The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh has demanded the unconditional release of 56 imprisoned mobile phone traders and the withdrawal of what they called false cases against innocent businesspeople. The demand was made during a human chain protest held on Tuesday afternoon in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, where the organization’s general secretary, Abu Sayeed Piyas, spoke about the issue. Speakers at the event said that decisions taken under the name of implementing NEIR have pushed around 20,000 small and medium mobile phone traders and about 2.5 million people dependent on the sector into uncertainty. They alleged that many traders were arrested in harassment cases for participating in peaceful protests. The leaders also noted that over 30 days of continuous demonstrations and shop closures have caused severe economic losses, leaving employees unpaid and traders unable to cover rent or loan installments. Considering the national situation and the upcoming election, the organization announced a temporary suspension of its shutdown program, with all mobile showrooms set to reopen nationwide on January 22. However, they vowed to continue boycotting products from a specific syndicate accused of trying to monopolize the market under the NEIR initiative.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is holding a meeting this Tuesday afternoon with representatives of 63 registered political parties ahead of the 13th National Parliament election and the upcoming referendum. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. According to the commission, the discussions will focus mainly on the functions of the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app and related issues. Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin, other election commissioners, the EC secretary, and senior officials will attend the session. Before the meeting, Swedish Ambassador Niclas Wik will pay a courtesy call on the Chief Election Commissioner at 3 p.m. The commission stated that they will discuss various important matters concerning the forthcoming national election. Meanwhile, the withdrawal of nomination papers has been ongoing since morning at the Election Training Institute (ETI) building, and the EC will announce the total number of withdrawn nominations after 5 p.m. The meeting is part of the EC’s preparations to ensure coordination with political parties and smooth management of election-related processes.

The High Court has set Wednesday, January 21, for the hearing of a writ petition filed by BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi challenging the Election Commission’s decision that invalidated his nomination for the Comilla-4 constituency. The bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil fixed the date on Tuesday. Munshi’s legal team includes Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Hamidul Misbah, and Advocate Saifullah Al Mamun, while Hasnat Abdullah is represented by Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiqi and others. Earlier, on January 17, the Election Commission (EC) accepted an appeal by National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Hasnat Abdullah, who alleged that Munshi concealed information about being a loan defaulter. Following the EC’s decision, Munshi’s nomination was declared invalid. Before that, the returning officer had approved his nomination as valid. Munshi’s petition seeks to overturn the EC’s January 17 decision and restore his candidacy. The High Court’s ruling on Wednesday will determine whether he can contest the election in Comilla-4.

Ambassadors from Russia, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway held separate courtesy meetings with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Tuesday afternoon at his political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The discussions took place in a cordial atmosphere, according to BNP Joint Secretary General and Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee member Humayun Kabir, who briefed reporters afterward. Kabir said the international community has shown special interest in Tarique Rahman and his views on Bangladesh’s development. The meetings focused on how to work together based on mutual cooperation while prioritizing Bangladesh’s national interests. He added that if the BNP comes to power through the February 12 national election, the party intends to maintain diplomatic relations and engage with the international community in line with its 31-point program. Kabir clarified that no specific issues regarding the election were discussed, though the ambassadors expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s democratic process and its post-election trajectory. BNP officials Saleh Shibli, Mahadi Amin, and Rashedul Haque were also present during the meetings.

A discussion meeting and prayer gathering were held in Parshuram, Feni, on Tuesday, January 20, to mark the 90th birth anniversary of late President Ziaur Rahman. The event took place at a local auditorium and was organized by the upazila and municipal units of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) along with its affiliated organizations. Abdul Halim Manik, convener of the upazila BNP and former union parishad chairman, presided over the program, while Abu Taleb, a member of the BNP’s national executive committee, attended as the chief guest. The event was conducted by Mahbubul Haque Majumdar and Abul Khayer Liton, with several BNP leaders including Ibrahim Khalil Moni, Habibur Rahman Habib, and Kazi Yusuf Mahfuz attending as special guests. In his speech, Abu Taleb said that Ziaur Rahman had established the BNP as a people’s party and sacrificed his life for the country’s independence and sovereignty. He urged party members to work toward implementing the ideals left by Ziaur Rahman. The gathering reflected the BNP’s continued efforts to honor its founder’s legacy through local organizational activities.

Nine people have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a steel plant in China’s northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred over the weekend at the Baogang United Steel plant, where a water and steam tank with a capacity of 650 cubic meters reportedly exploded. At least 84 people were hospitalized after the blast, and one person remains missing as rescue teams continue search operations. Videos circulating on social media showed the plant’s collapsed roof, debris, and thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Firefighting vehicles were deployed to the site, and footage captured a large object being hurled into the air during the explosion. Residents living several kilometers away said the blast shook their homes and shattered windows. The report noted that China has experienced several major industrial accidents in the past, including a fireworks factory explosion in Hunan Province last June that killed nine people and a 2015 chemical warehouse blast in Tianjin that claimed more than 170 lives.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr. Atiur Rahman and 24 others in a case involving the alleged embezzlement of about Tk 531 crore under the name of Anontex Group. The warrants were issued by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez following confirmation from Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mohammad Tarikul Islam. The court also set March 4 for submission of the report on the execution of the warrants. According to the ACC, the accused conspired to defraud Janata Bank PLC by creating false records and misappropriating Tk 531.44 crore, which with interest amounts to approximately Tk 1,130.19 crore. The case was filed on February 22 of the previous year by ACC Deputy Director Md. Nazmul Hossain at the commission’s Dhaka Integrated District Office. The charge sheet against 26 individuals, including Dr. Abul Barkat, was submitted on October 20, and the court took cognizance on January 15. Dr. Abul Barkat, the only accused currently in custody, was produced before the court, which rejected his bail plea and ordered his return to prison.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Tuesday began hearing a case over the killing of 28 people in Rampura during the anti-discrimination student movement. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, in his opening statement, compared the violence to the atrocities of March 25, describing it as unprecedented and calling for justice. The hearing took place before a three-member bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. Former Border Guard Bangladesh officers Lt Col Redwanul Islam and Major Md Rafat-bin-Alam Mun were present at the tribunal, while former police officials ADC Md Rashedul Islam and OC Md Mashiur Rahman remain absconding. Witness Bishwajit Rajbanshi testified that his father, Gangacharan Rajbanshi, was shot dead by BGB personnel during the Rampura crackdown. The tribunal scheduled February 26 for cross-examination following the initial testimony. The case marks a significant step in addressing alleged crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the student movement.

The US Embassy in Dhaka announced on Tuesday that Bangladeshi students studying in the United States under F or M visas are exempt from the newly introduced visa bond requirement. According to the embassy’s statement, the bond applies only to business or tourism (B1/B2) visa applicants in specific cases. The clarification follows an earlier embassy notice issued on Monday, which stated that from January 21, Bangladeshi citizens approved for business or tourism visas must deposit up to 15,000 US dollars as a visa bond to prevent overstaying. The embassy also noted that those holding valid B1/B2 visas issued before January 21 are not subject to this condition. Applicants were cautioned not to pay the bond before their interview, as early payment does not guarantee visa approval and may expose them to fraudulent third-party websites. The embassy further stated that the bond amount would be refunded if visa conditions are properly followed. The US Department of State had earlier listed Bangladesh among 38 countries whose citizens may be required to post such a bond when applying for entry to the United States.

The Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the court’s suspension of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student council election. In a joint statement signed by JAKSU Vice President Abdur Rashid Jitu and General Secretary Md. Majharul Islam on Monday midnight, the organization criticized the legal and political interference that halted the long-awaited election. According to the statement, the election was postponed just before voting despite the participation of 196 candidates and thousands of students preparing for a festive democratic exercise. JAKSU described the four-week suspension, issued following a petition by three applicants, as regrettable and contrary to students’ democratic rights. The leaders argued that student unions are vital for leadership development and that obstructing this process for political gain reflects authoritarian tendencies. JAKSU further urged the removal of all legal and political barriers to ensure the SUST student council election is held as soon as possible, emphasizing that depriving students of their voting rights under any pretext is unacceptable.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has issued a new directive prohibiting landlords from increasing house rents more than once every two years. The announcement was made at the DNCC headquarters in Gulshan-2, where Administrator Mohammad Ejaz stated that the common practice of raising rents in January must end. Under the new policy, rent adjustments will only be allowed during the fiscal year’s June–July period. The directive outlines responsibilities for both landlords and tenants. Landlords must ensure houses remain habitable, provide essential utilities such as gas, electricity, and water, and manage household waste regularly. They may also allow rooftop or open-space greenery. Tenants must pay rent by the 10th of each month and collect written receipts. Any changes or security measures by landlords must be communicated to tenants. The guideline further specifies that rent increases cannot exceed 15 percent of the prevailing market rate in the area. Written agreements are mandatory, advance rent may cover one to three months, and local landlord-tenant associations will handle disputes with DNCC providing ward-level support.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) has addressed widespread confusion on social media regarding the publication of results for the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment written examination. Officials stated that rumors about result cancellation or indefinite delay are baseless. A.K. Shamsul Ahsan, Director of the Policy and Operation Division, said on Monday night that no directive had been received from the Election Commission or the government, but efforts were underway to release the results as soon as possible. The written examination was held on January 9 across 61 districts for 14,385 vacant posts, with over 1.08 million candidates participating. Prior to the exam, allegations of question leaks circulated online, and some individuals shared purported leaked questions on Facebook. A group known as the “device party” allegedly offered cheating assistance using electronic devices in exchange for money. Authorities detained 207 candidates for using such devices during the exam, including 53 in Gaibandha, 18 in Naogaon, 18 in Dinajpur, 16 in Kurigram, and two in Rangpur. The DPE confirmed that results will be published once evaluation is complete.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced it will contest 215 constituencies in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election as part of a 10-party alliance, leaving 85 seats for allied parties. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday, the final day for withdrawal of nomination papers. Earlier, Jamaat had planned to contest 179 seats, reserving 47 for Islami Andolan, but the latter did not join the alliance. Following Islami Andolan’s absence, the previously reserved seats were redistributed among other partners including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, LDP, AB Party, BDP, and Nezame Islam Party. According to reports, NCP received 30 seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 23, and Khelafat Majlis 12, with some additional seats still open. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair stated that final details would be announced after the nomination withdrawal deadline. Political analysts noted that although Jamaat’s seat share increased due to Islami Andolan’s withdrawal, the party allocated a significant number of constituencies to partners to maintain balance within the alliance.

Sports adviser Asif Nazrul announced that Bangladesh will not participate in any World Cup matches held in India. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he stated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot compel Bangladesh to play in India through what he described as unreasonable pressure. He emphasized that Bangladesh would not bow to what he called India's unjust interference. Nazrul explained that there have been precedents for venue changes in the past, citing Pakistan’s refusal to play in India, which led the ICC to alter venues. He said Bangladesh’s request for a venue change was based on logical grounds and that the government had no information suggesting Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the World Cup squad. The adviser’s remarks indicate Bangladesh’s firm stance on the issue, while the government awaits further developments from the ICC regarding the tournament’s venue decisions.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Mofazzal Hossain has formally withdrawn his nomination for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency to support Hasnat Abdullah, the Jamaat–NCP alliance candidate and chief organizer of NCP’s southern region. The withdrawal took place on Tuesday morning when Hossain submitted his application to Assistant Returning Officer and Debidwar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rakibul Islam. Following the withdrawal, Mofazzal Hossain stated that his decision followed the central directive to strengthen unity within the ten-party alliance. He described Hasnat Abdullah as a qualified leader whose leadership contributes to a democratic environment. Hossain also urged party members to vote for Hasnat under the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol on the upcoming 12th. The event was attended by leaders and activists from Jamaat, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and NCP, including Saiful Islam Shahid, the Jamaat candidate who had earlier withdrawn from the same constituency.