The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh approved 53 candidacies on the fourth day of appeal hearings related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The hearings took place on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, with the Chief Election Commissioner, four other commissioners, and the EC secretary present. A total of 70 appeals were heard during the day, of which 53 were approved and 17 were rejected. Among the rejected appeals, two sought to cancel the candidacy of valid candidates but were dismissed.

In the first session of the day, 36 appeals were resolved, with 29 approved and 12 rejected. In the second session, 24 appeals were approved and 5 rejected. The process is part of the EC’s review of returning officers’ earlier decisions regarding candidate eligibility for the national election.

The hearings are continuing as part of the EC’s effort to finalize the list of eligible candidates ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The Bangladesh government has reduced import duties on mobile phones to keep prices within consumers’ purchasing power. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a notification on Tuesday announcing that the existing 25 percent duty on imported mobile phones has been lowered to 10 percent, while the total import tax burden has been reduced by 60 percent. The move is expected to significantly lower the prices of both imported and locally assembled phones in the market.

To ensure local assemblers are not disadvantaged, the government also reduced import duties on components used by domestic mobile phone assembly firms. A separate notification cut the duty on imported assembly materials from 10 percent to 5 percent, representing a 50 percent reduction. According to NBR estimates, the price of imported phones costing over 30,000 taka will drop by about 5,500 taka, while locally assembled phones in the same price range will decrease by around 1,500 taka.

The NBR stated that the duty cuts will help keep mobile phones affordable and make digital services more accessible to citizens across the country.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the Directorate of Madrasa Education in Bangladesh have instructed all public and private schools, colleges, and madrasas to conduct extensive awareness campaigns about the upcoming national referendum, scheduled to take place on the same day as the thirteenth parliamentary election next month. According to the state news agency BSS, all education offices under both directorates have been directed to comply with these instructions.

Separate circulars from the two directorates specify that all educational institutions must display banners and festoons featuring the referendum logo in prominent locations and use the logo on all official communications and correspondence. The madrasa directive also calls for disseminating the message through parent meetings, students, notice boards, and social media. The move follows guidance from the Cabinet Division.

The referendum aims to seek public opinion on the fundamental reform proposals outlined in the July National Charter 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing state reform process.

Bangladesh has introduced the 'Moon Alert' or Missing Urgent Notification System, the country's first national emergency alert mechanism for rescuing missing children. The initiative, launched jointly by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Amber Alert for Bangladesh, includes a toll-free helpline number 13219. The system was inaugurated at the CID headquarters in Malibagh by Additional IGP and CID chief Md. Shibgat Ullah, aiming to strengthen law enforcement operations and ensure public participation in child rescue efforts.

The Moon Alert system was developed under the leadership of the CID’s Missing Children Cell with technical support from the Zero Missing Children platform. It draws on international experience from the Amber Alert model, which began in the United States in 1996 and is now active in over 30 countries. Verified alerts will be disseminated through official web portals, mobile apps, media outlets, social media, digital billboards, and SMS broadcasting to mobilize public assistance while prioritizing child safety and privacy.

Authorities expressed confidence that the Moon Alert will establish a state-led, technology-driven framework for child protection and justice in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Unit has arrested eight members of an online fraud ring, including five Chinese nationals, during a weeklong operation in the city’s Bashundhara and Uttara areas. The arrests were announced on Tuesday at a press briefing at the DMP Media Center by DC (Cyber North) Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar. Police seized over 51,000 SIM cards, several VOIP gateway devices, mobile phones, laptops, and other digital equipment used in cybercrime.

According to the DMP, the suspects used Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms to lure victims with fake job offers, investment schemes, and low-cost product advertisements. The money collected from victims was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency and transferred abroad through VOIP gateway machines. The arrested individuals include Chen Ling Feng, Zeng Kong, Zeng Changqiang, Wen Jian Qiu, Huang Zheng Jiang, Md Zakaria, Niaz Masum, and Kamrul Hasan alias Hasan Joy.

Police said the passports and visa status of the Chinese nationals are being verified, and digital devices seized from them contained Chinese software applications. Legal proceedings are underway against all detainees.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination paper of Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Colonel (Retd.) Mohammad Abdul Haque valid for the Dhaka-2 constituency. The decision came on Tuesday, the fourth day of appeal hearings held at the EC building. Abdul Haque’s nomination had earlier been rejected on January 3 by the Dhaka district administration and returning officer Rezaul Karim during the scrutiny process.

According to the report, Abdul Haque is the president of the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA). The Dhaka-2 constituency has 419,215 registered voters. Three candidates submitted nomination papers for this seat: BNP’s Amanullah Aman, Jamaat’s Abdul Haque, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Maulana Zahirul Islam. The EC previously validated the nominations of Amanullah Aman and one other candidate.

With the EC’s latest decision, Abdul Haque will now be able to contest the upcoming election in Dhaka-2 alongside the other approved candidates.

Brahmanbaria Municipality has launched a cleanup campaign to restore and beautify the city’s historic Town Canal, aiming to free it from pollution and illegal occupation. The initiative began on Tuesday morning with an inauguration by Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akter Jahan, who inspected several points of the canal and instructed municipal authorities to expedite waste removal. Municipal Administrator Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Engineer Md. Kawsar Ahmed, and City Planner Jannatul Ferdous Ara were present during the event.

According to officials, the canal—once a vital waterway for drainage and trade—is now severely polluted and encroached upon due to negligence and public unawareness. The municipality plans to construct walkways, plant trees along both banks, and install lighting to make the canal aesthetically pleasing. Strict monitoring will be enforced to prevent indiscriminate waste dumping.

Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akter Jahan said the city is overwhelmed with garbage and that previous restoration attempts had failed. A coordinated plan has now been adopted involving local residents, environmentalists, and community leaders to ensure sustainable restoration of the five-kilometer canal connecting the Titas River at both ends.

US defense officials have briefed President Donald Trump on several potential military and intelligence measures against Iran, according to CBS News citing Pentagon sources. Options reportedly include long-range missile strikes, cyber operations, and psychological campaigns. The discussions come as Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries trading with Iran, while human rights groups report over 600 deaths in recent anti-government protests.

Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran remains open to talks with Washington but is also prepared for war. The White House confirmed that an Iranian official contacted Trump’s envoy, though it noted a difference between Iran’s public and private messages. Trump has warned that further protester deaths could prompt a “very strong option,” and US citizens in Iran have been urged to prepare evacuation plans.

Economic turmoil and currency collapse have intensified domestic anger toward Iran’s leadership. Analysts suggest new US tariffs could worsen shortages and inflation, adding pressure on Tehran as it faces both internal dissent and external threats.

The Bangladesh Army has issued a statement regarding the death of BNP leader Md. Shamsuzzaman, known as Dabulur, during a joint forces operation in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release on Tuesday, the operation took place on the night of January 12, based on specific intelligence to recover illegal weapons. Dabulur, aged 50, was detained from a pharmacy near the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex on allegations of possessing illegal arms. Following his information, a 9mm pistol, a magazine, and four rounds of ammunition were recovered. Shortly after the operation, he fell ill and was declared dead at 12:25 a.m. by on-duty doctors at the health complex.

The ISPR described the incident as unexpected, tragic, and unacceptable. It confirmed that the camp commander and all participating army personnel have been withdrawn to the cantonment. A high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of death, and the army pledged to take appropriate action under military law if any personnel are found guilty.

Six police officers were killed and three others injured in two separate bomb explosions near the Afghan border in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday. Officials said a remote-controlled bomb targeted an armored police vehicle on the Gomal Bazaar road in Tank district, killing six officers on the spot. Another attack the same day in Lakki Marwat district injured three officers, one of them critically.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attacks and paid tribute to the slain officers. Following the incidents, the province’s Counter-Terrorism Department launched operations in Peshawar, Bannu, and Khyber districts, killing at least eight armed suspects and claiming to have foiled several sabotage plots. Naqvi stated that security forces would continue their operations to restore peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings so far. However, tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have escalated since October last year, with Pakistan accusing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of launching cross-border attacks from Afghan territory and alleging that India provides the group with financial and logistical support.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar’s ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe in Dhaka after shots were fired from the Myanmar side near Hwaikong Union in Teknaf, injuring a 12-year-old child. The ministry expressed deep concern over the incident and described the unprovoked firing as a violation of international law and a threat to friendly relations between the two neighboring countries.

Bangladesh urged Myanmar to take full responsibility for the incident and to ensure that such occurrences do not happen again. It also called on Myanmar to make sure that internal conflicts between Myanmar authorities and armed groups do not affect the lives and livelihoods of people in Bangladesh. The injured child is currently receiving treatment in the ICU at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

According to the ministry’s statement, the Myanmar ambassador conveyed condolences to the injured child’s family and assured that his government would take measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) held a video conference with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following two letters sent by the BCB. During the meeting, the ICC urged Bangladesh to reconsider its decision not to participate in the upcoming World Cup in India. Despite the appeal, the BCB maintained its firm stance against playing in India. The meeting was attended by BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul, Vice Presidents Faruk Ahmed and Shakhawat Hossain, Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin Fahim, and Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury Sujon.

In a press release, the BCB stated that the ICC’s request was made due to the limited time remaining before the tournament. However, the BCB reiterated its unchanged position, effectively ending the meeting without any resolution. Both parties agreed to meet again for further discussions and to reach a final decision.

The next meeting between the ICC and BCB is expected to determine the final outcome regarding Bangladesh’s participation and potential venue changes.

The Youth Parliament of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has announced a 13-point demand calling for the cancellation of the power purchase agreement with Indian company Adani and the halt of Adani’s electricity imports. The demands were presented at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where student representatives from Dhaka University and BRAC University participated. CAB’s energy adviser M Shamsul Alam was also present at the event.

The demands include abolishing the Special Provision Act for quick power and energy supply, canceling all contracts and licenses under that law, stopping furnace oil-based power generation, and restoring the power and primary energy sectors as public service sectors. CAB also called for cost-based, non-profit energy supply, reducing fossil fuel imports by at least 5 percent in the next government term, and increasing solar power generation by 15 percent over five years. Other points include halting LNG import expansion for five years and banning new coal-based power capacity.

CAB urged political parties and candidates in the upcoming national election to include these 13 demands in their manifestos, aligning with the organization’s proposed Energy Transition Policy 2024 for a fair energy transformation.

A nine-year-old child named Huzayfa Afnan, who was seriously injured by gunfire coming from the Myanmar side in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, is being transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment after his condition deteriorated. Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin, director of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said preparations were underway to send the child to Dhaka by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Doctors reported that although surgery was performed on the child’s head, the bullet could not be removed as it was lodged deep in a highly risky area. Professor Dr. Harunur Rashid, head of the ICU department, stated that a neurosurgery team conducted the operation and cleaned the wound. The child was initially admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital after being shot near the Techa Bridge area of Hwaikyang in Teknaf last Sunday morning.

Huzayfa is the eldest of three siblings and the son of local fish trader Jasim Uddin. He is a third-grade student at Haji Mohammad Hossain Government Primary School.

The International Crimes Tribunal has released the full 457-page verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun in the July–August genocide and crimes against humanity case. The verdict was published on the tribunal’s official website on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. On November 17, the three-member panel led by Justice Md. Golam Murtuza Mojumdar sentenced Hasina and Kamal to death by hanging and life imprisonment, while Al-Mamun received a five-year prison term as a state witness.

The verdict detailed five charges grouped into two categories of crimes. The first charge involved incitement and provocation, citing Hasina’s July 14, 2024 press conference remarks and her conversation with the Dhaka University vice-chancellor, which allegedly led to the killing of Abu Sayeed in Rangpur. The second charge concerned direct orders to kill, based on a July 18 conversation that allegedly resulted in twelve deaths in Dhaka’s Chankharpul and Ashulia areas.

The tribunal ordered confiscation of all properties of the convicts, directing the government to distribute the assets among victims of the July movement.