Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military attack. Two sources close to the Saudi government told AFP on Wednesday that the message was delivered as the United States threatens possible military action against Tehran. Saudi media outlet Al Arabiya also reported the development. According to the sources, Riyadh clarified its stance amid warnings that Washington might take military steps in response to Iran’s harsh crackdown on ongoing protests. In reaction, Tehran has warned that any new attack would prompt it to target US military bases and naval assets. A source close to the Saudi military said the kingdom directly told Tehran it would not participate in any military operation against Iran. Analysts noted that the presence of significant US military assets across the Gulf region, including in Saudi Arabia, makes the situation more sensitive amid rising tensions.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a month-long, 15-point nationwide campaign to ensure a ‘Yes’ victory in the upcoming referendum. The program, unveiled on Wednesday at a press conference in front of the DUCSU building, is being conducted under the slogan “Vote Yes, Secure Bangladesh.” DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem announced the initiatives aimed at increasing public participation and awareness. According to the announcement, the campaign includes direct public outreach, online activities, debates, seminars on state reform, meetings with civil society and journalists, discussions with online activists, cultural events, and visits to educational institutions across the country to unite students. In his written statement, Kayem said the referendum represents a continuation of the July uprising’s spirit of reform and equality, describing participation and a ‘Yes’ vote as a duty to honor the sacrifices of July’s martyrs. DUCSU also called on all anti-fascist political parties, student and professional organizations, and the general public to unite in creating a nationwide wave of support for the ‘Yes’ vote.

New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the second One Day International at Rajkot, leveling the three-match series 1–1. Chasing 285, the visitors reached 286 for three in 47.3 overs, securing victory with 15 balls to spare. Daryl Mitchell starred with an unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes, while Will Young contributed 87 runs. The win marked New Zealand’s highest successful run chase in an ODI on Indian soil. Earlier, India posted 284 for seven after losing the toss and being sent to bat at Niranjan Shah Stadium. Lokesh Rahul remained unbeaten on 112 from 92 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and one six, while opener Shubman Gill added 56 runs. For New Zealand, bowler Clark took three wickets for 56 runs. With this emphatic win, New Zealand ended an eight-match losing streak against India and kept the series alive ahead of the final ODI.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, has permitted the display of seized evidence from the July–August 2024 crimes against humanity cases at the July Uprising Memorial Museum gallery for one month. The order was issued following a prosecution request, according to a report by BSS. The museum, located at Ganabhaban and officially designated by the current government as the July Uprising Memorial Museum, is scheduled to open on January 20. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim stated that the museum authorities applied through the prosecution to exhibit the seized items, which include bullets, weapons, bloodstained clothing, and chairs used during torture. The tribunal granted permission for these materials to be displayed for one month from a specified date. The decision allows the public to view physical evidence from both resolved and ongoing tribunal cases. The display aims to preserve and present historical evidence of the July events, marking a significant step in documenting crimes against humanity tried under the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

A joint operation led by the Bangladesh Navy seized 80,000 yaba pills in Teknaf’s Hnila Union, Leda area on Wednesday, January 14. The operation was conducted with the participation of the Coast Guard and police, following intelligence information about drug trafficking in the region. During the search of several suspected autorickshaws, one driver abandoned his vehicle and fled into a Rohingya camp, leaving behind the narcotics. Officials reported that the seized yaba pills have an estimated market value of around 40 million taka. The autorickshaw used to transport the drugs was also confiscated. Both the drugs and the vehicle were later handed over to Teknaf Police Station for legal action. Authorities stated that the Bangladesh Navy regularly conducts such operations to safeguard national maritime sovereignty and maintain internal security by preventing drug trafficking, terrorism, and other criminal activities in its designated areas.

Seven people have died in Rangpur over the past three days after consuming rectified spirit alcohol reportedly collected from local homeopathic pharmacies. Police confirmed that two more people, Abdul Malek of Gopalpur Union and Rashedul Islam of Shyampur, died recently, bringing the total death toll to seven. Several others remain critically ill, and the bodies of the latest victims were sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Among the deceased is Zainul Abedin, a known drug dealer who was in Rangpur Central Jail facing drug and murder charges. He died while under treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Police have recovered ten bottles of rectified spirit and filed two separate cases in Badarganj and Hajirhat police stations. Law enforcement agencies, including the Detective Branch and the Department of Narcotics Control, have conducted raids at a homeopathic chamber in the city. Rangpur Superintendent of Police Marufat Hossain stated that drug dealers had been collecting the spirit from certain homeopathic chambers. Investigations and operations are continuing to trace the source and prevent further incidents.

The United Arab Emirates has granted royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners as part of celebrations marking its 54th National Day, known as Eid Al Ittihad. The announcement was made through a press release from the UAE Embassy in Dhaka, noting that the pardon was part of the 2025 Eid Al Ittihad festivities. During this period, the UAE leadership extended clemency to thousands of prisoners from various countries across the nation. According to officials, the royal pardon program, implemented toward the end of 2025, allowed many inmates, including Bangladeshis, to rebuild their lives and reunite with their families. The initiative is described as a reflection of the UAE’s longstanding humanitarian values and commitment to compassion. Eid Al Ittihad, observed annually on December 2, commemorates the 1971 unification of the emirates under one flag, symbolizing national unity and solidarity.

The United States has announced the suspension of all types of visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, effective from January 21, 2026. According to reports from Reuters and Fox News, the U.S. Department of State has sent instructions to consular offices in these countries to halt visa issuance indefinitely while the department reviews its current vetting procedures. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the ministry is reassessing visa processing based on long-standing experience, aiming to prevent entry of foreign nationals who might rely on U.S. public assistance or welfare programs. The suspension follows a November 2025 directive that required consular officers worldwide to strictly enforce the “public charge” provisions of immigration law. That directive also instructed officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public aid, including those with poor health, limited English proficiency, or long-term medical needs. The suspension will remain in place until the review process is completed, with no specified end date.

Some members of the US military were advised on Wednesday evening to leave Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, according to Reuters citing three diplomats. The development comes amid ongoing protests in Iran and Washington’s warnings against interference. One diplomat described the move as a routine change rather than a directed relocation, adding that it was unclear whether any specific reason was behind it. The US Embassy in Doha did not immediately comment, while Al Jazeera reached out to Qatar’s foreign ministry for a response. Al Udeid is the largest US base in the Middle East, hosting around 10,000 troops. Last year, before a US airstrike in Iran, some personnel and families were relocated from American bases in the region. Following that strike, Iran launched missile attacks on the Qatari base. An Iranian official had earlier warned that Tehran might target US military installations in regional countries in response to Washington’s actions. Located in the desert outside Doha, the 24-hectare base serves as the forward headquarters of US Central Command, overseeing operations from Egypt to Kazakhstan.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that a new cold wave may sweep across several regions of the country starting Wednesday. The cold spell is expected to last two to three days and may be accompanied by fog. The department said that the intensity of winter, which had recently eased, is likely to increase again. According to the synoptic situation, an extension of the subcontinental high-pressure zone lies over West Bengal and adjoining western Bangladesh, while the seasonal low pressure is positioned over the southern Bay of Bengal. The forecast indicates that nighttime temperatures across the country may fall by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures also dropping slightly. The temperature decline may continue until January 16. At 9 a.m. today, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, Panchagarh, while Dhaka registered 15.5 degrees Celsius. The Met Office has cautioned that cold and foggy conditions could persist for several days.

The Pay Commission is scheduled to hold a full meeting on Thursday at 12 p.m. in the Cabinet Division’s old building at the Secretariat to discuss unresolved matters regarding the implementation of the new pay scale for government officials and employees. The session will address maximum and minimum salary levels, grade numbers, housing rent, medical and festival allowances, retirement benefits, and other facilities. Issues that reach consensus among members may be finalized during the meeting. According to commission sources, the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries in the ninth national pay scale has already been set at 1:8, following a meeting on January 8. Three proposals for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—are under review, with a final decision expected in the upcoming session. The maximum salary scale has not yet been determined, as related allowances remain unsettled. A commission member stated that the framework will incorporate inflation, commodity prices, family size, housing, and education costs as key indicators, serving as a reference for future governments in setting pay structures.

The non-political social organization Mulyabodh Andolon has demanded that voters be given three options—'Yes', 'Yes with objections', and 'No'—in the referendum scheduled for the day of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The demand was announced at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Maulana Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club. The organization’s chairman, Dr. Mohammad Sarwar Hossain, an associate professor at Independent University, Bangladesh, presented the written statement. According to the group, the interim government’s current referendum plan forces voters to either accept or reject all provisions of the July Charter in full. Mulyabodh Andolon argued that this approach is unjust and fails to reflect public aspirations. The organization expressed concern that the charter lacks references to Islamic values and faith in Allah, while giving undue prominence to Western pluralistic and secular ideologies. It also warned that undefined terms such as 'equality' and 'social justice' could open the door to values contrary to religious beliefs. The group further urged the government to restore faith in Allah as a constitutional principle and to ensure that no law contradicting the Qur’an and Sunnah is enacted. If these demands cannot be met, it proposed excluding certain disputed articles from the referendum or adding the 'Yes with objections' option.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow will continue its trade relations with Iran despite the recent U.S. decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Tehran. Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia must carry on its work and implement existing agreements with Iran and other economic partners. The Kremlin criticized the U.S. move, describing it as an attempt to isolate Iran. Lavrov argued that when a powerful country like the United States resorts to such measures, it signals a weakening position in the competitive global market. The statement came after China also rejected the U.S. tariff decision and confirmed its intention to maintain economic ties with Iran. The Russian stance underscores continued resistance among key global players to U.S. economic pressure on Iran, suggesting that Washington’s tariff policy may face limited international compliance.

Depositors of five troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh will not receive any profit on their deposits for the years 2024 and 2025. The directive was issued after approval from Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, instructing the banks to suspend profit calculations during this period. The affected banks are Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank, all of which are being merged into a newly formed Combined Islami Bank. According to the central bank’s resolution scheme, all deposit accounts will be recalculated without profit for the specified two years, applying a defined haircut to determine final balances. The new bank will have an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government already injecting Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares. Portions of institutional deposits will be converted into Class B and C shares totaling Tk 15,000 crore. The scheme also sets withdrawal limits and allows up to 20 percent of term deposits to be used for loans or investments, aiming to stabilize the merged entity’s financial structure.

Iran has warned neighboring countries that US military bases across the Middle East will be targeted if Washington launches an attack on Iran. According to Reuters, Tehran issued the warning after US President Donald Trump threatened military action in response to ongoing protests in Iran. A senior Iranian official said Tehran has urged regional states to prevent Washington from attacking Iran, naming Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey among those cautioned. The official added that direct communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff has been suspended amid rising tensions. An Israeli assessment cited by Reuters suggested that Trump has decided to intervene in Iran, though the scope and timing remain unclear. Meanwhile, US forces are stationed at several Middle Eastern bases, including Qatar’s Al Udeid base and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Reuters also reported that some US troops at Al Udeid have been advised to relocate to safer areas, though no specific reason was provided for the precaution.