The Election Commission on Saturday canceled the nomination of BNP candidate Monjurul Ahsan Munshi for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced after a hearing held at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. The seat also features National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Hasnat Abdullah, who is contesting from a 10-party alliance.

Following the cancellation, Monjurul Ahsan Munshi shared a statement on Facebook urging supporters not to lose hope, describing the decision as part of an ongoing legal process. He stated that the Election Commission’s decision was not final and that the matter was under consideration by the High Court. Munshi expressed confidence that justice would prevail and his nomination would be reinstated.

He called for patience and unity among his supporters, emphasizing that they would continue their efforts through legal means and that truth and justice would ultimately triumph.

Local Government Ministry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan stated that no one can breach Bangladesh’s border if the country’s security guards remain vigilant. He made the remark on Saturday after inspecting the ongoing ‘Rainwater Reservoir’ project at Anjumanpara in Palongkhali Union of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The project aims to address the long-standing safe water crisis in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

According to the adviser, groundwater levels in the region have been falling while salinity has increased, creating a severe shortage of safe water. The rainwater reservoir project is designed to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution by collecting rainwater during the monsoon season, storing it in specially built reservoirs, and purifying it for year-round use by local residents. This initiative is expected to ensure easier access to safe water and reduce dependence on groundwater.

Adilur Rahman Khan noted that two to three phases of the project have already been completed and expressed satisfaction with the progress. He instructed relevant departments to maintain quality and complete the project within the scheduled time.

A fire that broke out at a shoe factory in Old Dhaka’s Nazirabazar area on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, has been brought under control. According to the Fire Service, four units worked for about half an hour to contain the blaze, which started on the third floor of a four-storey building. The fire was reported at 7:13 p.m., and firefighters reached the scene within ten minutes, bringing the situation under control by around 7:45 p.m.

Md. Enamul Haque, Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service (Zone-1), confirmed that the fire was successfully controlled after prompt action. However, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Officials stated that a detailed investigation will be conducted to identify how the fire originated.

No further details about casualties or property damage were provided in the initial report, and the Fire Service is expected to release more information after the investigation.

Four members of the Bangladesh Army were injured when their patrol vehicle collided with a truck and fell into a roadside ditch in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah on Saturday morning, January 17, 2026. The accident occurred around 10 a.m. near Beloghat Eidgah on the Maheshpur–Khalishpur road. Both vehicles lost control and plunged into the ditch following the collision. The information was confirmed by Major Navid Hasan, commander of the Maheshpur Army Camp.

According to the report, the injured soldiers were rescued by army personnel and taken to Maheshpur Upazila Health Complex for treatment. The truck driver fled the scene after the incident. The condition of the four injured soldiers was described as serious by their colleagues. No further details about the cause of the collision or the identity of the truck driver were provided.

Authorities have not yet released any statement regarding possible investigations or road safety measures following the accident.

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.