Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yusuf S.W.Y. Ramadan, paid a courtesy visit to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his office in Bashundhara, Dhaka, on Wednesday morning. Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, was also present during the meeting. According to Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. During the discussion, Dr. Rahman reiterated the deep and historic relationship between Bangladesh and Palestine, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh, regardless of political affiliation, would always stand by the just struggle of the Palestinian people. He urged the United Nations, the OIC, and the international community to take effective measures to stop Israel’s occupation and forced eviction plans in Gaza. The Palestinian ambassador expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Palestinian people for Bangladesh’s sincere support and solidarity, expressing hope that this cooperation would continue in the future.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 candidate Akhtar Hossain has alleged that incidents of harassment against women during election campaigns reflect a repetition of the Awami League’s past actions. Speaking at a courtyard meeting in Taiyab village of Pirgacha upazila on Wednesday morning, he said that reports of women’s hijabs being pulled off and indecent remarks during campaign activities have spread across media and social platforms. Hossain stated that those harassing women are repeating what he called the Awami League’s shameful history, recalling a 2018 incident in Noakhali’s Subarnachar. He urged the government and administration to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in such acts, regardless of political affiliation. He also expressed concern over the law and order situation and said that such incidents undermine both personal freedom and the right to political participation. Referring to repeated attacks in Dhaka-8 constituency, Hossain condemned the violence and claimed that recent events confirm fears about the lack of a level playing field in the upcoming 13th national election.

India’s upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, adopted a condolence motion on Wednesday mourning the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. The motion was presented in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and members stood in silence to pay tribute to Zia. The session also included condolence motions for former Rajya Sabha members L. Ganesan and Suresh Kalnadi. Before the submission of official documents, Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan read out the condolence messages for the deceased, followed by a one-minute silence observed by all members. The session began with the President’s address, attended by Modi, cabinet ministers, and other members of the upper house. Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier visited Dhaka to pay his last respects.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that many countries are refusing to accept Bangladeshi passports because of widespread forgery. Speaking at the inauguration of the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 and the launch of the Bangladesh Innovation Challenge website and logo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he described Bangladesh as a “factory of fraud.” He said fake visas, passports, and certificates have damaged the country’s reputation abroad. Yunus shared an account of a discussion with a Middle Eastern minister who explained that his country and several others have barred entry to Bangladeshis after discovering forged educational and professional certificates. He cited an example of a woman who presented a fake medical certificate to work abroad. Yunus urged that technology should not be used for deceit and called for moral reform and honesty in innovation. He emphasized that Bangladesh must correct its foundations, eliminate fraudulent practices, and empower youth to become ethical entrepreneurs so that the nation can stand proudly on the global stage.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has alleged that there is no level playing field in the ongoing election campaign. Speaking to journalists in Badda on Wednesday afternoon after a day of campaigning, he said that when candidates or their supporters are attacked or harassed and the administration takes no action, the situation cannot be described as fair. He urged voters to support his Shapla Koli symbol and to vote 'yes' in the referendum. Nahid Islam claimed that since Tuesday, the election environment has been disrupted across the country, with female activists of the 11-party alliance facing harassment and attacks. He alleged that NCP candidates in Dhaka-18 and Dhaka-8 were also assaulted. Pointing toward the BNP, he accused the party of using muscle power and creating an atmosphere of intimidation to obstruct the election process. He said complaints had been submitted to the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies but no remedy had been provided. He warned that if such conditions persist, the election could become one-sided and fail to reflect the people’s true verdict. He pledged to work for reform and a corruption-free, equitable state if elected.

A four-year-old boy named Muhammad Mezbah was rescued after being trapped for four hours in a deep tube well pit in Raozan upazila of Chattogram. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Joynagar village of Kadolpur Union. Fire service and police teams conducted the rescue operation, and the child was pulled out at 8:10 p.m. It was not immediately confirmed whether the boy was alive at the time of recovery. According to local residents, the pit had been dug for a government-installed deep tube well near houses built for homeless families. The area’s hilly terrain required deep excavation for water, but the pit reportedly remained unsecured for a long time. While playing, Mezbah accidentally fell into it. Witnesses said they initially heard the child crying but could not reach him due to the depth. Officials from the Raozan Fire Service and police confirmed that rescue efforts continued until the child was recovered. Mezbah is the younger of two children of day laborer Saiful Alam.

Forty-nine people, including children, women, and elderly residents, were injured on Wednesday afternoon when a rabid dog attacked pedestrians in various areas of Kulaura municipality in Moulvibazar. The victims received treatment at the Kulaura Upazila Health Complex. Among the injured were 40 men, 7 women, and 2 children. Locals later killed the dog after it bit multiple people in neighborhoods such as Joypasha, Magura, Bishrakandi, and Uttar Bazar. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Zakir Hossain said that 16 of the injured received free government-provided vaccines, but the hospital ran out of stock later that morning. Due to the shortage, other victims had to purchase vaccines privately. The Kulaura municipality had earlier supplied 300 doses to the hospital, but no government vaccines remain. The shortage has been reported to higher authorities. Municipal administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Mohiuddin stated that more vaccines will be purchased soon. He added that under current law, the municipality cannot conduct dog culling operations despite the rising number of stray dog attacks.

A devastating landslide in Indonesia’s West Java province has killed at least 50 people, with 32 others still missing as of Wednesday, according to local media reports. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors despite adverse weather and difficult terrain. Heavy machinery and tracking devices are being used to locate those trapped under mud and debris. Authorities reported earlier in the day that 48 people had been confirmed dead and 32 remained missing, citing the state news agency Antara. The disaster has displaced at least 685 residents, who have been moved to safer areas. The landslide struck a village in West Bandung Regency on Saturday, burying numerous homes. Separately, Indonesia’s Navy Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali said that 23 naval personnel were caught in the landslide during a training exercise in the same area. Four of them have been confirmed dead, while 19 remain missing. Rescue operations are ongoing despite the challenging conditions.

At an election rally in Rangpur’s Badarganj upazila on Wednesday evening, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 constituency candidate ATM Azharul Islam alleged that the Awami League government had arranged false witnesses through its own tribunal to sentence him to death. He said divine mercy and public support helped him regain freedom after years of imprisonment, asserting that no one can harm those protected by God. Azharul Islam stated that he was too young to fight in 1971 but was falsely branded a war criminal because of his advocacy for Islam. He claimed witnesses in his trial gave contradictory testimonies, saying they saw alleged killings from distances of three to nine kilometers. According to him, the tribunal’s fabricated evidence led to his 14-year imprisonment and torture. He further alleged that after his release, some witnesses admitted they were pressured and enticed by the Awami League government to testify falsely. Urging voters to reject corruption, he called for support for the 11-party alliance’s “scales” symbol and a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum on February 12.

The election field in Pabna-1 constituency has grown increasingly heated following the allocation of symbols for the upcoming national election. Tensions escalated further after former state minister and Awami League leader Professor Abu Sayeed joined the BNP, withdrawing his independent candidacy and pledging full support to BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman. Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, son of the late party chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, accused the BNP of conspiring to restore fascism by bringing Abu Sayeed into the party. He warned that such activities would be resisted. After receiving his election symbol, Momen alleged that BNP was attempting to disrupt the electoral environment and cautioned that administrative inaction could provoke public outrage. BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman rejected the allegations, stating that Abu Sayeed was not fascist and had long distanced himself from such politics. He said Abu Sayeed joined BNP through a proper process, strengthening the party’s position in the constituency.

Asif Mahmud, chairman of the NCP Election Steering Committee, warned that any attempt to seize polling centers by force would be met with counter-resistance. Speaking on Wednesday at a public rally during the NCP’s election march at the Shaheed Minar grounds in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, he said the party would also resist attacks on women and uphold justice in future governance. Mahmud highlighted Brahmanbaria’s history of participation in democratic movements from the anti-British struggle to the July uprising. He criticized the current government for failing to deliver development in the district and pledged that the Eleven-Party Alliance would ensure fair budget allocations for all regions if it came to power. He also mentioned that more than 30 alliance activists were injured in an attack on their candidate in Sherpur. At the same event, alliance candidate Maulana Ashraf Uddin vowed to establish a just Bangladesh, ensure transparency in governance, and resist foreign dominance if elected.

Palestinian-supporting US Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday. According to Reuters, an unidentified man sprayed an unknown dark-colored liquid on her while she was calling for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Police arrested the assailant on third-degree assault charges. Authorities have not yet disclosed details about the substance used, though Omar was not injured. C-SPAN footage showed the attacker rushing the stage as Omar demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Omar later said the liquid had a terrible smell but confirmed she was fine and planned to undergo a medical checkup. Returning to the stage, she reaffirmed her resilience, saying Minnesota remained strong despite such acts. She also posted on X that she would not be intimidated. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Republican Representative Nancy Mace condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in political discourse. Omar, a Somali-American and former refugee, has long faced opposition from conservatives for her progressive stances on immigration and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

South Africa defeated West Indies by nine wickets in the first match of their three-game T20 series. The match, held on Wednesday, saw South Africa chase down a target of 174 runs with 13 balls to spare. Aiden Markram led the hosts with an unbeaten 86 off 47 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes. Reeza Hendricks contributed 44 runs from 28 balls, while Ryan Rickelton added 40 not out. George Linde was named Player of the Match for taking three wickets for 25 runs. Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted 173 for seven in 20 overs. Despite a 39-run opening stand, they lost quick wickets and were reduced to 95 for five. Shimron Hetmyer scored 48 and Rovman Powell remained unbeaten on 29, helping their side reach a competitive total. For South Africa, Linde and Bosch shared five wickets between them. With this victory, South Africa took a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. The second T20 is scheduled to be played in Centurion on Thursday.

A team from the Detective Branch (DB) police detained eight young men from a flat in the Ghop Boubazar area of Jashore town and took them to Dhaka. The operation took place on Tuesday afternoon in a three-storey building named 'Amar Bari'. Local residents said plainclothes law enforcement officers had been seen in the area since morning, and the joint operation by DB and Jashore police began around 3 p.m. The identities of the detainees and the reasons for their arrest remain unknown. According to the building’s caretaker, police conducted a lengthy search in a second-floor flat before detaining the eight individuals. The building owner, Nazim Uddin from Dhaka, said the group had rented the flat about six months earlier, identifying themselves as freelancers who had set up an office there. He claimed not to know their names or further details. Jashore Kotwali Police Inspector (Investigation) Kazi Babul confirmed that a special DB team from headquarters led the operation, with local police providing assistance. Police officials stated that the purpose of the arrests was not disclosed to Jashore police, describing the event as a special operation.

The government has initiated a direct purchase (DPM) process to procure coal for the RPCL-Norinco power plant in Patuakhali, aiming to start commercial operation quickly. Officials said the move seeks to bypass prolonged tender delays that have kept the 1,320-megawatt plant idle since its test run in April last year. The project, built with $2.54 billion including $1.77 billion in Chinese loans, faces repayment pressure from lenders as coal shortages prevent full operation. Sector experts and senior Supreme Court lawyers have criticized the decision, calling it a violation of a High Court ruling that upheld a Singapore-based company’s right to supply coal after multiple tenders were canceled. They argue the government’s direct purchase plan exceeds its authority and could create long-term complications. The RPCL board has also approved emergency coal procurement from the EPC contractor consortium and plans to send a committee to Indonesia to identify potential mines. Experts warn that bypassing competitive tenders and relying on EPC contractors for coal could increase project costs, deepen dependency on imports, and further delay stable power generation.