Bangladesh’s young generation, credited with toppling former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, is now expected to play a decisive role in the country’s upcoming national election on February 12. The vote, described by European Union observers as the “biggest democratic process in 2026, anywhere,” will be the first since the July 2024 uprising that forced Hasina to flee to India after a violent crackdown left up to 1,400 people dead. Many first-time voters, such as 27-year-old Rafiul Alam from Dhaka, say they are eager to participate after years of political disillusionment.

According to the Election Commission, nearly 56 million of Bangladesh’s 127 million registered voters are aged between 18 and 37, representing about 44 percent of the electorate. Analysts say this group’s shared distrust of institutions and demand for accountability could redefine the political landscape. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has barred the Awami League from contesting, leaving the field to two main coalitions led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

However, divisions have emerged within youth-led movements such as the National Citizen Party, whose alliance with Jamaat has drawn criticism from protest leaders. Women’s representation also remains low, with only 4.24 percent of candidates being female, raising concerns about the depth of political reform.

Bangladeshi publishers will not be allowed to participate in this year’s Kolkata International Book Fair, marking the second consecutive year without a Bangladesh pavilion. The organizers, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, confirmed that although Bangladesh expressed interest in joining, the guild declined their participation. The decision reportedly stems from the absence of clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which is required due to current India-Bangladesh relations.

According to Guild General Secretary Tridib Chatterjee, the guild cannot permit Bangladesh’s participation without the ministry’s approval. The Bangladeshi Deputy High Commission in Kolkata also confirmed that interest in joining had been conveyed. Chatterjee added that while Bangladesh will not have an official presence, individual stalls may still display Bangladeshi books without objection.

The United States will also miss this year’s fair due to budget allocation issues. For the first time, Ukraine will participate, and China will return after 15 years. Argentina is the theme country, with a total of 21 nations and over a thousand local and Indian publishers taking part.

Two Awami League leaders, Azam Pasha Chowdhury Rumel and Advocate Saif Uddin Ahmed, allegedly arranged a family gathering known as a 'beyakhana' inside the women’s lockup of the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Monday, January 19. The event reportedly took place with the cooperation of on-duty police officers while both leaders were brought to court for hearings. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing family members present inside the restricted area.

According to court sources, both leaders are long-term detainees in Noakhali District Jail facing multiple murder and explosives-related cases. The gathering followed the recent marriage between Rumel’s daughter and Ahmed’s son, which took place on December 30. Police officials confirmed that the lockup is normally used for female detainees’ basic needs, not for family events.

Following reports of the incident, a three-member investigation committee was formed under Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayeb Md Arif Hossain. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days, after which internal disciplinary action may be taken.

Thirty-six Bangladeshi nationals who spent between Tk 40 lakh and Tk 80 lakh each to reach the United States were deported and returned home empty-handed. They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday at noon aboard a special US military flight as part of Washington’s anti-illegal immigration drive. The group included one woman, and their return was confirmed by a BRAC Migration Program press release.

According to BRAC, most of the deportees had initially traveled legally to Brazil with clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) before attempting to enter the US illegally through Mexico. Their asylum applications were later rejected after lengthy legal proceedings. BRAC’s Migration and Youth Platform Associate Director Shariful Hasan said the organization provided emergency support and transportation assistance upon their arrival.

Hasan questioned whether the government’s approval for sending workers to Brazil was being misused as a transit route to the US. He urged accountability for the agencies involved and called for greater caution before issuing new approvals, noting that 1,320 Bangladeshis went to Brazil in 2025, including 951 from Noakhali.

Starting January 25, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will impose fines and possible jail terms for honking in and around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, violators may face a maximum fine of 10,000 taka or up to three months in jail. The enforcement will cover the airport area and a 1.5-kilometer stretch from Scholastica School to Hotel Le Méridien.

The DMP has declared the airport zone, along with Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan, as silent areas where honking is a punishable offense. The initiative aims to reduce noise pollution in these designated zones. The police announcement specifies that the rule will be strictly implemented from January 25.

To ensure compliance, special mobile courts will be operated jointly by the Department of Environment, BRTA, Civil Aviation Authority, Dhaka North City Corporation, and DMP magistrates, as stated in the police notice.

The government of Bangladesh has approved a special allocation of Tk 71.98 crore to install CCTV cameras at 21,946 highly important and high-risk polling centers across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The announcement was made by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NIKAR) held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

According to Majumder, out of approximately 42,000 polling centers nationwide, 6,552 already have CCTV cameras, while new installations are underway at the rest. Each high-risk center will receive at least six cameras under the special allocation, while other centers will be covered through local administrative and city corporation funding. The installation process has started in all districts, with Gazipur district nearing completion. Additionally, 299 polling centers without electricity will be equipped with solar power or generator backup to ensure uninterrupted power supply on election day.

The briefing also discussed improving law enforcement in Dhaka amid rapid urban growth and reviewed possible administrative restructuring of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, though no final decision was reached.

Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of Jagannath University (JNU) Chhatra Dal, issued a stern warning on Tuesday evening, January 20, through a Facebook post emphasizing politeness, tolerance, and healthy student politics. He stated that while his organization had long endured controversial activities from other student groups with patience, any further crossing of limits would lead to severe consequences. Himel warned that those who overstep boundaries would not be able to stay anywhere in Dhaka, neither on campus nor at home.

In his post, Himel described Jagannath University as an emotional space for Chhatra Dal, founded by Begum Khaleda Zia, and said the group had shown restraint to maintain a peaceful educational environment. His remarks came after Ibrahim Khalil, organizational secretary of JNU Shibir, accused the authorities of halting the Shaksu election to arrange a BNP rally in Sylhet and called for a blockade in protest. That statement sparked criticism among Chhatra Dal activists nationwide.

Himel further warned that any organization under the influence of Chhatra League making provocative comments would not be spared, triggering renewed debate in campus politics.

The ‘Vote Rickshaw’ campaign was inaugurated in Sylhet as part of nationwide publicity for the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The event, organized by the Sylhet District Information Office, was virtually inaugurated by Md. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, at the Sadar Upazila Parishad premises on Tuesday. The initiative is being implemented under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the support of the Department of Mass Communication.

According to officials, the campaign aims to raise public awareness about the referendum and encourage voter participation. Abdul Jalil stated that the program will expand across all eight divisions, 64 districts, 495 upazilas, and 4,579 unions nationwide. Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat emphasized that the dual voting process—covering both the national election and the referendum—requires citizens to be well-informed. The referendum seeks to ensure the proper implementation of the July Charter based on public opinion.

In Sylhet, the campaign will run across 13 upazilas and 106 unions until February 9, with participation from local officials and media representatives.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that shipbuilding companies can regularize their defaulted loans by depositing three percent of the outstanding amount. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a circular on Tuesday outlining the terms. The loans can be repaid over a maximum of ten years, including a two-year grace period during which only interest must be paid monthly or quarterly. Companies must apply by June 30 of this year, and banks are required to resolve applications within sixty days.

The circular explains that the global economic downturn, geopolitical instability, and military unrest in Europe have disrupted supply chains, severely affecting both export-oriented and domestic shipbuilding industries. To sustain this promising export sector and facilitate loan recovery, Bangladesh Bank introduced special rescheduling and restructuring facilities. Previously rescheduled loans may also receive up to two additional years of repayment time with a two percent down payment.

Banks must verify through special inspections that borrowers were genuinely affected by uncontrollable circumstances. Islamic banks are instructed to implement the policy in accordance with Shariah principles.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser on Shipping and Labour and Employment, has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming Referendum 2026, describing it as a historic opportunity in Bangladesh’s democratic journey. Speaking on Tuesday, January 20, at a campaign discussion organized by the Panchagarh District Administration at the Panchagarh Government Auditorium, he said the referendum would allow people to directly express their opinions on key state matters and strengthen participatory, transparent, and accountable governance.

He emphasized that the referendum is not merely a formal process but a reflection of the people’s sovereign power. Hossain warned that if the 'No' side wins, the nation could lose the opportunity gained through the July mass uprising. He urged citizens to vote 'Yes' to ensure true empowerment and liberation from past autocratic practices.

The adviser also stressed the importance of public awareness and responsible, fact-based campaigning to ensure the referendum’s success. He assured that the process would follow a clear legal and constitutional framework with transparency and neutrality at every stage.

A dramatic escape by murder suspect Nahid Hasan Liton from Pirgacha police custody in Rangpur has caused widespread commotion across the upazila. Liton, the organizational secretary of Rangpur District Jubo League and son of Pirgacha Upazila Awami League vice-president Abdul Hannan, was arrested Tuesday evening during a special police operation at his home in connection with the Shahid Abu Sayed murder case. Witnesses claimed he was handcuffed after arrest, but fled during a scuffle between police and several women, allegedly leaving the scene unclothed and still wearing handcuffs.

Local sources said a youth leader assured police of recovering the handcuffs. A couple who witnessed the incident reported that one woman bit a police officer’s hand, allowing Liton to escape. Pirgacha Police Officer-in-Charge AKM Khandaker Mohibbul Islam confirmed the escape but denied that Liton was handcuffed at the time, calling such claims baseless.

The incident has raised local concerns about possible police negligence and the broader implications for law and order in the area.

The Bangladesh government has approved a 70-day holiday schedule for all government Alia madrasas and private Ebtedayee, Dakhil, Alim, Fazil, and Kamil madrasas for the 2026 academic year. The decision was announced on January 20, 2026, through a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Rahat Manna of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division. The holidays include religious and national observances such as Ramadan, Shaheed Dibas, International Mother Language Day, Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day, covering nearly one month of closure. Fridays and Saturdays are excluded from the holiday count.

The circular details specific dates for holidays throughout the year, including Shab-e-Miraj on January 17, Shab-e-Barat on February 4–5, and a long break from February 15 to March 26. Additional holidays include Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation from May 24 to June 11, Durga Puja from October 20 to 22, and winter vacation from December 13 to 24. Three reserve days are allotted for institution heads. Haor region madrasas may adjust up to ten extra days during the Boro harvest season.

The academic calendar also sets examination dates, with half-yearly exams from June 25 to July 15, Dakhil selection exams from October 11 to November 10, and annual and Alim selection exams from November 19 to December 10.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to postpone the upcoming rounds of the Bangladesh Football League and the Federation Cup following requests from participating clubs. The tenth round of the league was originally scheduled to begin on February 6, 2026, but clubs, including Mohammedan SC, expressed reluctance to play close to the national election period and formally requested a schedule change. Other clubs also supported the postponement verbally.

According to the report, the clubs have proposed resuming the second phase of the league on February 20, 2026, if conditions permit after the election. Teams have agreed to complete the season within the previously planned timeframe. The national football team is scheduled to play on March 31 and will travel to Singapore for the Asian Cup qualifiers, so league matches are expected to continue until at least six days before the national team camp begins.

Despite the suspension, clubs are using the break to strengthen their squads. Fortis FC has already added foreign players, and both Bashundhara Kings and Fortis FC currently share the top position with 18 points each after the first phase ended on January 4.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said one of Bangladesh’s major problems is policy distortion caused by excessive laws and regulations conflicting with free-market principles. Speaking on Tuesday at a seminar titled ‘Post Election 2026 Horizon; Economy, Politics and Capital Market’ organized by BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage in Banani, Dhaka, he argued that the economy has reached a low equilibrium over the past one and a half years and requires major reforms, liberalization, and market-oriented policies to recover.

He emphasized that Bangladesh’s economy and capital market are overly regulated by controlling agencies, calling for deregulation, transparency, and accountability. Khasru said his party would pursue liberalization if in power, allowing markets to operate freely. He also highlighted issues such as reckless bank lending, capital flight, and lack of accountability as key causes of financial instability.

Khasru further noted that transparency in the capital market is essential, urging the removal of “garbage accounts” and accurate disclosure of non-performing loans, which he said could reach 40 percent if properly reported. He stressed that investor confidence depends on presenting a clear and credible financial picture.

Iranian authorities have issued a three-day ultimatum for citizens involved in recent anti-government protests to surrender. National Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan announced on state television that those who participated in what the government calls “riots” would be treated leniently if they turn themselves in within the given timeframe. He described the young participants as “deceived individuals” rather than enemy soldiers and said the Islamic Republic would show flexibility toward them.

The protests, which began in late December over economic hardship, quickly evolved into one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s leadership. Human rights organizations claim thousands were killed during violent crackdowns, while Iranian officials argue that the initially peaceful demonstrations were later fueled by the United States and Israel to destabilize the country. Tasnim News Agency reported around 3,000 arrests, though rights groups estimate the number could reach 20,000.

The ultimatum follows a stern warning from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who urged authorities to crush “traitors” and ensure no domestic or foreign offenders escape punishment, further intensifying Iran’s political and social unrest.