Interim government’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that prices of daily essentials will not rise during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, and that some items may even become cheaper. He made the statement on Sunday, January 25, 2026, following a taskforce meeting held to review the prices and market situation of essential food products ahead of Ramadan.

The adviser said that imports of daily essentials have increased by 40 percent compared to last year, which will help keep prices within people’s reach. He emphasized that the government expects stability in the market due to the higher import volume. Sheikh Bashir Uddin also commented on irregularities in major infrastructure projects such as the Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Payra Port during the previous government’s tenure, claiming that these projects had adverse economic effects.

When asked about any government project to build luxury flats for ministers, the adviser said he was not aware of such an initiative.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman set foot in Feni after 20 years, joining a party election rally at the Feni Government Pilot High School field on Sunday evening. The event drew large numbers of party supporters who began arriving in processions from the morning. Participants came not only from Feni but also from Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts to attend the gathering.

Law enforcement personnel conducted security checks at the Feni Government College gate as part of crowd management. Supporters traveled by buses and microbuses, entering the city in processions carrying the BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol. Many wore party-branded T-shirts, panjabis, and mufflers to show their allegiance. One attendee from Chatkhil, Noakhali, expressed his enthusiasm to see the party leader despite the difficulties of travel.

The rally marked a significant return for Tarique Rahman to Feni’s political stage after two decades, signaling renewed activity among BNP supporters in the region.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that if his party returns to power, it will swiftly implement the initiative to make Chattogram the commercial capital of Bangladesh. He made the statement on Sunday, January 25, during a divisional rally held at the Polo Ground in Chattogram, where he served as the chief guest.

Rahman said that the initiative to establish Chattogram as the commercial capital was originally taken by a previous BNP government but could not be completed due to time constraints. He criticized the lack of progress over the past 15 years, asserting that the project would create employment opportunities not only in Chattogram but across the country. He also mentioned that the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Chattogram were established during BNP’s tenure and promised to build more such zones if the party forms the next government.

Rahman emphasized that the proposed commercial capital initiative, originally envisioned by Begum Khaleda Zia, would be implemented as quickly as possible under a future BNP administration.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman Bir Pratik gave testimony before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka, describing his abduction and detention in connection with a case over enforced disappearances at the army’s Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC). The partial testimony was recorded on Sunday under the leadership of Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. The case accuses former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 former and current army officers of crimes against humanity related to abductions and torture during the Awami League government.

Hasinur Rahman recounted that on August 8, 2018, he was taken by several men after being lured out by a friend, Lieutenant Colonel Zaid Abdullah. He said he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and beaten before being held for one year, six months, and fourteen days until his release on February 22, 2020. During detention, he was interrogated about his writings critical of former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, the 2014 election, the Awami League, and India.

He alleged that Zaid Abdullah, Brigadier General Azhar, and officers from the DGFI and RAB were involved in his abduction.

An activist of Bangladesh Amar Party (AB Party) was seriously injured in an alleged attack by BNP supporters during an election campaign in Muladi upazila of Barishal. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at Lakshmipur village in Ward 4 of Charkalekhan Union. The injured worker, identified as Junaid, was admitted to Muladi Upazila Health Complex in critical condition.

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, AB Party supporters were putting up stickers bearing the eagle symbol for Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, the 11-party alliance candidate for Barishal-3 (Muladi–Babuganj) constituency and the party’s central general secretary. Two men, Md. Swadhib and Md. Roni, reportedly objected to the activity and later attacked Junaid with a brick, causing a head injury. Following the attack, local residents took the injured to the hospital.

The incident sparked tension in the area. AB Party leaders condemned the attack and demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators. Muladi Police Station’s officer-in-charge Fayez Uddin Mridha said legal action would be taken upon receiving a written complaint.

A deadly landslide struck a residential area in Indonesia’s West Java province early Saturday, killing at least 10 people and leaving 80 missing. Authorities have relaunched search and rescue operations after heavy rainfall triggered the disaster in a mountainous region. The Indonesian Meteorological Agency had earlier warned of a week of intense rain across West Java and nearby areas.

Local resident Dedi Kurniawan from Pasir Langu village, about 100 kilometers southeast of Jakarta, said he had never seen such a large landslide in the area before. Officials told Kompas TV that unstable terrain and continuous rain prevented rescuers from using heavy machinery, slowing down the operation. Flooding has also been reported in several parts of West Java, including Jakarta and surrounding districts, prompting evacuations to higher ground.

The incident comes just two months after floods and landslides on Sumatra island killed at least 1,200 people and displaced over a million. The new disaster has renewed concerns about Indonesia’s disaster management capacity.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain said the upcoming referendum would change the course of Bangladesh’s politics and called for a victory of the 'Yes' vote to build an enlightened nation. He made the remarks on Sunday at the National Imam Conference held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event was organized by the Islamic Foundation under the Ministry of Religious Affairs to promote the referendum and encourage voter participation.

The conference was chaired by Islamic Foundation Director General A. Salam Khan and attended by several special assistants to the Chief Adviser, including Professor Ali Riaz, Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, and Monir Haider, as well as Religious Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin. Speakers urged citizens to vote 'Yes' in the February 12 referendum and general election, emphasizing the need to end autocracy, establish the rule of law, and protect fundamental and human rights. They dismissed claims that a 'Yes' vote would remove “Bismillah” or Islam as the state religion from the constitution as false propaganda.

Participants, including over a thousand imams and khatibs, were urged to mobilize public opinion in favor of the 'Yes' vote to bring political transformation.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed surprise and disappointment after India allowed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deliver what it described as an ‘inciting’ speech from New Delhi. The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that Hasina, convicted of crimes against humanity and currently a fugitive, was given a platform to speak publicly at a seminar titled ‘Save Democracy in Bangladesh’. The statement alleged that her remarks aimed to disrupt Bangladesh’s upcoming election and destabilize the interim government.

The ministry further stated that India’s refusal to extradite Hasina despite repeated requests under the bilateral extradition treaty had deeply angered Bangladesh. Allowing her to make such remarks from Indian soil was described as a direct threat to Bangladesh’s democratic transition, peace, and security. The statement warned that such actions could harm bilateral relations by undermining mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference.

The ministry also said that the inflammatory comments by Awami League leaders justified the interim government’s decision to ban the party’s activities and that those responsible for pre-election violence would face appropriate measures.

Students of Jagannath University’s 2024–25 academic session (20th batch) staged a protest on Sunday, January 25, in front of the university’s administrative building, alleging discrimination in the first installment list of the special scholarship program. They claimed their batch was excluded while earlier batches were included and demanded immediate inclusion in the scholarship list. Protesters chanted slogans asserting their right to the scholarship and warned of tougher programs if their demands were not met.

The university administration had published the special scholarship list on January 23, naming 10,319 students. Among them, 8,330 were from the 2019–20 to 2023–24 sessions in the first list, and 1,989 more were added in a second list. Expelled students, quota students, and those with low CGPA were excluded. JnUCSU General Secretary and Islami Chhatra Shibir’s JnU unit secretary Abdul Alim Arif supported the protesters, calling their demand logical. The JnU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also expressed solidarity and urged the administration to accept the students’ demands promptly.

The protesting students warned that failure to revise the list would lead to intensified demonstrations.

Former Supreme Court Appellate Division Justice Md Abdul Matin stated that public aspirations would be thwarted if the upcoming referendum’s 'Yes' vote fails. Speaking on Sunday at a debate competition organized by Debate for Democracy at the FDC, he said that if citizens remain aware, no conspiracy or obstruction could derail the election process. He also remarked that the Awami League must understand why it cannot participate in the election, though its supporters may still vote as citizens.

Matin criticized the Awami League for alleged bloodshed and lack of remorse, saying the party could seek forgiveness from the people for its actions. He also commented on the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death, questioning her strength and motives for fleeing. Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, presiding over the event, said the people want a fair election and that democracy cannot be restored without it.

The event concluded with State University of Bangladesh defeating Tejgaon College in a mock parliament debate on the Election Commission’s role in ensuring a fair referendum and parliamentary election.

A condolence book has been opened at Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) to pay tribute to BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia following her death. The signing ceremony was inaugurated on Sunday morning by Professor Dr. Harun Al Rashid, president of the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and a former student of the college. The initiative was organized by former leaders of the Dhaka Medical College unit of the BNP’s student wing, with the book to remain open for seven days on the college premises.

The event was conducted by DAB’s central joint secretary Dr. Zafar Iqbal and attended by several DAB leaders, teachers, and physicians from Dhaka Medical College. During the program, newly appointed principal Professor Dr. Faruk Ahmed was also congratulated. Among those present were BNP’s Dhaka-7 candidate Hamidur Rahman Hamid, senior DAB officials, and faculty members from the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Medicine.

The condolence book provides an opportunity for medical professionals and students to express their respect and remembrance for Khaleda Zia over the coming week.

Armed assailants in Gazipur robbed Tk 2.4 million from two agent banking employees of Dutch-Bangla Bank on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. near Kazim Uddin Chowdhury High School at Chandna Chowrasta in Gazipur city. According to Basan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Harun-or-Rashid, the robbers fired shots and detonated crude bombs to create panic before assaulting the two employees and seizing the money bag.

The victims, manager Habibur Rahman and his assistant Sohrab, were transporting the cash by motorcycle from the bank’s Bhogra Bypass agent banking outlet to its Chandna Chowrasta branch when the attack took place. The robbers, riding two to three motorcycles, intercepted them, carried out the assault, and fled the scene with the money.

Police visited the scene shortly after the incident and have launched an operation to apprehend the culprits, according to the local police official.

Independent parliamentary candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana for Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj) constituency said that political workers like Saddam, who supported leaders for 15 years, have been neglected by those same leaders. She made the remarks on Sunday evening, January 25, during an election meeting at Panishwar Union in Sarail upazila.

Rumin Farhana referred to Saddam, a Chhatra League activist whose wife killed their newborn child and then took her own life while Saddam was imprisoned. She criticized political leaders for failing to support such workers or their families, noting that Saddam was allowed only five minutes to see the bodies of his wife and child. She urged voters to be cautious when choosing leaders who ignore their followers in times of crisis.

Farhana also commented that many senior BNP figures had been unreachable for 15 years, leaving grassroots workers disconnected. She called for leadership accountability and warned that no party worker in Bangladesh should face a fate similar to Saddam’s.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to introduce an evening bus service exclusively for women if his party forms the government. He made the announcement on Sunday, January 25, during an election rally at Jatrabari in Dhaka. Rahman said the initiative aims to ensure safe and dignified travel for working women, particularly during peak hours in major cities including the capital.

He stated that women currently lack both security and respect in public spaces and workplaces. Rahman promised that his party would prioritize women’s safety and dignity at home, in transit, and at work. He also mentioned that the lower decks of government double-decker buses would be reserved for women to ease their travel difficulties.

Rahman emphasized that men should willingly make sacrifices to uphold the honor of women, describing mothers’ dignity as more valuable than life itself. He added that national progress requires equal participation of men and women, asserting that women have a rightful place in social and professional life.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that no parole application was submitted for Jewel Hasan Saddam, an inmate at Jashore Central Jail, following the deaths of his wife and child. The ministry issued a press statement on Sunday evening, signed by Public Relations Officer Faisal Hasan, addressing media reports on the matter.

According to the statement, Saddam’s family did not file any written request with the Jashore Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, or prison authorities for his temporary release. Instead, based on the family’s verbal request, arrangements were made for Saddam to view the bodies of his wife and child at the Jashore jail gate. The ministry said the Jashore district administration and prison authorities provided full cooperation on humanitarian grounds.

The Home Ministry also stated that reports circulating in various media and on social platforms claiming a parole application had been filed were inaccurate. It urged all media outlets to ensure factual and objective reporting to uphold the public’s right to accurate information.