Nepal’s oldest political party, the Nepali Congress, has split ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for March. The rebel faction unanimously elected Gagan Thapa as its new president, deepening the political uncertainty that has gripped the nation. The division follows months of unrest after last September’s protests over corruption, governance failures, and demands for political reform, which led to the previous government’s ouster.

Thapa, 49, a prominent figure among the party’s younger generation and former general secretary, pledged not to disappoint supporters after his election. The Election Commission has yet to decide which faction will be recognized as legitimate and allowed to use the party’s traditional tree symbol and flag in the March 5 vote. Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had led the party since 2016 but failed to reach a compromise with dissenting leaders before their expulsion.

The split reflects a generational shift and growing calls for accountability in Nepal’s politics. Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, appointed after the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, has promised a fair and fear-free election environment.

Police in Chattogram have revealed that a series of arson attacks on minority homes in Raozan and Rangunia were part of a politically motivated conspiracy. According to investigators and confessional statements, the attacks were organized to create unrest and international pressure aimed at facilitating the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Before the fires, Tk 1.3 million was allegedly distributed among homeowners as compensation. The incidents occurred in December, destroying five houses belonging to Hindu, Buddhist, and hill communities, though no casualties were reported.

The main accused, Monir Hossain, confessed before a Chattogram court that he was introduced to local Awami League leaders and professional criminals who planned the attacks. Meetings were reportedly held in Khagrachhari to finalize the plan, and banners containing inflammatory messages and phone numbers were found at the sites. Police later arrested seven suspects and seized banners, kerosene containers, and vehicles used in the crimes.

At a press briefing, police officials described the incidents as deliberate and conspiratorial attempts to incite communal tension and mislead the international community. Three cases have been filed in connection with the attacks.

Pakistan has expressed concern over the escalating anti-government protests in Iran and warned that any regime change there could have disastrous consequences for the region. The statement comes amid threats of intervention in Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump. Pakistani officials and analysts said instability in Iran could immediately fuel cross-border militancy, arms smuggling, refugee flows, and economic disruption along the two countries’ 900-kilometer border.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Asif Durrani, said any internal or external intervention in Iran would directly affect Pakistan. He noted Islamabad’s past role in easing tensions between Iran and Western powers and emphasized that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions also monitor Iran’s interests. Former foreign secretary Jauhar Saleem warned that external interference—economic, cyber, or military—would worsen Iran’s crisis.

Experts added that unrest in Iran could strengthen militant networks across the border and undermine Pakistan’s counterterrorism gains in Balochistan. Islamabad, already hosting millions of Afghan refugees, fears a new influx if Iran’s regime collapses. Pakistan maintains that preserving Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability is vital to regional security.

The demolition of the historic Chhoto Rajbari, known locally as the Zamindar House, in Maghia Union of Kachua upazila, Bagerhat, has been stopped following the intervention of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). The building, located on private land and considered old and risky, was being dismantled when the matter drew public attention through social media posts. Acting on the directive of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the upazila administration visited the site on January 14 and requested the owners to suspend demolition until further government instructions.

According to the report, an application to preserve the structure as an archaeological heritage site has already been submitted to the Department of Archaeology. The current owners stated they were unaware of this application and claimed legal ownership of the land, which they had sold due to the building’s fragile condition. The UNO confirmed that the site has historical significance and that all activities potentially damaging to the structure have been ordered to stop.

Authorities have instructed all concerned parties to suspend any construction or demolition work until official decisions are made regarding the building’s heritage status.

The first match of Thursday’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) did not start on time after players boycotted games in protest against Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Hossain’s comments about cricketers. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CoAB) demanded his resignation on Wednesday night and announced a boycott of all matches until he steps down. As a result, the scheduled toss between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express did not take place at 12:30 p.m.

Despite full preparations at the venue, including open gates for spectators and warm-up arrangements, no players appeared on the field. The boycott ensured that the match could not begin as planned. CoAB called a press conference at 1 p.m. at a five-star hotel in Dhaka to announce further decisions.

Following the controversy, Nazmul Hossain was relieved of all responsibilities, with Bulbul taking charge of the finance committee. However, players have not withdrawn their boycott, leaving uncertainty over whether Thursday’s two scheduled matches will be played.

Pakistan has continued sending Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. According to a report by The Express Tribune published on Thursday, a total of 988,812 Afghans have so far been repatriated. Data from the provincial Home and Tribal Affairs Department shows that among those returned, 230,470 held Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, 71,570 had Afghan Citizen Cards, and 686,772 were undocumented individuals.

On the previous day, Wednesday, 2,312 Afghan nationals were sent back through the Torkham border crossing. This group included 1,522 PoR cardholders, 277 Citizen Cardholders, and 513 undocumented persons. The repatriation process has intensified since border clashes began between Pakistan and its neighboring country.

The ongoing operation reflects Pakistan’s effort to manage cross-border movement amid heightened tensions, with the majority of returnees being undocumented Afghans.

The United States has officially started selling Venezuelan oil after taking full control of the country's oil resources following a military operation in Caracas. The operation, conducted on January 4, led to the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from their official residence. They are currently held in a federal prison in New York City, where U.S. authorities said they will face trial on drug trafficking charges. The first shipment of oil worth 500 million dollars has already been sold.

On January 7, President Donald Trump announced plans to bring Venezuelan oil to the United States, estimating the first shipment at 30 to 50 million barrels. Two days later, he met with top executives from major U.S. oil companies at the White House, predicting potential investments of at least 100 billion dollars in Venezuela’s oil sector. However, most executives expressed reluctance, citing legal and commercial complexities.

Venezuela holds about 303 billion barrels of crude oil, roughly one-fifth of global reserves, but produces only one million barrels per day. Its heavy crude requires specialized refining to produce high-quality diesel, asphalt, and industrial fuels.

A case has been filed in a Dhaka court against five individuals, including three officials of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), for allegedly abusing government authority to shut down the websites of the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology (USET) and threatening a university official. The case was lodged by USET adviser Muha. Tajul Islam before Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasan Shahadat’s court, which directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate and submit a report.

According to the case, the accused include BTCL’s Moghbazar Telephone Exchange Deputy General Manager (Broadband-2) Joyita Sen Rimpi, Deputy General Manager (Domain) Mostafa Al Mahmud, Assistant Manager (Domain) Abir Kalyan Abedin, and two officials from the Ministry of Education. The complaint states that despite USET’s compliance with payment and documentation requirements, BTCL refused to accept them and later deactivated the university’s domains www.uset.ac.bd and www.uset.edu.bd on January 11, 2026.

The plaintiff alleged that the accused verbally abused and threatened him, refused to accept legal documents, and acted with bias. The court’s directive for CID investigation marks the next procedural step in the case.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has decided to leave the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance after negotiations over seat sharing failed. The party had demanded at least 80 constituencies, but Jamaat and other partners could not agree to that number. Following several rounds of discussions over the past week, Islami Andolan formally informed the alliance that it would not remain under the current terms. As a result, the coalition will now become a ten-party alliance.

According to alliance leaders, the dispute intensified after the National Citizen Party (NCP) joined the coalition, which Islami Andolan reportedly viewed unfavorably. Jamaat initially offered 40 seats, later increasing to 45, with an additional 6–7 open constituencies, but Islami Andolan remained firm on its 80-seat demand. Efforts by Khelafat Majlis leader Maulana Mamunul Haque to mediate between Jamaat and Islami Andolan failed.

Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim confirmed that top leaders would meet at noon to finalize the coalition’s next steps and hold a postponed press conference. Other partners have agreed to stay united, and minor seat adjustments may occur within the remaining ten-party alliance.

Students from seven government colleges in Dhaka blocked the Science Lab intersection for a second consecutive day on Thursday, January 15, 2026, demanding the issuance of the proposed Dhaka Central University ordinance. The blockade began around 12:30 p.m., with students chanting slogans calling for immediate government action. Participants said they had been waiting about one and a half years for the ordinance, which they claim is essential to formally establish their institutional identity.

Students expressed frustration that despite repeated government assurances, the ordinance had not yet been issued. They stated that they would withdraw from the streets only after the ordinance was officially announced. The protesters emphasized that they did not wish to cause public suffering but felt compelled to continue their movement until their demand was met.

The previous day, January 14, students had also blocked the Science Lab, Tati Bazar, and Technical intersections, causing severe traffic congestion across the area. The seven colleges involved include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Titumir College, and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to meet the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, this evening at the Chief Adviser’s residence, the Jamuna State Guest House. This will be their first formal meeting since Tarique Rahman’s return from the United Kingdom, drawing attention to what topics may be discussed.

According to sources from the Chief Adviser’s Office and the BNP, the meeting is expected to focus on the country’s current political situation, particularly the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for 12 February. Several senior BNP leaders may also join the discussion. The two leaders last met in June of the previous year in London, where they reached key decisions regarding the timing of the national election and issued a joint statement afterward.

Following Tarique Rahman’s return on 25 December, he had a phone conversation with Dr. Yunus to thank him for ensuring overall security. They also briefly met during the funeral of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on 31 December, but today’s meeting marks their first official discussion since his return.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that discussions are underway with several countries to sell Pakistani-made fighter jets. He stated that demand for the aircraft has increased following Pakistan’s military success against India in May 2025. The announcement was made during a cabinet meeting, according to Geo News.

Defence Production Minister Raja Hayat Harz confirmed in an interview with the BBC that Pakistan is negotiating potential deals for the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets with multiple countries. The aircraft is jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and Harz noted that any export agreement would require China’s consent due to its role in the jet’s development.

Reuters, citing government sources, reported that the discussions involve Libya, Sudan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. However, Harz declined to name any specific countries, describing the negotiations as confidential and refusing to disclose their current status.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Ukraine, not Russia, is obstructing a possible peace agreement to end the ongoing conflict. In an interview with Reuters at the Oval Office on January 14, Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to conclude nearly four years of war, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is less prepared. He added that he believes Putin is ready to make a deal, but Ukraine is not.

When asked why the largest European conflict since World War II has not been resolved through U.S.-led negotiations, Trump directly pointed to Zelensky. His remarks signaled dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian leader and reflected his tendency to express more trust in Putin than in U.S. allies, a stance that has frustrated Ukraine, European capitals, and American lawmakers.

A Reuters report from December noted that U.S. intelligence agencies had warned Putin had not abandoned his goal of capturing all of Ukraine and restoring parts of the former Soviet empire, though National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard denied that assessment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has no plans to execute anti-government protesters. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been assured that killings of protesters in Iran had stopped, according to Al Jazeera.

When asked about possible executions, Araghchi said the question of carrying out death sentences does not arise. Earlier, Trump told reporters he was informed that the killing of protesters had ceased and that planned executions were suspended. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump mentioned receiving the information from what he described as a very important source but did not specify who it was.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent Mike Hanna reported from Washington, D.C., that Trump’s tone toward Iran appeared softer, suggesting a possible cooling of tensions. Hanna added that Trump seemed to be considering various options after being briefed by his national security team, indicating a potential move away from immediate escalation.

The Bangladesh interim government is preparing a new law titled the 'July Uprising Protection and Indemnity Ordinance, 2026' to provide legal immunity to participants of the 2024 July uprising. According to a senior Cabinet Division official, the draft, containing six sections, is expected to be presented at the advisory council’s regular meeting on Thursday. The proposed law stipulates that all cases filed against July fighters between July 1 and August 5, 2024, will be automatically withdrawn without requiring any application. It also bars future lawsuits related to the uprising and allows victims of the 36-day movement to seek compensation through the National Human Rights Commission.

The draft states that the ordinance aims to protect those who acted in self-defense and to restore public order during the anti-autocratic movement. Law Adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul affirmed the ordinance’s constitutional validity under Article 46 and compared it to post-revolution indemnity laws in other countries. He emphasized that July fighters risked their lives to free the country from fascist rule and deserve legal protection.

The law ministry began reviewing and withdrawing related cases after the interim government took office, though some remain pending due to legal complexities.