The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has raised objections over the postal ballots sent by the Election Commission for expatriate Bangladeshi voters. On Tuesday, a BNP delegation led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan met with the Chief Election Commissioner to express concerns that the ballots intentionally placed certain political parties’ names and symbols on the first line while positioning BNP’s name and symbol in the middle, making it less visible when folded.

Nazrul Islam Khan stated that the delegation discussed the issue with the commission, which appeared unaware of the matter. He said the commission claimed the order was based on alphabetical arrangement, but BNP believes it was done deliberately. The party requested changes and corrections to the postal ballots. Khan also drew attention to a viral video allegedly showing individuals in Bahrain handling multiple postal ballots, urging legal action against those involved.

According to the report, more than 1.5 million voters, including expatriates, have registered through the “Postal Vote BD” app to cast their votes via postal ballots.

India’s central government has decided to reopen several abandoned World War II-era airbases in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, according to a Times of India report. The initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity in states bordering Bangladesh. The airbases to be renovated include Ambari and Panga in Jalpaiguri, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, Jhaljhalia in Malda, and Dhubri in Assam. Additionally, Rupsi in Assam and Cooch Behar are already operational. The Airports Authority of India has handed over responsibility for West Bengal’s airfields to the state government.

Analysts believe the move is primarily intended to bolster security around the Siliguri Corridor, known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects India’s northeastern states with the mainland. The development comes amid reports that India-Bangladesh relations have reached a historic low. Bangladesh has recently begun reconstructing its Lalmonirhat airbase near the corridor but insists it will be used solely for national purposes.

Indian defense sources indicated that despite operational challenges, efforts are underway to make the airstrips functional, ensuring runways remain ready for use at all times.

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) held a meeting on January 13, 2026, with the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Secretary to ensure that the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student council election, known as ShakSU, takes place as scheduled. The meeting aimed to maintain the democratic process across all campuses in Bangladesh and to prevent any delay in the student elections.

During the discussion, the DUCSU representatives emphasized the importance of preserving the democratic trend that began after the July Revolution through regular campus elections. They warned that any attempt to halt student council elections three weeks before the national polls would not be accepted by the student community. The Chief Election Commissioner assured that the election would be held on time and pledged full cooperation.

University authorities, including the SUST Vice-Chancellor, also promised support for a free, fair, and peaceful election. The participants called on all candidates and stakeholders to uphold democratic practices and contribute to a safe and democratic campus environment.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a public warning against misinformation circulating on social media regarding the server location and IP address of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. In a special notice posted Tuesday on its verified Facebook page, the commission clarified that the NEIR system was launched on January 1 under a government decision to curb illegal handset imports, prevent mobile theft, combat crimes using unauthorized devices, and ensure government revenue.

According to the BTRC, all NEIR data are securely hosted within Bangladesh using the commission’s own hardware and in full compliance with the national data protection law. The IP address used by the system was allocated by APNIC to a Bangladeshi organization, ensuring that no data or traffic leaves the country. All operational requests are processed domestically, and detailed IP route reviews have confirmed the system’s internal security.

The BTRC urged mobile users to disregard false claims and avoid spreading unverified information about the NEIR system.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it will support a 'Yes' vote if a referendum is held on upcoming elections and constitutional reforms. The statement came from Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and chairman of the party’s Election Steering Committee, following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon.

Khan said BNP has always advocated for qualitative reforms in the state and was the first to call for such changes. He added that the party has proposed increasing the number of women’s seats in the National Parliament. The meeting, which began at 4 p.m., was attended by a four-member BNP delegation led by Khan, including Ismail Jobiullah, Mohammad Zakaria, and Ruhul Quddus Kajol. The CEC, other election commissioners, and the Election Commission secretary were also present.

The BNP’s stance signals its readiness to engage positively in discussions on constitutional reform and electoral processes if a referendum is organized.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued a directive prohibiting the use of any educational institution for meetings, gatherings, or election campaigns related to the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. The order, released on Tuesday by the DSHE’s General Administration Branch, instructs all educational institutions to strictly comply with this rule.

According to the directive, the instruction follows a memorandum from the offices of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and the Returning Officer. It notes that some candidates or their representatives have been organizing voter gatherings under the guise of seminars or youth assemblies, often using school or college premises without proper authorization. The DSHE emphasized that such actions violate the electoral code of conduct.

To ensure compliance, the order has been circulated to all government and private colleges, secondary schools, teachers’ training colleges, and education officials at the upazila and district levels, directing them not to permit any political activities without the Returning Officer’s approval.

A robot traffic police unit has started operating on the busy streets of Wuhu city in China’s Anhui province. Beginning last Saturday, the smart robot joined human traffic officers to help manage road control and maintain order at key intersections, according to CCTV. The robot, dressed in a police uniform with a traffic police logo and identification number, was seen directing vehicles from a small mobile platform that allows it to move to designated positions and rotate to oversee traffic in all directions.

The robot has been trained in four main areas: raising public awareness about traffic laws, coordinating vehicle movement at intersections, detecting and warning irregular behavior, and automatically collecting evidence of traffic violations. It is connected to the city’s traffic light and management systems, enabling it to assist human officers with repetitive tasks during peak hours.

Authorities expect the robot’s integration to improve traffic efficiency and reduce workload for human officers in high-traffic zones.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 297 houses and 30 apartments owned abroad by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, along with the freezing of his one million dollar investment in the United States. The order was issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) public relations officer Tanjir Ahmed confirmed the details, specifying that the properties are located in the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.

The order followed a petition filed by ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman seeking to seize the properties and freeze the funds. On the same day, the court also accepted a separate Criminal Investigation Department (CID) petition to freeze 46,463,455 shares held by Saifuzzaman and six others. The former minister, an Awami League leader and businessman, has been living in the United Kingdom since the fall of the Awami League government.

Multiple cases have been filed by the ACC and CID against Saifuzzaman on allegations of money laundering and corruption, and the court has imposed a travel ban on him.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that all communication channels between the armed forces of India and Bangladesh remain open to prevent any misunderstandings. He made the remarks on Tuesday in New Delhi during the army’s annual press conference while responding to a question about the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan and whether it poses a threat to India.

General Dwivedi explained that it is important for India to understand what kind of government is currently in power in Bangladesh, especially if it is an interim one, and to assess whether its actions are short-term or long-term. He emphasized that all three branches of the Indian military are maintaining full communication with their Bangladeshi counterparts, including regular contact between the army chiefs and other service heads. A delegation has also visited Bangladesh for field-level discussions.

The Indian Army Chief assured that none of the current military activities by either side are directed against India and that capability development is a continuous process being pursued by all nations. He added that India is closely monitoring the situation.

Global oil prices have risen by nearly four dollars per barrel in recent days due to renewed tensions involving Iran, according to a Reuters report published on Tuesday. Brent crude reached 64.15 dollars per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at 59.78 dollars, marking their highest levels since December 8. The increase follows strong remarks by US President Donald Trump about Iran, reversing a previous price decline that occurred after the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The report noted that Iran is facing its largest anti-government protests in years, with allegations of deadly violence against demonstrators. As of Monday, the protests had entered their 16th day, with at least 648 protesters reported killed by the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights. In response, Trump warned of possible military action and threatened a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran. Barclays estimated that geopolitical risks added a three to four dollar premium to oil prices.

Market concerns also grew over crude supply from Venezuela, as the new government in Caracas may transfer up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States under Western sanctions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Iranian government is in its final days and weeks, asserting that a regime sustained only by violence has lost its legitimacy. He said the Iranian people have risen against their government. His remarks come as unrest continues across Iran.

In response to growing violence in Iran, several European countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors. Spain’s foreign minister said the summoning was to strongly condemn the repression of protests, while Finland’s foreign minister accused Tehran of shutting down the internet to conceal killings and crackdowns. The protests began more than two weeks ago, on December 28, after the Iranian rial sharply depreciated against the US dollar, prompting Tehran’s shopkeepers to take to the streets.

The demonstrations have since spread widely across the country, with reports indicating significant casualties, including around 2,000 deaths involving security personnel and civilians.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the mass uprising would fail if the ‘No’ vote passes in the upcoming referendum. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a campaign caravan aimed at promoting the referendum. Islam urged citizens to vote ‘Yes’, saying that even if they do not support his party, they should still vote in favor of the referendum.

He criticized a particular group for campaigning for the ‘No’ vote, arguing that supporting ‘Yes’ was the responsibility of all political parties. According to him, a victory for the ‘No’ side would bring an authoritarian force to power. He described the referendum as a vote that could shape Bangladesh’s next 50 years and called on voters to act consciously. Islam also mentioned that question leaks in recruitment exams had occurred under the current government and warned that a failed ‘Yes’ vote would return the country to its previous system.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that nationwide campaigning for the referendum had begun and would continue until the election. The party recently restructured its election management committee ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association has urged the government to address six major problems affecting the restaurant sector, including a severe gas crisis and rising inflation. The call came during a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, where association leaders, including President Osman Gani and General Secretary Imran Hasan, highlighted the growing difficulties faced by restaurant owners across the country.

Speakers alleged that private syndicates have created an artificial shortage of LPG gas, forcing restaurants to buy cylinders at inflated prices, while Petrobangla and government advisers remain inactive. They also complained about extortion and threats from individuals posing as labor union representatives, which they said are worsening the situation. The association demanded immediate measures to stabilize fuel supply, control commodity prices, and stop unethical practices in the sector.

The association further called on political parties to include a dedicated plan for protecting the restaurant industry in their election manifestos, emphasizing that the sector employs around three million people and indirectly supports about twenty million more.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has withdrawn the expulsion orders of five leaders who were previously removed for alleged breaches of party discipline. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement issued by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the statement, the decision was taken following applications from the expelled members, and their primary memberships have been reinstated effective January 13.

The five reinstated leaders are Md. Abu Taher Siddiqui from Bagharpara upazila in Jashore, Syed Md. Sohel Chairman (SM Ataul Mostafa Sohel) from Madhabpur upazila in Habiganj, Khorshed Alam from Chattogram city BNP, Syed Sajjad Morshed from Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria, and Mosha. Parul Nahar from Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur. They had earlier been expelled for activities deemed contrary to the party’s policies and ideals.

The statement also noted that BNP has previously reinstated other leaders and activists who were expelled at different times, indicating a continuation of internal reconciliation efforts within the party.

An Iranian government official said on Tuesday that around 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the country’s ongoing protests and violent unrest. This marks the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll during the two-week-long turmoil, which has been met with a harsh crackdown. The official told Reuters that both protesters and security forces were killed by individuals he described as “terrorists,” but he did not disclose their identities or further details.

The unrest stems from Iran’s worsening economic conditions, which authorities view as the country’s most serious internal challenge in at least three years. The crisis has unfolded amid heightened international pressure following attacks by Israel and the United States last year. Iran’s religious leadership, in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has taken a dual stance—recognizing peaceful protests over economic issues as legitimate while enforcing strict security measures.

A human rights organization previously reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Internet blackouts and communication restrictions have severely disrupted information flow, while verified videos show intense clashes, gunfire, and property destruction across several cities.