Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, testifying as a prosecution witness in the July killing case against Sheikh Hasina and two others, claimed that directives for RAB to abduct, detain, or kill individuals came directly from the Prime Minister’s Office via Tarique Siddiqui.

He alleged that ahead of the 2018 elections, then-IGP Javed Patwary instructed police to pre-fill 50% of ballot boxes the night before voting—officers involved were later rewarded with medals. After the 2014 elections, he said, police officers from the Gopalganj belt gained unprecedented influence.

Mamun further testified that RAB officers Alep Uddin and Mohiuddin Faruqi became notorious for abductions, torture, and killings. He claimed that from July 19 onward, nightly core committee meetings were held at Kamal’s residence, where decisions were made to detain opposition coordinators, who were later coerced into withdrawing movements and making public statements under duress.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan has said the party demands elections not for the pursuit of power, but for restoring democracy and ensuring people’s rights.
Speaking virtually at a program in Kuala Lumpur, he stated, “Elections allow people to express their will, and BNP respects that verdict. True democracy is established through responsible governance, not merely by holding office.”

He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to restoring democracy, protecting independence, and defending people’s rights. He also thanked members of the diaspora who, even under what he called Sheikh Hasina’s misrule, worked tirelessly to keep the party united.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwary has said that it is now the responsibility of BNP to safeguard the Jatiya Party in the interest of democracy.
He noted that while many have called for banning the Jatiya Party, such demands have largely subsided. “We thank BNP for not falling into that trap,” he said.

Shamim warned that if the Jatiya Party were banned while restrictions also remained on the Awami League, the electoral field would be reduced to three dominant players—reshaping seat negotiations. “This could push BNP into becoming a political puppet,” he argued, adding that smaller parties would then demand more seats, threatening to boycott polls otherwise.

Calling for a necessary “cooling period” in politics, Shamim drew on the example of Ziaur Rahman, saying that after the August 21 grenade attack, there was a two-year political cooling phase. “Such a period is essential in Bangladesh today,” he stressed.

The High Court has declared unconstitutional the provisions of the 15th and 4th constitutional amendments that vested control over lower court judges with the President. From now on, supervision, transfers, promotions, and disciplinary authority over judges will rest with the Supreme Court.
Under the current amended Article 116, control of subordinate court judges was vested in the President. However, in the original 1972 Constitution, Article 116 entrusted such powers to the Supreme Court. The latest ruling restores that original intent, strengthening judicial independence.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited two injured opposition leaders in hospital on Tuesday. Around noon, he met Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) President Nurul Haque Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Nur has been shifted from ICU to a cabin after health improvements. Fakhrul also visited Islami Bank Hospital to see Lutfur Rahman, President of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), who is undergoing treatment after being attacked by assailants.

The government is considering forming a third tribunal to fast-track trials of the July–August massacre cases, said International Crimes Tribunal advisory committee member Asif Nazrul during a visit Tuesday morning. He stressed that the government is giving the trials “highest priority” and is “satisfied with the pace of proceedings.” He was accompanied by adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman, and Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tajul Islam.

A Dhaka court has granted bail to Said Sheikh, a speech-impaired man arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zakir Hossain delivered the order on Tuesday after a hearing. With no other charges pending against him, there are no further barriers to his release from prison.

A worker was shot dead and at least six others injured after army personnel opened fire during protests outside Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari.
The deceased has been identified as Habibur Rahman Habib. According to locals, workers of the Evergreen Wig Factory had been protesting for several days over unmet demands. On Monday night, factory authorities abruptly shut operations, heightening tensions. This morning, workers gathered in front of the EPZ and attempted to enter the premises. When troops tried to disperse them, clashes broke out and workers reportedly attacked military vehicles. In response, the army opened fire.
The injured were rushed to Nilphamari General Hospital, where doctors declared Habib dead. News of his death triggered a larger gathering of workers, but officials say the situation is now under control.

The United States has stationed eight warships and 1,200 missiles in the Caribbean, officially citing anti-narcotics operations. However, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claims Washington is preparing to overthrow his government through military intervention.
Maduro has reinforced troops along Venezuela’s coasts and borders while urging civilians to join paramilitary groups. The U.S. has accused Maduro of running drug operations and authorized military action against narcotics trafficking. Reports suggest more ships and up to 4,000 sailors and Marines could join the deployment in coming days. Though no ground invasion has been announced, Washington has offered a $50 million reward for Maduro’s capture on drug trafficking allegations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, during his visit to Greenland, declared that the territory “is not for sale.” His remarks came as the U.S. has repeatedly suggested Greenland should be incorporated as American territory.
Barrot stressed: “In the face of growing global instability, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and competition for influence in the Arctic, France is sending a clear message: Greenland is not for sale, and Greenland is not for seizure.”
France will be the first EU country to open a consulate in Greenland in early 2026 and will also establish a partnership dialogue committee. Barrot added, “Greenland is a European territory. No nation builds its glory by subjugating neighbors. Greenland and Denmark are not alone—France and Europe stand with them today and tomorrow.”

At least 59 Palestinians were killed in a single day as Israeli airstrikes intensified across Gaza. Among the dead were a pregnant woman and her unborn child, along with another young child. Bombing continued in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods, where more than a thousand buildings have been flattened since last month.
An Al Jazeera journalist reported, “People don’t know where to go. They search for safety, but the Israeli military is striking every corner of the city.” Meanwhile, the blockade has worsened the humanitarian crisis—three more children died from starvation on Monday. Since October, nearly 350 people, a third of them children, have succumbed to hunger and malnutrition.

Meghmallar Basu, a leftist candidate for General Secretary in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, has been hospitalized and will undergo appendix surgery tonight. In a Facebook post, he wrote, “What I feared has come true—my body gave up. Tonight, I’ll undergo an appendix operation. I may not be able to campaign in person anymore. Though a simple procedure, doctors insist it cannot be delayed.” He asked for prayers and well wishes from both political allies and rivals.

The Chittagong University administration has lodged a case with Hathazari Police Station following Sunday’s violent clash between students and locals. The university registrar said further details of the case will be shared later. Meanwhile, Section 144 remains in effect across Jobra village and nearby areas. All departmental examinations have been suspended until Thursday. To determine the next steps, the vice-chancellor has called an emergency syndicate meeting at 3 PM today.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan inspected renovation work at the main building of International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday.
They were joined by Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, and senior officials.
Despite ongoing trials of war crimes cases—including the nearing conclusion of testimony in the Hasina case—proceedings are currently being held in a tin-shed structure due to incomplete renovations of the main building.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to hold talks with seven political parties at 5 PM on Tuesday at Jamuna.
While the Press Wing has not disclosed the names of the participating parties, the meeting follows Yunus’s recent separate discussions with BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP.
Yunus has made it clear that the national election will be held in the first half of February, warning that any alternative solution outside elections would pose “grave danger” to the nation.