Port workers at Benapole land port in Jashore staged a human chain protest on Tuesday morning demanding reinstatement of their discontinued allowance. The demonstration, held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in front of the cargo vehicle terminal under the banner of the Land Port Demand Implementation Council, led to a complete halt in import, export, and unloading operations for one hour, causing congestion inside the port. Speakers at the protest said they had been receiving the allowance for 21 years as compensation for overtime work, but the government stopped the payment two months ago without prior notice. They described the decision as causing severe financial and mental hardship for employees. Around 150 workers participated in the event, chanting slogans for reinstatement of the benefit. Warehouse inspectors Shahadat Hossain, Hafizur Rahman, and Nahid Parvez addressed the gathering, warning that if their demands were not met soon, they would announce tougher protest programs in the future.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday addressed an election rally at the Jashore Central Eidgah, organized in support of 11-party candidates and the upcoming referendum. He criticized what he described as double standards by a political group that promises welfare programs while allegedly assaulting women from rival parties. Rahman warned that such behavior would not be tolerated and questioned the legitimacy of those obstructing Jamaat’s activities. During his speech, Rahman said that those creating such situations now would make women unsafe if they came to power. He urged that any breach of conduct by Jamaat members should be reported to the party rather than taking the law into one’s own hands. He further stated that the February 12 movement would be a “revolution by ballot,” calling for unity against corruption, extortion, and authoritarianism. Rahman also emphasized youth empowerment through employment and training instead of unemployment allowances, and pledged transparency from elected representatives regarding their wealth.

The High Court has declared the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir for the Chattogram-2 constituency valid. The order was issued on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan. Alamgir had filed a writ petition on January 20 challenging the Election Commission’s earlier decision that had canceled his nomination. Previously, the returning officer had declared Alamgir’s nomination valid during the scrutiny process. However, an appeal was later filed with the Election Commission by Jamaat candidate Muhammad Nurul Amin, alleging that Alamgir was a loan defaulter. After a hearing on January 18, the Election Commission accepted the appeal and canceled Alamgir’s candidacy. With the High Court’s latest order, Sarwar Alamgir regains his eligibility to contest the election from Chattogram-2, reversing the Election Commission’s earlier decision.

The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has announced a major decision to legalize more than half a million undocumented migrants living in the country. The move follows a historic agreement that will be formalized through a royal decree expected on Tuesday, January 27. It marks Spain’s largest regularization initiative for migrants in the past two decades. Under the new policy, individuals residing in Spain before December 31, 2025, will be eligible to apply for legal status, provided they can prove continuous residence for at least five months. Successful applicants will receive a one-year temporary residence permit, renewable thereafter. The permit will grant them the right to work legally and access Spain’s healthcare and social security systems. Human rights organizations have welcomed the government’s decision. Officials say integrating a large number of people into the formal economy will help curb labor exploitation and boost national economic growth, with expectations of a significant rise in GDP.

Palash Mahmud has voluntarily resigned from his position as senior joint member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP) Habiganj district committee. On Tuesday, he submitted his written resignation letter to the central committee’s convener and member secretary through the party’s official email and WhatsApp channels. In his resignation letter, Mahmud stated that after carefully considering personal and political realities as well as the current situation, he felt it was not appropriate to continue his duties within the existing structure. He emphasized that his decision was not a reflection of distrust or disrespect toward the party or its leadership but was made to uphold responsibility and political decorum. He requested the central leadership to accept his resignation and relieve him of his duties. Mahmud also expressed his willingness to continue contributing individually to democratic, just, and public-interest initiatives in the future. Copies of his resignation letter were sent to the district convener, district member secretary, Sylhet divisional organizational secretary, and the chief organizer of the northern region.

The Road Safety Foundation has called on political parties to include a 13-point commitment in their upcoming election manifestos to ensure safe and people-friendly public transport across Bangladesh. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the organization said that extortion and corruption under political patronage have prevented the establishment of a sustainable transport strategy, leading to increased traffic congestion and road accidents that disproportionately harm poor and middle-class families. The foundation’s proposals include restructuring the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) to oversee BRTA, BRTC, and DRCA, ensuring transparency and management reforms, and introducing company-based modern bus services through route rationalization in the capital. It also urged the enactment of a road safety law, mandatory use of modern technology in vehicles, withdrawal of expired vehicles, institutional driver training, and trauma care centers at accident-prone highway points. Additional recommendations include safe road design for small vehicles, regular safety audits, forming a unified transport ministry, allocating funds in the national budget for awareness programs, and creating a Tk 700 crore trust fund to support road accident victims.

A schoolgirl was killed and an autorickshaw driver injured when a speeding dump truck hit their vehicle on the Lakshmipur–Chaumuhani regional highway in front of the LGED office in Lakshmipur on Tuesday morning. The victim, Afreen, aged 10, was the daughter of Md. Akter Patowary from South Majupur area of Lakshmipur municipality and a student of Kakoli Shishu Angan School. The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when the truck, coming from Noakhali, struck the autorickshaw from behind. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Afreen dead. The autorickshaw driver, Raju, was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment as his condition worsened. Police confirmed the incident, recovered the body, and sent it to the hospital morgue. The truck involved in the crash was seized, but its driver fled the scene. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the driver or the cause of the accident, and an investigation is expected to follow.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury emphasized that security and human rights are complementary in prison administration during a ceremony at the Kashimpur Prison Training Center in Gazipur on Tuesday. Speaking as the chief guest at the closing parade of the 63rd batch of female prison guards’ basic training course, he said the state must ensure prisoners’ safety and fundamental rights while preparing them to return to society as reformed citizens. He described prisons as sensitive and vital institutions within the criminal justice system, responsible for secure detention, crime prevention, offender correction, and social reintegration. The adviser underscored the importance of fairness, transparency, and accountability in prison management and urged new recruits to serve with honesty, professionalism, and patriotism. He also warned that corruption undermines state institutions and public trust, stressing that prison staff must act for public welfare rather than personal or political gain. The adviser inspected the parade and distributed awards to top-performing female guards in various training categories, including drill, physical training, unarmed combat, and firing.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has challenged the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), claiming that every bus operated by the state-run company emits black smoke. She made the remarks on Tuesday at the BRTC Training Institute in Tejgaon during the inauguration of a training program aimed at improving driver and worker skills and raising awareness about noise pollution. Hasan expressed frustration over the delay in finalizing the government’s scrap policy, which was supposed to be completed on October 28 of the previous year. She said she had repeatedly contacted officials over the past ten months about the issue. The adviser emphasized that without strict action against polluting vehicles, no real progress could be achieved. She also urged BRTC and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to take coordinated steps to ensure proper maintenance of old buses. She added that while replacing old buses may take time, operators should at least maintain their vehicles properly, noting that after 54 years of operation, there is no reason for further delay in addressing pollution from public transport.

According to data from international air quality monitoring firm IQAir, released on Tuesday morning, Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) score of 299, placing it at the top of the world’s most polluted cities list. Dhaka ranked fifth with a score of 220, while Kolkata stood seventh. Both Delhi and Dhaka’s air quality levels were categorized as 'very unhealthy'. The data was collected around 8:30 a.m., when dry winter weather typically worsens air pollution in the region. The IQAir ranking also placed Dakar, Senegal, second with a score of 243; Cairo, Egypt, third with 229; Hanoi, Vietnam, fourth with 221; and Krasnoyarsk, Russia, sixth with 201. The report noted that AQI scores between 201 and 300 are considered 'very unhealthy', prompting health advisories for children, the elderly, and those with illnesses to stay indoors and for others to limit outdoor activities. The report highlighted that during the dry winter season, Dhaka often experiences persistently high pollution levels, contributing to its position among the world’s most polluted cities.

Interim government adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan announced that more than 60 hours of training have been made mandatory for obtaining a driving license in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Tuesday at 11 a.m., emphasizing that the new rule applies to all drivers seeking a license. According to the adviser, drivers who undergo the required training will receive an allowance from the government. He also stated that the previous licensing committees will no longer exist, and applicants will receive their licenses upon passing the examination. The announcement reflects the interim government’s effort to reform the licensing process and ensure better driver preparation. The new policy aims to simplify the licensing procedure while promoting road safety through structured training. The government’s decision to provide allowances for trainees is intended to encourage compliance with the new requirements.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has finalized Vietnam as the opponent for a friendly match ahead of the Asian Cup qualifying round. The match will take place on March 26 in Vietnam, serving as preparation for Bangladesh’s upcoming qualifier against Singapore. The national team will travel to Singapore after the friendly to play their final group-stage match on March 31 in Kallang. Earlier, BFF had been in contact with several countries, including Cambodia and East Timor, to arrange a preparatory match, but ultimately decided on Vietnam. Bangladesh began their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on March 25 of the previous year in Shillong against India. So far, Bangladesh has played six matches in the qualifiers, winning one and drawing two. Their only victory came at home against India with a 1–0 scoreline. The friendly against Vietnam is expected to help the team fine-tune its strategy and build momentum before the crucial qualifier in Singapore.

Bangladesh has declined to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns, proposing instead to play in Sri Lanka. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC), reportedly under pressure from India, rejected Bangladesh’s request and replaced them with Scotland. Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblad, confirmed the development and expressed sympathy for the Bangladeshi players who had qualified but were excluded from the tournament. Lindblad stated that Scotland did not wish to qualify in this manner, acknowledging that their inclusion was the result of exceptional circumstances. She said the team understood Bangladesh’s disappointment and emphasized that no team wants to enter a global event through invitation rather than qualification. Despite the sudden call-up, Scotland is preparing to send its team to India within a week, with logistical challenges such as visas and travel arrangements being managed with ICC assistance. The 20-team T20 World Cup begins in India on February 7, with Scotland joining Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.

A United States–based human rights organization, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), reported that more than 6,000 people have been killed in Iran amid a government crackdown on anti-regime protests. According to AFP, HRANA confirmed 5,848 deaths, including 209 security personnel, and warned that the actual toll could be higher, with 17,091 additional cases still under verification. The protests, which began in late December over economic grievances, have evolved into a nationwide movement against Iran’s Islamic governance. International human rights groups have accused Iranian security forces of using extreme force, including live ammunition against demonstrators. To suppress information, the government imposed an 18-day internet shutdown, which monitoring group NetBlocks described as an unprecedented “internet blackout” in Iran’s history. The unrest has also heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump signaling a tougher stance and deploying a naval fleet to the region. Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned it would deliver a “crushing response” to any foreign aggression and urged the U.S. not to interfere in its internal affairs. HRANA reported over 41,000 arrests, while Iran’s government claimed 3,117 deaths. AFP noted that casualty figures remain unverified due to restricted access and communication blackouts.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that future politics should belong to the people rather than any political party. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a public rally in Jessore, where he attended as the chief guest. Rahman emphasized that in the upcoming February 12 election, a 'yes' vote signifies freedom while a 'no' vote represents subjugation. He further pledged that if his party comes to power, Jessore would be upgraded to a city corporation and unemployed youth would be provided with dignified employment opportunities. Rahman praised the youth who, according to him, resisted fascism and now seek change from outdated political structures. His comments reflect Jamaat-e-Islami’s call for a transformation in Bangladesh’s political culture, focusing on public interest and generational change ahead of the February election.