The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Wednesday alleged that at least 522 incidents of communal violence occurred across Bangladesh in 2025, sharply contradicting the government’s claim that only 71 incidents carried communal elements. The violence also included land grabbing, abductions, extortion, torture and arrests on allegations of religious blasphemy. The Unity Council strongly criticized a January 19 Facebook post by the chief adviser, which stated that investigations identified 645 incidents involving minorities in 2025 but classified only 71 as communal, labelling the remaining 574 as non-communal. Many of these cases, he said, have been identified as communal violence by national and international media and rights groups. With the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, the Unity Council warned that communal violence has continued into the election period.

Bias to any political party will be tolerated in Feb 12 election: Home AdviserHome Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS)– Reiterating that February 12 national election is vital for shaping the country’s future, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. “Minimal prejudice toward any political party will not be tolerated,” he warned. “Any form of biased conduct toward a candidate or political party will face strict departmental and legal action,” he said. Senior administrative officials, election officers, and police officials from Dhaka Division and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police were present at the meeting.

DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government has promulgated the ‘Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026’ to further streamline the country’s microcredit operations, create employment opportunities, alleviate poverty, and ensure ownership of microfinance institutions by borrowers themselves. Under the newly promulgated ordinance, microcredit borrowers will no longer remain only clients of financial institutions; they will now become shareholders and owners of microfinance banks. The ordinance shall be known as the Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026. However, any Microfinance Bank established under this ordinance will not be eligible for listing on the country’s stock exchanges. Social Business and Dividend Policy:The ordinance defines the Microfinance Bank as a social business institution.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has been deployed across its designated operational areas to maintain peace, order and overall security during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026. The information was disclosed on Thursday afternoon by Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque after inspecting the law and order situation at several polling areas in Sandwip, Chattogram. Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque said that since its inception, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing a vital role in ensuring security in the country’s vast maritime, coastal and riverine regions. The Coast Guard, he added, is actively disseminating information to encourage public participation. He reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Coast Guard remains fully alert and prepared to safeguard voting rights and prevent any form of violence throughout the election period.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched direct flight on the Dhaka–Karachi–Dhaka route on Thursday, with the inaugural flight, BG-341, departing from Dhaka at 8pm. The inaugural flight will arrive in Karachi at 11pm local time on Thursday. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the return flight, BG-342, departing Karachi at 12:01am on Friday and arriving in Dhaka at 4:20am the same day. A total of 150 passengers flew on the inaugural flight. With the launch of this route, Biman Bangladesh Airlines establishes direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz has said the core message of the July Charter is to restore people’s rights for which people liberated the country in 1971 and for which a mass uprising took place in 2024. Buddhist and Christian Religious Welfare Trust organized the programme at the auditorium of Dharmarajika Buddhist temple at Basabo in the capital. Bhabesh Chakma, Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust chaired the event while Religious Affairs Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Secretary Joy Dutta Barua, Christian Religious Welfare Trust Trustee Pius Costa , among others, spoke.

The Bangladesh Government Employees Coordination Council on Thursday demanded the immediate issuance of a gazette notification for the Pay Commission report, warning of nationwide protests, marches to the secretariat, and a general work stoppage if their demand is not met before the next national election. “Under these circumstances, there is no alternative but to announce tougher protest programs to realize our demands,” he said. Secretary General Badrul Alam Sobuj formally presented the organization’s sole demand: that the Pay Commission report be issued through a gazette notification effective from January 1, 2026, and fully implemented before the next national election. The council plans to submit a memorandum to the Cabinet Secretary on Sunday, February 1, 2026, as an ultimatum. The Secretary General warned that if the Pay Commission report is not implemented on time, the organization will launch strict protest measures, including nationwide rallies, marches towards the Secretariat, and a general work stoppage.

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Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said the country’s electoral “level playing field” has come under serious question following a deadly clash between Jamaat and BNP activists in Sherpur’s Jhenaigati upazila. Later that night, in a post on his verified Facebook page, Shafiqur Rahman called for swift and decisive action by law enforcement agencies. “Whoever forms the government through a fair and acceptable election, Jamaat-e-Islami will congratulate them. Addressing supporters, Shafiqur Rahman said that if Jamaat came to power, all income, expenditure and activities of members of parliament would be made public annually. Youth and local pledgesCalling youth the future of Bangladesh, Shafiqur Rahman said young people would not be allowed to fall into extortion, terrorism or drug abuse.

BFUJ General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury served as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Our Responsibilities in the Development of Indigenous Culture," held in the capital. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union (BFUJ) General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury said culture is the foundation of civilization while alien culture locks the door of conscience. Mentioning that culture is the pursuit of beauty, Chowdhury said the culture is the foundation of civilization and civilization is the advanced form of culture. Culture shows the path to beauty, while alien culture takes people toward ugliness and pushes them into darkness," he said. The discussion was presided over by Samajik Sangskritik Foundation (Social Cultural Foundation) President Lion Anwara Begum Nipa and moderated by Manjur Hossain Isa.

Reading time: about 5 minutesThe pretty motherf***er A$AP Rocky returns with his first album in eight years since TESTING (2018): DON’T BE DUMB. I had high hopes for this album after seeing Winona Ryder jamming in the “PUNK ROCKY” music video. Rocky has always experimented, but with “PUNK ROCKY” he really ventures outside his genre. I will say the “PUNK ROCKY” music video was entertaining, and I like where his artistry is headed visually. Loved the slow-build into trap elements, Damon Albarn’s vocals and Westside’s little trills and “boom boom boom boom!” That alone almost made up for … the rest of the album.

A total of 4,45,588 expatriate voters who registered through the Postal Vote BD mobile app have already cast their votes in the 13th national elections and referendum, officials said on Thursday. Of these, 55,341 completed postal ballots have so far reached Bangladesh, according to the Election Commission (EC). Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the Out of Country Voting (OCV) System Development & Implementation (SDI) Project, told BSS that postal ballots were sent to 2,44,625 registered expatriate voters across 52 districts of the country. The EC said that by 10:30 am on Thursday, a total of 7,66,862 postal ballots had reached expatriate destination countries, while 5,09,601 expatriate voters had received their ballots. In addition, 3,94,174 expatriate voters submitted their completed ballots at post offices or post boxes in their respective countries, the EC added.

Three murder case accused were allegedly released from Mymensingh Central Jail without bail, prompting the formation of a three-member investigation committee. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Mymensingh Central Jail and came to light on Thursday. Senior Jail Superintendent of Mymensingh, Md Aminul Islam, said: “The jail officials mistakenly released the inmates. This was an unintended release.”The three released prisoners are Md Anis Mia, Rashedul Islam, and Zakirul Islam. Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (DIG Prisons) of Mymensingh Division, Mohammad Towhidul Islam said, three murder case accused were mistakenly released as their court summons were treated as bail papers; Deputy Jailer Zakaria Imtiaz has been temporarily suspended over the matter and a three-member investigation committee formed.

The Election Commission (EC) has decided to issue journalists’ election passes manually, reverting to the previous system, for coverage of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the upcoming referendum. The move comes in response to demands from the journalism community, reversing an earlier plan to accept applications online. Senior Secretary of the EC, Akhtar Ahmed, announced the decision on Thursday during a briefing at the EC building in Agargaon, Dhaka. He clarified that journalists who have already registered online and received approval will retain their cards, and no new online registration will be required. Earlier, the EC had planned to provide journalists’ election coverage cards and vehicle stickers through online applications ahead of the parliamentary election and referendum.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff General Walker-uz-Zaman, at the Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. According to the verified Facebook page of the Bangladesh Army, the ambassador and the army chief exchanged greetings during the meeting. The discussion focused on the longstanding friendly relations between the Bangladesh and United States armed forces, as well as issues related to bilateral military cooperation, it said.