Biman Bangladesh Airlines is in the final stage of negotiations with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to purchase 14 new planes, including ten Dreamliners (787-9 and 787-10 series) and four Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The proposed deal, valued at around $3.7 billion, may be signed within the current month if both sides finalize terms. The airline has placed at least 20 conditions and sought maximum price reductions, while Boeing has prepared a revised draft agreement reflecting possible concessions.

According to Biman sources, the National Negotiation Committee—comprising secretaries from key ministries and the airline’s board chairman—is leading the talks. The government and Biman’s board have already given policy approval for the purchase. Boeing has shown willingness to adjust prices and payment terms, and both parties are working to finalize details such as advance payments, delivery schedules, and training provisions.

If signed this month, the aircraft deliveries will continue through 2035. Biman expects the new planes to expand its international operations and address current fleet shortages that limit route frequency and new route launches.

A passenger plane operated by Colombia’s state-owned airline Satena crashed in the country’s northern region on Wednesday, January 28, killing all 15 people on board. The victims included 13 passengers and two crew members. The Beechcraft 1900 twin-propeller aircraft went down in a mountainous area near the Venezuelan border while en route from Cúcuta to Ocaña. The flight, designated NSE 8849, lost contact with air traffic control about 11 minutes before its scheduled landing at 12:05 p.m. local time.

Rescue teams later located the wreckage in a remote mountain zone. Authorities confirmed that among the dead were lawmaker Diogenes Quintero Amaya and congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo. Satena described the incident as a “serious accident” but did not provide details on the cause. Following the loss of contact, search and rescue operations began immediately, supported by Colombia’s armed forces, and a hotline was opened for relatives of the passengers.

The Cúcuta region is known for its rapidly changing weather and partial control by the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group, factors that may complicate rescue and investigation efforts.

France has advised its citizens to avoid downtown Minneapolis, citing risks of major protests against the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. The French Foreign Ministry said local authorities have urged residents to stay away from central areas and avoid gatherings. The advisory, first issued on January 24, remains in effect, according to Newsweek.

Germany and Ireland have issued similar warnings. Germany’s advisory noted that enforcement of Trump’s immigration policies has created public order risks in Minneapolis and other cities, sometimes leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces. Ireland’s Foreign Ministry, in an update on January 15, urged caution for Irish citizens traveling to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.

The alerts follow an incident on January 27, when U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked during a speech in Minneapolis after criticizing Trump’s immigration policies. Omar was unharmed and continued her address, later describing herself as a survivor. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attack as a result of racist and Islamophobic incitement.

The central executive committee of Jubo Dal has withdrawn the expulsion order of M. Shahid, the Forest and Environment Affairs Assistant Secretary of Sunamganj District Jubo Dal. The decision was announced on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026, through a press release issued on the party’s official letterhead. The release stated that the withdrawal came under the direction of Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayon, with the notice circulated by Assistant Office Secretary Minhajul Islam Bhuiyan.

According to the statement, M. Shahid had earlier been expelled from all party positions, including primary membership, for alleged activities contrary to party principles and discipline. Following his appeal, the central leadership reviewed the matter and decided to revoke the expulsion. After the announcement, the official letter spread on social media, and party members and supporters congratulated him.

M. Shahid expressed gratitude to central leaders and local supporters, saying he had been a victim of conspiracy but continued receiving public support during his expulsion.

Dhaka South unit of Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest rally and procession in the capital on Thursday following the killing of Rezau l Karim, secretary of Sherpur’s Sreebardi upazila Jamaat, in what the group described as a brutal attack by BNP activists. The rally took place after the noon prayer at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, with senior Jamaat leaders and allied political candidates addressing the gathering.

Speakers including Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal, and NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari condemned the killing and called for justice. They accused BNP of orchestrating violence against opposition candidates and vowed to respond through the ballot on February 12. Dhaka Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Helal Uddin, who presided over the event, criticized the administration for failing to prevent the Sherpur incident and demanded the removal of partisan officials.

After the speeches, participants marched through several streets of the capital, reiterating their call for accountability and peaceful political competition.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that he would sacrifice his life if necessary to protect people's rights, warning that any attempt to manipulate election results by force would be resisted by the youth. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a rally in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar in support of the 11-party alliance candidate Saiful Alam Milon for the Dhaka-12 constituency.

Dr. Rahman alleged that attacks on Jamaat activists across the country were destroying the level playing field and that violence against women and intimidation were undermining fair elections. He said the interim government and Election Commission would bear responsibility if the election process failed. He added that Jamaat had not filed unjust cases since August 5 and would congratulate whichever party formed the next government through a fair vote.

The Jamaat leader expressed optimism about victory, pledging to curb extortion, corruption, and terrorism if elected. He said 90 percent of extortion would end immediately under their rule and that the youth would be empowered as skilled nation-builders rather than dependents on allowances.

A views-exchange meeting was held in Dhamrai, Dhaka, where Mufti Ashraf Ali was nominated as the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish candidate for the Dhaka-20 constituency under the ten-party alliance ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. The event took place on Thursday at the Munno Community Center near the Dhaka-Aricha highway and was presided over by Mufti Ashraf Ali, president of the Dhaka district Khelafat Majlish.

Senior leaders including Professor Abdul Jalil, Maulana Nurul Haque, Amir Ali, Maulana Firoz Ahmed, Professor Saifuddin, and Rayhan Ali attended the meeting. Speakers expressed grief over the killing of Jamaat secretary Rezaul Karim in Jhenaigati, Sherpur, and called for an Islamic governance system to end injustice and oppression across Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Mufti Ashraf Ali vowed that if elected to parliament, he would end abduction, murder, and injustice in Dhamrai and work to make the area free from extortion, terrorism, and drugs.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi on Thursday to attend an election rally at the city’s historic Madrasa Maidan. From early morning, BNP leaders and activists from various upazilas and nearby districts gathered at the venue to see him and hear his speech. He reached Rajshahi by air from Dhaka around 12:30 p.m. and first visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) before joining the rally.

According to party sources, Tarique Rahman is expected to seek votes for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, and present the party’s plans for public welfare and governance. After completing his Rajshahi program, he will travel by road to Bogura, addressing another rally at ATM Field in Naogaon on the way, and later attend a public meeting at Altafunnesa Field in Bogura at night.

Party leaders expressed hope that Tarique Rahman’s visit will energize BNP’s election campaign in northern Bangladesh and boost enthusiasm among grassroots activists.

The United Kingdom has issued a travel advisory for its citizens regarding visits to Bangladesh. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released the warning on Thursday, January 29, urging British nationals to plan their trips carefully and follow local authorities’ guidance. The advisory cites potential risks of political violence and extremist attacks linked to the upcoming national election.

According to the FCDO notice, travelers who ignore the advisory may face cancellation of their travel insurance. The office recommended avoiding all but essential travel to several parts of the country, particularly the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It noted that reports of violence and criminal activity are frequent in remote areas, and attacks targeting political gatherings or polling centers could occur during the election period.

Bangladesh’s national election is scheduled for February 12, with campaigning having started on January 22.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Noakhali on Friday, January 30, 2026, to attend a public rally at Noakhali Zilla School field. The event is being organized by the 11-party alliance as part of its campaign activities ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. District Jamaat Ameer Khondaker Ishaq confirmed the visit during a meeting at the party office in Maijdee on Monday night.

According to district Jamaat publicity secretary Dr. Borhan Uddin, extensive preparations are underway at both district and upazila levels to welcome the party chief. The rally will feature speeches from alliance leaders and candidates from Noakhali’s six constituencies. Party activists have reportedly shown renewed enthusiasm surrounding the visit, which is expected to focus on the current political situation.

Local leaders believe the Ameer’s visit and his address will play a significant role in shaping the alliance’s campaign momentum in the district ahead of the national election.

A show-cause notice has been issued to Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Keramat Ali and another individual in Chapainawabganj-1 (Shibganj) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was issued by the constituency’s Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee, chaired by Joint District and Sessions Judge Md. Uzzal Mahmud. The action followed a written complaint from Tosikul Alam, the chief election agent of Shibganj Upazila BNP.

According to the complaint, the accused installed replicas of the party’s scale symbol made of plastic and non-degradable materials at key intersections and road dividers in Shibganj and decorated them with lights. The inquiry committee conducted an on-site investigation and confirmed the allegations, deeming the act a clear breach of the electoral code.

The notice requires the accused to appear in person and submit a written explanation by February 1, explaining why legal action should not be recommended to the Election Commission. The Shibganj police officer-in-charge has been instructed to serve the notice promptly and report back to the committee.

The prosecution has formally filed charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and seven others in connection with the 2016 Kalyanpur 'Jahazbari' incident in Dhaka, where nine people were allegedly killed in a staged militant operation. The charges were submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

According to the prosecution, the accused include former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Inspector General of Police A.K.M. Shahidul Hoque, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman, and former Special Branch Chief Monirul Islam. The case centers on allegations that the 2016 operation was orchestrated as a fabricated militant drama leading to multiple deaths.

The tribunal proceedings mark a significant legal development involving several high-profile former government and law enforcement officials, though further details on the next steps in the case were not provided in the report.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that strengthening relations between the United Kingdom and China is 'absolutely essential'. He made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Starmer emphasized that China is a major global power and that it is vital for the UK to build a mature and pragmatic relationship that allows for cooperation while maintaining meaningful dialogue on areas of disagreement.

According to analysts cited in the report, the meeting signals a renewed activation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The discussion is seen as particularly significant for advancing cooperation in trade, climate change, and global security issues.

The meeting marks an important step in re-engaging bilateral dialogue between London and Beijing, with potential implications for future collaboration on key international challenges.

Hasanat Abdullah, chief organizer of the NCP’s southern region, criticized BNP leader Mirza Abbas during an election courtyard meeting in Gunai Ghar Shaktala, Debidwar, Cumilla, on Tuesday night. He claimed that only a year and a half ago, Abbas appeared in court wearing a burqa, yet now displays arrogance. Abdullah made the remarks while responding to a BNP leader’s statement about women removing veils.

During his speech, Abdullah stood beside Abu Bakar, whom he described as a 'July fighter' who lost his voice while resisting fascism. He lamented that such activists, including Abu Bakar, have been neglected and that few now speak about their sacrifices. Abdullah also referred to July martyr Mainuddin, saying that the causes for which they fought and died are now met with silence.

The meeting was organized to protest an attack on NCP candidate Nasiruddin Patwari in Dhaka-8 constituency, where Abdullah emphasized the need to remember those who fought against fascism.

Comilla University (CoU) will begin its 2025–26 undergraduate admission process on Friday with the ‘A’ unit examination under the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The test will be held simultaneously at Comilla University and Rajshahi University centers from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. A total of 46,336 candidates have applied for 300 seats, meaning more than 154 applicants will compete for each seat. Of them, 29,821 will sit for the exam at the Comilla center and 16,515 at the Rajshahi center.

The one-hour multiple-choice test carries 100 marks, with a 0.25 mark deduction for each wrong answer and a minimum pass mark of 33. The university administration issued detailed instructions on January 28 to ensure a fair and peaceful examination. Candidates are prohibited from bringing any electronic devices, papers, or bags into the exam hall and must follow strict identification and procedural rules.

Additional police, intelligence agencies, RAB, BNCC, and Rover Scouts will be deployed for security. Only candidates will be allowed inside the Comilla center, while guardians must remain outside. The ‘B’ and ‘C’ unit exams will take place on January 31 under the same guidelines.