According to U.S. intelligence, Hamas has recruited 15,000 new fighters since October 7, 2023, despite losing a similar number in Israeli operations. Many of the recruits are young and lack training, serving mainly in security roles. Intelligence reports suggest that Hamas remains a threat to Israel as it reorganizes in Gaza. Following the January 19 ceasefire, Hamas fighters have resumed patrols in the region, indicating efforts to rebuild. Analysts warn that this recruitment cycle risks perpetuating the conflict indefinitely.

BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that the party welcomes initiatives by the youth to form new political parties, provided the process is transparent. Speaking virtually at a conference on January 25, he highlighted the disenfranchisement of youth over the past 15 years and their growing interest in politics. He emphasized that elections are crucial for political empowerment and warned against controversies that strengthen fascist elements. Tarique also urged BNP members to remain vigilant and prioritize public welfare amid rising costs and market syndicates.

Saif Al Mahmud, a young man, publicly apologized to interim government’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Nahid Islam after making allegations involving Nahid and his father in a Facebook post. Nahid responded by challenging Saif to verify the claims, which led Saif to realize his mistake. Saif admitted he failed to authenticate the information before posting and later made the post private. He clarified that the removal was voluntary, not due to threats or pressure. Saif urged others not to spread rumors and apologized sincerely to Nahid.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has proposed reducing broadband internet costs for consumers by up to 20%. If approved by the Ministry of Finance, a 5 Mbps connection could drop from 500 BDT to 400 BDT, with similar reductions for higher speeds. The proposal aims to make internet more affordable but has raised concerns among ISPs about financial strain and potential impact on service quality. Final approval from the government is awaited to implement the new pricing.

The Press Wing of the Chief Advisor dismissed the interview of fugitive Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, published in The Indian Express, as misleading and filled with lies. Kamal, accused of genocide, falsely claimed the burning of 460 police stations and looting of 5,829 weapons, which contradicts police records. The Press Wing highlighted his baseless statements, including allegations of media control and calls for Indian intervention in Bangladesh’s judiciary, labeling them as threats to national sovereignty. It reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to press freedom since August 2024.

Argent LNG, developing a 25 MTPA LNG facility in Louisiana, signed a non-binding agreement with Bangladesh to supply up to 5 million metric tons of LNG annually. If completed, the project could supply LNG to Bangladesh’s state-owned Petrobangla. The agreement ensures reliable energy for Bangladesh’s industries, despite its price sensitivity, as seen in its return to coal during 2022’s LNG price spikes due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sri Lanka has revoked a $442 million power purchase agreement with Adani Green Energy for two wind power projects following US allegations of bribery against the Indian conglomerate. The decision, marked as “Urgent & Confidential,” was finalized in early January by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s cabinet. Adani denies the cancellation claims, stating it’s a tariff review process. The scandal, involving $265 million in alleged bribes, has triggered global scrutiny of Adani’s projects.

In 2024, Bangladesh received the bodies of 4,813 migrant workers, marking a record number compared to 4,552 in 2023. Since 1993, a total of 56,769 bodies have been repatriated. Most deaths occur among young workers, often due to unsafe workplaces, poor living conditions, overwork, and inadequate nutrition. Between 2016 and 2022, 67.4% of repatriated bodies came from Gulf countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman. Over 16 million Bangladeshis have worked abroad since 1976, with 76.3% in Gulf nations.

Law and Justice Advisor Professor Asif Nazrul has urged everyone to disregard false rumors spreading on social media, calling them “the ramblings of a madman.” In a Facebook post on January 24, he assured that everything is fine and there is no reason for concern. Since the night of January 23, unfounded claims, including allegations about interim government advisors fleeing, the Chief Advisor resigning, and the military forming a government, have circulated widely. He emphasized that such information is completely false and baseless.

Summary: An explosion at an arms factory in Maharashtra, India, killed at least eight people and injured several others. The incident occurred in the Bhandara district on January 24. The explosion caused a roof collapse, trapping workers beneath the debris. Rescue teams reached the site quickly, recovering eight bodies and rescuing others in critical condition. The factory had at least 14 workers inside, and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Hasnat Abdullah, convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, highlighted a growing political division in the country, emphasizing the need for unity to protect national interests. Speaking at a discussion in Comilla’s Debidwar, he criticized exiled leaders living luxuriously abroad while abandoning their supporters. He condemned the persecution of opposition leaders, religious figures, and activists, urging the public to support people-centric leaders over power-hungry ones. Abdullah dismissed rumors about his alleged escape, calling them baseless and ironic, as those spreading them are themselves in hiding abroad.

In Dinajpur’s Biral Upazila, BSF detained a Bangladeshi teenager, Md. Alamin, while he was farming near the border. In response, local Bangladeshis captured an Indian farmer, Narayan Chandra Roy, and handed him over to the BGB. The incident caused tensions along the border. A flag meeting between BGB and BSF resolved the issue, with both individuals returned to their respective sides. BGB clarified that BSF mistakenly detained Alamin, thinking he was part of a group crossing illegally. The misunderstanding was peacefully resolved.

Seven individuals injured in the July Movement—Abdullah Al Baki, Akhtar Hossain, Md. Yamin, Foyez Ahmed, Minhajul Islam Shubho, Mohammad Ramzan, and Salman Bin Shoaib—have been sent to Singapore for advanced eye treatment. They departed on Friday morning via Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Previously treated at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, their tickets were arranged under the supervision of Health Adviser Noorjahan Begum. A medical board has recommended sending injured individuals abroad for specialized care, with plans to send more in the coming weeks.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman highlighted January 24, 1969, as a significant day in the nation’s history. In a Facebook post on January 23, he paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1969 mass movement, which marked a turning point against Pakistan’s colonial rule. The movement led to a mass uprising, toppling the military regime and paving the way for Bangladesh’s independence. Tarique emphasized the uprising’s goal of restoring democracy and called on citizens to unite for freedom, sovereignty, and human rights.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the interim government for failing to maintain neutrality ahead of elections. Speaking at an event marking the 56th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Asad, he stressed the need for prompt elections to restore democratic rights after 15 years of deprivation. Fakhrul warned against delaying elections for reforms, as it risks public disenfranchisement and rising instability. He called for unity among political forces to ensure reforms and democratic governance, urging the government to fulfill its commitments to the people.