The Election Commission has made it easier for citizens to replace lost National Identity Cards (NID). Previously, filing a General Diary (GD) at a police station was mandatory to obtain a new card, causing delays and inconvenience. Now, the process has been simplified, and citizens can reissue their NID without visiting the police. ASM Humayun Kabir Banik, DG of the National Identity Registration Subdivision, confirmed the decision, emphasizing that it will significantly reduce hardship and save time and effort for citizens.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar announced that false and fabricated cases filed by police and factory management against 48,000 workers and trade union leaders have been officially withdrawn. “If this government is not worker- and poor-friendly, then who will be?” Majumdar questioned.

He emphasized his long-term observation of Bangladesh’s labor issues, particularly in the ready-made garment sector. Highlighting the harsh realities in many factories, he described how workers were often treated like modern-day slaves. Although structural improvements were introduced following the Rana Plaza tragedy due to Western-backed platforms like the Accord and Alliance, the working conditions for laborers remained largely unchanged.

Majumdar criticized the prevalence of minimal wages, extended working hours, and lack of legal protections, which continue to make life extremely difficult for workers. In many factories, pseudo “PC Committees” influenced by owners have replaced genuine trade unions, undermining workers’ rights. While these committees helped owners present their factories as “compliant” to buyers, they also opened doors to labor exploitation.

As a result, workers’ demands for fair wages were brutally suppressed, with thousands facing dismissals, intimidation, and legal harassment. Majumdar noted that the government has prioritized ending these practices and advancing comprehensive labor sector reforms.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, presenting four major demands: a separate All India Service cadre for the state, inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), and naming a Delhi road after late leader P.A. Sangma. Analysts view the meeting as reflecting both Meghalaya’s cultural-political aspirations and the BJP’s strategic vigilance in the Northeast. Sangma expressed optimism about quick central action.

A BJP leader has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police against Anirban Bhattacharya and members of his Bengali rock band Hooliganism, accusing them of hurting religious sentiments through a recent satirical song.

The nine-minute political satire, which went viral on social media, pokes fun at voter list revisions ahead of elections, temple–mosque disputes, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh’s temper, and BJP figures Rudranil Ghosh and Dilip Ghosh. BJP leader Tarunjoyti claimed the band sought publicity by offending people’s faith, warning that legal action would follow in court if the police fail to act.

Interestingly, TMC’s Kunal Ghosh praised the song, while BJP leaders faced online mockery for their lawsuit announcement.

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the tendency of politicians to seek medical treatment abroad, saying it erodes public trust in Bangladesh’s healthcare system. Speaking at a free medical camp at Manipur School and College ground, he stressed that ordinary citizens, who cannot afford treatment overseas, rely on domestic healthcare.

“Where ordinary people cannot go abroad for treatment, how can I?” he said, emphasizing his confidence in Bangladesh’s medical facilities. Dr. Rahman urged politicians to receive care domestically to strengthen public faith in national healthcare and called on citizens to make informed decisions for a fearless, humane, independent, and sovereign nation.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Faruk has warned that anyone attempting to sabotage the elections through collusion with the ruling Awami League will be firmly resisted. Faruk stated that conspiracies are still underway, alleging that there are ongoing attempts, allegedly instigated from Delhi, to derail the electoral process through various schemes.

Addressing Jamaat-e-Islami, he urged the party to seek forgiveness from the public for past mistakes and to abandon demands such as proportional representation, nationwide referendums, or boycotting the elections.

Faruk expressed confidence that if citizens are allowed to vote freely, the BNP would secure a decisive victory.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reduced tariffs on Japanese car imports from 27.5 percent to 15 percent, cutting them by nearly half. The deal, reached after months of negotiation, also includes Japan committing $550 billion in U.S. investments and gradually opening its markets to American products, including cars and rice. The 15 percent tariff will apply to almost all Japanese imports, including vehicles and pharmaceuticals, easing uncertainty for major automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

The police have submitted chargesheets to the court in three cases related to the deaths of three students during the popular uprising. The cases name 208 individuals as accused, including senior leaders of the Awami League, former ministers and MPs, and government officials.

After nearly a year of investigation, the chargesheets were filed:

In one case, filed by Shahid Nabi Nur Morol’s wife Akleema Begum on September 4 last year, additional accused were identified during the investigation.

Another case, filed in Ashulia by Shahid Mamun Khandakar’s wife, originally listed 33 accused, with 19 more added later.

In the third case, filed by the father of Shahid Ramzan Ali, 49 individuals were charged following the investigation, although 60 names were initially listed.

Seven students at Barishal University have been on a continuous hunger strike since Thursday night, demanding improvements in campus infrastructure and other issues. In a remarkable gesture of solidarity, Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Tawfiq Alam spent the night alongside the students.

At around 1 a.m., the VC joined the students, setting up a mosquito net beside them. Earlier, he reassured the students that the administration was working at full capacity to meet their reasonable demands, promising progress within a week. However, the students vowed to continue their strike until their demands are fully addressed.

The protest involves requests for infrastructural expansion, campus area enlargement, and improved transportation for the 50-acre campus. Earlier on Thursday, the students also blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway to press their demands. The university proctor noted that land acquisition and other development initiatives are ongoing, but a lack of trust has pushed students to resort to a hunger strike.

Former Inspector General of Police Abdullah Al Mamun, in a statement given after interrogation, admitted to lapses in duty but denied obeying any illegal government directives. He confirmed that he has not resigned from his post and said he never exploited his position for personal benefit.

Mamun also refuted claims that he attended informal meetings at Khan Kamal’s residence, stating such gatherings often violated the chain of command. While acknowledging lapses in duty, he emphasized that police action should correspond to the severity of incidents, and peaceful protestors should never be harmed.

Addressing rumors about directives to use lethal weapons, helicopters, or drones during the July unrest, Mamun clarified that he never received any written orders to do so, though he admitted involvement in crimes committed during that period.

NCP Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain has paid tribute to student activist Qader, recalling his fearless role in campus politics.

In a statement, he wrote: “During the 2022 commemoration of Abrar Fahad, Chhatra League attacked us. Even as I was injured and taken to Dhaka Medical, Qader gave me courage. He dreamed of ending oppression and overthrowing Hasina’s rule.”

Akhtar noted that while many students chose silence for safety, Qader consistently stood up against threats:
"Last year, when eight demands were introduced to weaken the movement, Qader boldly declared nine demands, which paved the way for the one-point movement. After the victory of August 5, he embraced the entire campus."

He added that Qader once considered running for VP in 2019 and is now contesting in the upcoming 2025 DUSU election:
"May Allah bless him—my prayers are with Qader."

Mahin Sarkar has officially withdrawn his candidacy for the General Secretary (GS) position in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. He has expressed his support for Abu Bakar Majumdar, the candidate backed by Bager.

Speaking at a press conference, former NCP leader Mahin Sarkar emphasized the need for unity among forces advocating for popular uprisings. “If a frontline leader of the uprising is elected to DUCSU, they will bear greater responsibility than anyone else,” he stated. “Abu Bakar Majumdar is a key leader of the movement. If he wins, it will be my victory as well. I fully support him.”

Sarkar had initially contested the GS post as part of an independent panel. Hours after his announcement, the NCP expelled him from the party.

A dramatic incident unfolded in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon on Thursday when followers of a murder attempt suspect attacked police and freed him from custody.

Police from Meghna station had launched an operation in Baiddar Bazar to arrest Mohsin, a named accused in a murder attempt case, along with local youth leader Titu.

After Mohsin’s arrest, his supporters attacked officers, forcibly taking him away despite being in handcuffs. They also vandalized a shop during the chaos.

Additional police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. No fresh case has yet been filed over the incident.

Major General Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced that the Iranian armed forces are more prepared than ever to defend the nation. He praised the unified resistance during the 12-day conflict, which compelled Israel and the U.S. to make unfavorable decisions. Abdollahi highlighted the military’s enhanced capabilities and readiness, warning that Israel is attempting psychological and media warfare. He also recalled Iran’s retaliatory Operation True Promise 3, which targeted key Israeli facilities using advanced missiles and drones.

Michael Kugelman, a prominent South Asia analyst, has warned that Bangladesh could face widespread protests and unrest if elections are not held in February as scheduled.

In a policy brief, he noted that the Election Commission has announced elections for early February, a development most citizens view as a relief after months of political uncertainty.

Kugelman highlighted growing impatience with the interim government, which recently completed one year in office amid economic pressures and law-and-order challenges.

He suggested that while some actors—including student leaders behind a new political party and certain interim officials—may prefer a delay, the army, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, and other key stakeholders remain firmly committed to holding elections on time.