The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema has started on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Gazipur. The event began after Maghrib prayers on January 30 with a sermon by Indian scholar Maulana Ibrahim Dewla. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers have gathered, with the grand Jummah prayer scheduled for January 31, led by Maulana Muhammad Zubair. The Ijtema will be held in two phases, with 41 districts participating in the first and 22 districts in the second. Strict security measures are in place.

In Quetta, Pakistan, Anwar-ul-Haq, a U.S. citizen, shot and killed his teenage daughter, Hira, for making TikTok videos. The family had lived in the U.S. for 25 years before moving to Pakistan. Anwar found Hira’s content “objectionable” and initially denied responsibility. Police are investigating it as a possible honor killing, a common crime in Pakistan. Hira’s phone has been seized, and Anwar’s brother-in-law has been arrested. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, emphasized that students are forming political parties not for personal ambitions but to safeguard the achievements of the nation. Speaking at a podcast hosted by Financial Times, Yunus warned that without student involvement, vested interests could take control, repeating past political patterns. He expressed confidence in the students’ readiness to organize nationwide campaigns. He also discussed the importance of maintaining national unity in the upcoming elections.

Sajjad Sharif, a jury member of the Bangla Academy Literary Award, resigned citing moral reasons after the institution’s integrity was compromised. Earlier, another jury member, Morshed Shafiul Hasan, stepped down. The controversy began when cultural adviser Mustafa Sarwar Faruqi criticized the absence of female writers in the award list, leading to the suspension of the awards. A new list of awardees was announced on January 29, and the awards will be presented on February 1 at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi condemned the Awami League’s call for a general strike, claiming that people are waiting for the party’s punishment instead. He highlighted ongoing injustice, mentioning incidents like the shooting of Ahnaf under Sheikh Hasina’s orders. Rizvi criticized law enforcement for failing to act against criminals and accused figures like Salman F. Rahman of corruption. He demanded swift justice for corrupt leaders and claimed that Sheikh Hasina and her children were part of a corrupt system.

A tragic collision between a sand-laden truck and a passenger CNG auto-rickshaw in Jamalpur on January 30 resulted in five fatalities. The accident occurred around 7 PM in Dipapai when the truck crushed the auto-rickshaw traveling from Madhupur, Tangail. Four people, including the driver, died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. The victims hailed from various areas of Jamalpur and Mymensingh, and their bodies were sent to Jamalpur Medical College Hospital.

The crescent moon of Shaban 1446 Hijri was not sighted in Bangladesh on January 30. As a result, the month of Shaban will begin on February 1, and Shab-e-Barat will be observed on the night of February 14. This decision was made during a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at Baitul Mukarram Mosque. The committee reviewed reports from various authorities, confirming the absence of moon sightings. Hence, Rajab will complete 30 days, and Shaban will start accordingly.

Interim government’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam dismissed reports about his resignation, stating he would announce such a decision himself. Addressing journalists on January 30, he clarified that no such decision has been made. A national daily had reported that he and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud might resign by February 15 to join a new student-led political party. Nahid refuted this, emphasizing that if they leave the government, it will be officially declared. Speculation about the new party has been ongoing, drawing reactions from BNP leadership.

WhatsApp is set to launch a multi-account feature allowing users to run two accounts on one phone. Available for both Android and iOS, this update will enable users to manage personal and professional accounts separately within the same app. Users can add a second account via QR code scanning or primary setup. Each account will have separate chats, notifications, and settings. Currently in development, the feature is expected to roll out soon, offering greater convenience and flexibility to users.

Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee who burned the Quran in Sweden in 2023, was shot and killed in a Stockholm apartment on January 29. Swedish police arrested five people but have not confirmed if the attacker is among them. Momika was live-streaming on TikTok during the attack. He was set to receive a court verdict for “crimes against an ethnic group” the next day. His Quran-burning acts, approved under Sweden’s free speech laws, sparked global Muslim outrage. His deportation was blocked due to human rights concerns.

A fire erupted at the Jahin Recycling Plant in Gazipur’s Monipur area on Thursday, January 30, around 1:30 PM. Five firefighting units were dispatched to the scene and are working to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading. No casualties have been reported so far. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage will be investigated. The authorities are focused on ensuring that the fire does not escalate further.

RAJUK Chairman Major General (Retd.) Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar stated that buildings up to 100 stories would be allowed if there is sufficient space. The Detailed Area Plan (DAP) is being revised, and a review committee has been formed. New regulations require at least a 20-foot-wide road for building approval, and illegal constructions will face penalties. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, with officials already dismissed. Dhaka’s unplanned development has led to 96% of buildings violating regulations, prompting strict enforcement.

A Dhaka court sentenced former Awami League MP Mizanur Rahman to eight years in prison for acquiring wealth beyond known sources. However, as the sentences will run concurrently, he will serve a maximum of five years. The court also ordered the confiscation of Tk 14.45 million. Mizanur was arrested after his bail was revoked. His lawyer claims the case was politically motivated and vows to appeal. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in 2019, and the court recorded testimony from 11 witnesses.

A BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended a breakfast meeting hosted by U.S. Charge d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson at her Gulshan residence on Thursday (January 30) at 10 AM. BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan confirmed the meeting. Senior BNP leaders, including Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Shama Obaed, participated in discussions. Additionally, two senior U.S. Embassy political officials were present at the event, highlighting ongoing diplomatic engagement between BNP and the U.S. mission in Dhaka.

US President Donald Trump has launched a “deferred resignation” program, offering up to 2 million federal employees eight months of pay if they resign by September. The plan aims to significantly shrink the government and enforce strict in-office work policies. Critics, including labor unions and Democratic lawmakers, warn of disruption and legal challenges. The White House calls it a generous offer but hints at future layoffs. This move is part of Trump’s broader agenda to cut government spending and regulations.