National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has alleged that the administration is showing bias toward a particular group. Speaking to reporters after meeting with election commissioners on Tuesday afternoon, he claimed there are at least one hundred examples of one-sided behavior by the administration. He cited the case of Sylhet-3 constituency, where one candidate’s nomination was canceled despite being allowed to submit information later, while a BNP candidate in a similar situation was permitted to validate his nomination.

Bhuiyan warned that such administrative behavior is raising public concern about potential bias and one-sided actions in the upcoming February 12 election. He urged the Election Commission to take appropriate measures to prevent favoritism during upcoming hearings, which will be directly under the Commission’s authority.

He further stated that if any bias occurs in the appeal process, it would cast doubt on the Election Commission’s ability to conduct a fair election.

A delegation of the National Citizen Party (NCP), led by its spokesperson and head of the central election management committee Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. The meeting took place as part of the party’s engagement with the Election Commission ahead of upcoming electoral activities.

The NCP delegation included Joint Member Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto, Joint Chief Coordinator Advocate Shakil Ahmad, and Head of the Election Media Subcommittee Mahabub Alam. The report did not specify the agenda or outcomes of the meeting.

The discussion reflects ongoing interactions between political parties and the Election Commission in the lead-up to national elections, though no further details on topics or decisions were provided in the source.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred new controversy after being photographed holding a red hat inscribed with 'Make Iran Great Again' and his signature. The image, taken aboard Air Force One on Sunday night while returning from Florida to Washington, was shared Monday on social media platform X by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump. Graham praised Trump’s leadership and voiced support for Iranian anti-government protesters, calling for solidarity with those fighting against 'tyranny.'

The hat’s design mirrors Trump’s well-known 'Make America Great Again' slogan but features the pre-1979 Iranian flag symbol. Analysts cited in the report interpret the gesture as more than symbolic, suggesting it signals political support for regime change in Iran. Graham later appeared on Fox News wearing the same hat, expressing hope that 2026 would mark a 'great' future for Iran.

The development follows a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, leading observers to believe the Trump administration’s attention may now be shifting toward the Middle East, with the hat seen as a pointed political message to Tehran.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), announced that his personal Facebook profile has been disabled. He revealed the information during a live broadcast on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday morning. Abdullah stated that his account was disabled some time ago, allegedly due to copyright claims linked to posts reflecting his anti-India stance. He added that the deactivation had disrupted his communication with supporters and followers in recent days.

Abdullah said he will now remain active through his verified Facebook page, which was previously managed mainly by administrators. He urged his supporters to share his page to help disseminate his messages and updates. He believes that his personal profile was disabled because of copyright complaints related to his political posts.

Earlier, former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan reported losing his official Facebook page with three million followers after posts about Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi were mass-reported and removed by Facebook authorities.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Sunamganj after nearly two decades, with party sources indicating that he may address a public rally in the district town on January 22. Although the final schedule has not been officially announced, preparations are reportedly well advanced. The visit could mark the beginning of Rahman’s election campaign, which party insiders view as a significant milestone for local politics.

Rahman last visited Sunamganj in 2004, when he spoke at rallies in the town’s old bus stand and other haor areas including Tekerghat and Jamalganj. News of his possible return has sparked enthusiasm among BNP leaders and activists across the district. Discussions are also underway about holding additional gatherings in Shantiganj, Pagla, and nearby areas.

District BNP leaders said preparations are being made to hold the main rally at the Government Jubilee High School ground. Law enforcement sources noted that Rahman might also attend a rally in the Sunamganj-2 constituency, though no official confirmation has been issued yet.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has said that a 'free Venezuela' will become the main energy hub for both North and South America. The statement was reported by AFP from Washington. She expressed optimism that Venezuela, known for having the world’s largest oil reserves, could achieve this goal.

Machado made the remarks during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday. She stated that her vision is to transform Venezuela into the leading energy center of the Americas, highlighting the country’s potential role in regional energy development.

The comments reflect her broader political message of economic revival through energy sector reform, though the report did not specify any detailed plans or timelines for achieving this transformation.

A controversy has erupted in Feni-3 constituency over the validity of BNP Vice Chairman and ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ candidate Abdul Awal Mintoo’s nomination due to questions surrounding his dual citizenship. Despite not submitting any official proof of renouncing his U.S. citizenship, the district returning officer declared his nomination valid during the scrutiny session on Sunday, prompting applause from BNP supporters and silent astonishment among others. The schedule for the scrutiny had been delayed twice, fueling speculation about possible cancellation.

During the verification, Feni district Jamaat Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rahim raised the issue of Mintoo’s dual citizenship. Returning Officer Monira Haque responded that Mintoo had declared in his affidavit that he applied to the U.S. Embassy to renounce his citizenship and submitted related email correspondence and forms. She said the decision was made after consulting the public prosecutor, acknowledging that appeals could be filed.

The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media and raised questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission. Legal experts cited constitutional provisions disqualifying foreign citizens from parliamentary eligibility and called for stricter verification of citizenship renunciation documents to ensure electoral transparency.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh will verify the affidavits submitted by candidates in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, ACC Chairman Abdul Momen announced on Monday. Speaking at a meeting with the newly elected committee of Reporters Against Corruption (RAC), he said that any discrepancies found in candidates’ asset declarations would lead to legal action. The Election Commission has been instructed to immediately inform the ACC if inconsistencies are detected.

Momen emphasized that there would be no compromise on corruption, asserting that the ACC would maintain its firm stance even if new laws allowed for leniency. He noted that the ACC’s investigations are bound by legal time limits, making it unlikely that all inquiries could be completed before the election. However, he encouraged anyone with specific evidence to submit it for prompt legal action.

He also urged RAC members to assist by examining candidates’ information and forwarding any verified suspicions to the ACC, assuring that all actions would follow the commission’s legal framework.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Habiganj on January 22. The announcement was confirmed by BNP Organizing Secretary GK Gaus during a prayer gathering organized by the party at Habiganj Municipality Field on Monday afternoon, held for the spiritual well-being of Khaleda Zia.

According to Gaus, Tarique Rahman will first visit a shrine in Sylhet and then travel by road to Dhaka, stopping in Habiganj to address what he described as a historic public rally. He urged party leaders and activists to intensify publicity efforts in neighborhoods to ensure a massive turnout.

Gaus also called on BNP members to work in unity to make the upcoming rally a success, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in organizing the event.

Taherima Jannat Survi, known for her role in the July uprising, was released from Gazipur Central Jail on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6:40 p.m. Her lawyer and Gazipur Lawyers Association General Secretary, Mostafizur Rahman Kamal, confirmed the release. Earlier in the day, the defense filed a revision petition against a two-day remand order. The district judge later canceled the remand, considering her age and other factors, and granted her four weeks of interim bail under her lawyer’s custody.

The 17-year-old Survi had been accused in what supporters described as a false and harassing case, sparking widespread public reaction across the country. Various organizations involved in the July uprising demanded her release and called for legal action against the complainant, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, and the investigating officer, alleging fraud using the name of the Home Adviser.

Legal adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that Survi had been treated unjustly and expressed confidence that she would receive fair justice.

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, Secretary General of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), has called for unity among all political forces regardless of party affiliation to protect the country’s national interest and sovereignty. He made the remarks on Monday after a meeting with BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Dhaka. Fuad emphasized that while political disagreements are natural, all parties must stand together on matters of national importance.

According to Fuad, the meeting discussed state sovereignty, national interest, future political structures, and key policy issues. The AB Party delegation included Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Joint Secretary General Barrister Zobayer Ahmed Bhuiyan, and Barrister Nasrin Sultana Mili. The discussion also highlighted the need for a Westminster-style democratic system in Bangladesh and addressed issues such as urban livability, unemployment reduction, environmental protection, and reforms in education and health sectors.

Fuad added that Tarique Rahman expressed interest in continuing policy-based discussions in the future. He reiterated that there would be no compromise on national interest and sovereignty, urging all political actors to remain united on these core issues.

The Press Wing of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser clarified on January 5, 2026, that reports circulating in Bangladeshi and Indian media about the cancellation of several 2026 public holidays were false. The misinformation claimed that holidays for Saraswati Puja, February 21, May Day, Buddha Purnima, Ashura, Janmashtami, Madhu Purnima, and Mahalaya had been canceled. The clarification was issued through an official post on the Press Wing’s Facebook page.

According to the Press Wing, these holidays coincided with regular weekly holidays—Fridays and Saturdays—and were therefore not listed separately in the government’s holiday notification. The official circular, signed by Sabina Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, showed that these dates carried a “zero” holiday count. A fact-check team confirmed that this practice was consistent with the previous two years, where holidays falling on weekends were not counted as additional days off.

The Press Wing emphasized that no holidays were canceled and that the confusion arose solely from the overlap with weekly holidays.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that a referendum would block the path to creating fascist rulers in Bangladesh. Speaking on Monday morning at a workshop on referendum awareness at the Islamic Foundation auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said that once in power, leaders in Bangladesh have historically sought to extend their rule through various tactics. He argued that the referendum would change this pattern and enable both government and opposition parties to work together in forming the caretaker government, Election Commission, and Public Service Commission.

Dr. Hossain added that the Islamic Foundation has an extensive nationwide network, and strengthening it would bring significant benefits to the country. He also assured that initiatives would be taken to upgrade the Islamic Foundation into a directorate. The event was chaired by Director General A. Salam Khan and attended by senior officials and scholars.

Special guest Professor Ali Riaz said that if the “yes” side wins the referendum, no new fascist leader like Hasina would emerge, and the vote would determine Bangladesh’s direction for the next 50 years.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced that no political party, contesting candidate, or any individual on their behalf may conduct election campaigning before the allocation of electoral symbols for the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. The directive was issued on Monday through a press release signed by Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, Director of Public Relations and Information Officer at the EC Secretariat.

According to the announcement, the allocation of election symbols will take place on January 21. The EC has urged all candidates and related parties to conduct their campaigns in accordance with the electoral code of conduct after that date. Campaigning must end 48 hours before the start of voting, which is scheduled for February 12.

The EC’s statement reiterates its call for adherence to election rules to ensure fair and orderly campaigning once the official symbol distribution is completed.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday issued a renewed tariff warning to India, saying Washington could raise duties on New Delhi if it does not reduce purchases of Russian oil. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump tied the warning to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and remarked that keeping him pleased was important. He described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a good man who understood his dissatisfaction.

According to the Times of India, Trump reiterated that India’s continued trade with Russia could prompt the United States to impose higher tariffs soon. Last year, Washington had already raised import duties on Indian goods by 50 percent as a penalty for large-scale Russian oil purchases, though Indian exports to the U.S. still increased in November. Reuters sources reported that India has asked refineries to disclose weekly oil purchase data from Russia and the U.S. as part of trade deal efforts, potentially reducing Russian crude imports below one million barrels per day.

The report also noted that Senator Lindsey Graham is leading co-sponsors of a sanctions bill that would mandate tariffs up to 500 percent on countries continuing to buy Russian oil or uranium.