The Rural Electrification Board (REB) will distribute leaflets titled 'Yes' to its 37.2 million customers ahead of the upcoming referendum. The announcement was made on Sunday, January 18, during a meeting between REB Chairman Major General S M Ziaul Alam and Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, at the latter’s office. Special Assistant Monir Haidar was also present at the meeting. According to a press release issued by Senior Information Officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin from the Department of Information, the leaflets will promote support for change in the forthcoming referendum. The initiative reflects REB’s involvement in disseminating information related to the national vote. No further details were provided regarding the distribution timeline or the specific content of the leaflets beyond their title and purpose.

A woman named Rehena Akter, mother of July fighter and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Yasin Arfat Choton, was killed in an attack allegedly led by a local Sramik League leader in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Khedarghona area of Khuniapalong Union’s Ward No. 1. According to local sources, the attack stemmed from a land dispute. The assailants, led by Zaher Alam Kalu, son of Faridul Alam and president of the Sramik League’s Ward No. 1 unit, reportedly attacked Choton’s home with sharp weapons. Rehena Akter was injured and died on the way to the hospital. Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Bhuiyan stated that a long-standing land conflict existed between the two parties. On the morning of the incident, Kalu went to the disputed land, leading to an argument. During the altercation, Kalu allegedly struck Rehena Begum on the head with a spade. Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway regarding the case. The report identifies Zaher Alam Kalu as the president of the Sramik League’s Khuniapalong Union Ward No. 1 unit.

Power generation at the 525-megawatt Barapukuria coal-based thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, has been completely shut down due to mechanical failures. The shutdown has caused load-shedding across Dinajpur and nearby areas. The plant’s first unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, stopped production on Sunday morning after its boiler tube burst. The chief engineer, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, said repairs would begin once the boiler cools, but it is uncertain when production will resume. The plant’s second unit, also 125 megawatts, has been inactive since November 2020, while the third unit, with 275 megawatts capacity, has been offline since November last year due to mechanical issues. The Barapukuria plant, operated by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), relies on coal from the Barapukuria mine. The third unit, managed by Chinese contractor Harbin International, awaits spare parts from China for repair. The engineer expects it may return to production by March, though delays persist as the contractor cites increased equipment costs. The prolonged outage underscores the aging condition of the plant’s infrastructure and its dependence on foreign parts for maintenance.

Bangladesh began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 21-run victory over the United States at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu. After losing the toss and batting first, Bangladesh posted 159 for 5 in 20 overs, led by Sharmin Akter’s 63 off 39 balls. Sobhana Mostary added 32 and Swarna Akter contributed 16 runs late in the innings. In reply, the United States managed 137 for 9, falling short despite a strong start from openers Chetna Pagdiyala and Disha Dhingra. Spinner Nahida Akter claimed four wickets for Bangladesh, including three in the 18th over, while Rabeya Khan took two. For the United States, Ritu Singh scored 33 off 13 balls but could not prevent defeat. Bangladesh’s next group matches are against Papua New Guinea on January 20, Namibia on January 22, and Ireland on January 24. The top four teams from the qualifying tournament will advance to the main World Cup, with the top three from each group entering the Super Six stage to compete for those spots.

Bangladesh’s interim government is awaiting China’s approval to begin implementing the Teesta Master Plan, a major initiative aimed at boosting economic growth and water resource management in the country’s northern region. According to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, all required documents have been sent to the Chinese government, and final discussions on financing have been completed. She made the remarks on Sunday afternoon during a voter awareness meeting in Nilphamari. Hasan stated that a team of Chinese experts is currently reviewing the technical, financial, and implementation frameworks of the project. Once the evaluation is complete and China gives its final consent, work on what is described as the country’s largest development project will officially begin. She added that the plan’s implementation would bring positive changes to agriculture, irrigation, flood control, and environmental balance in the northern region, fulfilling a long-standing expectation of local residents. The event was chaired by Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman and attended by officials from the Rangpur divisional administration. The nationwide campaign was organized with support from several ministries.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin stated that no bias was shown during the appeal hearings against decisions made by returning officers. He made the remarks on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Election Building after nine consecutive days of hearings. The CEC emphasized that the Election Commission had also waived the requirement for independent candidates to gather signatures from one percent of voters, aiming to ensure broader participation in the upcoming election. Nasir Uddin acknowledged that some might criticize the Commission’s decisions but reiterated that all judgments were made impartially by him and his team. He expressed appreciation for the cooperation received during the hearings and hoped for continued support in the future. Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah added that the Commission reluctantly allowed some loan defaulters to contest, as permitted by law. The CEC’s remarks highlight the Commission’s intent to promote inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process while addressing concerns about fairness and legal compliance.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser and chief coordinator of the Dhaka-17 election campaign committee, Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam, has said that the upcoming election is not merely a political contest but a decisive event for restoring democracy and determining the country’s future. He made the remarks on Sunday at the campaign headquarters in Banani during a meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Cooperative Party. During the event, Salam urged party activists to fulfill their assigned responsibilities properly, emphasizing that only through dedicated work could they ensure the election of their leader, Tarique Rahman. He also called on all campaigners in Dhaka-17 to strengthen their efforts and act responsibly in the run-up to the polls. The meeting was attended by BNP Chairperson’s adviser Nazimuddin Alam, assistant information secretary Shamimur Rahman, Nur Afroze Jyoti, Bir Muktijoddha Lutfur Rahman, and other party leaders and activists.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has warned that the European Union will take retaliatory action if the United States enforces its threatened tariffs against European allies over the Greenland issue. Speaking to Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ on Sunday, Martin said the situation has escalated dramatically and rapidly, and that any tariff imposition could lead to a very serious global scenario. He emphasized that while the EU has a strong protective law known as the Anti-Coercion Instrument, it would be premature to invoke it at this stage. Martin stressed that dialogue should remain the main path to avoid a trade war, noting that discussions are essential to prevent escalation and that no concrete steps have yet been taken. He added that although applying the Anti-Coercion Instrument now would be early, it could remain on the table for future consideration. Analysts cited in the report expressed concern that the growing tension between Europe and Washington over the Greenland-related tariff threat could negatively affect the global trade system.

At a Sunday morning dialogue titled 'Judicial Independence and Rule of Law' organized by the Center for Governance Studies at Sirdap Auditorium in Dhaka, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam cautioned against using the term 'mob' to describe revolutionary movements. He said that equating the fall of Bastille with street looters would be inappropriate and warned that any attempt to subtly question the legitimacy of the recent revolution would be unacceptable. He emphasized that while criminal acts must be suppressed firmly, efforts to undermine revolutionary achievements should not be tolerated. After delivering his remarks, Tazul Islam left the event. Following his departure, Ruhin Hossain Prince, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), described the Chief Prosecutor’s comments as a 'threat'. Prince argued that advocating for the rule of law while simultaneously inciting mobs was contradictory and unacceptable in Bangladesh. The exchange highlighted differing interpretations of the revolution’s portrayal and the boundaries of acceptable political discourse in the context of Bangladesh’s evolving governance landscape.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate of Sarail, Abu Bakar Sarkar, has filed a petition with the Senior Civil Judge Court seeking legal action against Barrister Rumin Farhana, an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency. The petition, submitted on January 18, 2026, alleges that a public meeting was organized in support of Rumin Farhana in violation of the electoral code of conduct. According to the petition, the event organizer, Jewel Mia, was fined 40,000 taka by an Executive Magistrate from the District Commissioner’s office. The complaint also accuses Rumin Farhana of threatening an on-duty Executive Magistrate and obstructing judicial proceedings, which were described as clear breaches of election regulations. The UNO requested the court to take necessary legal measures in response. The UNO further stated that earlier, on January 11, 2026, Rumin Farhana’s supporter Ashiqur Rahman had been fined 5,000 taka for a similar violation of the electoral code.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has alleged that the country’s administration is gradually leaning toward a specific political party. Speaking to journalists on Sunday night, January 18, 2026, after a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, he warned that if this trend continues, public confidence in a free and fair election will erode. He also said the Election Commission would not be able to avoid responsibility if the principle of equality in the electoral field is violated. Dr. Taher claimed that administrative officials across the country are showing visible bias toward the BNP, particularly among SPs and DCs who are also serving as returning officers. He said Jamaat has prepared a list of such officials but has not yet filed a written complaint. He further alleged that the government’s recent provision of extra security and protocol for a top leader of one party breaches electoral neutrality. Taher stated that Jamaat has drawn the Chief Adviser’s attention to these issues and requested his intervention if the Election Commission fails to act effectively.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on National Security Adviser Dr. Khilur Rahman on Sunday at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Dhaka. According to the press wing, the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere and covered discussions on the integrated management and restoration of the Teesta River and the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital. Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the long-standing friendship and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China. The Chinese ambassador stated that he would visit the Teesta project area and reiterated China’s commitment to completing the ongoing technical assessment quickly. He also conveyed his government’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and extended best wishes for the upcoming national election. The two parties expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has scheduled January 22 for delivering an order on charge framing against seven accused, including two top leaders of the banned organization Chhatra League, in a case over killings during the July Revolution. The accused include Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan. The three-member panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed the date after hearing both prosecution and defense arguments. According to the source, the prosecution, represented by Mizanul Islam and Gazi M.H. Tamim, argued for formal charges and trial initiation, citing individual responsibility of the accused. Defense lawyers Lokman Hawlader and Ishrat Jahan claimed their clients were not involved and sought discharge due to lack of evidence. The tribunal had earlier issued arrest warrants after the accused failed to appear on January 8 and were later deemed absconding. The prosecution had submitted formal charges on December 18, leading the tribunal to accept the allegations and issue warrants. Law enforcement agencies reported being unable to locate the accused at their listed addresses, prompting a public notice on December 30.

In Jessore’s Sharsha upazila, road construction work in Jirengacha village was allegedly halted and bricks removed after a contractor refused to pay extortion money. The incident occurred on Friday night in Ulashi Union. Contractor Nasir Uddin of Sarun & Safa Traders said work on a 73-meter road, costing about 350,000 taka, began on January 15. Local resident Arman Hossain, known as Dablue, allegedly demanded money and stopped the work when refused. The contractor reported that workers were forced to leave, and the next morning he found part of the road’s bricks removed. He is preparing a written complaint to the upazila administration. Local residents claimed a group led by Dablue has long intimidated villagers in Jirengacha, Kashiadanga, and Matipukuria, controlling local activities through threats and extortion. Residents also alleged that the group interferes in social and religious events. Dablue denied all allegations, saying he was being targeted over a local dispute. Police confirmed multiple cases against him under various laws but said no written complaint had yet been filed regarding this incident. Authorities stated that an investigation and legal action will follow once a formal complaint is received.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking to establish an international organization called the 'Board of Peace' as an alternative to the United Nations, according to a Bloomberg report. The draft charter obtained by Bloomberg states that Trump would serve as the first chairman with full veto power over membership selection and removal. Countries would be required to pay one billion dollars to become permanent members, while general membership would last three years. The draft charter argues that existing international structures have failed to maintain peace and calls for a more flexible and effective global peace body. Analysts believe this initiative signals Trump’s intent to create a parallel framework to the UN. The Board of Peace is described as an organization aimed at ensuring stability, lawful governance, and sustainable peace in conflict-prone regions. According to the report, several countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada, have been invited to join the board to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and interim governance. Egypt is still considering the invitation, while Canada has expressed interest.