U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed solidarity with Iranians participating in ongoing anti-government protests and urged them to continue demonstrating in the streets. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump called on Iranian patriots to seize institutions and record the names of those responsible for killings and repression. He announced the cancellation of all meetings with Iranian officials until the violence stops and said that help is on the way, though he did not specify the nature or timing of that assistance.

The protests began on December 28 in Tehran’s markets over economic hardship and quickly spread nationwide. Rising prices, severe inflation, and the fall of the rial have driven young people and ordinary citizens into continuous demonstrations. The situation worsened last Thursday after Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last exiled Shah, called for stronger protests against the government.

Trump’s remarks come as the unrest intensifies, but details about the promised aid and U.S. actions remain unclear.

At a discussion titled 'From Nazrul Islam to Hadi: The Struggle for Freedom' held Tuesday evening at the Supreme Court auditorium in Dhaka, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman declared that Bangladesh’s young generation would not allow any India-backed agents to come to or remain in power. He said the political theory of the country must change so that no one supported by India could be elected or retained in office.

Rahman described the July movement as a turning point that created a new generation determined to protect national sovereignty. He linked this spirit to the ideals of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, emphasizing that Bangladesh’s independence struggle is fundamentally a cultural one that must continue against hostile neighbors. He urged preservation of the Inqilab Cultural Center, which he said was part of Hadi’s vision.

Other speakers, including Amar Desh executive editor Syed Abdal Ahmad, compared poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s anti-colonial voice to Hadi’s revolutionary spirit, noting that Nazrul’s poetry inspired the July movement. The event was organized by the Cultural Research Center, Dhaka, and attended by academics, poets, and family members of Hadi.

AUP Bangladesh has called on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to clarify its position regarding controversial remarks made by BNP leader Mosharraf Hossain Thakur about the niqab. The organization’s spokesperson, Shahreen Ira, made the statement during a protest held on Tuesday afternoon in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka. She warned that if the BNP fails to clarify its stance promptly, the remarks would be considered the party’s official position.

The protest was organized in response to Thakur’s comments, which AUP Bangladesh described as insulting to Islamic principles and women. Shahreen Ira said the remarks not only questioned Thakur’s personal background but also cast doubt on his party’s position. She criticized ongoing anti-Islamic sentiment in various sectors, including education, workplaces, and politics, and vowed that discriminatory behavior toward hijab or niqab would not be tolerated anywhere.

AUP central member Dilara Khanam added that Thakur’s comments were indecent and offensive to Islam, calling them both an insult to women and a violation of Islamic teachings.

A gas leak near the Uttara-Tongi Bridge in Dhaka led to the immediate shutdown of gas supply across Uttara, Uttar Khan, Dakshin Khan, and nearby areas. The incident occurred when a valve on an industrial customer’s service line burst under high pressure, according to a statement issued Tuesday night by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC. The company said replacement work on the damaged valve is underway and apologized for the temporary inconvenience to customers.

This marks the third gas pipeline accident in Dhaka within two weeks. On January 4, a pipeline under the Turag River was punctured, disrupting supply to Mirpur and Mohammadpur. Another valve burst on January 10 near Ganabhaban, causing temporary supply suspension before restoration later that night. The repeated incidents have affected gas distribution in several parts of the capital.

Titas Gas stated that the 12-inch main distribution pipeline in Uttara was shut down for safety, and repair work continues to restore normal supply soon.

Bangladesh has advanced five positions in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, ranking 95th globally. The index, published annually by London-based citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), shows that Bangladeshi citizens can now travel visa-free to 37 countries. In the previous edition, Bangladesh was ranked 100th. Singapore topped the list, with its citizens enjoying visa-free access to 192 destinations out of 227 worldwide.

According to the report, Asian countries dominate the top positions. Japan and South Korea share second place, each allowing visa-free entry to 188 countries. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland jointly hold third place with access to 186 destinations. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway follow in fourth place with a score of 185. Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates share fifth place with a score of 184.

The index notes that the United Arab Emirates has shown the most progress in the past 20 years, adding 149 visa-free destinations since 2006 and moving up 57 ranks. Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with visa-free access to only 24 countries.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sought assistance from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to combat widespread misinformation and confusion surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. He made the request during a telephone conversation on Tuesday with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

During the call, Yunus expressed concern over what he described as a flood of false information coming from both foreign media and local sources. He noted that social media platforms were being used to spread fake news, rumors, and speculation, raising worries about their potential impact on the electoral process.

In response, Volker Türk acknowledged awareness of the situation and assured that the UN human rights office would provide support to address the growing challenge of disinformation. He stated that the volume of false information was high and pledged that the UN agency would work closely with Bangladesh to take necessary measures.

Former information adviser Mahfuz Alam said that brokers within the country have accumulated wealth and are running the media, and that no real change has occurred in this regard. He made the remarks on Tuesday, January 13, at a seminar titled “State Reconstruction and Referendum” held at Dhaka University’s TSC auditorium.

Alam stated that the recent mass uprising was not for the benefit of a few individuals but for collective change, which requires reform. He criticized the lack of action against powerful figures and said that without measures against them, no transformation would be possible. He also mentioned that he was not allowed to work during the last four months of his tenure, which hindered state reform efforts. According to him, building a new structure while keeping the old order intact is impossible.

Emphasizing the need for redistribution of wealth, Alam questioned why political parties were contradicting the July Charter agreement. He said political consensus should mean restructuring power and redistributing resources, including land, which has not yet been addressed.

Testimony in the war crimes case over the killing of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the July uprising, has concluded against 30 accused. The International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Md Manjurul Basid with District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, completed the process on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The defense lawyers finished cross-examining investigation officer Ruhul Amin, marking the end of testimony from 25 witnesses. No defense witnesses were requested, and the tribunal scheduled Wednesday, January 14, for setting the date of arguments.

During the hearing, police presented six detained defendants, including former Begum Rokeya University proctor Shariful Islam and several others, while 24 accused, including Vice-Chancellor Hasibur Rashid, remain absconding. Four state-appointed lawyers are representing the fugitives. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M.H. Tamim appeared for the state.

The tribunal had framed formal charges against the 30 accused on August 6, 2025, and the trial formally began with opening statements on August 27, 2025.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has issued a show-cause notice to BNP-nominated candidate Major General (Retd.) Sharif Uddin from Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice, signed by Rajshahi Joint District and Sessions Judge Mosammat Kamrun Nahar, was sent on Sunday and reached Godagari Police Station on Monday. Sharif Uddin has been ordered to appear in person before the Rajshahi Joint District Judge’s First Court on Wednesday, January 14, to provide a written explanation.

According to the notice, the committee learned that Sharif Uddin distributed shawls, mufflers, and party flags bearing the BNP’s symbol among all auto-rickshaw and CNG drivers in Ward 9 of Mundumala Municipality in Tanore. This act was deemed a clear violation of Rule 4 of the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025 for parliamentary elections. Copies of the notice were also sent to the Returning Officer and Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter.

The committee stated that the incident constitutes a pre-election irregularity and may be reported to the Election Commission Secretariat with recommendations after inquiry.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has criticized the decision to halt student union elections at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Begum Rokeya University, calling it an undemocratic move. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, January 13, after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission, he said students would not accept the suspension on security grounds.

Kayem stated that the elections were scheduled to be held on time, but certain quarters did not want them to proceed, leading to the issuance of a notification postponing the polls. He emphasized that discussions were held to ensure all necessary security so the elections could take place as planned, and the Election Commission had given assurances in this regard.

He also mentioned that students would campaign for a “yes” vote in the referendum, while accusing those promoting a “no” vote of trying to preserve past fascist practices and wrongdoing.

Tasnim Zara, former leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has clarified why she left the party ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking at a dialogue organized by the Citizens Platform on Tuesday, she said her decision to run as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency stemmed from a desire to change the old political structure. Zara had earlier announced her independent candidacy on December 27.

She explained that the country’s existing system suffers from a weak accountability framework and widespread complexity, where individuals are accountable to their own appointers. Zara emphasized the need to continue discussions on long-promised reforms and to ensure accountability among those in power. She added that citizens now seek change and are no longer willing to accept outdated political arrangements.

Her remarks come amid ongoing public debate over her departure from the NCP, highlighting broader concerns about governance and the demand for structural reform in national politics.

A Dhaka court has postponed the submission date of the investigation report in the Salman Shah murder case to February 22. The case involves 11 accused, including the late actor’s former wife Samira Haque and film villain Don. On January 13, Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana’s court set the new date after the investigating officer, Atiqul Islam Khandaker of Ramna Model Police Station, failed to submit the report as scheduled. During the hearing, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Faruk Ahmed, filed a petition seeking seizure of the accused’s immovable and movable assets, which the court ordered to be recorded.

The case stems from the 1996 death of film actor Salman Shah, whose body was found at his Eskaton residence in Dhaka. Initially treated as an unnatural death, the case was later converted into a murder case following a court directive. Over the years, multiple investigations by CID, judicial authorities, and PBI have alternately concluded suicide or reopened the case upon revision petitions.

The latest court order continues the long-running legal process, with the next hearing scheduled for February 22.

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.