Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon), stated that the current interim government, formed after a mass uprising, can legitimately campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum. Speaking on January 17, 2026, at a divisional dialogue in Rangpur titled 'Post-Uprising Aspirations, Reforms and Election Manifesto', he explained that the government has established 11 reform commissions and is committed to implementing those reforms.

Majumdar clarified that this government is not a caretaker administration, which would have been bound by law to remain neutral and temporary. Instead, it came to power with mandates for election, reform, and justice. He emphasized that constitutional amendments alone cannot ensure freedom from authoritarianism without democratic values and political culture. He expressed hope that the national election scheduled for February 12 would be fair and impartial, urging political parties and the Election Commission to act responsibly.

He further called for institutional reforms, strengthening of the Election Commission, and a neutral election-time government to ensure a level playing field and sustainable democratic transition.

Independent candidate Rumyn Farhana has been accused of behaving discourteously with an executive magistrate during her election campaign in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila. The incident occurred on Saturday at Islamabadh village in Noagaon Union, where a mobile court subsequently halted her campaign activities. According to local sources, the magistrate arrived at the site during a courtyard meeting, leading to a verbal altercation between the two.

Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate told the daily Amar Desh that on January 17, Rumyn Farhana conducted campaign activities in violation of Section 18 of the Election Code of Conduct 2025. As a result, the gathering was immediately dispersed. The mobile court, led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Shahriya Hasan Khan from the Brahmanbaria District Commissioner’s Office, also fined a man named Jewel Tk 40,000 in connection with the incident.

The magistrate’s action effectively suspended Rumyn Farhana’s campaign in the area pending further review of the alleged code violation.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that effective management of zakat could eliminate poverty in Bangladesh within ten years. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing the Zakat Conference 2026 as the chief guest at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The event was organized by the private voluntary organization Mastul Foundation.

Dr. Hossain emphasized that if wealthy citizens pay zakat properly and it is distributed efficiently, the country can overcome poverty and reduce dependence on foreign aid. He described poverty as a curse for any nation and stressed that a strong economy ensures national stability. Highlighting the historical precedent, he noted that in early Islamic periods, zakat was collected and distributed by the state, leading to near elimination of poverty during Caliph Omar’s rule.

He added that the absence of Sharia-based institutional mechanisms in Bangladesh has hindered organized zakat collection and distribution. He urged everyone to follow Islamic principles in paying zakat and thanked Mastul Foundation for its humanitarian activities.

Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman stated that failure in the cultural struggle would ensure political defeat, emphasizing the link between cultural and political battles in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday during a greeting exchange marking the anniversary of the Daily Sangram newspaper. Rahman said newspapers like Daily Sangram, Amar Desh, and Naya Diganta fight for Bangladeshi culture, while others support foreign influences. He expressed hope that the upcoming democratic government after the February 12 general election would maintain the current environment of press freedom.

Recalling the closure of Amar Desh in 2013, Rahman said the paper was then printed at Sangram’s press, leading to police raids and legal cases against his elderly mother and Sangram’s then editor. He praised Sangram’s continued support, including during the post-July revolution period when Amar Desh resumed publication. Rahman reaffirmed his commitment to independent journalism and maintaining solidarity with Sangram.

The event was attended by leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and senior journalists from both newspapers, highlighting their longstanding professional relationship.

A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2026, at the pediatric ward located on the sixth floor of the new nine-story building of Mymensingh Medical College (MMCH) Hospital. The blaze, which began around 4:36 p.m. in a storage room, quickly filled the ward with smoke, causing panic among patients and relatives. Nine units of the Fire Service and Civil Defense arrived promptly and brought the fire under control by 5:15 p.m. No casualties were reported.

Hospital officials said the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, though preliminary findings suggest an electrical short circuit in the storage room. Patients, including children and those from other departments, were safely evacuated through the emergency exit. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as relatives carried sick children down the stairs amid heavy smoke.

Authorities temporarily disconnected the hospital’s power supply to assess damage and ensure safety. The situation has since returned to normal, according to hospital management.

The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) has accused the government of expanding the list of essential medicines and fixing their prices without consulting drug manufacturers. The allegation was raised on Saturday at a workshop titled “Bangladesh Pharma Industry: Present Challenges and Future Prospects,” jointly organized by BAPI and the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF) in Gazipur. BAPI leaders said the decision ignored production costs, international raw material prices, quality control, and market realities, posing long-term risks to medicine supply and industry stability.

BAPI Secretary General Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain criticized the policy process, saying no discussions were held with manufacturers or the association before the decision. He noted that the technical committee on pricing lacked members with real pharmaceutical experience. BAPI President Abdul Muktadir warned that about 60 percent of local drug companies are struggling, with nearly 40 percent already closed or near closure, threatening the country’s self-sufficiency in medicine. He urged government intervention to support small and medium firms and restore the industry’s health.

BAPI leaders also emphasized that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector operates under strict regulatory oversight and called on journalists to highlight the challenges faced by struggling companies.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over an armed attack on Hasnat Abdullah, a veteran injured in the July uprising and officially recognized as a hero. The incident occurred late on January 16 in Chandanaish, Chattogram, where Abdullah and another youth named Mainuddin were reportedly assaulted with sticks and knives by unidentified assailants, leaving them seriously injured. The party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its publicity and media division, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, issued the statement on Saturday.

In the statement, Jubayer described the attack as a grave threat to democratic values and justice, emphasizing that targeting individuals who contributed to movements for democracy and voting rights signals a dangerous trend. He warned that political violence under the pretext of differing opinions is unacceptable and could harm the country’s electoral environment and stability if perpetrators are not brought to justice.

Jubayer called for a fair and transparent investigation, exemplary punishment for those responsible, and effective measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. He also urged the government to ensure the safety of all recognized veterans of the July uprising.

A fire broke out at a shoe factory in the Nazira Bazar area of Old Dhaka on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026. Four units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence responded promptly and brought the blaze under control. The fire started on the third floor of a four-storey building, but the cause of the incident has not yet been determined.

According to the Fire Service, they received the report of the fire at 7:13 p.m. and reached the site within ten minutes. After about half an hour of effort, the fire was brought under control at around 7:45 p.m. Md. Enamul Haque, Deputy Assistant Director (Zone-1) of the Fire Service, confirmed that the fire was fully contained and that further investigation would reveal the source of ignition.

Authorities have not yet provided details on damages or casualties, and an official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has declared that individuals with loan defaults or dual citizenship will not be allowed to contest or vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, the party’s spokesperson and chairman of its election management committee, during an emergency press conference held on Saturday evening at the party’s temporary central office.

The press conference was organized to address issues related to election appeals and overall election matters. Bhuiyan stated that the NCP would continue its legal and political struggle against such candidates, emphasizing that the party would resist them both through legal means and on the ground if necessary.

The NCP’s stance underscores its commitment to ensuring that only eligible candidates participate in the election process, reflecting the party’s broader focus on electoral integrity and accountability.

Dr. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that there is no legal restriction preventing civil servants from campaigning for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum. Speaking on Saturday at a meeting of Dhaka divisional administrators at the BIAM Foundation auditorium, he emphasized that the referendum is not about bringing any political party to power but about implementing state reforms based on the July National Charter. He described the referendum as a process to seek public consent on the future direction of Bangladesh.

Riaz said that constitutional experts, former judges, and legal professionals unanimously agreed that no law prohibits civil servants from supporting the 'Yes' campaign. He argued that claims of such restrictions are misleading. He also highlighted the responsibilities of public employees as both officials and citizens, citing constitutional duties to serve the people and uphold discipline. The meeting, chaired by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, was attended by senior officials, including Monir Haider, who said the referendum would decide whether citizens support the July uprising.

Speakers noted that many voters are unfamiliar with referendums and stressed the need to educate the public on how to vote and the meaning of 'Yes' or 'No' choices.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has released a new wanted list containing 330 individuals accused in multiple criminal cases, including murder, robbery, arms, narcotics, extortion, and vandalism. The public notice, issued on Saturday and signed by Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz, prohibits these individuals from entering or staying within the city until further orders. The CMP stated that the listed persons pose a significant threat to Chattogram’s public safety and that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order.

Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid said the list reflects the city’s current security situation, noting that most of the suspects are fugitives with several police case records. He added that technology is being used to monitor their movements, with additional checkpoints set up at all 17 city entry points. Facial recognition cameras and mobile tracking are also being deployed to prevent unauthorized entry.

Rashid emphasized that the measure is temporary and aimed at ensuring safety around key economic zones, ports, and tunnels. The CMP’s intensified surveillance seeks to prevent potential sabotage and maintain law and order in the city.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook met with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at around 6 p.m. The meeting took place at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, who also serves on the party’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee, were present during the meeting.

Earlier the same day, ambassadors of Nepal and Bhutan to Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on Tarique Rahman. The report did not provide details about the topics discussed or outcomes of the meetings.

The series of diplomatic meetings at the BNP Chairperson’s office highlights ongoing engagements between foreign envoys and the opposition party leadership in Dhaka, though the specific agendas remain undisclosed.

A report by Middle East Eye describes how Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are trading household goods for basic food items amid worsening economic conditions. A mother from Bethlehem wrote in a private Facebook group that she exchanged kitchen utensils for olive oil and za’atar so her children could take food to school. Since the Gaza war began and Israeli restrictions tightened, such exchanges have become common, reflecting widespread hardship.

Economist Dr. Haitham Weida said the West Bank is being pushed toward a hunger crisis, where families cannot secure enough nutritious food. The region’s economy has deteriorated sharply since October 2023, with poverty reaching 28 percent and unemployment at similar levels. Israel’s restrictions have halted most Palestinian labor access, tourism, and tax revenues, while international aid has fallen to about $710–770 million in 2025. Nearly 898 checkpoints now hinder trade and movement.

The worsening situation has forced many Palestinians to risk their lives crossing into Israel for work. Labor unions report at least 38 workers killed and over 1,500 injured between October 2023 and September 2025 while attempting to find employment.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), admitted his mistake and withdrew his comment after calling journalists 'pet dogs of political parties or individuals' during a meeting in Palashbari, Gaibandha. The incident occurred on Friday evening at the Hasan Azizur Rahman Auditorium of the Bishwasahitya Kendra, where he was addressing a gathering of local citizens.

Following strong protests and pressure from local journalists, Majumdar acknowledged that his remarks were wrong and retracted them. During the same event, he also criticized the abolition of the caretaker government system through constitutional amendment and alleged that Sheikh Hasina sought to remain in power for life out of vindictiveness. He further stated that the 1991 election was the best in Bangladesh’s history.

Majumdar was accompanied by several SUJAN officials, including regional coordinator Jayanta Kar, district facilitator Atik Suman, manager Meherun Nesa, and local leaders from Palashbari. The meeting was attended by local dignitaries and SUJAN members.

Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine was allegedly taken from his home by the army in a helicopter, according to his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP). The party stated that his current whereabouts remain unknown. The information was shared on social media on Friday, January 16, a day after the country held its presidential election. Internet disruptions following the vote have made it difficult to verify details or obtain reliable updates.

The Ugandan government has not yet issued any official response regarding the allegations. Bobi Wine, a former pop star, is considered the country’s most prominent opposition leader and ran against long-time President Yoweri Museveni in the recent election. An Al Jazeera report cited an NUP official confirming that military and security agents entered Wine’s home, though it remains unconfirmed whether he was taken by helicopter.

After voting concluded, Bobi Wine posted on social media alleging that the number of votes counted exceeded the number of registered voters and urged citizens to remain alert.