Belgium has imposed a ban on aircraft carrying weapons and military equipment to Israel from using its airspace. The restriction took effect on Thursday, according to Anadolu Agency. Local newspaper Le Soir reported that the decision was initiated by Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. Under the new rule, all information related to flights transporting military goods to Israel must be submitted in advance to Belgian authorities.

The report stated that the main objective of the ban is to prevent the transport of Israeli arms and military goods. Inspection operations will be carried out by the Customs Authority and the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (SPF Transport). In Belgium, regional governments control arms export licenses, but the federal government oversees transport and transit activities. Therefore, this federal measure is expected to effectively limit the use of regional export licenses.

The decision comes amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which began in October 2023. The conflict has reportedly resulted in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths and extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, with Israel continuing restrictions on essential supplies despite a ceasefire.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party would work to make primary school teachers more qualified and skilled to ensure proper education for children if they come to power. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, at a ‘Meet and Greet with Tarique Rahman’ event held at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, where his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, was also present. During the event, Rahman answered questions from participants.

Responding to a question about education, Rahman emphasized the importance of teaching social values in schools and said that the BNP aims to strengthen primary education. He explained that teacher training would include academic, social, and religious value-based components to help children learn moral principles. Addressing cyberbullying, he added that teaching children right from wrong from an early age would help them develop a clear sense of justice.

The event highlighted the BNP leader’s focus on education reform and moral development as part of his broader vision for improving the country’s primary education system.

Nine people were killed and eight others injured in an explosion at a cocaine laboratory on Colombia’s Pacific coast, police said on Friday. The incident occurred in the country’s southwestern Nariño department, an area known for cocaine production and home to the indigenous Awa community. Several armed groups are active in the region.

Authorities reported that the victims worked for the National Coordinator Bolivarian Army, a dissident faction of the former rebel group FARC. Preliminary investigations indicated that a gas cylinder exploded during drug production, triggering the blast. The rebel group also confirmed in a statement that improper handling of the cylinder caused the fire that engulfed the lab within seconds.

The group had rejected FARC’s 2016 peace agreement but is currently engaged in talks with President Gustavo Petro’s leftist government. The explosion site has long been part of a major cocaine trafficking route to the United States, where local smugglers operate with support from Mexican cartels.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman engaged in a discussion with young people at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon. The meeting began around 2:30 p.m., where Rahman responded to various questions from the youth and shared his vision for building a new Bangladesh. His daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, also attended the event and took part in answering questions from participants.

The gathering focused on direct interaction between the BNP leadership and young citizens, emphasizing dialogue and exchange of ideas. The event was organized in an open setting at the park, allowing attendees to express their views and seek responses from the party leadership. Both Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman were seen engaging actively with the audience.

The session highlighted the BNP’s effort to connect with younger generations and encourage their participation in discussions about the country’s future direction.

Several leading international airlines have suspended flights across the Middle East following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that a powerful American naval armada is heading toward Iran. The move comes amid growing fears of a possible military confrontation between the United States and Iran. Airlines including KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France have temporarily halted services to key destinations in the region.

According to NDTV, the cancellations have severely disrupted air connectivity to major hubs such as Israel, Dubai, and Riyadh. Air France announced that its Dubai-bound flights on July 23 and 24 would not operate due to the current situation. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has indefinitely suspended flights to Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, and Tel Aviv, rerouting aircraft to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and several Gulf countries. United Airways and Air Canada have also stopped flights to Israel amid concerns of a potential U.S. strike on Iran.

The White House stated that Tehran’s decision to suspend executions of protesters has not altered Washington’s military planning, further intensifying regional tensions.

Nine Indian officials working at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat, operated by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), left Bangladesh without official permission. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when the officials were found missing during breakfast. Later, it was confirmed that they had crossed into India through the Bhomra land port. The plant authorities immediately informed the Power Development Board and relevant ministries, expressing deep concern over the unauthorized departure.

According to plant sources, the officials left citing security concerns, though the area is under four layers of security involving the army, police, and Ansar. The project director, Ramanath Pujari, confirmed their departure and the stated reason. However, officials noted that none of the individuals had previously reported any security issues or complaints. The sudden and unexplained exit has been described as mysterious by plant authorities.

The plant’s Deputy General Manager (Public Relations), Anwarul Azim, said the matter is being investigated seriously to determine the reasons behind their departure.

More than 8,000 flights scheduled for the weekend were cancelled as a major winter storm swept across the United States, bringing heavy snow and dangerous ice from east Texas to North Carolina. According to FlightAware, at least 3,400 flights were delayed or cancelled on Saturday and over 5,000 were called off for Sunday. Roughly 140 million people from New Mexico to New England were under winter storm warnings, with forecasters warning that ice damage could rival that of a hurricane.

Snow began falling in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas on Friday as the storm combined with Arctic cold to engulf much of the country. Meteorologist Jacob Asherman described it as the season’s most intense storm, with wind chills dropping below minus 45 degrees Celsius in the Dakotas and Minnesota. The worst conditions were expected in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, where ice could reach an inch thick.

Governors in more than a dozen states declared emergencies or urged residents to stay home. President Donald Trump said federal agencies were coordinating with local officials, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani mobilized the city’s sanitation department for large-scale snow removal.

Two people were killed and at least 30 others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a brick-laden truck on the Faridpur-Barishal highway at Nawpara area of Bhanga upazila on Saturday, January 24, 2026, around 11 a.m. The deceased were identified as truck driver Rashed Sheikh, 28, and his helper Nabin Sheikh, 22, both from Kamalapur Dhlar Mor under Faridpur Sadar Kotwali police station. Police and fire service personnel conducted a one-hour rescue operation, recovering the bodies and sending the injured to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex.

According to Bhanga Highway Police Sub-Inspector Mamun, the accident occurred when the Faridpur-bound bus and the Bhanga-bound truck collided head-on. The crash caused a several-kilometer traffic jam on both sides of the highway, which was later cleared after the damaged vehicles were removed. Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Alim said legal procedures were underway to hand over the bodies to the victims’ families.

A surviving truck helper named Rahman said they were driving the truck themselves as the main driver was delayed, and the accident occurred on their way to unload bricks in Bhanga.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that around 270,000 children in Afghanistan are at serious risk of cold-related illnesses due to extreme winter weather and heavy snowfall. In a statement, the agency said children in eastern Afghanistan, already affected by last year’s earthquake, are facing worsening conditions as prolonged exposure to cold and damp weather increases the risk of respiratory infections, hypothermia, and other preventable diseases.

UNICEF noted that children living in temporary shelters are particularly vulnerable to rain, snow, and poor sanitation, which further heighten health risks. The organization also reported that the United Kingdom has provided a donation of 10.8 million dollars to support child nutrition programs in Afghanistan.

According to local authorities, heavy snowfall and rain over the past two days have killed at least 11 people and injured three others across several provinces, including Parwan, Wardak, Kandahar, Jawzjan, Faryab, and Bamiyan. The national weather department expects precipitation to continue in most parts of the country in the coming days.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that if his party is elected, Bogura will be upgraded to a city corporation. He made the statement on Saturday afternoon while addressing an election rally organized by the Ten-Party Alliance at Alfatunnesa Field in Bogura, where he served as the chief guest. Rahman also pledged to restore Bogura’s past reputation as a city of education and prosperity and to prevent extortion.

During his speech, the Jamaat chief emphasized that his party would not engage in or allow extortion, money laundering, or terrorism. He highlighted the importance of protecting mothers and ensuring women’s safety and employment according to their qualifications. Rahman further stated that the government must guarantee women’s dignity and security.

Addressing the youth, Rahman said his party aims to provide skills and employment rather than unemployment allowances. He urged voters to support the Ten-Party Alliance candidates and vote for the scale symbol to build a corruption-free and just Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Meherpur for the first time on January 26 as part of the party’s national election campaign. He will attend an election rally as the chief guest at the Meherpur Government High School field, where he is expected to deliver a speech. Local Jamaat leaders have completed preparations for the event, including stage setup and field arrangements.

The Meherpur district branch of Jamaat, led by district Ameer Maulana Taj Uddin Khan, Secretary Iqbal Hossain, and business division president Saiful Islam, has inspected the venue. The city is reportedly in a festive mood ahead of the visit. According to the report, Dr. Rahman has gained popularity across political and social lines, and his arrival has generated excitement among residents.

Party activists expect that his visit will bring renewed attention to the region’s challenges in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and inspire efforts to advance this agriculturally dependent area.

A total of 4,838 voters have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots in the Sylhet-2 constituency (Osmani Nagar–Bishwanath) ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. According to the Election Commission (EC), 4,098 of the registrants are men and 740 are women. Of these, 4,809 registrations have been approved, while 29 applications remain pending. Registration was completed through the EC’s ‘Postal Vote BD’ app.

The EC reported that expatriate Bangladeshis, election officials, and government employees stationed outside their home constituencies have registered through the app. Ballot papers will be sent by mail to approved voters, with separate symbol-marked ballots for the parliamentary election and pink-colored ballots for the referendum. Voters must return their completed ballots by mail to the designated returning officer within the specified timeframe.

The counting of postal ballots will take place at 4:30 p.m. on February 12 at the returning officer’s office in the presence of candidates’ agents. Election officials believe the postal voting system will enhance participation among expatriates and those away for work, strengthening the democratic process.

An Awami League leader accused in a murder case, Salauddin Ahmed Majumdar, delivered a speech at an election rally of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher in Comilla-11 (Chouddagram). The event took place at Sufua Bazar in Kalikapur Union, where Taher formally launched his campaign. A 1-minute-6-second video of Salauddin’s speech went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism online. During his remarks, Salauddin urged voters to make informed decisions and requested prayers for Taher’s health.

Local sources said Salauddin, president of Kalikapur Union Awami League and former union chairman, attended the rally held near his home. Police confirmed he is the 11th accused in a 2015 petrol bomb attack case that killed eight people. Opposition figures, including BNP candidate Kamrul Huda, alleged that Taher was rehabilitating Awami League members and accused criminals in his campaign. Jamaat’s local secretary stated that Salauddin’s presence was due to his long acquaintance with Taher’s family.

Attempts to reach Taher for comment were unsuccessful, and the viral video continues to draw public attention in Chouddagram.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that some political parties are attempting to influence voters by using religion and sending money through mobile financial services. He raised this concern on Saturday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, during a prayer gathering marking the 11th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Rizvi questioned whether such actions violate the electoral code of conduct, emphasizing that buying votes with money or religious appeals is prohibited.

Recalling Koko’s death, Rizvi claimed it was not natural but the result of political oppression under a fascist regime. He described how Koko, then in Malaysia for heart treatment, witnessed the alleged persecution of his mother in 2015 and died in distress. Rizvi also recounted that after Koko’s body returned to Bangladesh, BNP leaders and sympathizers faced police cases for expressing condolences.

Rizvi reiterated BNP’s demand for a free and fair election under an interim government and said party chairman Tarique Rahman is following all electoral laws and maintaining respectful political conduct.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has dismissed allegations by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher that the party signed three agreements with India. At a press briefing on Saturday at the BNP’s central office in Gulshan, the party’s election management committee spokesperson Mahadi Amin said no such agreements exist and termed the claim a politically motivated smear campaign without any factual basis.

Amin stated that the Jamaat leader failed to provide any evidence to support his claim and accused him of spreading misinformation either out of ignorance or deliberate political manipulation. He emphasized that BNP’s politics are centered on Bangladesh’s sovereignty and people’s empowerment under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. He also recalled BNP’s past movements for fair water sharing of the Teesta and Padma rivers and protests against border killings.

During the briefing, Amin introduced BNP’s election hotline (16543) and WhatsApp number for voter complaints and warned against fraudulent activities involving “family” and “farmer” cards, urging citizens to report such scams to the authorities.