A violent clash between two Awami League factions over local dominance in Bashgari Union, Raipura, Narsingdi, left two people dead and at least 10 injured on Sunday morning. The dispute between former union chairman Ashraful Haque Sarkar and current chairman Ratul Hasan escalated into a confrontation involving spears and firearms. One victim, Alamgir Hossain, died after being taken to the hospital. Police are investigating, but the identity of one deceased and other injured persons remains unknown.

Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin stressed that the Election Commission does not want to rely on the police for fair elections but trusts the people to vote and safeguard polling stations. He highlighted the early start of voter updates thanks to UNDP’s logistical support and called for legal reforms to resolve challenges in party registration and boundary determination. Criticizing the Election System Reform Commission, he argued that the Election Commission must retain authority over boundary issues.

Donald Trump, after beginning his second term as U.S. president, has yet to undertake a state visit. Traditionally, the first state visit for a U.S. president is to the U.K., but Trump may break tradition and visit Saudi Arabia first, as he did during his first term. During a conversation aboard Air Force One, Trump hinted at this possibility, citing Saudi Arabia’s agreement to purchase billions of dollars in U.S. goods. Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in investing $60 billion in the U.S. during Trump’s second term.

KM Shafiullah, Bir Uttam, the first Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh and a prominent sector commander in the Liberation War, has passed away at 90. He died on January 26 while undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Dhaka. Born in 1934, he played a crucial role in the 1971 war, leading Sector 3 and later commanding the S Force. After independence, he served as army chief (1972–1975) and as an ambassador in several countries. He had been suffering from multiple health issues.

In Hili, Dinajpur, the temperature dropped to 9.9°C on Sunday morning, causing dense fog that slowed traffic. Hospitals are witnessing a surge in cold-related patients, with around 400-500 people visiting daily, mainly children and the elderly. Health officials advise wearing warm clothing and avoiding exposure to cold air. A mild cold wave is affecting Dinajpur and nearby districts, though a slight rise in temperature was observed. However, meteorologists predict further temperature drops in the area during the night.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, clashes with the M23 rebel group have claimed the lives of 13 UN peacekeepers, including nine South Africans, three Malawians, and one Uruguayan. The soldiers were killed while countering the rebels’ advance in Goma, a city of over one million people. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged for peace and engaged in talks with the leaders of Congo and Rwanda. The UN is evacuating non-essential personnel as the M23 rebels call for Congolese soldiers’ surrender to prevent further bloodshed.

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.