Good morning, people. Meet BNP candidate M A Malik: self-educated, professionally does “Kichui Na,” yet somehow sits on BDT 200,000, USD 71,773.50, and GBP 6,710 in cash—and owns a premium apartment in Banani. If this is unemployment, we’re all doing it wrong.
Btw, did you see Trump unofficially asking for oil in exchange for “democracy” for the Venezuelan people— and possibly lining up his fifth Nobel Peace Prize nomination along the way?

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Election Affidavit Verification | US Strikes Venezuela

🗳️ Election Affidavit Verification

Bangladesh is officially in election mode as the 13th national polls approach on February 12, 2026. Over 2,582 candidates submitted nomination papers before the January 1 deadline, with Dhaka leading the pack in submissions, according to the Election Commission (EC). Dhaka-9 independent candidate Tasnim Jara saw her nomination rejected, but she vowed to appeal the decision. At least 99 candidates had their nominations rejected due to affidavit errors, loan defaults, incomplete asset declarations, or dual citizenship issues. Disqualified candidates can appeal between January 5–9, with decisions expected by January 18.

BNP’s Hamidur Rahman in Dhaka-7 owns assets worth ৳46 crore, Jamayet-e-Islami’s Abdul Mannan of Dhaka-6 earns just ৳7 lakh annually with assets of ৳48 lakh, while Tarique Rahman declared income of ৳6.76 lakh and total assets around ৳1.97 crore. National Citizen Party’s Nahid Islam reported ৳16 lakh annual income with ৳30 lakh in assets, and Salahuddin Ahmed, contesting in Chattogram, earns 6 crore annually. Postal Vote BD will allow 11 lakh voters to cast ballots remotely, reflecting efforts to expand access. Women account for only 4.26% of candidates.

Affidavit data reveals sharp financial contrasts. Several wealthy candidates report far lower assets than expected, while some list their spouses as holding far larger wealth. Some even undervalue properties or omit income sources. EC Secretary Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed the nomination submission deadline won’t be extended and stressed full compliance. Anti-Corruption Commission and Fair Election Monitoring Alliance, warned that unverifiable or false declarations undermine voter trust and could trigger legal action.

👍GOOD NEWS

Bangladesh HC Declares Safe Food and Drinkable Water Fundamental Rights.

😱 Panic over “extra phones” NEIR goes live
BTRC officially launched NEIR on 1 January 2026 sparked public panic after many users saw 30 to 200+ phones listed against their NID, which BTRC says happened because operators uploaded over 3 billion historical records at once. Special Assistant Fayez Ahmad Taiyeb and BTRC Chairman Md Emdad Ul Bari urged people not to panic, stressing that no active phones will be blocked immediately and incorrect data will be gradually cleaned. At the same time, the system exposed a deeper problem: millions of clones and fake phones with duplicate or dummy IMEI numbers like “000000” or “999999” are actively running on all four networks, according to the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry. Authorities say these unsafe devices will be tagged as “grey,” not shut down for now.

⛽ LPG Shortage Hits Bangladeshi Households Hard
Bangladesh is facing a severe LPG shortage, leaving many households scrambling for 12-kg cylinders. Over the past two weeks, the price of a 12kg cylinder has jumped from the government-set ৳1,253 to as high as ৳2,000, with many retailers running completely out of stock. Industry insiders, including Fresh LPG’s CMO Abu Sayeed Raja, attribute the crisis to recent US sanctions on 29 foreign vessels and trading networks that traditionally supply South Asia. Imports dropped around 40% last month to about 90,000 tonnes against normal 150,000. Residents in Dhaka and Chattogram report wandering through dozens of shops only to find empty shelves or double prices.

🏏 BCCI forces KKR to drop Mustafizur
Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad after India’s cricket board (BCCI) gave in to political and religious pressure. KKR had bought him for INR 9.20 crore, making him the priciest Bangladeshi player in IPL history. Former India all-rounder Madan Lal criticized the decision, "Politics should not enter sports”. Just two days ago, BJP politician Sangeet Som had labelled KKR owner Shah Rukh "a traitor" for buying Mustafizur, threatening protests if Mustafizur played.

📊Data Point

Price of 22-carat gold has been reduced by 1,458 BDT per bhori.

🚨 US Strikes Venezuela, Maduro Captured
Explosions rocked Caracas early Saturday as U.S. forces attacked Venezuela, capturing/kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and are being taken to New York to face charges of drug and weapons crimes, including “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy” and cocaine importation. Venezuela declared a national emergency, condemned the attacks as “extremely serious military aggression,” and called for citizen mobilization, while Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded “proof of life” for Maduro. Mexico condemned the strikes as destabilizing, the UK urged respect for international law, and China warned its citizens to avoid conflict zones. 

The assault, which lasted under 30 minutes, targeted key military sites including Fuerte Tiuna, La Carlota airport, and the Port of La Guaira, leaving large parts of the capital in darkness. Notably, reports confirm that the Cuartel de la Montaña, which houses the mausoleum of former leader Hugo Chávez, was also struck.

✊🏼 Iran protests erupt as economy hits breaking point
Iran has entered its seventh day of nationwide protests after a sharp economic collapse sent living costs soaring and pushed the rial to a record low. Demonstrations began on December 29, 2025, when Tehran shopkeepers shut businesses over inflation, and have since spread to at least 17 provinces. At least 7 people have been killed and 44 arrested in clashes with security forces, as food prices jumped around 72 percent year-on-year and the rial fell to about 1.42 million per US dollar. President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed sanctions and “enemies” for the crisis while promising reforms, appointing a new central bank chief and vowing to fight corruption.

🚗 BYD Overtakes Tesla as Top EV Seller
China’s BYD overtook Tesla in 2025 to become the world’s largest electric vehicle seller, marking the first time a Chinese automaker has led global annual EV sales. BYD said deliveries of battery-powered vehicles rose nearly 28% year on year to about 2.26 million units, while Tesla reported 1.64 million deliveries, an 8–9% decline from 2024 and its second consecutive annual drop. Tesla’s fourth-quarter deliveries fell about 16% year on year, reflecting weaker demand after the September 30 expiration of US federal EV tax credits, though third-quarter sales had surged 29% as buyers rushed before the deadline. BYD has expanded rapidly outside China, including strong growth in the UK, while US tariffs above 100% effectively block its entry into the American market. Tesla shares fell 2.6% following the sales update.

Quote of the Day
"[The operation] could constitute a dangerous precedent... I am deeply alarmed that international law was not respected."

— UN Secretary-General António Guterres following the US military illegal operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

> Author of the poem ‘পাগলা ঘোড়া’, Bangla Academy and Ekushey Padak-winning poet Sukumar Barua, dies at 88. Barua wrote for nearly six decades, earning the titles “Chhararaj” and “Chharasmrat.” (more)

> Over 700 prisoners remain at large following the 2024 Student‑Janata uprising, including dangerous offenders, while 27 of 67 looted firearms—around 40%—have yet to be recovered.  (more)

> Inqilab Moncho resumed its blockade at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection, demanding completion of the murder trial of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi within a 30‑working‑day deadline and warning of an anti‑government movement if the demand is not met. (more)

> Swiss authorities say sparklers attached to champagne bottles held too close to the ceiling likely triggered the New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, killing at least 40 people and injuring 119. (more)

> Saudi Arabia welcomed Yemen’s request to host talks in Riyadh to resolve southern fighting after Saudi-led air strikes reportedly killed 20 people, according to the Southern Transitional Council. (more)

> UN launched a $1.7 billion appeal to assist nearly 18 million people in Afghanistan, where 45 per cent of the population—about 21.9 million—will need aid in 2026. (more)

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