US President Donald Trump has issued a strong ultimatum to Iran, warning that time is running out for reaching an agreement on its nuclear program. In a post on his Truth Social account on January 28, Trump said a large US naval fleet is moving toward Iran and is ready for rapid operations. He cautioned that if negotiations fail to progress, future attacks on Iran would be far more devastating than before. Iran rejected the US threat outright. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran would not bow to American pressure and that its armed forces are fully prepared for any situation. He added that Iran is open to fair and equal negotiations without coercion. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed Iran’s government is at its weakest point and its economy in deep crisis. In response, Araghchi warned that any US aggression would be met with immediate and severe retaliation. Iran’s mission to the United Nations also indicated willingness for fair talks but warned that any attempt to impose terms would trigger unprecedented countermeasures.

A protest rally and gathering were held in Dhaka on Wednesday night in response to an attack on Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kazi Maria Islam Baby. The incident occurred earlier that afternoon in Ward 52 of the capital’s Kadamtali area, where she was reportedly injured by members of the Jubo Dal while conducting campaign activities in the Dhaka-4 constituency. The protest, organized by the Kadamtali unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, began at Muradpur Zero Point and concluded after marching through key roads. Leaders and activists from the Dhaka South Jamaat, including Ashraful Alam Imon, participated in the demonstration. The Dhaka South Jamaat and Dhaka-4 candidate Syed Zainul Abedin strongly condemned and protested the attack. Kazi Maria Islam Baby is identified as a Rukon and women’s leader of Jamaat-e-Islami. The protest reflected growing political tension in the area following the attack, with party leaders emphasizing their opposition to violence against political activists.

In a detailed commentary published on January 29, 2026, researcher and journalist Amir Khasru analyzed the evolution of state security and defense concepts, emphasizing Bangladesh’s need to adapt to changing global realities. He traced the historical roots of defense thinking from ancient civilizations to modern times, arguing that defense and security should not be equated with warfare. Khasru highlighted that small and weaker states must ensure participatory national defense arrangements to safeguard sovereignty. The article discussed how colonial and neo-colonial influences created psychological dependency among smaller nations, weakening their defense outlook. It examined theories from Harold Nicolson, Hans Morgenthau, and Stephen Walt to explain how diplomacy, realism, and the balance of threat shape modern international relations. Khasru also warned against “fake narrative theories” used by dominant powers to manipulate perceptions and undermine sovereign defense systems. He concluded that Bangladesh must remain alert to global shifts where defense diplomacy and threat balancing increasingly define alliances, citing examples such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey’s recent defense cooperation.

After beginning his second term as U.S. president in early 2025, Donald Trump issued a wave of executive orders reversing 78 of his predecessor Joe Biden’s directives. He withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, lifted restrictions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and tightened border security. Trump’s administration also imposed sweeping tariffs, including a 10 percent levy on all imports and up to 50 percent on goods from 57 countries, triggering global economic turmoil. Trump’s foreign policy actions have further heightened tensions worldwide. He attempted to end the Russia-Ukraine war, intervened in Gaza to broker a ceasefire, and launched attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In early 2026, he ordered the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and threatened Iran’s leadership. He also expressed intentions to acquire Greenland, even considering military force before retracting the idea. At the Davos Economic Forum, Trump announced the creation of a new organization called the “Board of Peace” to rebuild Gaza, which many observers viewed as an attempt to undermine the United Nations and reshape global governance under U.S. influence.

BNP-nominated candidate Rashed Khan has pledged to improve education, health, and communication infrastructure in Jhenaidah-4 constituency, which includes Kaliganj upazila and four unions of the sadar area, if he wins the upcoming national election. He made the commitment on Wednesday afternoon during a public rally at the Government Bhushan High School field in Kaliganj town. During his speech, Rashed Khan said that no roads in the area would remain unpaved and that all citizens would receive essential services. He warned those who had taken control of local markets after August 5 that extortion would no longer be tolerated. Addressing Hindu residents, he assured them of full safety under BNP and urged voters to reject anyone misusing the party’s symbol or name for personal gain. He also criticized an independent candidate, accusing him of relying on falsehoods to seek votes. The rally reflected Rashed Khan’s campaign focus on local development and law and order issues ahead of the national polls.

Hasanat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region, said on Wednesday night that after the fall of a brutal dictatorship and the loss of two thousand lives in July and August, it is unimaginable that people would again be killed for political reasons. He made the remarks in a Facebook post referring to the killing of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami in Sherpur-3 Sreebardi upazila. In his post, Hasanat held both the BNP and the government responsible for the incident, alleging that since Tarique Rahman’s return to the country, the government and administration have been favoring a particular party. He also accused the BNP of internal conflicts that have led to multiple killings over the past one and a half years, saying repeated warnings were ignored. Hasanat questioned Tarique Rahman’s plans to prevent his party members from engaging in violence while promoting programs like family and farmer cards. The statement reflects growing concern over renewed political violence and accountability among major parties following recent unrest in Sherpur.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) continues to face a deepening trust crisis ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and a simultaneous referendum scheduled for February 12. The commission has repeatedly altered decisions, amended laws and codes of conduct mid-process, and faced legal complications over schedules and constituency boundaries. A new directive barring election officials from campaigning for or against the referendum has sparked further debate, as the government’s ongoing ‘yes’ campaign may send mixed signals to voters. Observers note that the EC’s limited experience in organizing large-scale national polls without prior local elections raises concerns about its preparedness. The commission, formed in November 2024 under the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has been criticized for inconsistent decisions, including leniency toward loan defaulters and dual citizens, and for controversies over postal ballots, party symbols, and registration. Election analysts argue that frequent rule changes have weakened the EC’s credibility, while commissioners insist they are acting fairly and without political pressure. The High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to halt the election and referendum.

Political tension has escalated in Rangpur after Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader publicly urged voters to reject the upcoming referendum, calling it unconstitutional. His remarks criticizing several political groups, July movement activists, and journalists have drawn sharp reactions from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the NCP, who accused him of provoking unrest and serving partisan interests. Ordinary voters have also expressed concern over the growing hostility. BNP leaders demanded Quader’s immediate arrest, while Jamaat leaders alleged that the Jatiya Party was helping the Awami League regain political ground. NCP representatives accused him of advancing a foreign agenda under the guise of the referendum. July movement activists and local journalists condemned his comments as divisive and disrespectful. In response, Jatiya Party officials defended Quader’s statements as deliberate and justified. Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Majid stated that law enforcement is fully prepared to prevent any disorder related to the referendum and will not allow clashes to occur.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Dhaka-14 constituency, announced plans to introduce a 'Paharadar App' and create dignified employment opportunities for professional extortionists. He made the announcement on Wednesday during his election manifesto presentation at Mirpur College Auditorium in Dhaka. Arman described extortion as a serious problem affecting Mirpur residents and pledged never to engage in such practices. He said the proposed 'Paharadar App' would allow victims to file anonymous complaints, enabling authorities to take action. Additionally, he promised to help professional extortionists reintegrate into normal life through honorable work opportunities. Following the manifesto announcement, Arman began the seventh day of his election campaign with a rally promoting his election symbol, the balance scale, in front of Mirpur College. He later conducted voter outreach activities in Amin Bazar to conclude the day’s campaign events.

The Chittagong University (CU) unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest march on Wednesday night following the death of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sreebardi upazila unit in Sherpur. Karim was killed in a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters over seating arrangements on an election manifesto stage in the Sherpur-3 constituency. The demonstration began at the university’s Zero Point around 11:30 p.m. and passed through several campus locations before concluding with speeches. During the rally, CU Shibir secretary Mohammad Parvez accused rival political groups of continuing a pattern of violence similar to earlier political unrest, warning of retaliation if such actions persisted. Office secretary Habibullah Khaled alleged that killings and attacks, including those targeting women, were being carried out under political direction, criticizing national leadership for remaining silent on the incidents. The protest reflected growing campus-level tensions linked to political violence surrounding the upcoming election, as student groups aligned with national parties responded to the Sherpur incident.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused a rival political party of misusing religious sentiments in its election campaign. At a press conference held on Wednesday at the BNP’s Gulshan office, Mahadi Amin, spokesperson for the party’s central election management committee, alleged that the rival party was offering promises of paradise, making voters swear on the Quran, and even proposing cash transfers via mobile payment services in exchange for votes. He described these actions as political hypocrisy and called on all parties to adhere to the electoral code of conduct. Amin further criticized the rival party’s leader for announcing the establishment of a public university and the upgrade of Bogura municipality to a city corporation, both of which he said were already approved by the government. He also condemned the reported dismissal of a mosque muezzin in Naogaon for supporting BNP’s election symbol, calling it a violation of democratic rights. Referring to a video from Sylhet, Amin said a candidate’s claim that police would need his permission to enter homes was unconstitutional and demanded appropriate action from authorities.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) stated that the law and order situation is better than expected and that preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum are stronger than in previous years. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon after a divisional meeting on law and order in Sylhet, held at the PTI Auditorium in Subidbazar. Chowdhury emphasized that all officials involved in election duties are competent and honest, with no political bias. He detailed extensive security measures, including CCTV cameras at every polling center, drones at selected centers, body-worn cameras, dog squads, and the deployment of ten Ansar members per center, three of whom will be armed. Strike forces from the army, navy, air force, RAB, BGB, coast guard, and police, along with mobile teams, will also be on duty. The meeting was attended by senior administrative and law enforcement officials from Sylhet and neighboring districts, as well as representatives from various security agencies.

The Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest on Wednesday night, January 28, 2026, condemning the killing of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sreebardi upazila unit in Sherpur. The incident occurred during a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters at an election manifesto event in Sherpur-3 constituency. The protest march began at the university’s Zoha Chattar around 11:30 p.m., circled 17 residential halls, and concluded at the starting point. During the demonstration, participants chanted slogans accusing BNP of political violence and holding its leadership responsible for the killing. RU Shibir office secretary Mujahid Islam denounced the incident, alleging that BNP’s armed groups were behind the attack, and warned that the public would reject such politics in the upcoming February 12 election. Senate member Fahim Reza also condemned the violence, saying the killing marked a return to political bloodshed that many hoped had ended after August 5. Speakers at the protest called for accountability and urged voters to oppose what they described as BNP’s violent political tactics through the ballot box.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 52 individuals in the capital within the last 24 hours under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The information was confirmed on Wednesday by DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Muhammad Talebur Rahman. The arrests were made during coordinated drives across multiple police stations in Dhaka. According to the DMP, the operation involved police from Kotwali, Demra, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Badda, Paltan, Adabar, Bangshal, Chawkbazar, Kalabagan, Jatrabari, Rampura, Gendaria, Darus Salam, Shilpanchal, Shahbagh, Wari, and Uttara West stations. Among those arrested, Hazaribagh police detained 12 people, Mohammadpur six, Jatrabari eight, and Shahbagh five, while other stations reported smaller numbers. All detainees have been sent to court. The operation is part of an ongoing citywide effort by DMP to conduct targeted raids under the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt, focusing on maintaining law and order in Dhaka.

Authorities have partially blocked access to the popular news website BD Today (www.bdtoday.net) without any prior announcement, according to a report published on January 29, 2026. The site, which has been operating for 14 years, is known for publishing content critical of fascism and Indian hegemony. Its publisher expressed anger over the latest restriction, noting that the site is currently inaccessible on mobile devices. BD Today’s editor, Dr. Mokarram Hossain, told Amar Desh that the portal is legally registered under Bangladesh’s company law and not an unverified outlet. He said discussions with mobile operators revealed that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) had ordered the block. The editorial team strongly protested the move and demanded that access be restored immediately. Attempts to reach BTRC Vice Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique for comment were unsuccessful, but a senior official from a mobile operator confirmed that the block was implemented under BTRC’s directive.