Former England cricketer and analyst Mark Butcher has described the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to exclude Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup as “unprecedented” and “utter chaos.” According to the report, Bangladesh had requested to play its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns in India. The ICC, however, rejected the request and, under pressure from India, removed Bangladesh from the global tournament.

Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Butcher criticized the ICC for allegedly changing its rules to favor India, citing the example of India’s Champions Trophy matches being relocated to Dubai instead of Pakistan. He argued that such flexibility for one team undermines fairness in world cricket.

Butcher further urged that similar standards should apply to all teams in the future. He suggested that if a team refuses to play in a country citing security reasons, it should either ensure safety and participate or withdraw, allowing another team to take its place.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has taken a strict stance against violations of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum. On Thursday, mobile court drives across the country resulted in fines totaling Tk 170,000 in 18 separate cases. The information was confirmed by Saiful Islam, member secretary of the Central Coordination Committee for the referendum and parliamentary election.

According to EC sources, the penalties were imposed on candidates and their supporters for offenses including illegal posters and banners, unauthorized processions, misuse of government property, excessive use of loudspeakers, and causing public inconvenience. The drives were conducted in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Cumilla, Noakhali, Narayanganj, and Natore. Immediate fines and warnings were issued upon proof of violations.

The EC stated that it will maintain zero tolerance toward any breach of election laws to ensure free, fair, and transparent polls. Field-level monitoring, mobile court operations, and law enforcement activities will be further intensified throughout the campaign period to preserve a peaceful voting environment.

At least seven people were injured in a clash between activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola-3 constituency on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in Ward No. 11 of Lalmohan municipality, reportedly over election campaign activities. Police and naval personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

According to eyewitnesses, an argument between the two groups over campaign activities escalated into a violent confrontation. Lalmohan BNP’s general secretary, Shafiqul Islam Babul, alleged that Jamaat activists led by Mokhles Bokshi, a recently joined former president of the upazila Krishak League, attacked BNP workers during a campaign event, injuring four of them. Jamaat leaders, however, denied the allegation, claiming that BNP supporters initiated the attack.

Lalmohan police officer-in-charge Md. Oliul Islam stated that law enforcement responded promptly and controlled the situation. No formal complaint had been filed as of the report’s publication, but authorities said legal action would follow if a complaint is submitted.

Hundreds of US military members, civilians, and their families have filed a civil lawsuit in a federal court in eastern Virginia against British American Tobacco (BAT) and one of its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs allege that BAT secretly supported North Korea for years, indirectly financing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah in developing weapons of mass destruction that caused harm to American citizens.

According to the complaint, BAT began producing cigarettes in North Korea in 2001 through a joint venture with a state-owned company. Although the firm announced its withdrawal in 2007 under international pressure, the US Department of Justice later said operations continued covertly through a subsidiary. A 2005 Guardian investigation first exposed the activity, and in 2023 a US Senate hearing revealed that about $418 million in transactions linked to BAT’s North Korea venture supported the country’s weapons program.

In 2023, BAT and its subsidiary reached a plea agreement with US authorities, admitting to sanctions violations and bank fraud, and agreed to pay $629 million in fines. The lawsuit claims funds from cigarette production and smuggling were used to aid attacks in Iraq and Kurdistan that killed and injured US personnel.

Bangladesh has appointed the London-based legal firm Three VB Chambers to represent the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) in an international arbitration process against India’s Adani Power Limited. The arbitration, to be conducted at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), concerns disputes over coal pricing and electricity tariffs. The decision came five days after a national review committee submitted its final report on power sector contracts signed during Sheikh Hasina’s government.

BPDB officials said the firm, led by King’s Counsel Farhaz Khan, has been advising the national committee reviewing the Adani contract for several months. The dispute intensified after Adani Power initiated arbitration in Singapore last year, claiming Bangladesh owed about USD 485 million in unpaid coal-related dues. Bangladesh has accused Adani of inflating coal prices, artificially raising power generation costs.

Following the fall of the Hasina government in August, the interim administration strengthened its review of the Adani deal. Officials said evidence of financial transactions between Adani and some Bangladeshi officials has been sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission. Legal experts have cautioned that contract termination could expose Bangladesh to compensation claims of up to USD 5 billion.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a 36-point election manifesto ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, pledging to make one-month paid paternity leave and six-month paid maternity leave mandatory in all institutions. The manifesto, titled “Manifesto of Youth and Dignity,” was formally unveiled on Friday, January 30, at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Divided into 12 chapters, the manifesto outlines strategies and action plans across various sectors. It includes commitments to ensure women’s safety, rights, and empowerment, with provisions for additional leave in cases of childbirth complications. The NCP also proposed introducing one day of optional half-paid “period leave” per month for women in government jobs, later to be made mandatory across all workplaces with possible government subsidies for private sector workers.

Additionally, the manifesto promises mandatory daycare facilities in all government institutions and incentives for private organizations that establish daycare services.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), declared that if entrusted with responsibility, he would take strict action against extortionists, drug dealers, and loan defaulters. Speaking on Friday, January 30, 2026, at an election rally in Moricha village of Rajamehar Union, Debidwar upazila in Comilla, he warned those involved in drug trade to abandon illegal activities and promised to help them find lawful means of livelihood such as small businesses or cattle rearing.

Abdullah criticized the culture of compromise in politics with drug lords and extortionists, alleging that many senior leaders had long accepted money from drug barons but were now on the run. He also condemned attempts by individuals to misuse photos with him for personal gain, stressing that no one, not even his own family, would receive illegal favors. He emphasized that his campaign was focused on ordinary people rather than corrupt networks.

Highlighting the importance of women voters, Abdullah said he believed mothers, aunts, and sisters would play a decisive role in sending him to parliament.

Twenty-two leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj have announced their resignation from the party. The announcement was made on Friday, January 30, 2026, at a press conference held at the party’s temporary office near Rasulpur Ferry Ghat in Imamapur Union. Gazaria upazila BNP member secretary Abdur Rahman Shafiq read a written statement declaring the resignations.

According to the statement, 74 of 78 unit presidents and general secretaries under the Munshiganj-3 constituency had supported a particular candidate, but the party ignored this majority opinion and nominated another. The resigning leaders also expressed anger over the expulsion of 13 popular figures, including district BNP leader Mohiuddin Ahmed and former central Jubo Dal vice president Alhaj Muhammad Mojibur Rahman. They said their resignations were effective immediately.

Among those resigning are district BNP convening committee member Md. Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan, upazila BNP joint conveners Shafik Shikdar and Engineer Mukbul Ahmed Ratan, as well as leaders from union-level BNP, Jubo Dal, and Matsyajibi Dal units.

The Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a weeklong nationwide joint operation from January 23 to 29, arresting 504 individuals allegedly involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, robbery, juvenile gangs, and smuggling. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced on January 30 that the raids also led to the recovery of 48 illegal firearms, 75 rounds of ammunition, 95 crude bombs, and various local weapons and narcotics. The detainees were handed over to local police stations for interrogation and legal proceedings.

According to ISPR, the army continues to perform its duties with professionalism and discipline to maintain law and order across the country. Regular patrols and security operations are being carried out in different regions, including industrial areas where the army is also addressing labor unrest. The statement added that such operations will continue to ensure public safety and stability.

ISPR urged citizens to report any suspicious or unusual activities to the nearest army camp to support ongoing security efforts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to establish Noakhali as a separate administrative division and create a city corporation if his party comes to power. He made the commitment on Friday, January 30, 2026, while addressing an election rally of the 11-party alliance at Noakhali Zilla School ground. Rahman said these demands of the local people would be implemented gradually through justice and fairness.

In his speech, the Jamaat leader also promised measures to prevent river erosion in Hatiya, Companiganj, and Subarnachar, construction of a closure on the Companiganj–Chhoto Feni River, and expansion of a railway line from Sonapur to Hatiya Chairman Ghat. He urged voters to support the alliance’s candidates in all six constituencies of Noakhali and expressed optimism about victory.

Rahman added that people across Bangladesh were rallying for justice and fairness, noting that the youth were eager to see a new Bangladesh from the 13th of the coming month.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said those who persecuted Hindus during the 1971 Liberation War have reappeared in new form to contest the election. Speaking at a meeting with Hindu and Buddhist community members in Pekua Sadar’s Bishwashpara on Friday, he questioned whether citizens would be safe under such candidates. His remarks were seen as an indirect reference to Jamaat-e-Islami.

Ahmed stated that during the Liberation War, a religion-based party had inflicted the most suffering on the country’s Hindu community, forcing them to make sacrifices known to their ancestors. He added that those who did not believe in independence were responsible for such persecution. He emphasized that BNP’s founder, President Ziaur Rahman, ensured religious freedom for all and identified everyone living in the country as Bangladeshi.

The meeting, chaired by former Puja Celebration Committee general secretary Chandamoy Bishwas Tilok, was attended by local BNP and community leaders, including Bahadur Shah, Kamran Jadid Mukut, and others.

The Chittagong Port Authority has warned of strict legal action against employees who oppose a recent High Court ruling allowing the appointment of a foreign operator at the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The warning was issued on Friday through an office order signed by Director (Administration) Omar Faruk, following reports that some port officials and workers had staged demonstrations and made negative comments against the court’s decision.

According to the authority, the High Court delivered its verdict on January 29, confirming that there is no legal barrier to appointing a foreign operator for the NCT project. In response, several workers and employees organized protest marches and group gatherings in various areas of the port, which the authority described as a direct violation of service regulations. Officials stated that previous warnings had been issued, and this latest notice serves as a final caution.

The dispute over the appointment of a foreign operator has caused months of tension within and outside the port. Following the court’s decision, labor groups including the Nationalist Workers Party and the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) announced plans to halt all operational activities at the port on Saturday and Sunday.

Pakistan’s military said 41 militants were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan, reaffirming its commitment to continue counterterrorism efforts. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on January 30, the operations were conducted on January 29 in different areas of the province. The ISPR claimed the militants were linked to groups called ‘Fitna al-Kharij’ and ‘Fitna al-Hindustan,’ allegedly supported by India.

In Harnai district, security forces launched an operation after receiving intelligence about the presence of ‘Fitna al-Kharij’ members, killing 30 militants and seizing large quantities of weapons and explosives. Another operation in Panjgur district destroyed a hideout of ‘Fitna al-Hindustan,’ killing 11 militants and recovering weapons, ammunition, and money allegedly stolen during a 2025 bank robbery. The military said sanitization operations were ongoing to ensure no other militants remained in the area.

The ISPR added that under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision, Pakistan’s security and law enforcement agencies would continue full-scale operations to eliminate foreign-backed terrorism. It also noted that cross-border attacks have increased since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

More than fifty leaders and activists from the Ganadhikar Parishad, including central and district-level figures, have joined Jamaat-e-Islami in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi. The formal joining took place on Friday during a courtyard meeting organized by the Shuktagar Union in support of the party’s electoral symbol, the balance scale. Prominent among the new members are Md. Abdul Hamid, joint convener of Ganadhikar Parishad’s Rajapur unit, and Engineer Al-Amin, joint general secretary of the central committee of the Labour Rights Council and president of its Jhalakathi district branch.

The event was attended by Dr. Fayzul Haque, Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for the Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia) constituency, along with district Ameer Advocate Hafizur Rahman, Advocate Shah Alam, and local leaders from the NCP and the 11-party alliance. Speakers at the meeting said they joined Jamaat-e-Islami to work for Islamic ideals and national welfare, expressing hope that the party would play a key role in promoting moral and principled leadership in future politics.

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders welcomed the new members and called for unity to strengthen the organization further.

Abdul Hannan Masud, the central senior joint chief coordinator of the National Congress Party (NCP) and the 11-party alliance candidate for Noakhali-6 (Hatiya), has threatened to withdraw from the election if attackers who allegedly assaulted his supporters are not arrested within two hours. He made the statement on Friday, January 30, at a press briefing in a convention hall in Noakhali, accusing armed assailants of injuring 8–10 of his supporters and throwing them into a river during a ferry inauguration event at Nalchira Ghat earlier in the day.

Masud demanded immediate arrests of the identified attackers and warned of tougher actions, including surrounding the local police station, if authorities fail to act. He said that despite repeated appeals, the administration has not provided any remedy. He also stated that his participation in the election would depend on whether the government takes action against the armed groups.

Earlier, a video of a chase and counter-chase between Masud’s supporters and a group of youths at the ferry terminal went viral, with Masud claiming that his supporters were injured in the incident.