Independent candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana has reacted to the publication of an official letter from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sarail, Brahmanbaria. In a video message posted on her Facebook page late Sunday night, she questioned how the UNO could handle election duties if he could not maintain the confidentiality of his own office’s letter for even 24 hours. She also expressed concern about the security of votes in the upcoming election.

Rumin Farhana stated that she had submitted multiple complaints on January 13, 2026, to the UNO and the district administration regarding violations of the electoral code of conduct but had not received any updates or actions taken. She alleged that her rival, particularly the BNP-backed coalition candidate, was holding large rallies using sound systems and microphones in violation of the rules, yet no action had been taken against them.

She further mentioned an incident where the Ashuganj Upazila BNP general secretary allegedly made an obscene gesture toward a magistrate’s vehicle, which had been parked outside a rally venue for security reasons.

Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of executed war crimes convict Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, testified before a three-member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal on Monday. He described being abducted by plainclothes men on August 4, 2016, and held in a secret room where he noticed a table marked with the letters 'CTIB'. His testimony came as the first witness in a crimes against humanity case against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 former and current army officers, concerning alleged abductions and torture under the Awami League government.

In his detailed statement, Hummam recounted being taken from Bangshal police station to the Detective Branch office on Minto Road, then blindfolded and transferred through multiple locations before being confined for seven months. He described interrogation, physical abuse, and the conditions of his detention, including the discovery of the 'CTIB' marking. The report notes that CTIB, or Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau, is a secret intelligence unit under the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

The tribunal proceedings mark a rare public account of alleged enforced disappearance and secret detention practices during the period referenced in the testimony.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that a national referendum would block the path to fascist governance in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while addressing an Imam Conference held at the Habiganj Deputy Commissioner’s office premises. The event focused on promoting the referendum and encouraging voter participation through awareness activities led by imams.

Dr. Hossain said that once someone assumes power in Bangladesh, there is often a tendency to prolong authority through various tactics, a pattern seen repeatedly over the past 54 years. He emphasized that a referendum could serve as an effective means to change this situation. He added that such a process would allow both the government and opposition parties to work together in forming a caretaker government, the Election Commission, and the Public Service Commission, thereby strengthening democracy.

During the event, a video message from the Chief Adviser about the referendum was shown to the attending imams. The Religious Adviser also instructed imams, as well as leaders of temples and churches, to motivate the public about the referendum. Senior district officials, including the returning officer, police superintendent, and election officer, were present.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said that blame-based politics does not fill people’s stomachs, emphasizing that true politics means standing beside the people. He made the remarks on Monday while virtually joining a house handover ceremony for the family of Afia, a child from Jessore’s Bajua Danga village. The event was organized by the Jessore district unit of the BNP.

Rahman stated that the BNP has initiated a change from traditional politics, focusing on supporting vulnerable families like Afia’s. He mentioned that if the party forms the next government with public support, it will introduce a ‘family card’ to ensure welfare services. He also referred to plans for a ‘farmers’ card’ and the recruitment of 100,000 health workers to improve healthcare access across urban and rural areas.

Rahman further announced that the BNP would revive the canal excavation project initiated by former President Ziaur Rahman to mitigate flooding and continue programs for women’s education and empowerment started by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has issued a show-cause notice to Professor Mujibur Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Naib-e-Ameer and candidate for the Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency, for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice, sent on Sunday, January 18, 2026, by Judge Mosammat Kamrun Nahar of the Rajshahi Joint District and Sessions Judge Court, instructs Rahman to appear in person before the court on Tuesday, January 20, at 11:30 a.m. to explain his actions.

According to the notice, the committee received a complaint via WhatsApp alleging that during a courtyard meeting in Ward No. 1 of Rishikul Union, held in Rahman’s presence, hostile remarks were made against opposition parties and open appeals for votes using the “scales” symbol were delivered. The video of the event was reportedly circulated on social media platforms.

The notice states that such conduct constitutes a clear violation of sections 15, 16, and 18 of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct 2025. The committee has asked Rahman to explain why the matter should not be investigated and reported to the Election Commission Secretariat with recommendations.

The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) administration has filed an appeal with the Appellate Division’s chamber court seeking suspension of a High Court order that postponed the university’s central student union (SAKSU) and hall council elections for four weeks. The application was submitted on Monday afternoon, and lawyer Md. Saddam Hossain confirmed that a hearing will take place in due course.

Earlier on Monday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md. Asif Hasan issued the postponement order after a preliminary hearing on a writ petition. The SAKSU election, scheduled for Tuesday, would have been held for the first time in 28 years. The High Court’s decision triggered strong reactions across the campus.

BNP-leaning teachers had already announced their withdrawal from all election activities, while the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, continued its protest programs surrounding the election issue. The Islami Chhatra Shibir warned of nationwide agitation if the election was not held on schedule, and students demonstrated on campus demanding that the polls proceed as planned.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen paid a courtesy call on BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Monday at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. According to sources, the meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, the current political situation in Bangladesh, democracy, the electoral system, and various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee member Humayun Kabir, Advisory Council member Dr. Mahadi Amin, and Press Secretary Saleh Shibli were present during the meeting. Several senior officials from the US Embassy in Dhaka also attended.

The meeting marked one of the first formal interactions between the new US envoy and the BNP leadership, highlighting ongoing diplomatic engagement on political and democratic issues in Bangladesh.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to embark on a 17-district tour ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. According to party sources, the tour will begin on January 22 from Sylhet, marking his first trip outside Dhaka. He will visit Moulvibazar, Sherpur, Habiganj’s Shayestaganj, Brahmanbaria’s Sarail Kottapara field, Kishoreganj’s Bhairab Stadium, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj before returning to Dhaka on January 23.

On January 24, Rahman will travel through Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, and Cumilla, returning to Dhaka the same day. Later, on January 26, he will attend a divisional gathering or road meeting at Barishal’s Base Park with party leaders and activists from all districts of the division. His final leg will include visits to Madaripur, Faridpur, Munshiganj, and Keraniganj before returning to Dhaka.

Party sources stated that during the tour, Tarique Rahman will present the BNP’s election pledges to the public and party candidates.

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre saying he no longer feels obligated to think only about peace after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The message, published on Monday, stated that despite ending eight wars, Norway decided not to award him the prize. Trump wrote that this decision freed him from any duty to focus solely on peace.

Norwegian newspaper VG confirmed the authenticity of the message through the prime minister’s office, and a source also verified the information to AFP. On the same day, Trump issued another message making strong remarks about Greenland, saying the world would not be safe unless the United States gained full control over the Danish autonomous territory. Støre’s office also confirmed the authenticity of that message to AFP.

The messages, reported by Al Arabiya, drew attention for their tone and timing, linking Trump’s frustration over the Nobel decision with his renewed stance on global security and territorial control.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser and freedom fighter Abdus Salam said Dhaka’s severe urban crisis stems from illegal occupation of public land, unplanned urbanization, and lack of administrative coordination. Speaking on January 19, 2026, at a city dialogue in Gulshan organized by Gulshan Society and Urban Development Journalists Forum Bangladesh, he argued that establishing a city government is the only way to make Dhaka livable again.

Salam criticized the central government for not empowering local authorities, resulting in poor coordination among agencies such as city corporations, RAJUK, WASA, and DESCO. He said the mayor has almost no real power, while multiple agencies work without synchronization, making the city unmanageable. He also noted that splitting Dhaka City Corporation was a political decision that ignored public interest.

He outlined BNP’s ten-point urban vision under Tarique Rahman, focusing on clean governance, effective health services, youth employment, drug-free society, and improved urban management. Salam added that saving Dhaka requires national-level planning and protection of surrounding rivers, urging influential residents to take active roles in city reform.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, announced that a court has ordered the sale of Nasa Group’s assets to settle the lawful outstanding wages and service benefits of its workers. He made the statement on Sunday at the ministry’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat during the 15th meeting of the advisory council reviewing labor and business conditions at Beximco Industrial Park.

According to the adviser, the court-appointed administrator has already sold Nasa Group shares and paid Tk 76 crore to the workers. The group has also made down payments to eight banks under Bangladesh Bank’s directives. The remaining payments to 15 banks and the rest of the workers’ dues will be cleared through the sale of additional Nasa Group properties via open competition, as directed by the court.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bangladesh Bank, industrial police, and other relevant ministries and institutions, along with Nasa Group representatives and commercial bank officials, attended the meeting.

A Dhaka court has formally started the trial of S Alam Group Chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam and former banker Prashanta Kumar (PK) Halder, along with 11 others, in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case alleges abuse of power and fraud in securing and misappropriating a loan. On Monday, January 19, 2026, Judge Md Abdus Salam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 9 framed charges against the accused and set February 8 for the start of witness testimony.

According to the case, the accused allegedly colluded to approve and disburse a term loan of Tk 32.5 crore in 2013 under the name of a non-existent firm, M/S Mostafa & Co, which was later transferred to S Alam Super Edible Oil Ltd. The ACC filed the case on July 2 of the previous year, and after investigation, submitted the charge sheet on October 16, naming 13 individuals.

Two accused, Nahida Runai and Rashedul Haque, were produced from prison and pleaded not guilty, seeking justice. The court rejected their discharge petitions, while the remaining accused remain absconding.

Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest march in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, denouncing what it called a conspiracy to obstruct the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SakSU) election. The march, organized by the group’s Dhaka Metropolitan unit, began at the Central Shaheed Minar and proceeded toward Shahbagh. Leaders including Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem and central publicity secretary Azizur Rahman Azad led the demonstration, demanding that the election be held on schedule.

Earlier in the day, Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam Saddam told a press conference at the organization’s Purana Paltan office that students would not accept any attempt to derail the election using political or legal means. He warned of continuous protest programs if the election was canceled. Meanwhile, BNP-leaning teachers at SUST announced they would refrain from participating in election duties, citing concerns over potential allegations.

According to the report, the High Court has postponed the SakSU election for four weeks. The vote was originally scheduled for January 20, 2026.

A police trainee was critically injured during a training session at the Mahera Police Training Centre (PTC) in Tangail when a bullet from a China rifle struck him. The injured trainee recruit constable, identified as Md. Masum, 19, was first taken to Tangail General Hospital and later airlifted by a RAB helicopter to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after his condition worsened. He was admitted to the Orthopedic Surgery and Emergency Care Unit around 11 a.m. on Monday, where doctors described his condition as critical.

According to a person who accompanied him to the hospital, the incident occurred during a routine firing test at the training ground when a bullet hit Masum’s left shoulder, causing him to collapse. Trainers and fellow trainees immediately rescued him, and the PTC medical team provided initial treatment before transferring him to Tangail General Hospital. The incident is being supervised by AIG Maruf Abdullah and SI Toufiquzzaman from police headquarters.

An internal investigation has been launched to determine whether the shooting was accidental or caused by technical or human error, and whether proper firearm handling protocols were followed during the training.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) blocked a highway on Monday, January 19, 2026, demanding the holding of the university’s central student union election. The protest began after the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum announced it would not perform election duties. Demonstrators gathered in front of the vice-chancellor’s office in the morning and later moved to the main gate, where they blocked the highway.

The movement intensified following a High Court ruling that suspended the SUST Central Student Union (ShakSU) election for four weeks in response to a filed petition. The court’s decision came after the teachers’ forum’s announcement, prompting students to escalate their demonstrations. As of the time of reporting, the blockade was still ongoing.

The situation reflects growing student frustration over delays in the ShakSU election process, with continued protests likely if the suspension remains in effect.