NCP’s northern regional coordinator Sargis Alam has called for a boycott of occupiers, extortionists, and drug traders in the upcoming election. Speaking at a campaign rally organized by the 10-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday, he urged people to reject those who publicly oppose drugs by day but profit from drug sales at night. He announced that the boycott should take place on February 12.

Alam stated that the 2026 election would determine whether the country moves forward or returns to corruption and extortion. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, he said that one stage of struggle had already been completed and emphasized the need to build an extortion-free Bangladesh. During his speech, he led slogans calling for justice, equality, and people’s power.

He also urged voters to ensure the victory of the 10-party alliance as a step toward creating a new Bangladesh, linking the election outcome to the nation’s direction and moral integrity.

The High Court has directed the allocation of an election symbol to independent candidate Zakir Hossain Pradhania in the Chandpur-5 (Hajiganj-Shahrasti) constituency. His nomination had previously been canceled during scrutiny due to insufficient attachment of one percent of the voter list. Following the cancellation, Pradhania filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking reinstatement of his nomination.

After hearing the writ petition on Thursday, the High Court bench annulled the earlier cancellation order and instructed the district returning officer to allocate an election symbol to Pradhania. The independent candidate confirmed the court’s directive himself.

With this decision, all nominations in the Chandpur-5 constituency have been declared valid, and a total of seven candidates will now contest in the upcoming election.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said that the upcoming national election on February 12 will set a benchmark for all future elections in Bangladesh. He stated that the government is fully prepared to hold a free, fair, and participatory vote. Yunus made the remarks on Thursday during a courtesy meeting with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Brent Christensen at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the upcoming election, major labor law reforms, the proposed Bangladesh–U.S. tariff agreement, and the Rohingya crisis. Yunus said the election would be transparent and festive, with a large number of European Union observers expected. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s initiatives to join ASEAN and to revitalize SAARC for stronger regional cooperation.

Ambassador Christensen expressed willingness to work with whoever wins the February election and praised the interim government’s reforms and Yunus’s leadership. The two also discussed trade progress, U.S. humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees, and recent U.S. visa restrictions affecting 75 countries.

According to data released by the UK Home Office, 901 migrants crossed the English Channel and entered the United Kingdom between January 14 and 21, 2026. The crossings took place in 14 small boats, as reported by Middle East Monitor. Earlier, on January 5, a small boat carrying 32 people reached the UK, marking the first such crossing of the new year. On the following Saturday, 317 migrants arrived in five small boats, the highest single-day total so far in 2026.

The report notes that in 2025, a total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats, about 5,000 more than in 2024. Despite measures taken by the UK government to curb illegal migration, the number of crossings continues to rise.

The data highlights the ongoing challenge for UK authorities in managing irregular migration across the Channel, as numbers show an upward trend despite enforcement efforts.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized illegal fishing nets valued at approximately Tk 75 crore during a combing operation in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The operation was conducted throughout Wednesday by the Coast Guard’s Maheshkhali station in coordination with the Department of Fisheries. The seizure was confirmed on Friday, January 23, 2026, by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit.

According to the Coast Guard, the special operation took place near the fishing communities of Maheshkhali, where around 50 lakh meters of banned fishing nets were confiscated. No arrests were made as the fishermen reportedly fled upon sensing the presence of the Coast Guard. The seized nets were later destroyed in the presence of the Maheshkhali upazila fisheries officer.

Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit stated that the Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to protect the country’s fisheries resources.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said the current government is the outcome of the July uprising and that a referendum is essential to implement the July Charter. Speaking to journalists in Rangpur on Friday during a two-day visit, he emphasized that the government seeks a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum and called on all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, as well as the administration, to work in favor of the 'Yes' campaign.

He stated that only defeated forces and collaborators of fascism could oppose the referendum, asserting that fascism must never be allowed to return. Adilur made these remarks after placing a floral wreath at the memorial built in honor of the martyrs of the July uprising. During his visit, he also inspected the RDA and Talghat Zamindar Bari and later planned to visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed before departing for Bogura. Senior administrative officials, including the district commissioner Enamul Ahsan, were present at the event.

The film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the movie recounts the true story of Hind Rajab, who was shot dead by Israeli forces in January 2024 while fleeing Gaza City with her family.

According to the report, Hind and her relatives were attacked while trying to escape Israeli bombardment. All passengers in the car, including her cousins and aunt and uncle, were killed. During the incident, Hind contacted Gaza’s Red Crescent volunteers for help. The film incorporates the real audio of her prolonged phone call with rescuers, who tried to comfort her as she remained trapped among her family’s bodies. Two rescuers later sent to save her were also killed by Israeli fire.

Earlier, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, marking international recognition for its portrayal of the Gaza tragedy.

Police have arrested another suspect, identified as shooter Rahim, in connection with the killing of volunteer leader Azizur Rahman Mosabbir in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area. The Detective Branch (DB) confirmed the arrest on Friday at 11 a.m. Mosabbir, a former general secretary of the Dhaka North unit of the volunteer organization, was shot dead by assailants on January 7 in an alley near the Star Hotel at Tejturi Bazar.

Following the murder, Mosabbir’s wife, Suraiya Begum, filed a case with Tejgaon Police Station. Earlier, police had arrested three individuals, including Jinat and suspected planner Billal, for alleged involvement in the killing. The latest arrest of Rahim adds to the list of suspects detained in the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about Rahim’s role or the motive behind the attack, but the series of arrests indicates continued progress in the murder probe.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has issued a show-cause notice to BNP-nominated candidate M Akbar Ali from Sirajganj-4 (Ullapara) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct during the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The committee’s chairman, Md Shanu Akand, confirmed the notice on Thursday night. Akbar Ali has been instructed to appear in person or through a representative at the committee’s temporary office at Ullapara Upazila Parishad Dak Bungalow on January 27 to submit a written explanation.

According to the notice, on January 20, from 3 p.m. until Maghrib, Akbar Ali organized a large public gathering at the Kazipara Government Primary School field in Panchakroshi Union, Ullapara, in the presence of his wife. The event reportedly included loud campaign slogans broadcast via microphones, which the committee stated was a clear violation of Rule 18 of the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025.

The notice further warned that if no satisfactory explanation is provided, legal action may be recommended to the Election Commission Secretariat following the inquiry.

Amazon, the U.S.-based e-commerce giant, is preparing for another major round of layoffs, with around 14,000 employees expected to lose their jobs next week. This move is part of a broader plan to cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions. According to the report, the company had already dismissed about 14,000 workers in October as part of the same restructuring effort. The new phase of layoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, though Amazon’s spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Sources indicated that employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources—collectively known as the People Experience and Technology division—may be among the most affected. The full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, and insiders cautioned that the company’s plans could still change.

Media reports suggested that the widespread job cuts may be linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence within Amazon’s operations, and that similar reductions could also occur in India.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that a major political party has become fearful after witnessing the growing public support for the 10-party alliance ahead of the upcoming national election. Speaking on Friday morning at a pre-rally gathering in Bashatala, Vatara, Dhaka, he claimed that the party is spreading misleading information and panic among the public.

During his speech, Nahid Islam urged voters to resist extortionists and land grabbers, asserting that such elements would have no place in Dhaka-11 constituency. He emphasized that their movement was not to replace one form of authoritarianism with another but to establish a just Bangladesh. He warned those planning to seize polling centers not to attempt it, vowing that his supporters would guard every center and secure victory.

Nahid also highlighted local issues in Dhaka-11, including traffic congestion and criminal activities, promising to address them if his alliance forms the government. He called on citizens nationwide to vote for the 10-party alliance candidates and to support the referendum with a “yes” vote.

A joint force operation in Gazipur’s Tongi area early Friday led to the detention of 35 individuals and the recovery of explosives and narcotics. The coordinated raids took place around 4 a.m. in Ershadnagar and Haji Mazar slums. According to Gazipur District Executive Magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique, who briefed the media at Haji Mazar slum around 8:30 a.m., the forces seized 500 grams of heroin, 347 yaba tablets, two homemade weapons, and three hand grenades.

The magistrate stated that the operation aimed to prevent potential unrest ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The detained individuals were later handed over to Tongi East and West police stations. Legal proceedings were expected to follow, with the suspects to be presented before court after case filing.

Authorities indicated that the raids were part of broader security measures to maintain order during the election period in Gazipur.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the country’s parliament ahead of a snap election scheduled for February 8. On Friday, the Speaker of Japan’s parliament formally announced the dissolution of the lower house through an official letter. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, made the decision to seek a fresh mandate from voters before the election date.

According to the report, Takaichi had earlier indicated that an early election might be called. Her decision aims to secure public support for the government’s various plans and spending initiatives. The upcoming election will cover all 465 seats in the lower house and will serve as Takaichi’s first major electoral test since taking office.

Takaichi, who assumed office in October, is expected to use her current popularity to strengthen her position within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The election outcome will reveal how the Japanese public views the government’s spending expansion plans.

Joint forces arrested top criminal Md. Hasan Tarek Chita, aged 30, with a foreign pistol in Lakshmipur. The arrest took place on Thursday night in front of a mosque at Paschim Latifpur village under Chandraganj Union of Sadar upazila. Major Md. Rahat Khan of the Lakshmipur Army Camp confirmed the arrest on Friday morning. During the operation, the forces recovered a foreign pistol, one magazine, five rounds of ammunition, and two mobile phones. Several associates, including another criminal known as Chhoto Kausar, managed to escape.

According to Major Rahat Khan, the operation was part of a regular anti-crime drive conducted on the basis of secret intelligence. Chita, son of the late Abdus Sattar of Paschim Latifpur, is known as an associate of Chhoto Kausar and faces multiple cases, including murder and arms charges. After his arrest, he was handed over to Chandraganj Police Station for further legal action.

Authorities indicated that operations against criminal networks in the region would continue as part of ongoing law enforcement efforts.

The Maheshpur 58 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion announced that 15 platoons will be deployed across six parliamentary constituencies in Jhenaidah and Magura districts ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Rafiqul Alam, commanding officer of the battalion, during a press conference held at the battalion headquarters in Khalishpur, Maheshpur, on Thursday afternoon. The deployment will begin on January 29.

According to the BGB, the deployment aims to ensure security in the border areas and prevent illegal infiltration, arms and drug smuggling, and human trafficking during the election period. The battalion will also set up 55 temporary checkpoints in key locations across the two districts to conduct search operations and strengthen surveillance.

The BGB leadership emphasized that its members will maintain a strict and alert presence in all election-related and border-sensitive areas to support a secure and orderly electoral environment.