U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed solidarity with Iranians participating in ongoing anti-government protests and urged them to continue demonstrating in the streets. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump called on Iranian patriots to seize institutions and record the names of those responsible for killings and repression. He announced the cancellation of all meetings with Iranian officials until the violence stops and said that help is on the way, though he did not specify the nature or timing of that assistance.

The protests began on December 28 in Tehran’s markets over economic hardship and quickly spread nationwide. Rising prices, severe inflation, and the fall of the rial have driven young people and ordinary citizens into continuous demonstrations. The situation worsened last Thursday after Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last exiled Shah, called for stronger protests against the government.

Trump’s remarks come as the unrest intensifies, but details about the promised aid and U.S. actions remain unclear.

At a discussion titled 'From Nazrul Islam to Hadi: The Struggle for Freedom' held Tuesday evening at the Supreme Court auditorium in Dhaka, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman declared that Bangladesh’s young generation would not allow any India-backed agents to come to or remain in power. He said the political theory of the country must change so that no one supported by India could be elected or retained in office.

Rahman described the July movement as a turning point that created a new generation determined to protect national sovereignty. He linked this spirit to the ideals of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, emphasizing that Bangladesh’s independence struggle is fundamentally a cultural one that must continue against hostile neighbors. He urged preservation of the Inqilab Cultural Center, which he said was part of Hadi’s vision.

Other speakers, including Amar Desh executive editor Syed Abdal Ahmad, compared poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s anti-colonial voice to Hadi’s revolutionary spirit, noting that Nazrul’s poetry inspired the July movement. The event was organized by the Cultural Research Center, Dhaka, and attended by academics, poets, and family members of Hadi.

AUP Bangladesh has called on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to clarify its position regarding controversial remarks made by BNP leader Mosharraf Hossain Thakur about the niqab. The organization’s spokesperson, Shahreen Ira, made the statement during a protest held on Tuesday afternoon in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka. She warned that if the BNP fails to clarify its stance promptly, the remarks would be considered the party’s official position.

The protest was organized in response to Thakur’s comments, which AUP Bangladesh described as insulting to Islamic principles and women. Shahreen Ira said the remarks not only questioned Thakur’s personal background but also cast doubt on his party’s position. She criticized ongoing anti-Islamic sentiment in various sectors, including education, workplaces, and politics, and vowed that discriminatory behavior toward hijab or niqab would not be tolerated anywhere.

AUP central member Dilara Khanam added that Thakur’s comments were indecent and offensive to Islam, calling them both an insult to women and a violation of Islamic teachings.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sought assistance from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to combat widespread misinformation and confusion surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. He made the request during a telephone conversation on Tuesday with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

During the call, Yunus expressed concern over what he described as a flood of false information coming from both foreign media and local sources. He noted that social media platforms were being used to spread fake news, rumors, and speculation, raising worries about their potential impact on the electoral process.

In response, Volker Türk acknowledged awareness of the situation and assured that the UN human rights office would provide support to address the growing challenge of disinformation. He stated that the volume of false information was high and pledged that the UN agency would work closely with Bangladesh to take necessary measures.

Former information adviser Mahfuz Alam said that brokers within the country have accumulated wealth and are running the media, and that no real change has occurred in this regard. He made the remarks on Tuesday, January 13, at a seminar titled “State Reconstruction and Referendum” held at Dhaka University’s TSC auditorium.

Alam stated that the recent mass uprising was not for the benefit of a few individuals but for collective change, which requires reform. He criticized the lack of action against powerful figures and said that without measures against them, no transformation would be possible. He also mentioned that he was not allowed to work during the last four months of his tenure, which hindered state reform efforts. According to him, building a new structure while keeping the old order intact is impossible.

Emphasizing the need for redistribution of wealth, Alam questioned why political parties were contradicting the July Charter agreement. He said political consensus should mean restructuring power and redistributing resources, including land, which has not yet been addressed.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has issued a show-cause notice to BNP-nominated candidate Major General (Retd.) Sharif Uddin from Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice, signed by Rajshahi Joint District and Sessions Judge Mosammat Kamrun Nahar, was sent on Sunday and reached Godagari Police Station on Monday. Sharif Uddin has been ordered to appear in person before the Rajshahi Joint District Judge’s First Court on Wednesday, January 14, to provide a written explanation.

According to the notice, the committee learned that Sharif Uddin distributed shawls, mufflers, and party flags bearing the BNP’s symbol among all auto-rickshaw and CNG drivers in Ward 9 of Mundumala Municipality in Tanore. This act was deemed a clear violation of Rule 4 of the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025 for parliamentary elections. Copies of the notice were also sent to the Returning Officer and Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter.

The committee stated that the incident constitutes a pre-election irregularity and may be reported to the Election Commission Secretariat with recommendations after inquiry.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has criticized the decision to halt student union elections at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Begum Rokeya University, calling it an undemocratic move. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, January 13, after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission, he said students would not accept the suspension on security grounds.

Kayem stated that the elections were scheduled to be held on time, but certain quarters did not want them to proceed, leading to the issuance of a notification postponing the polls. He emphasized that discussions were held to ensure all necessary security so the elections could take place as planned, and the Election Commission had given assurances in this regard.

He also mentioned that students would campaign for a “yes” vote in the referendum, while accusing those promoting a “no” vote of trying to preserve past fascist practices and wrongdoing.

Tasnim Zara, former leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has clarified why she left the party ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking at a dialogue organized by the Citizens Platform on Tuesday, she said her decision to run as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency stemmed from a desire to change the old political structure. Zara had earlier announced her independent candidacy on December 27.

She explained that the country’s existing system suffers from a weak accountability framework and widespread complexity, where individuals are accountable to their own appointers. Zara emphasized the need to continue discussions on long-promised reforms and to ensure accountability among those in power. She added that citizens now seek change and are no longer willing to accept outdated political arrangements.

Her remarks come amid ongoing public debate over her departure from the NCP, highlighting broader concerns about governance and the demand for structural reform in national politics.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has raised objections over the postal ballots sent by the Election Commission for expatriate Bangladeshi voters. On Tuesday, a BNP delegation led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan met with the Chief Election Commissioner to express concerns that the ballots intentionally placed certain political parties’ names and symbols on the first line while positioning BNP’s name and symbol in the middle, making it less visible when folded.

Nazrul Islam Khan stated that the delegation discussed the issue with the commission, which appeared unaware of the matter. He said the commission claimed the order was based on alphabetical arrangement, but BNP believes it was done deliberately. The party requested changes and corrections to the postal ballots. Khan also drew attention to a viral video allegedly showing individuals in Bahrain handling multiple postal ballots, urging legal action against those involved.

According to the report, more than 1.5 million voters, including expatriates, have registered through the “Postal Vote BD” app to cast their votes via postal ballots.

India’s central government has decided to reopen several abandoned World War II-era airbases in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, according to a Times of India report. The initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity in states bordering Bangladesh. The airbases to be renovated include Ambari and Panga in Jalpaiguri, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, Jhaljhalia in Malda, and Dhubri in Assam. Additionally, Rupsi in Assam and Cooch Behar are already operational. The Airports Authority of India has handed over responsibility for West Bengal’s airfields to the state government.

Analysts believe the move is primarily intended to bolster security around the Siliguri Corridor, known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects India’s northeastern states with the mainland. The development comes amid reports that India-Bangladesh relations have reached a historic low. Bangladesh has recently begun reconstructing its Lalmonirhat airbase near the corridor but insists it will be used solely for national purposes.

Indian defense sources indicated that despite operational challenges, efforts are underway to make the airstrips functional, ensuring runways remain ready for use at all times.

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) held a meeting on January 13, 2026, with the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Secretary to ensure that the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student council election, known as ShakSU, takes place as scheduled. The meeting aimed to maintain the democratic process across all campuses in Bangladesh and to prevent any delay in the student elections.

During the discussion, the DUCSU representatives emphasized the importance of preserving the democratic trend that began after the July Revolution through regular campus elections. They warned that any attempt to halt student council elections three weeks before the national polls would not be accepted by the student community. The Chief Election Commissioner assured that the election would be held on time and pledged full cooperation.

University authorities, including the SUST Vice-Chancellor, also promised support for a free, fair, and peaceful election. The participants called on all candidates and stakeholders to uphold democratic practices and contribute to a safe and democratic campus environment.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it will support a 'Yes' vote if a referendum is held on upcoming elections and constitutional reforms. The statement came from Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and chairman of the party’s Election Steering Committee, following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon.

Khan said BNP has always advocated for qualitative reforms in the state and was the first to call for such changes. He added that the party has proposed increasing the number of women’s seats in the National Parliament. The meeting, which began at 4 p.m., was attended by a four-member BNP delegation led by Khan, including Ismail Jobiullah, Mohammad Zakaria, and Ruhul Quddus Kajol. The CEC, other election commissioners, and the Election Commission secretary were also present.

The BNP’s stance signals its readiness to engage positively in discussions on constitutional reform and electoral processes if a referendum is organized.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued a directive prohibiting the use of any educational institution for meetings, gatherings, or election campaigns related to the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. The order, released on Tuesday by the DSHE’s General Administration Branch, instructs all educational institutions to strictly comply with this rule.

According to the directive, the instruction follows a memorandum from the offices of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and the Returning Officer. It notes that some candidates or their representatives have been organizing voter gatherings under the guise of seminars or youth assemblies, often using school or college premises without proper authorization. The DSHE emphasized that such actions violate the electoral code of conduct.

To ensure compliance, the order has been circulated to all government and private colleges, secondary schools, teachers’ training colleges, and education officials at the upazila and district levels, directing them not to permit any political activities without the Returning Officer’s approval.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 297 houses and 30 apartments owned abroad by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, along with the freezing of his one million dollar investment in the United States. The order was issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) public relations officer Tanjir Ahmed confirmed the details, specifying that the properties are located in the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.

The order followed a petition filed by ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman seeking to seize the properties and freeze the funds. On the same day, the court also accepted a separate Criminal Investigation Department (CID) petition to freeze 46,463,455 shares held by Saifuzzaman and six others. The former minister, an Awami League leader and businessman, has been living in the United Kingdom since the fall of the Awami League government.

Multiple cases have been filed by the ACC and CID against Saifuzzaman on allegations of money laundering and corruption, and the court has imposed a travel ban on him.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that all communication channels between the armed forces of India and Bangladesh remain open to prevent any misunderstandings. He made the remarks on Tuesday in New Delhi during the army’s annual press conference while responding to a question about the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan and whether it poses a threat to India.

General Dwivedi explained that it is important for India to understand what kind of government is currently in power in Bangladesh, especially if it is an interim one, and to assess whether its actions are short-term or long-term. He emphasized that all three branches of the Indian military are maintaining full communication with their Bangladeshi counterparts, including regular contact between the army chiefs and other service heads. A delegation has also visited Bangladesh for field-level discussions.

The Indian Army Chief assured that none of the current military activities by either side are directed against India and that capability development is a continuous process being pursued by all nations. He added that India is closely monitoring the situation.