Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, the candidate of the 11-party alliance for the Sunamganj-2 constituency, has called for a transparent and neutral list of presiding and polling officers for the upcoming election. In a video message released on Thursday, he demanded that individuals holding party positions be excluded from the list and not be trained for election duties. He emphasized that intelligence agencies are aware of such affiliations and insisted that no leniency should be shown in ensuring neutrality. In his live address, which quickly went viral, Monir also urged the deployment of army personnel at vulnerable polling centers and suggested equipping police officers with body cameras, noting that the government has the necessary budget for this. Addressing assistant returning officers, he criticized the lack of proactive measures and encouraged them to use intelligence sources to ensure a fair and impartial election process. His remarks reflect growing concerns about election transparency and administrative neutrality in the Sunamganj-2 constituency ahead of the polls.

The Shahjadapur Union BNP committee in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria has been suspended for allegedly campaigning for independent candidate Rumin Farhana against the BNP-led alliance nominee in the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency. The decision was announced Wednesday night through a press release signed by upazila BNP office secretary A.B.M. Salauddin, citing violations of party discipline and disregard for central directives. All activities of the 71-member committee will remain halted until further notice. Earlier, six leaders from the Shahbazpur Union BNP, including its general secretary, were expelled for similar disciplinary breaches. These consecutive actions have sparked widespread discussion within the local BNP. Party and local sources said most Shahjadapur BNP leaders had joined Rumin Farhana’s campaign after the election announcement, ignoring repeated internal warnings. Sarail upazila BNP president Anisul Islam stated that the suspension aims to uphold party discipline and may be reconsidered if members pledge to follow party decisions. The move has drawn mixed reactions among local activists, with some viewing it as necessary discipline and others as deepening internal division.

A protest rally was held in Dhaka’s Kadamthali area on Thursday morning demanding the arrest of those involved in the attack on Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kazi Maria Islam Baby. The demonstration was organized by the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Kadamthali unit following an assault on Baby during a campaign for party candidate Syed Zainul Abedin in Dhaka-4 constituency. The rally marched through key roads and concluded with a gathering attended by a large number of female activists from Dhaka city and local units. Speakers at the rally alleged that certain groups were attempting to disrupt the election atmosphere through violence and intimidation. They described Jamaat as a disciplined organization and emphasized their intention to respond peacefully. Participants were urged to continue their outreach work in support of the party’s electoral symbol. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Ward 52 of Kadamthali, left Baby injured with four stitches on her head. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Dhaka South Jamaat and candidate Syed Zainul Abedin.

Twelve leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Habiganj district resigned on Wednesday night, January 28, 2026, alleging the rehabilitation of fascist forces and the deliberate exclusion of July fighters. The announcement came during an emergency press conference at the party’s temporary office in the Babystand area of Habiganj town. Two days earlier, senior joint member secretary Palash Mahmud had also resigned, bringing the total number of resignations to thirteen. At the press conference, the resigning leaders claimed that the NCP’s central committee had deviated from its centrist political stance by joining two alliances within two months. They also accused senior leaders and advisers of corruption and expressed dissatisfaction over candidate nominations, saying July fighters were unwilling to support the nominated candidates. The leaders alleged that grassroots activists linked to the July movement were excluded to create a loyal faction, while the district committee failed organizationally. Palash Mahmud confirmed that all thirteen resignation letters had been sent to the central committee. He said the decision stemmed from frustration and that he currently saw no centrist political party in Bangladesh to join.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir has declared that the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to safeguard national sovereignty and regional integrity against all forms of threats. He made the statement on Wednesday during a visit to the Bahawalpur Garrison, according to a release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) cited by Geo News. During the inspection, Munir praised the officers and soldiers for their high morale, professional competence, and operational readiness. He emphasized the importance of maintaining maximum preparedness to meet future battlefield and security challenges. Munir noted that the Pakistan Armed Forces are undergoing significant transformation across various sectors. He said that the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements and that future conflicts will depend heavily on technological strategies. To address this, Pakistan’s military is swiftly adopting modern technologies.

BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin has described the violence in Sherpur, which erupted during an election manifesto announcement, as deeply regrettable and undesirable. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Gulshan office on Thursday, he said the conflict and resulting death over a trivial seating dispute were unacceptable. Amin alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami activists had occupied all chairs at the event and refused to vacate seats allocated for BNP members despite repeated administrative requests. He stated that the party had expected a festive and peaceful election atmosphere following the recent mass uprising, but the Sherpur incident disrupted that hope. Citing social media footage, Amin claimed that police, administration, army, and senior BNP leaders had urged the Jamaat candidate to take an alternative route to avoid confrontation, but he ignored the advice. One person was killed and more than 40 BNP activists were injured, several critically. Amin demanded a prompt and credible investigation and urged the interim government to prevent recurrence of such incidents. He also called for all political parties to act responsibly and for law enforcement agencies to strengthen their role in ensuring a fair election.

A protest march was held in Dhaka on Thursday demanding the arrest of attackers who assaulted Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kazi Maria Islam Baby during an election campaign. The demonstration, organized by the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Kadamtali Thana unit, began at 11:30 a.m. and concluded with a rally after marching through key roads. A large number of female leaders and activists from Dhaka city and local Jamaat units participated. According to the report, the attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Ward 52 of Kadamtali, where unidentified assailants struck Kazi Maria Islam Baby on the head with a sharp weapon while she was campaigning for party candidate Syed Zainul Abedin in Dhaka-4. She received four stitches after being taken to a doctor. The incident drew strong condemnation from Dhaka South Jamaat and the constituency’s candidate, Syed Zainul Abedin. Speakers at the rally alleged that certain groups were trying to disrupt the election environment through violence and urged supporters to continue peaceful campaign activities in favor of the party symbol.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour has called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and an end to any attempts to control the enclave’s future. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he said that achieving a permanent ceasefire requires Israel’s full departure. Mansour emphasized that resolving the Palestinian issue is as urgent as addressing other global conflicts. Welcoming the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, Mansour said the plan could end killings, famine, and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians. He questioned the lack of accountability for victims, citing families still searching for loved ones killed or missing under rubble. Mansour also condemned Israeli actions against humanitarian organizations, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and NGOs, saying repeated attacks on UN facilities have weakened their operations. He reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, and described the occupation as illegal and without any legitimate right.

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday morning at the party chief’s office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. The meeting began around 9:30 a.m., with EU Political First Secretary Sebastian Reiger-Brown accompanying the ambassador. During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the European Union. The upcoming national parliamentary election in Bangladesh and the importance of making democracy meaningful were highlighted as key topics. Both parties expressed optimism about maintaining mutual relations, development, and progress in the future. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Head of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer and Foreign Affairs Adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan were also present at the meeting.

The article recounts the life and struggle of Shahid Titumir, born Syed Nisar Ali Mir in 1781 in Chandpur village of Barasat, Bengal. A disciple of Syed Ahmad Shahid, Titumir led a major anti-British and anti-zamindar movement in the early nineteenth century. After returning from Hajj in 1827, he began social and religious reform in Haidarapur, attracting hundreds of followers who adopted distinct Islamic practices. His movement gained momentum among Muslim peasants, alarming local Hindu landlords who imposed discriminatory taxes such as the 'beard tax'. When peaceful appeals failed, Titumir organized armed resistance, establishing a bamboo fort at Narkelberia in 1831. Titumir’s forces achieved early victories against British troops and local landlords, briefly controlling several villages in Barasat and Nadia. However, on 19 November 1831, a large British force defeated his followers in a decisive battle at Narkelberia. Titumir and many of his companions were killed, and their properties confiscated. Contemporary records suggest the movement began as a local reform effort but evolved into a broader rebellion against colonial and feudal oppression. Historians later viewed Titumir’s uprising as a foundational episode in Bengal’s anti-colonial resistance, blending religious reform with socio-political mobilization.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that Bangladesh would make a significant leap forward if extortion and corruption were stopped. He made the remarks on Thursday at an election rally in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-12 constituency, in support of Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate Saiful Alam Khan Milon. During his speech, Dr. Rahman emphasized the potential of the country’s youth, saying that no other nation has as many young people as Bangladesh. He described the youth as the architects of the nation’s future and said they should not be humiliated by being given unemployment allowances. Instead, he pledged to turn their hands into those of skilled workers. The comments were made as part of Jamaat-e-Islami’s election campaign activities in Dhaka, focusing on anti-corruption and youth empowerment themes.

US Senator Marco Rubio commented on the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to lose power. Speaking in the Senate shortly after President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Tehran, Rubio said it was unclear who would lead Iran in such a scenario. He cautioned that any forced regime change in Iran would be far more complex than the situation in Venezuela and noted that the aftermath of a government collapse would not have simple answers. Rubio also mentioned that the United States might take preemptive defensive measures to protect its troops and allied facilities in the region if necessary, though he expressed hope that such a situation could be avoided. Meanwhile, Trump announced on social media that a large naval fleet was moving toward Iran and urged Tehran to return to negotiations to halt nuclear weapons development. Iran rejected the US warnings, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that no talks could occur under threats and warning of an immediate and strong response to any military action. Both sides have maintained their positions, with Washington seeking a nuclear deal and Tehran insisting on continuing peaceful nuclear activities.

Three people were killed and one injured in a Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine early Thursday, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The governor of Zaporizhzhia said in a Telegram post that two women and one man died, while another man was wounded. He added that several houses were destroyed and fires broke out in multiple locations. The attack occurred as Ukraine faces a series of deadly strikes across the country during harsh winter conditions, disrupting electricity supplies. The conflict, now nearing four years, has prompted renewed diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the next round of talks could take place on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that another meeting may happen this week, possibly with U.S. participation. Ukrainian authorities reported that at least 16 people were killed nationwide between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in Russian attacks.

Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a multimedia bus campaign in support of its electoral symbol, the scale, ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. The bus was formally inaugurated on Thursday morning in Mirpur by the party’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Operating under the slogan “Let’s build Bangladesh together,” the bus will be used for digital campaign activities across the capital. During the inauguration, Dr. Rahman stated that the party seeks to build a just, humane, and safe society, emphasizing the need to transform Mirpur from an area once affected by violence into a secure community. He expressed hopes that if Jamaat forms the government, it will serve the people rather than rule over them, ensuring that everyone receives their due rights. Senior Jamaat leaders, including central executive council member Mobarak Hossain, Dhaka-15 election director Abdur Rahman Musa, and national election committee member Saifullah Mansur, were present at the event.

An article published on January 29, 2026, revisits the 360th anniversary of Shaista Khan’s conquest of Chittagong, a decisive Mughal military campaign conducted between December 24, 1665, and January 27, 1666. The campaign, led by Shaista Khan’s son and chief commander Buzurg Umed Khan, began from Dhaka’s Lalbagh Fort and combined naval and land forces to capture Sandwip, advance through Jugidia, and finally cross the Feni River to launch the Chittagong assault. The four-day battle at the Karnaphuli River estuary ended with the defeat of the Arakanese forces and the expansion of Mughal control from northern to southern Chittagong. The article contrasts this event with the concurrent Great Plague in England, describing 1665–1666 as Europe’s “Years of Wonder.” While England faced epidemic and war, Bengal witnessed the end of colonial disorder through Shaista Khan’s strategic victory. The conquest ended over a century of Portuguese and Arakanese dominance in Chittagong, restoring peace and stability to the region. The piece highlights the campaign’s enduring recognition as a landmark in Bengal’s history for its tactical brilliance and its role in freeing the region from foreign control.