The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reaffirmed its decision not to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup matches scheduled to be held in India, despite repeated requests from the International Cricket Council (ICC). During an online meeting held yesterday, the ICC urged Bangladesh to reconsider its stance following the release of the tournament schedule. However, the BCB insisted that Bangladesh’s matches be hosted outside India, preferably in Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The meeting ended without a resolution, and both parties are expected to meet again soon.

According to the BCB, two formal letters were previously sent to the ICC outlining security concerns and confirming the decision not to play in India. The ICC’s security assessment reportedly identified three areas of concern, reinforcing Bangladesh’s position. Government officials and BCB executives, including President Aminul Islam Bulbul and Vice Presidents Faruk Ahmed and Shakawat Hossain, participated in the meeting. BCB officials stated that their stance remains unchanged and that discussions with the ICC will continue.

The BCB maintains that the current security situation in India is inadequate for the Bangladesh team and supporters, and it awaits a positive response from the ICC regarding alternative arrangements.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir posted an emotional message on Facebook on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026, calling for justice over the killings of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, Azizur Rahman Mushabbir, and S M Shahriar Alam Samya. Hadi was the spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, Mushabbir was the former general secretary of Dhaka North Swechchhasebak Dal, and Samya was a student of the Institute of Education and Research at Dhaka University.

In his verified Facebook post, Mirza Fakhrul described an encounter at Dhaka Airport where a young man asked him for justice for Hadi if his party came to power. Fakhrul responded affirmatively and expressed deep sorrow over the killings of young activists who supported democracy and election campaigns. He emphasized that justice must be ensured for Hadi, Mushabbir, Samya, and others who were killed.

The post reflects the BNP leader’s emotional appeal for accountability and justice in these politically sensitive murder cases.

Students of Khulna University staged a protest on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026, demanding the cancellation of the student representative system and reduction of increased registration fees. The demonstration began at Hadi Chattar and marched through several dormitories before gathering in front of the vice chancellor’s residence. Students held a brief rally, voicing demands to lower registration fees, extend course registration deadlines, and abolish the student representative system.

During the protest, students alleged that the registration fee had been raised without prior discussion and described the increase as unreasonable. They also expressed concern that the introduction of a student representative system could bring politics into the campus, which they said had always been non-political. Protesters warned of tougher actions if their demands were not met within one working day.

Assistant Director of Student Affairs Ehsan Majid Mostafa met the students and said their demands would be conveyed to the administration. However, Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim stated that no registration fee increase had occurred and that misinformation was spreading on social media.

The government has appointed an armed bodyguard and deployed uniformed police at the residence of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to ensure his personal security. A directive issued on Tuesday instructed the Police Headquarters to take necessary measures following an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The official notice stated that Dr. Rahman faces a high level of security risk, prompting the decision to assign a gunman and armed police for his protection.

Earlier, on December 17, Jamaat’s office secretary A.F.M. Abdus Sattar submitted an application to the ministry requesting round-the-clock security for Dr. Rahman and his residence. After verification, the government approved the deployment. According to Dr. Rahman’s personal assistant Nazrul Islam, a police squad vehicle and a gunman had already been assigned about two weeks earlier. The new directive appears to revise and formalize those arrangements.

The decision reflects the government’s assessment of heightened security threats surrounding the Jamaat chief and aims to strengthen protective measures at both his residence and during his movements.

A winter clothing distribution program was held at Jagannath University on Tuesday night, January 13, organized by Md. Mostafizur Rahman Rumi, joint convener of the university’s Chhatra Dal. The event was arranged to pray for the forgiveness of the soul of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Winter clothes were distributed among cold-affected and underprivileged people from the campus and surrounding areas. Rumi himself inaugurated the program.

During the event, Rumi stated that the nation would forever remember Begum Khaleda Zia’s contribution to restoring democracy in the country. He added that praying for her soul and standing beside the cold-affected people was a moral duty. He also pledged to continue her unfinished struggle for democracy and sovereignty. Leaders and activists from different levels of the Jagannath University Chhatra Dal, along with general students, attended the program.

The initiative reflected a combination of social welfare and political remembrance, highlighting the student organization’s continued engagement in community support activities.

The European Union (EU) has deployed an election observation mission to Bangladesh at the invitation of the government ahead of the country’s 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. According to an official press release from the Office of the Chief Adviser, the mission includes political analyst Marcel Negi and election analyst Vasil Vaschenka, who met with Dr. Ali Riaz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, on Tuesday afternoon.

The mission, comprising around 200 observers and an 11-member analytical team, arrived in Dhaka on December 29. On January 17, 56 observers will be deployed across the country to monitor electoral processes and report to the core team. Additionally, 90 short-term observers will join to oversee voting, counting, and result tabulation, along with several others from EU diplomatic and partner communities.

Following EU’s standard methodology, the mission will provide a data-driven, comprehensive, and impartial assessment of the entire electoral process. A preliminary report will be released on February 14 via the mission’s website and social media, followed by a final report with recommendations for future electoral improvements.

A gas supply disruption occurred in Dhaka’s Uttara area after a valve on an industrial customer’s service line near the Uttara-Tongi Bridge burst, causing a high-pressure gas leak. Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC announced on Tuesday night that gas supply through the main pipeline in Uttara was immediately shut down following the incident.

According to the company’s statement, the 12-inch diameter main distribution pipeline in Uttara was placed under shutdown, suspending gas supply across Uttara, Uttarkhan, Dakshinkhan, and adjacent areas. Replacement work on the damaged valve is underway, and Titas Gas expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers.

This marks the third gas pipeline accident in Dhaka within two weeks. Earlier, on January 4, a pipeline under the Turag River developed a leak, disrupting supply in Mirpur and Mohammadpur. Another valve burst near Ganabhaban on January 10 also caused temporary supply suspension before restoration later that night.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with leaders of rickshaw, van, and auto drivers on Tuesday night at his political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The event was confirmed by the party’s media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. Photos and videos of the meeting were later shared on Tarique Rahman’s verified Facebook page and the party’s official page, showing him greeting the participants and receiving gifts from them.

During the discussion, the rickshaw and van driver leaders shared their professional challenges, livelihood crises, and experiences regarding the current political situation. Tarique Rahman listened attentively and called for unity in the democratic movement. He emphasized that restoring democracy in the country requires the participation and solidarity of people from all professions.

The meeting was part of Tarique Rahman’s ongoing series of exchanges with different professional groups following his return to the country, aimed at strengthening engagement across social sectors.

Jamaat-e-Islami and its 11-party electoral alliance are set to announce their final seat-sharing agreement today, Wednesday, at 4 p.m. in a joint press conference at the Diploma Engineers Auditorium in Dhaka. Reliable sources within Jamaat confirmed the plan, though journalists had not received formal invitations as of midnight Tuesday. The announcement will be attended by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other top leaders of the allied parties.

According to the report, the parties held daylong meetings on Tuesday to finalize seat allocations. The Islamic Movement of Bangladesh expressed dissatisfaction after receiving 45 seats instead of its expected 70, leaving uncertainty about its participation. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis still had some unresolved matters expected to be settled before noon today. Earlier, Jamaat finalized 30 seats with the National Citizens Party, over 15 with Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, 10 with Khelafat Majlis, 7 with the Liberal Democratic Party, 3 with AB Party, and 2 with Bangladesh Development Party.

The alliance, initially a 10-party coalition announced on December 28 last year, expanded to 11 parties. The final announcement today will confirm the seat distribution and participating members.

A planned and organized attack on police occurred in Mymensingh on Tuesday afternoon when officers were taking a listed accused, Ariful Islam, to the police station. The attackers, led by Ariful’s father Sagar Ali, assaulted the police team and forcibly freed Ariful, who was still in handcuffs. Five police members, including an assistant sub-inspector and three constables, were seriously injured and admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

According to police, Ariful and his associates had earlier attacked a local resident named Russell, leaving him critically injured and hospitalized in Dhaka. Following that incident, a case was filed at Kotwali Model Police Station, and a team led by Sub-Inspector Farid Ahmed arrested Ariful. However, during the transfer, hundreds of armed locals ambushed the officers.

Officer-in-Charge Md Nazmus Sakib described the attack as extremely serious and alarming. Sagar Ali has been detained, and law enforcement, including RAB and army personnel, have been deployed to control the tense situation. Police operations continue to capture Ariful and others involved in the assault.

Bangladesh has begun observing 'World Al-Quds Week' to express solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle and the oppressed people of Gaza. The weeklong program was formally announced on Tuesday at a seminar held at Jami'a Islamia Lalmatia Madrasa in Dhaka. The event began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and included the reading of a special message marking International Quds Week. The initiative in Bangladesh, titled 'Al-Quds Global Week Bangladesh,' is part of the international call by the Palestine Ulema Council and supported by Intifada Foundation Bangladesh.

Speakers at the seminar emphasized that the protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the liberation of Palestine are not merely regional issues but moral responsibilities for Muslims worldwide. The special message highlighted the need for unity among the global Muslim community and the active role of religious scholars in addressing the ongoing crisis in Palestine and Gaza.

The program concluded with prayers for peace and freedom for the oppressed Muslims in Palestine, Gaza, and across the world, led by the principal of Jami'a Islamia Lalmatia Madrasa, Maulana Mohammad Ismail.

The Election Commission (EC) will train 142 officials and employees on managing postal voting for the upcoming referendum and the 13th parliamentary election. The training will be held on Saturday, according to a letter signed by Riaz Uddin, Assistant Director of the Electoral Training Institute. Participants will include additional deputy commissioners, additional district magistrates, senior assistant commissioners, executive magistrates, district information officers, and other officials of similar rank.

The training will cover every stage of postal vote management, including verifying envelopes received through the postal service, scanning QR codes with designated software for data storage, automatically preparing Form-12, and securely transferring materials to presiding officers. EC officials said the initiative aims to ensure transparency, accuracy, and timeliness in handling postal votes.

Registered postal voters have already received their ballot papers and will cast their votes between January 21 and 25. The counting of postal ballots will take place on election day, February 12.

Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over third-tier English side Barnsley at Anfield on January 13, 2026. Despite a major defensive error by midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai that led to Barnsley’s only goal, the home side maintained control throughout the match. Liverpool’s goals came from Dominik Szoboszlai in the ninth minute, Jeremie Frimpong in the 36th, Florian Wirtz six minutes before full time, and Hugo Ekitike in stoppage time.

Szoboszlai’s mistake occurred in the 40th minute when he attempted a back-heel pass near his own goal, losing possession to Barnsley’s Adam Phillips, who scored easily. Liverpool coach Arne Slot later commented that such errors should not happen in any competition or even in training, calling it a strange decision but declined to elaborate further.

The win secured Liverpool’s place in the next round of the FA Cup, overshadowing the midfielder’s blunder that had briefly given Barnsley hope.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has strongly objected to the Border Security Force (BSF) of India constructing a new road near the Balairhat border in Kurigram, alleging a violation of international law. Following BGB’s intervention, the construction work was halted, and a battalion commander-level flag meeting was held at the Balairhat Border Outpost under Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB) to assess the situation.

During the meeting, BGB stated that BSF began road construction within 150 yards of border pillar 934 without prior notice, breaching the rule that requires both countries to coordinate any construction within 150 yards of the zero line. BGB demanded adherence to the regulation and proposed forming a joint survey team to inspect the site. BSF commander K.K. Rao responded that no new road was being built but that existing roads were being repaired, assuring that BGB would be informed before any future expansion or new construction.

The meeting also discussed paving the Nageshwari connecting road near Shimulbari BOP, which BSF viewed positively, subject to formal proposals and ethical consideration.

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.