. The other accused are Cluster Head Syed Zikrul Bin Zamir, Senior Territory Manager (Wari) M. Soyaib Kamal, Area Manager, and Consumer Care (Finance) Director Jinnia Haque. According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, Zahidul Islam Hiron, the case was filed on August 7 of the previous year by Unilever’s distributor, Masud & Brothers, alleging fraud and breach of trust. The court had earlier directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the matter. On January 5, the investigating officer, Tarikul Islam, submitted the investigation report to the court. The court’s decision follows the completion of the CID investigation, and further legal proceedings are expected to continue based on the submitted report.

Former US President Donald Trump has unveiled details of a new international interim body, the “Board of Peace,” as part of his Gaza peace initiative, drawing both support and controversy. The board, reportedly backed by a UN resolution, will be chaired by Trump for life and aims to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. Its executive members include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose inclusion has been criticized due to his role in the Iraq war. Invitations have been sent to several world leaders, with some, including Vietnam’s To Lam and Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko, accepting. Permanent membership requires a one-billion-dollar fee, intended to fund Gaza’s rebuilding. Critics fear the initiative could undermine the UN Security Council’s authority in global peacekeeping. While the White House insists the plan aligns with UN Resolution 2803, French officials and analysts have questioned its legitimacy and scope. The board excludes Palestinian representatives but includes one Israeli member and politicians from Qatar and Turkey. Israel’s government says it was not consulted, calling the move inconsistent with its policies. The plan’s success remains uncertain as Gaza faces massive destruction, humanitarian crises, and fragile ceasefire conditions. Observers note that the board’s ability to deliver lasting peace will be closely watched.

NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain has called for ensuring the safety of all candidates during the election campaign, warning that no one should face a fate similar to that of Hadi. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a press conference, referring to the recent killing of a RAB officer during an operation in Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur area, which he said reflected a deterioration in the country’s law and order situation. Akhtar urged the government to take measures so that no illegal weapons remain in circulation, no conflicts occur, and no voters or candidates suffer harm. His comments came as political parties prepare for election activities under heightened security concerns. The statement underscores growing anxiety over political violence and the need for stronger law enforcement to ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

A media workshop in Dhaka has revealed that hypertension was responsible for 52 percent of the 283,000 heart disease deaths recorded in Bangladesh in 2024. The event, titled “Hypertension Control: Progress, Barriers and Way Forward,” was held at the BMA Bhaban and organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). Twenty-six journalists from print, television, and online media attended the session. Speakers including GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus and PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubayer emphasized the need for sustainable financing to ensure regular supply of hypertension medicines. According to World Bank data shared at the workshop, only 4.2 percent of the national health budget is allocated to non-communicable disease control, leading to irregular medicine supply in community clinics and upazila health complexes. A World Health Organization report cited during the event stated that consistent medicine availability could significantly improve hypertension management. Health Directorate Medical Officer Dr. Gita Rani Devi said the government is working to ensure uninterrupted medicine supply and expects all community clinics and upazila complexes to soon be included in the program.

Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said the government has entered a 'phased test' ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Yunus stated that the process begins now and will conclude on February 12, emphasizing that the Election Commission’s directives are the highest authority and must be followed collectively. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser said the Ministry of Home Affairs will play the lead role in maintaining law and order during the election period, expressing confidence that a fair election is possible under current conditions. Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reported that 51 of 59 registered political parties will participate, and observers from 26 countries have been invited, with the European Union expected to send about 300 observers. Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman informed that 3,619 weapons were looted during the August 2024 uprising, of which 2,259 have been recovered. Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury added that armed forces members will act as law enforcement and may enter polling centers if necessary.

Overseas Bangladeshi voters registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app can begin casting their postal ballots from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. According to the Election Commission (EC), voters can follow the prescribed procedure on the commission’s website or the app to select candidates and symbols for their respective constituencies. Completed postal ballots must reach the returning officer’s office in Bangladesh by January 25. The EC stated that the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile app includes necessary security features to prevent unauthorized voting and ensure full confidentiality of the voting process. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project, said the commission has already sent postal ballots to 767,028 expatriate voters in 121 countries. In total, 1,533,683 voters have registered through the app for the election and referendum. The initiative marks a significant step in enabling expatriate participation in Bangladesh’s electoral process through digital and postal means, with strict deadlines and security measures in place.

The Bangladesh government will provide an additional Tk 10 million to the family of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, for their livelihood. Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced that the amount will come from the Chief Adviser’s Fund. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance approved another Tk 10 million for the purchase of a flat or house for the family. The announcement was made on Wednesday after a meeting of the government’s advisory committee on public procurement at the Secretariat. According to the Finance Division, the Housing and Public Works Ministry had applied for a grant to buy a flat for Hadi’s family. The proposal was approved on the condition that the identities of Hadi’s wife and children are verified. The allocation covers the purchase and furnishing of a 1,215-square-foot apartment in the government’s Doel Tower at Lalmatia, Dhaka. The ministry will use part of its existing Tk 60 million residential building budget for the current fiscal year. The allocation requires compliance with all financial regulations, inclusion in the revised 2025–26 budget, and return of any unspent funds to the treasury by June 30.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 27.15 million liters of refined soybean oil from the international market at a cost of Tk 357.62 crore, with each liter priced at Tk 131.49. The decision was made on Wednesday at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The procurement will be conducted under the Direct Purchase Method (DPM) to ensure adequate supply and market stability ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. According to meeting sources, the Ministry of Commerce proposed the urgent import to meet increased demand during Ramadan. After evaluation by the tender committee, the purchase was finalized from Canada-based NSRIC Green Supplies Inc. Officials stated that the oil will be sold in the open market at a price lower than the government-fixed rate but not below the purchase cost, meaning no subsidy will be required. Consumers will access the product through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). The meeting also approved the import of 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) for the 2025–26 fiscal year at a cost of Tk 149.17 crore.

Bangladeshi singer Balam is set to release his fifth solo album titled 'Maula' after a gap of more than a decade. The album, containing six songs, will be released on the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Balam has composed and arranged all the tracks himself, while the lyricists’ names remain undisclosed. He mentioned that all songs will be released in audio format, with one track accompanied by a music video. Discussing the project, Balam said he has resumed music seriously after years of releasing only singles, which he found insufficient to meet fans’ expectations. He emphasized that a full album allows for greater musical variety and helps attract listeners of different tastes and ages. The album aims to connect with both long-time fans and younger audiences, including Generation Z. The title track 'Maula' is a Sufi-inspired song created during the COVID period, reflecting on global unrest. Balam believes its message remains relevant today. His previous albums include 'Balam' (2007), 'Balam 2' (2008), 'Balam 3' (2010), and 'Bhubon' (2013).

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that his country will not participate in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Peace Board.” Speaking to reporters in Davos, Kristersson said Sweden would not join under the current text or framework presented. The initiative, according to reports, was designed to oversee post-war reconstruction in Gaza. Several European nations have expressed concern that the Peace Board could attempt to replace the United Nations. Norway and France have already declared they will not join. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that while France supports implementing the U.S. president’s peace plan, it cannot accept any body that would substitute the UN’s role. The refusals come amid rising tensions between Washington and its NATO allies following Trump’s announcement about incorporating Greenland into the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join the board, which would include global leaders with Trump serving as lifetime chairman.